If you’re caught in a riptide, the best advice is to swim with the current, parallel to shore. Do not under any circumstance panic and attempt to swim to shore, because you’ll ultimately wear yourself out and drown.  The enemy is producing “riptide” like circumstances in our daily lives, and we are trying to deal with them in our own strength. We are wearing down and burning out as we struggle for survival against the riptides of life. I, for one, am guilty of trying to get through the constant challenges of life in my own strength. Last year left me burnt out and out of alignment with the Lord.  As I have progressed through this year, I still find myself at times wondering why my life “feels” so out of control. That’s how a riptide will make you feel—powerless, with no control; as hard as we fight to live, the circumstances seem to be overpowering us and driving us further into dangerous waters!

So what’s the answer?  How do we break the grip of the rip? We release the struggle to survive, and swim in the flow of the Spirit. Psalm 91 tells us there is a secret place in the presence of Almighty God. It is a place of refuge, and there tucked under the shadow of His wings, all the forces of hell; all its terror and destruction will not come near you. In fact a great way to turn the battle back upon the enemy’s head is by stepping back into this fortress of God’s presence. Because you’re hidden there, you will wear out the forces of hell as they try to access you! So the answer my friends, is to learn to abide in this place and stay where God puts you! In that place of rest and refuge, we place our out-of-control life into the steady, keeping power of the Faithful One, who is always in control. As we learn to abide better and flow in the currents of our God, we won’t exhaust our strength or resources. Instead, we come away energized and rested.

The promise is this: A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. (Psalm 91:7-8)

“Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” (Daniel 7:27)

Amen and amen!

Unity is powerful. This is why Jesus prayed in John 17 for even as the Father and the Son are one. If the disciples were going to be successful in preaching the Gospel and making disciples of all the nations, they would need to operate as one. Throughout the book of Acts the first century church is described as those of “one accord”. This Greek word has the imagery of a musical composition; the notes are all different, but each note in harmony with the other makes a beautiful song. It means one purpose, one passion and one mind in harmonious agreement towards that passion and purpose. It is the way battles are won. I read recently that a tiger will defeat a lion in battle. However, five lions will defeat five tigers, because lions fight together and tigers do not. So, together those five lions will kill the tigers one at a time.

Unity isn’t blending together in such a way that we all look the same; it isn’t a melting pot. It is each functioning together to make up the greater whole. Sound familiar? It’s the description of the Body of Christ. Eph. 4: 15-16 says that with Christ as the Head, the body is joined and knit together. How? By each one contributing their part! If there’s any of us withholding our part then something’s missing from the greater whole.

Time is growing closer than ever to Christ’s return. If we are to be His fullness in the earth (Eph. 1:23), the only way it will happen is in one accord. The pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and what He activated could only be sustained through the unity of Believers. It’s no different today. Those things God wants to release in these last days cannot be sustained by any single church, ministry or individual. We’d better learn how to be knit together for His sake, because we still have yet to see the “greater things than Jesus did” and the fullness of Joel 2:28-32 come to pass.

As a ministry, more than ever, we look for strategic ways to network with others. We don’t have the resources, strength or energy to accomplish the fullness of God’s intentions. (Trust me, in our passion, we have tried and burned out.) Together, however, we have everything it takes to make the greatest impact and to carry out God’s marching orders.

A friend of mine reminded me of this scripture recently. I’ve had it memorized since my 1st year of being a Believer. As I lie here with yet another fever after 9 days with the flu, I am a little perplexed over having to be reminded of such a foundational truth. Why is it, those things we KNOW and certainly those things that can help us in our time of need just totally escape our tiny little brains when we need them most? Truth to be told, too often we make decisions and assumptions based on only our circumstances! There is ALWAYS more going on in a situation than meets the eye. And I, for one, am tired of living out my reality according to what I only see.

God gave me a helpful picture to make His point. Now for those of you who might be leery to read on…after all I am currently writing this with yet another spiked temperature. (Oh no…will she pull us into her fever-induced hallucinations?) Gear up and read on my brave ones.

I live in an old neighborhood called Englewood- we don’t have a big house, but it’s definitely a full house. Our tribe consists of our “kids”–2 good sized dogs and a cat, as well as Randy’s brother, Kevin who lives with us in the extra bedroom. So it’s safe to say, there is always something going on in our household!

Okay so say one day, Randy is in the kitchen feeding all the 3 pairs of eyes fixed on him; Kevin is at the front door talking to the neighbor who got our package by accident, and I am downstairs worshipping in my studio preparing for the weekend. That is what meets the eye…also unseen to the “eye” are angels who have “dropped” in because worship has filled the house and we all know how irresistibly, they’re drawn to worship. The atmosphere is infused with adoring God, not only because I am worshiping downstairs, but Randy and Kevin both have spent time praying and in the Word of God that morning. Heaven has invaded our home!

All of a sudden through the bedroom window comes a brick, viciously thrown from the alley. Everyone comes running, except for me because I can’t hear a thing from my studio. Does that brick have the power to overthrow what is unseen and become the reigning truth and reality in our household? Does it have the ability to infringe upon our life and dictate our next move? Really??? Does it possess the commanding presence to hold us captive and to prioritize our attention? What if at that same time there was something more urgent or demanding going on, like our neighbor at the front door started having a cardiac arrest–or Randy, in his attempt to tell me about the brick coming through the window, took a tumble down the stairs? Can that brick displace God’s presence with fear and panic? It can only if we allow it. God has given us the ability to choose what commands our attention. Our reality is not only the things we SEE with our physical eyes, but includes the things we can’t as well.

I’ve been in bed for nine looooooooooong days- it seems like eternity. Do you think even one time I stopped to access the situation and recall God’s promises to me? I am not alone here in this house. There are angels among us on Fox Street. Half the country has been praying for my healing, not to mention my warrior husband-in-arms who has stood numerous times over me, holding back the gates of hell as my fever spiked.

I don’t know about you, but I am done with living this life only by what I see! I am done with an anemic ability to recall HUGE gems of truth because someone has thrown a brick through my window. The bricks of life cannot negate the promises of God! I am done with allowing circumstances to steal my perspective and deceive me into believing that is my reality. And finally I refuse to batten down the hatch and “ride the storm out” any longer! I’m done focusing on the bricks of life. Bricks are not my reality- they are just bumps in the road of my reality.

When God says all things work together, He means ALL things! So there! I’m feeling better now having peered into the promise rather than stayed focused on the fever. 

Isaiah 9:6

Shalom

This well-quoted passage of scripture goes on to proclaim that the increase of His government and peace will not end. Really?? The peace of Christ increasing, even in this sin ravaged, war torn world?  We have to assume peace means more than the absence of strife and turmoil. Have we missed something?

The Hebrew word for peace is “shalom”, and in this original language it has a much fuller meaning.  Shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, and the absence of agitation or discord.

This word explodes with richness and lines up with God’s design for our wholeness.  In fact, it’s part of the atonement package! Isaiah 53:4-5 says, He has taken upon Himself our sicknesses and carried our pains and sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastisement for our [shalom] was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed. This punishment was upon Jesus so that we would have shalom. I don’t know if I’ve ever thought about it this way. Jesus paid the price for my sins, my healing and my eternity with Him, but also for my peace? Along with God’s provision for our salvation and healing, He also made provision for us to live within His government of shalom.

Shalom is so important that it was even part of the angelic news flash in the fields the night the Son of God entered our world. “I bring you good news of great joy!!!! The Messiah has been born…peace has come to the earth…” And, as if to make a radical point that shalom isn’t based on anything external, the timing of His birth and peace coming to the earth coincides with the census ordered by Caesar Augustus in an over-crowded, chaotic and stress-filled Bethlehem.  Peace isn’t contingent on our circumstances anymore than enforcing the laws of the United States government is contingent upon our approval. Could it be that God intentionally chose this time to infuse hope in the midst of darkness and usher in peace in the midst of chaos?

We are Designed to be Governed by Shalom

You must understand peace is more than a feeling. We experience shalom in our bodies and in our minds as well. Our bodies are wired to be governed by shalom in order to be healthy and have an optimal sense of well being. When we’re operating the way we are designed and not allowing stress and fear to call the shots, our brain produces chemicals that give us a sense of well being. On the other hand, when we give in to fear and stress, these not only rob us of our peace, but over a long period of time will affect our health as well. Our immune system is compromised which results in colds, viruses, infections and fatigue.Long-term stress hormones left elevated in the body will even produce diseases like colitis, Crohn’s, fibromyalgia, diabetes, heart disease and many other ailments.

Psalm 4:8- I will lie down in peace and sleep for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Check this out! The hypothalamus gland (…stay with me and don’t start glazing over! ) in our brain regulates many things, one of which is our wake state and sleep patterns. Did you know that when the hypothalamus senses conflict, fear or anxiety in us, it responds accordingly, thus interfering with our peace that can result in insomnia? And you thought insomnia was just a sleep disorder! Many times it is caused because we are allowing something other than His peace to rule.

Maybe that’s why it says in Is. 26:3 (AMP version)-[God] will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. In other words, everything that shalom means: health, happiness, well-being, wholeness and peace happens when we trust the Lord so much that we are consumed with Him rather than the pressures, pains and problems that surround us. No wonder Romans 8:6 says those who are spiritually minded have life and peace. The Apostle Paul breaks this down further in Phil. 4 where he says God will keep our minds and our hearts when we meditate on the right things: things that are true, pure, lovely, praiseworthy and noble, things of good report and just. I wonder if we paid more attention to God’s promises than the nightly news, and if we monitored our television programs and movies to eliminate the things that are not pure, virtuous and of bad report, if God’s peace would rule our hearts better.

We Are Called to Live in This Government

Let the peace of God govern your heart- Col. 3:15. Jesus said in John 14:27- “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you-not as the world gives…so don’t let your heart be troubled or afraid.”

Don’t you think Jesus knew the turmoil we would face in our life? He even told us ahead of time that we would have tribulation, which by the way, means pressure, stress, anguish, oppression, affliction and adversity. Then He goes on to say, “Take heart, I have overcome the world!” I have overcome the very things that cause the pressure, stress, anguish and adversity. So just receive the peace for which I paid the price. Live according to My government of peace, not the rule of the world. He knew the feelings we’d have when life wrings us out like laundry. He knew how hard it would be when circumstances threatened to ship-wreck our faith and hijack our sense of well being. He knew very well what He was asking of us, because He took the punishment upon Himself. That’s why He’s called the Prince of this government, our Prince of Peace.

Lord, I confess that too many times I have allowed my soul to call the shots. I want to operate from a place of shalom. Your supernatural peace that resides within my spirit is always ready to preside over every thought and emotion. So when my emotions and thinking try to usurp your government, I ask for Your shalom to rise up like a mighty umpire and rule!

Here are a couple of highlights:
(*names have been changed)

• Jewel had come to Haven For Hope to get protection from a family that abused her and to start a new life. The unbearable pain in her heart was etched deep in her countenance. We prayed for the healing hand of Jesus to reach into those deep places and begin His work of redemption and restoration.

• Susan wept from the shame of abandoning her children to pay the price of crime. Crack had cost her everything, not only her family, but also her vocal chords. As I prayed for her, God began to loose that which held her throat in bondage. She began to cough and gag, spitting out what appeared to be “scales” that covered her vocal chords. As people starting running over to help, I leaned down and asked her, “Is this normal?”  She said, “No, God is healing me!” I quickly reassured the many other women waiting for prayer not to be afraid. The Chaplain told us with a grin, “I’m not letting you pray for me!”

• Robin shared her testimony as well as her passion everywhere we went. Several women connected with the trauma of being kidnapped and violated at knife point.

• In a few short days, many entered into the Kingdom by saying YES to Jesus!

• Our Sozo Gathering at the Crews’ home was an amazing time of strengthening and refreshening for us as well as this house church.

• We also experienced a weekly gathering at Smokey John’s BBQ in Dallas that calls themselves “God’s hospital.” Gathered in this place are people all ages, from different ethnic backgrounds that bring the sick and the wounded for prayer.

This has been the most unstructured trip we’ve ever done. Robin and I left home last week knowing that God would put the right people in our path with the right invitations to accept.  The new relationships we have established are enabling us to lengthen the cords and expand the tent pegs of Healing Wings. God has directed each step and provided for us in the journey. We have felt the faithful praying and have moved in strength and confidence.  This is only a beginning; there are many prisons here in Texas that were not able to accommodate us at this time due to being short handed or in “lock-down”, but next year is full of rich possibilities!

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am especially thankful for you and all who have participated in advancing the Kingdom of God in Texas.  This my friends is the Body of Christ in action, working together as God’s torch bearers to bring hope and light!

Robin and I wish you a Thanksgiving filled with reflection, for we really do have much to be thankful for!
For His Sake and Theirs,
Debbie Milligan and Robin D’Haillecourt

Anyway, back to my story! I went inside the house and sensed the Lord prompting me to go back and breathe life into him! No, not mouth to mouth resuscitation…ask for God’s breath to come and breathe life into the sparrow.

As I followed through with this, I remembered God’s original mandate was for us to have complete authority over the fish, birds, beasts and over all the earth. (Gen. 1:26) I flexed my muscles of authority and declared that this bird will live! When I went back the next time, he had flown away.

You may think, “Well Deb, that’s a nice little story…” but the reason I write this is because God has been teaching me that our authority as Believers in Jesus Christ isn’t just about words only. It isn’t only about using the name of Jesus. If this were the case then, my dogs wouldn’t have been hurt when they were attacked last year while I was walking them in the neighborhood. The whole neighborhood block heard me screaming “Stop, in the name of Jesus!” You see, mingled with that sentence were elements of fear, panic and a little bit of terror.

The Greek word dynamis is where we get our word dynamite. It means power and great ability. The word used for authority is exousia. This word means the legal right to command or use dynamis. So having said all that, if we’ve been given power and the delegated right to use that power in the name of Jesus, why doesn’t that mountain move when we command it to get out of the way?

Our authority is substance within us; a building up of our faith when we operate in the authority Christ has given to us. It is no different than an exercise program. You don’t look down at those biceps and say, “Pop!” No, the pop comes from building up the muscle because you have been working out.

After the sparrow flew away, the Lord said, “I made a deposit in your authority today…” My friends, every time we move in our authority, even if it doesn’t appear to be victorious, there is a deposit made in our life.

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN: Debbie Milligan and Kerry Conner featuring Steve Bruns and Steve Holley for an evening of explosive music!

May 22, 2010 @ 7:00 pm

May 23, 2010 @ 4:30 pm

Admission to both concerts is free with a love offering being taken.

Check out a sample of their music: Burn

Sunday, Mother’s Day I will be ministering at Faith United Methodist Church at 9am.

May 9, 2010: Faith United Methodist Church @ 9:00 am

Come Join us for Mother's Day on Sunday morning!

MORE: For more info call: 970-522-0140
Free concert with a love offering being taken for Healing Wings.

Prison Prayer Requests:

• Pray for the men to be open to the message of the Gospel & for them to recognize their need for salvation.
• Pray for the healing presence of Christ through our prayers to bring comfort & freedom.
• Come against all attempts of the evil one through witchcraft & the occult within the prisons to sabotage this event.
• Pray for a strengthening of the church “behind the walls.”

NEXT: Living Tower Free Methodist Church

On May 16, 2010 @ 10:30 am

18821 E 22nd Place in Aurora, CO.

For more information call: 303-340-2543

Hebrews 10:36- For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

Last fall, I wrote about settling for less than God’s best when we simply manage our pain instead of pressing on for the breakthrough. In this issue let’s take a look at our need for endurance to not only cross over, but to increase enough to occupy the promises of God. (see http://healingwings.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/wilderness-or-promised-land-the-danger-of-managing-our-stuff/)

Moses, nearing the end of his life, had commissioned Joshua to lead the Israelites into their inheritance. With the Promised Land tangibly in sight, God first tells Joshua the outcome, “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you… no man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life” (Joshua 1:3 & 5). Next God commands Joshua four times to “be strong and of good courage.” The Hebrew word for “be strong” is chazaq, which literally means to be established, fortified and firm. The term, “be of good courage” is the Hebrew word amats, and it means to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, be determined, to persist in and to strengthen oneself.

It wasn’t enough to just know the outcome. Before the Israelites could occupy Canaan, there was an important process that required establishing those things God had promised in order to secure their inheritance. God knew this process would require courage, bravery and endurance. God was saying, now pay attention to this for it is very important. I will create the breakthrough in enemy territory; I will deliver the enemy into your hands; but you must increase enough to occupy each place where I give you victory. You must press on until it is finished. You will need faith, strength and perseverance to completely secure that which I have promised you.

As Believers, we have been given power and authority in Jesus Christ to demolish strongholds and bind up the enemy. We don’t lose a fight because we lack power and authority; it’s usually because we don’t have the endurance to stay in the battle long enough to secure the victory.

The first century disciples understood the need for endurance! To endure something doesn’t mean you just “hold on until it’s over…” It isn’t the same word as cope and it has nothing to do with resigning yourself to your circumstances. In fact there is nothing passive about enduring. It is an active word full of energetic resistance to the possibility of defeat. It is a word of substance that enables you to bear up against adversity, stand firm and persevere under stress and pressure, and wait hopefully with courage.

I was amazed to discover how many places in the NT where the word endurance is used interchangeably with the word patience. This is not the fruit of the Spirit called “longsuffering”, but the Greek word hupomene, which hopefully expects and actively resists weariness and defeat.

So how do we build endurance?

1. First realize the trials and battles we experience become the training ground to develop this kind of fortitude. Endurance can only be established when we have something to endure. The “testing” of our faith produces endurance. And endurance must finish its work in us so we’ll be complete and lack nothing (see James 1:3-4). Therefore we count it joy, not because of our problems, but because these problems are helping to build enough stamina to go the distance! Athletes know the importance of training for endurance. If you sign up to run a marathon, you can’t just show up on the day of the race. No! First you have to go into strict training so you not only run the race, but you finish the race as well! While training, every choice you make is weighed against the goal to finish strong. If we don’t have this kind of training to step into our destiny, then we probably won’t have the character to keep us there. It is perseverance and endurance that builds the muscle in order to be strong enough to occupy each new territory God brings us in to.

2. Paul exhorts us to lay aside every weight that would hold us back! Hebrews 12:1…let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us so we can run with endurance the race marked out for us. A runner may train with weight, but once they enter the race, they cast off anything that would restrain them so they run in freedom!

This means the wounds in your heart that have not been healed; this means offenses that have not been dealt with and forgiveness that needs to be extended so that there is no crimp in the “lifeline.”

I have dealt with three physical injuries in the past twelve months. These injuries have kept me from working out at the gym as aggressively as I need in order to be in shape. In the same way, injuries to our soul will keep us from moving forward, because our energy and focus winds up being spent on “nursing” our wounds.

3. We need to remember Jesus has already gone before us in this “race” and marked it out for us! And when He finished the race, He “sat down” (as a symbol of completion) at the right hand of the throne of God. He has already run this race with intentionality as well as joy. Have you ever wondered what that joy was that enabled Him to endure the cross? My friend, you were that joy. You were on His mind as He ran the race for humanity and endured the cross for your eternity!  When your circumstances seem too hard to bear, remember that the One who is able to help you finish is the same One who marked out the race in the first place. Keep your eyes on Jesus and you will not lose heart and finish strong!

4. Lastly, recognize that all training is profitable! So understand from this point on that every frustration and difficult circumstance, every obstacle in your path is a sacred opportunity to train for endurance! It may not seem like you are making progress, but it really is building substance within you. Last Christmas Eve as I sat in church, the Father and I had a good conversation. It went something like this: “Father, please forgive me for always focusing on circumstantial things instead of on the resources and power available to me in YOU. How long God before I get this down????” He responded, “Debbie, every time you choose me over your circumstances, there is a deposit made in your life that shortens the learning curve. You will get this!”

I recently read a story of a young boy whose father was remodeling their home. There was a section of concrete that needed to be broken up and hauled away, so the dad handed his son a heavy sledge hammer and told him to get busy.

“I swung the heavy hammer over head and came down as hard as I could, hitting the concrete with a thud! Much to my surprise, nothing happened; there was only a small scratch that could be seen. I swung the hammer back and let it fly again, and came up with the same result – nothing! This stuff was hard, and it seemed to resist every one of my hearty attempts. I hit it again, and again, and again. Before long sweat began to run off my forehead and into my eyes which made them sting. My energy level was now just about gone and my muscles began to ache. Disheartened, I sat down and felt like giving up. It wasn’t long before my Dad came walking by, encouraging me to keep going, assuring me that eventually it would break if I would just continue to hit it!

“At this point I was feeling real sorry for myself, and I was convinced I was not up to the task. It just seemed that it was way too hard for me. I was hot, sweaty and very discouraged, but I stood up, lifted the hammer and began to go at it once more. However, after many repeated blows I grew weary, my strength was spent, and my arms were sore. With great frustration, I sat down and felt like quitting, but as chance would have it, my Dad came by and convinced me to get up and continue the task. So reluctantly, I once again began to repeat the process that I felt was so futile. Only this time as I hit it, some small hairline cracks appeared – something was finally happening that I could see. With renewed vigor and strength, I began to pound away. Then it happened – it began to shatter into small chunks that could be lifted out and placed into the wheelbarrow to be hauled away!”

History is filled with people who quit too soon or stopped just short of their breakthrough. We need to keep on until it is done! You never know, tomorrow might be your D-day!

If you missed the previous article on “WILDERNESS OR PROMISED LAND… the danger of “managing” our stuff” click here

You have heard it said, God loves to give gifts to His children! He is outrageously extravagant in His love for us. With only seven “shopping days until Christmas,” this will help me put this in perspective for you.

We celebrate Christmas in many ways, one of which is giving gifts to those we love. This expression of our love for one another imitates the Father’s ultimate love expressed through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.

In anticipation of this Christmas tradition, I was able to get an early start by buying Christmas presents for my husband all year long. There certainly is an excitement as I anticipate giving him those gifts, but the joy won’t be fully realized until Christmas Day when I actually give him his gifts.

God has such a lavish giving nature. There are blessings He wants to give us, and when we receive what He freely gives, I believe it brings Him immense joy! Just like a parent, I think He loves watching our faces. He waits in anticipation to see the dawning of awareness and understanding to arise in our countenance, the swell in our hearts and the look in our eyes! If you are a parent, you know what I am talking about! On Christmas Morning, even more than your child squealing with delight, is the joy it brings you as you watch them open up their presents!

Last month I was able to take a few days as a spiritual retreat. In my time alone with Jesus, I pictured Him grabbing my hand because He wanted to take me exploring. There was a sense of adventure attached to this picture that caused me press in further. I believe He was excited just to be there to see the look in my eyes and heart as I discovered new things in Him, as mysteries unraveled and revelation poured forth.

I realized in that moment that God’s blessings aren’t just about Him giving gifts. It isn’t about me receiving those gifts either, instead it’s about the relational encounter! The Creator interacting with the created; the receiver encountering the Giver.

I don’t know about you, but when I get to heaven, I sure don’t want to find out there were a few more presents under the tree that I could have opened here on earth! I want to experience all that God has for me. I want to encounter Him in every way possible and experience Him on every level He has created me for. I long to know Him as I am already known by Him.

As you celebrate Christmas, celebrate with a grateful heart for all that God has  already given you through His grace, mercy and forgiveness. Along with that, look wide-eyed with an eager anticipation to those things yet to be discovered and experienced in Him. With an intentionality to your life, expect the blessings of God to come upon you and overtake you! Then watch how this encounter changes you forever!