Over the past months I have noticed something I continue to say to the Lord as He shows me our path together. Specifically concerning my calling, my desire to obey Him, and my burden to share authentic relationship with Christ with others. It is a daily life journey. It is not about a church, a religion, a denomination, or a faith. There are many “faiths” out there that have nothing to do with our risen Savior. It is about a person. He is as real as you and I are.  My cross to bear includes discussing things in the scriptures that are challenging. Truly I am just a girl. I have no seminary training, no theological background, etc. Yet, I have sat with Him for years now and the Holy Spirit has been my teacher. I do not always get it right I am sure. In this we must have grace with all people…we are all growing in the Lord, including myself. Oh Lord help me never to be today where I was yesterday! Teach me more!  Some things I now believe He had not yet revealed to me when He first came for me years ago. Some things I didn’t embrace because of religious/denominational upbringing rather than studying the Word for myself. The enemy of our souls, as in the wilderness with Jesus, is very good at even using scripture in a wrong and twisted manner. This is where we must understand and know the “nature” of the Lord. If I had not known His nature from spending time with Him while I was in a dark valley, I would have misread, misinterpreted, and embraced wrongly. You can tell when something comes from the Lord or not usually not by what is said but how it’s said. You can sit and watch and the Lord will show you the eyes of a person. Is He shining or is there a darkness. Many on the mission field know this to be true. Is there love reigning in a situation or is there pressure, pride, jealousy, envy? Of course it will not be something you necessarily speak out…..you will simply see it as the Lord allows you to. Remember the command was “watch and pray.”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. Simon, he said to Peter, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak (Mark 14:37-38).

The Lord spoke some very specific things into my heart over the past year regarding this new season of ministry. Honestly, in a world where Christ is being taken out of many public forums, it is becoming more difficult for followers of Jesus. I have friends currently helping Christians escape in East Africa due to imprisonment for sharing the gospel. I have also felt, personally, the pressing in of our own geographic area. Much is not necessarily folks not professing Jesus but many who do..yet applaud, participate in, or turn a blind eye to sin. It seems “sin” is relevant to personal convictions rather than what the Word of God says. It is also becoming increasingly more difficult to speak on the Holy Spirit and His work as the third person of the Trinity without being mocked. Yet the great soul winners throughout history taught much on the beautiful person of the Trinity. The great promise Christ tells us about in the Word. Oh, but caution is warranted as we recall this passage in Mark 3:

28“Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin “– 30because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

They were quick to say Christ was operating under the influence of devil spirits. Hmmm. There is certainly much “false fire, false spirits, false teachers, and false prophets.” However, let us be cautious not to slander the authentic work and person of the Holy Spirit. He is the revealer of truth and His work is very much supernatural. We simply must watch and pray and study to show ourselves approved to know when He, Himself, is at work verses a spirit sent from the enemy. There are plenty of real spirits of the dark world at work today..this we will discuss in the coming weeks. As the days get darker, we must prepare for a battle we have never known. This will be no time for fence riding…Surrender All.

If your calling seems so difficult and hard, think of the disciples in the Bible. Somehow we think our lives will be different? Not if we are sold out for Christ and living as did the disciples. We are to be world changers for the Kingdom. Radicals for Christ…if today you are saying what I have caught myself saying… “But Father I’m just a girl..” Then maybe you too need this word I received as I walked with Him yesterday…

 

I’m Just a Girl…

Oh, Father but I’m just a girl.
And He said yes my dear you are.
As was Deborah and Esther alike
But a girl with a Mighty God.

Thy job is simple you see
Just step along behind my feet
Wherever I lead you go
But It will not be an easy road.

Remember your training my girl
Keep your hand GRIPPED ON Thy Sword.
Let peace reigneth in your heart
When the road becomes very dark.

But Father the glimpse I have seen
Tell me who will ever listen to me?
Well now don’t you speak like ones of old
Moses and the others you know?

O daughter remember thy place
I spoke just the other day
Your position is highly esteemed
My blood gave you victory.

Thy crown is securely bound
And the enemy has no further ground
So Lift Thy trumpet high
And Proclaim thy coming tide.

O Father what shall I do now
Evil voices have become so loud.
Just Wait on bended knee
For My armies I send to thee.

The war is close at hand
There are Many on sinking sand
For You must bend down low
To pull them from Satan’s tow.

Hell prepares the fire
For many deceived by liars
Tarry not when I do go
For it may cost their very souls.

Yes Father I do understand
Thy Sword is in my hand
Thy belt is strapped in truth
And I shall simply trust you.

Faith has a deep rooted home
From meeting you long, long ago
And my breastplate is firmly in place
By the righteousness you alone gave.

My helmet locked down years ago
Never ever to be stole
And my shoes of peace fit just right
In the armor for me you designed.

So Father I now bow my head
And wait just as you’ve said
Commissioned upon Thy call.
To fight the war as did Paul.

For soon the horses shall run
And gallop onto fight
And this one that’s just a girl
Will fight with her God’s great might.

–Shelly Wilson