"And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac. But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit. But what do the Scriptures say about that? 'Get rid of the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the free woman’s son.' So, dear brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman; we are children of the free woman." (Galatians 4:28-31 NLT)
We've been discussing Galatians during our weekly Bible Study. Chapter four references Abraham and his seed of promise, Isaac, vs his seed born under the law (his attempt to obtain the promise through human effort), Ishmael. I was thinking a lot about the promise God made to Abraham; how it took many years to fulfill; how all earthly possibility was gone; how Abraham ultimately tried to make it happen on his own; and how his action had a lasting impact on humanity. I realized on a deeper level the importance of believing God and letting HIM fulfill His promise in our lives, and how Satan's schemes to divert us from God's promises are a daily occurance in ways we are not always aware.
Here are some of my thoughts:)
When God tells you something, don't listen to your own reasoning, your mind, your thoughts; hold on to the promise God put in your heart; take captive every thought that exalts itself above the knowledge of God (thoughts that say they know better than God). Literally choose to not dwell on those thoughts. Say, "those thoughts are not my thoughts and those feelings are not my feelings." (something my Dad taught me:)
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ," (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 NKJV)
Thoughts from the enemy (anything that contradicts God) become strongholds if you dwell on them. These thoughts come from the principalities of darkness; they are not the truth, therefore they are arguments against the truth. We Demolish strongholds and arguments of they enemy by not entertaining thoughts of doubt.
"...let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:2 NLT)
We must protect the seed of faith & promise that God has planted in us, not allowing strongholds to choke the seed and prevent it from bearing fruit.
"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (Proverbs 4:23 NLT)"
"Guard you heart..." Your heart is where God plants seeds of promise. It is a garden that He has given you to steward. Your heart "determines the course of your life"!
This is our weapon against the enemy. His only tactic in life is to convince us that what God said isn't really true, planting seeds of doubt in our hearts. Take what he said to Adam & Eve,
"Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'? ...You will not certainly die... For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1, 4-5 NIV)
The devil doesn't just provide another option like, "oh I think this is a good idea," he actually attacks God's authority, questioning His word. First he questions, then he blatantly contradicts it ("you will not die"), and then he says he has a better idea. His goal is to convince us that God doesn't know what He's talking about to create suspicion in our hearts against God.
God is always speaking to us. Consequently, Satan will always try to convince us that God is a liar. How twisted is that? We know God is a God of truth; therefore, anything even remotely contrary is a LIE. We must protect what God tells us (His promises) as the most precious treasure, above anything; we must guard it with our lives.
Thankfully, even when we make mistakes and doubt God (and we've ALL done it), He is so faithful and merciful to us. He always turns our mess into something good!
Oh how He loves us!
The Musicianary Midwife (in the making),
Hannah Garrett
Thankfully, even when we make mistakes and doubt God (and we've ALL done it), He is so faithful and merciful to us. He always turns our mess into something good!
Oh how He loves us!
The Musicianary Midwife (in the making),
Hannah Garrett
