Church

The Church is for everyone though not everyone 'fits every Church. Since the word, Church, is tossed around so much, you need to know what this means - specifically, what it looks like, and how it acts out it's beliefs. How do you define church? Or is it that somewhat nebulous, assuming same definition by all? Is it?  Is it behaviorally defined?  

The kind of Church we all need is a worshipping, Bible believing, with Scripture based and relatable sermons. Scripture is our basis for judging what is happening in our world. More importantly, how does the Creator of Church define Church and how does His definition match yours?

   "... let us approach [God] with a true and sincere heart in unqualified assurance

    of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our

    bodies washed with pure water. Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of

    our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy

    and faithful [to His word]; and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may

    encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our

    meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the

    habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as

    you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching." (Hebrews 10:22-25, AMP)

The writer of Hebrews was helping us see the importance for the church to meet together as Church. Why? For worship and instruction. Paul speaks to this in 1 Corinthians 13:26, AMP.

   "What then is the right course, believers? When you meet together, each one

    has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation (disclosure of special knowledge), a 

    tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be constructive and edifying and

    done for the good of all the church."

Church is important and how the Church goes about being the Church is critical. Why? Jesus' words:

   "'Again I say to you, that if two believers on earth agree [that is, are of one

    mind, in harmony] about anything that they ask [within the will of God], it will

    be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered

    in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.”

    (Matthew 18:19-20, AMP)

I have written about the Church in a number of contexts and perspectives but where the essence about the church lies, in my opinion, are these three key verses. Everything we need to know and to do is outlined for us. I believe the Church exists to Praise (Worship), edify, empower the individual members ...

 

   "... to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of

    Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the

    Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness

    of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves

    and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness

    in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in

    every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body,

    joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each

    part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in

    love." (Ephesians 4:12-16. ESV)

This is solid ground. This is how we should view the Church. And this is how the Church should function. And, we would never be told to do this if it wasn't what we can do, possible. I believe that The foundation, the strength for the Church is to be, to think, to act in one accord. And one accord, in my world of definitions never means denial or compromise of your individual understandings but it does mean coming together to resolve differences so that all can have 'the same mind' (1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 2:2).

One of my favorite scriptures related to the definition and function of the church is found in 

1 Peter 2: 9-10, AMP.   

   "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special]

    people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies

    [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of

    darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people [at all], but now

    you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have

    received mercy." 

This is the heart of the Church: who the Church is... what we are to be, this is the Church, the Bride of Christ, without spot or wrinkle.

You are anointed to be ...

You! I really love the saying: "You were born as an original... don't die a copy." If God wanted another, duplicate of someone else, He never would have created each of us as individuals, plus don't forget the scripture that tells us we each, all are important (1 Corinthians 12: 12-31)  It's our commonality that connects us and our differences that helps us discover, grow, and see other perspectives.

There are many scriptures that talk about our uniqueness, our individuality: Psalm: 119:73-74, Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:29-31, Jeremiah 1:4-5/29:11 are only a few examples. They all speak to how we begin life, who we are becoming, etc. So... why try being someone other than you? Consider for a moment, Ephesians2:10, MSG

   "Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next

    to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea,

    and all his work. ... God does both the making and saving. He creates each of

    us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has

    gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing."

Looking at comparison, because that's what being a copy creates. And let's face it... if you compare you will always end up with the short stick. It also doesn't allow you to walk and act according to your anointing. And if you are busy being someone else... it never really works and the part you play is unattended because no one can be you either. Thus we have: 1 original, 1 fake, and 1 missing (the last 2 are related).

The Word also speak to this issue in 1 Corinthians 13: 14-22, AMP

   "Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of

    it [each with his own special purpose and function]. (v. 27)

The body would look kinda silly with 3 eyes and no nose - yes? You have an anointing as You. So that ...

   "[and He, God, did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for

    works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; until we all reach

    oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing

    spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the

    fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our

    spiritual gifts in unity]." (Ephesians 4:12-13, AMP)

I believe you need (and are able) to be confident in Who you are, Where the Lord has placed you, With the giftings He has put into you, to join with others in our mutual responsibility in building the body, the church. That is awesome. Nowhere does it say that you are perfect... that's an ongoing process. And no one else is perfect either. 

Walking confidently in your anointing is the gift you give the Lord as you bless others with You. 

Past Tense

Have you ever considered just how many promises, instructions, etc. are in the past tense in scripture?  This thought led me to - how many times do we go to the Lord for what we already have!?! All that's necessary for us to do is to act on what we've already been given! The problem lies with our not knowing what God's Word has told us. We need to be in His Word to know His Word.

Three examples: Ephesians 1:3-8. 11-14

   "Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

    who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in

    Christ, just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for

    Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be 

    holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in

    His sight. In love He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to

    Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind

    intention and good pleasure of His will— to the praise of His glorious grace and

    favor, which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved [His Son, Jesus

    Christ]. (3-6)

    In Him also we have received an inheritance [a destiny—we were claimed by

    God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand)

    according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the

    counsel and design of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ

    [who first put our confidence in Him as our Lord and Savior] would exist to the

    praise of His glory. In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the

    good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped

    with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as

    owned and protected [by God]. The Spirit is the guarantee [the first

    installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of

    God’s own [purchased] possession [His believers], to the praise of His glory."

    (11-14)

   "And such were some of you [before you believed]. But you were washed [by

    the atoning sacrifice of Christ], you were sanctified [set apart for God, and

    made holy], you were justified [declared free of guilt] in the name of the Lord

    Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God [the source of the believer’s

    new life and changed behavior]." (1 Corinthians 6:11, AMP)

Past tense. Chosen/BEFORE the foundation of the world/would be holy, consecrated, Predestined, Planned, Adopted, bestowed, have received, Claimed, Stamped, Promised, Purchased, washed, sanctified, justified ... I could have used other scriptures to make my point but I chose these 3. They all speak to what WAS done prior to the Lord's work in this world. If nothing else, this should indicate just how important you/we are to the Lord that He provided a way for the reestablishment of relationship. This was never an after thought, it was always the reason, the purpose - to redeem us from death and to restore us through our acceptance of His Son, Jesus, as our Lord.

Look again at all of the past tense words: all was in place, all was readied so that we would be able to see our importance that the Creator of the Universe would willingly sacrifice His only Son for our redemption. Do we see this? Do we act on this by making His Son our Savior? Do we continue to grow in who we now are? If everything has been provided, why aren't we walking in the abundance?

The answer is not simple and it is as individual as we are: not understanding, our feelings that we don't deserve, our lack of belief, etc. But these all are lies! Can we not see the manipulation by the devil to keep the Father God's creation from being, doing - walking in all that we can? Actually... this should make us hopping mad that we allowed ourselves to be so duped. But we don't have to live in this, we can dismiss and grind under our feet these lies. Remember the scripture that tells us to resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7). 

Now is the time to refute the lies and to discover all that has been prepared for us. It's there but it is up to us to accept the gift of life given to us by Jesus, who purchased with His life, everything. When you do, you will discover that though you came 'just as you are', the Lord wanted you to grow in everything that's been prepared for you. In scripture we have all we need to grow, to understand that now we have a family, a vision, a mission, a plan for fruitfulness and fulfillment. And it has always been waiting for our acceptance... it's all past tense and never an afterthought. 

Live bravely

Do you meet life... bravely? Not aggressively, bravely. Not fearful, bravely. Not hesitantly, bravely. I believe the source for 'bravely' is based in confidence. How can we be brave without confidence? I also believe that confidence has a source, so we know our foundation.

Whether you call it, 'when the rubber meets the road' or 'walking the talk' this is the 'proof of the pudding'. I'm confident that, for most of us, living out daily our faith is a positive, something we do want to do. We really want to be a good example, model of a maturing Christian. We know that living our faith is visible. And granted, not always easy to accomplish. But... how do we live out our faith?! what does this actually mean? Is it really important? The question is ... how would someone else describe us based only on our behavior? Do they see our Christian foundation?

Obviously, the place to begin is to know, understand, and apply what we know and understand about what our faith is... not just the who it's in, but what it's about and how we go about being/doing it. One of my pillars in doing this is the scripture:

   " But he who is uncertain [about eating a particular thing] is condemned if he

     eats, because he is not acting from faith. Whatever is not from faith is sin

    [whatever is done with doubt is sinful]. " (Romans 14:23, AMP) 

Granted, this verse is talking about eating, but the principle can be applied in different areas/ways. Specific to this theme and scripture, for me, when I take the time to check my spirit about doing/saying something, and I get a check. I try and stop and reconsider. The point is that we all need some spiritual approach to confirm what we are doing. This scripture is my approach (though it may not be yours). Following a check or a peace gives me the assurance that I can be totally 'in' the moment and live bravely. 

I'm not talking about spiritual warfare, though to be effective, one does need to live bravely. (This focus will be discussed in a different post.). This post is directed to how we live our lives daily... how we meet the challenges and opportunities we face in the day, what we do with the call on our lives, how we grow. All of these components are part and parcel of living bravely. It also is something we CAN do.  Never forgot God's instruction to Joshua...

   "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or

    dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

    (Joshua 1:9) 

Personally, I love the phrase ... for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. This increases the 'bravely' for me. I'm going into my day, every day with the person and power of the God of the universe.

Living bravely in our world is not just important, I believe it's critical. However we shouldn't assume that a question is a challenge or that even a challenge is grounds for fighting. Living bravely is our mindset and our heartset about how we live and how we do our lives. It is based in not compromising the Word of God nor interpreting it according to our assumptions. Living bravely is being confident, choosing to live lovingly, and acting according to the Word. We all can do this as we grow in who we are and how we go about being us. We also have the Holy Spirit in us to accomplish this - we have One who works with us.

Journey Hiccups

I believe that we all experience these times of crisis on our life's journey, somehow they are unavoidable. It's really understandable because we aren't always our best Christian self, we sometimes are operating from a position of anger or pain or misunderstanding. The point is to not stay there. How and why you got there is important though. So how do you handle these times, what do you do? Remember that a crisis of faith is one of the more powerful weapons the devil uses to derail us. Plus, the phrase, Crisis of Faith, is really individually defined. You need to know WHY and WHAT. Why you are in a crisis and what's the focus.

There really are steps to follow and the first one is to stop, tell the Lord you're angry and why you are. Second: pray. Ask the Lord to help you in this time. To discover how you got here and why and seek the Lord's forgiveness for your frustration. I would argue that whatever the reason you are angry, frustration is involved in some way. I also believe that until you acknowledge your anger and seek relief and forgiveness for this you can't move on. 

The third thing you need to do, as dispassionately as possible, is to do an assessment of what was happening and anything that led you to this state. This is to develop coping mechanisms for the future if this returns (it probably will at some point) and to begin coming out of the place you are. Fourth: if you have mature and caring friends, ones who will let you speak anything and not damn you for it but at the same time will allow you to grow and mature and move from this place... tell them your truth and why you feel the way you do. Don't ask for advice until you've gotten all your feelings expressed.

Next check your authority, The Bible, to find rest and peace from your feelings and also the Lord's answer to your crisis. You will always find your answer to what you're facing - the point is the answer, not your feelings about the answer. Finally, act on what the Lord's answer is. 

I tend to think that our crisis of faith times is related to the strength of our relationship with the Lord. When we continually develop and care about our relationship, then it grows and strengthens and becomes a pillar in who we are. As we do this the times of crisis are quickly resolved because of our trust in and love for the One who has saved us.

These steps are my approach to challenges, threats, lies, dangers that are the foundation to crises. You now have the choice of using them or discovering your own steps... OR... being a victim of the crisis by giving in to it. We are more than able when we realize who we are becoming.

   "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by

     faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off

    every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles

    us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before

    us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus,

    who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and

    the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing

    the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat

    down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority,

    and the completion of His work].Just consider and meditate on Him who

    endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in

    comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

   (Hebrews 12:1-3, AMP)

How does this relate to a journey? I believe that life is a journey... a glorious, wonderful, learning time full of frustrations, fun, falling, fulfillment and fruitfulness. We have hiccups in our journey... that's ok because they can be learning times. Take the Lord's hand that's extended to you and together you will find joy and peace... and understanding.

Tested

I've heard, as most of you have, the phrase (paraphrased) that it's your tests that give you a testimony. Believe this? A different spin on this was one I heard from Joyce Meyer: you don't know what you believe until it's tested! How true. I believe that our faith, our beliefs find their confirmation when they are tested. Tests, in my world of definitions, is a proving, refining process. 

Tests are never designed as punishment, meant to make us fail. Look at the source first. If it's a test, then it comes from the Father who wants us to be as prepared as possible in all areas of our lives. The devil never tests... he tempts. If, when you look at what's happening in your life and you discover it is a temptation then do realize that this comes from the devil. And... if it 'feels' familiar then you can be certain that it comes from the devil because the devil doesn't have a creative bone in his body - he always uses what he used before. Another clue as to the source of what you're experiencing.

OK, now that you've decided that what you are going through is a test - what do you do? Pass it of course! But look at what tests are designed for: to discover what it is we don't know, understand, or how to apply. When you study scripture you'll discover all the way God tested His chosen. I don't believe there is any person or leader that wasn't tested. 

Tests help us: https://www.gotquestions.org/why-does-God-test-us.html  is a great resource to help us understand tests and trials.

   "In both the Old and New Testaments, the words translated “test” mean “to

    prove by trial.” Therefore, when God tests His children, His purpose is to prove

    that our faith is real. Not that God needs to prove it to Himself since He knows

    all things, but He is proving to us that our faith is real, that we are truly His

    children, and that no trial will overcome our faith.

    The testing or trials we undergo come in various ways. Becoming a Christian

    will often require us to move out of our comfort zones and into the unknown.

    Perseverance in testing results in spiritual maturity and completeness. This is

    why James wrote 1:2-4, AMP 

       " Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into

    various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience]

    produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let

    endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be

    perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing."

Though there are other verses that speak to being tested, this discussion from 'Got Questions' really covers the essential considerations. Tests, trials are for our benefit. They are not punishment, they are refining tools and times. While none of us is overjoyed during these times, they are so encouraging because we discover our strengths and weaknesses. All good. Go into these times with an open heart and mind so you can grow and become equipped, enabled, empowered. When you think about it... quite the result.

Encouraging word

This is going to sound harsh but I don't know any other way to ask this question. Do you seek an encouraging word or are you more inclined to give an encouraging word?

They really are 2 different mindsets and also are both viable and necessary in our lives. We need encouraging words because this gives us an outside view/feedback on what we are doing and the impact it makes. A discouraging word helps here as well as long as we focus the words on what's happening and not a rejection of ourselves. We do go there you know. And yes, that sometimes is precisely where we need to go. However, what I'm asking us to look at is not so much the 'content' or even the 'context' of encouraging words but our behavior.

Seeking an encouraging word is not a 'bad'. Unless that's all we do, trying to puff up our understanding of who we are in our world - that always seems to be disastrous and a bit lame. As a method of discovering how what we're doing is seen and received - then as long as we don't try and put a personal ego spin on it - a viable method. Though this may sound counterintuitive or just plain 'wrong'... sometimes we need to look at our 'how' apart from who we are. The reason is that looking at our how tells us if we are acting on who we are and, if not, what we need to do to achieve a congruence. Always saying, 'but that's not what I meant' does get old. If we want to display, share what we believe then it has to be demonstrated (our how). If what we are demonstrating is not what we believe then we need to stop and determine what message we need to present. 

Leaving this part of the discussion for a moment. Do you give others encouraging words? Is speaking the truth in love a behavior you display? I think my Mom was the greatest cheerleader ever. If I wanted to do something, non harmful, we typically would take a moment to discuss it and try to discover the pluses and minuses and then she would typically say - well, if you want to try it just remember that anything you do that is worth doing... is worth doing well. Which was translated into, if I'm not ready to give (fill in the blank) my 'all' then don't go there. 

Encouraging words, my definition of speaking the truth in love, can be a wonderful opportunity to speak into another's life. But it has to be truth and it is always more understandable if related to the other person's current behavior or words so they see what you're saying and isn't just a generalization. The giver of encouraging words has to be seen as believable and consistent with their own behavior. Quick example: if what I'm sharing seems to be only complementary I typically say that I don't give compliments readily so if I didn't believe what I was saying, I wouldn't say anything. It's true and the type of behavior that is consistent with my character. Bottom line is that there has to be truth in the encouraging word. It also relates to how you receive an encouraging word.

   "...and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to

    love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for

    worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;

    and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return]

    approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-26, AMP)

For such a time... Pt 2

[A slightly different consideration of this phrase.]This will undoubtedly sound strange, but I believe every Christian faces a point in their walk that is their... 'such a time as this'. The story of Esther:

   "Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the

    king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at

    this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and

    you and your father’s house will perish [since you did not help when you had

    the chance]. And who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time

    as this [and for this very purpose]?” (Esther 4:13-14, AMP)

Spoiler alert... Esther did accept her time and did save the Jews.

Everyone of us, perhaps multiple times, find ourselves in a position that can be identified as 'such a time as this'. An opportunity to take a definite stand for the Lord. It truly doesn't matter if it's on the big stage or only a very small one. Regardless of the size, the number of people who may be aware, but it is a point that is significant.

For anyone who has any involvement in 'the church', then this phrase is very familiar. Actually, the world has adopted the phrase as well, however the secular purpose and foundation is not the same as the spiritual. The entire phrase, for such a time as this, is our challenge, can be our purpose, but the bottom line is that it is our decision to act - to be true to what we say we believe, regardless of the consequences (but also realizing that there can be consequences from acting).

This phrase, in my world, has always meant to be an encouragement, and a reminder that God doesn't make mistakes, so wherever you are - you are in the right place at the right time with the right equipping to do what needs to be accomplished. This also underscores the fact that YOU aren't a mistake, aren't in the wrong place at the wrong time... you are uniquely positioned to be who you are doing what needs to be accomplished.!

The 'thing' we need to remember is that whatever the time - when you realize it... it is your time NOW - I don't think it's postpone-able or can be deflected. If you've taken the time (like the 7 wise virgins) to study, to prepare then you are uniquely placed and equipped, empowered, enabled to be the Lord's hands and feet right where you are.  

Do realize though that you aren't alone in this, your time. You can always seek support from brothers and sisters. Returning to what Esther did and said:

   "Go, gather all the Jews that are present in Susa, and observe a fast for me; do

    not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids also will fast in

    the same way. Then I will go in to [see] the king [without being summoned],

    which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” (v. 16-17)

Esther realized the seriousness of what was being asked of her so she was preparing for this, her time; to act and speak what was necessary. We too need to assess our time and prepare so that we act and speak what's necessary. Thankfully, we can always know that the Lord is not far from us, we are never alone.

Blocks to Blessings

Do you realize that there are blocks to your blessings? It's not that the Lord is withholding the blessing, it's that you have placed the block and it's stopping your blessing. Remember the scripture that talks about the fact that we can't serve 2 masters simultaneously (Matthew 6:24)? You can't. Which also means that it is You who make the choice about who you will serve. But do you know your why of that service?

When we choose to serve fear or doubt, to give voice to hesitancy then we have chosen against the Lord. We choose to serve the blocks to our blessing. On the surface that seems absurd - we would never do anything so foolish. Listen to your own words.... look at your actions. What do they tell you about who you serve. But, still the question - why would you willingly shoot yourself in the foot. There's no way to have both.

Let me ask another type of question... how successful have your worry stands been? Has that which you worried about come to pass? And, if so, how much affect did the fact that you worried make? Is worry successful? At what? And at what price? 

   "Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy,

    distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor

    about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the

    body more than clothing? 

    Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor

    gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding

    them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by worrying

    can add one hour to [the length of] his life? And why are you worried about

    clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor

    nor do they spin [wool to make clothing], yet I say to you that not even

    Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these."

    (Matthew 6:25-29, AMP) 

That's what scripture says about worry, anxiety. You can also read Philippians 4:8-9 for further reasoning on this subject. It avails us nothing. It only brings blocks to blessings and who we can be.

Perhaps the issue is really one of familiarity.? You know who you are as a worrier, you're still discovering who you are becoming as a Christian.? And the familiar is oddly comforting. Don't take the easy way out. Don't throw away blessings. Be bold. Be brave because that's who you are becoming. Granted, it isn't always easy to take a stand, but it really is the only way to grow. 

Besides, hold fast to those scriptures you are beginning to stand on, use as your weapons against the enemy (which is the source and instigator of the blocks). Remember: no weapon formed against you will prosper (Isaiah 54:17), cast all your cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7), greater is He who is in you (1 John 4;4), you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). And these only begins your scriptural  equipping to defeat those blocks. 

   "Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

    who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in

    Christ, just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for

    Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be

    holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in

    His sight." (Ephesians 1: 3-4, AMP)

EVERY spiritual blessing, chose us, selected us BEFORE the foundation of the world... these are what await us. He knows our weakness and our fears and He says - I am and I am with you, strengthening you, giving you blessing upon blessing because I love you. If you find yourself in the position of having to choose the 'safe' yesterday of blocks to the today and tomorrow of blessings... choose blessings.

ACCUSER!!!

Do you give much thought to your arch enemy? You should you know. He's been called the accuser of the brethren and he wastes no time in doing this and letting us know that he is doing this, though this verse speaks to what his fate is...

   "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom (dominion, reign) of our

    God, and the authority of His Christ have come; for the accuser of our

    [believing] brothers and sisters has been thrown down [at last], he who

    accuses them and keeps bringing charges [of sinful behavior] against them

    before our God day and night." (Revelation 12:19, AMP)

Do you see what the behavior of our accuser is? No little thing. And he is involved in this activity DAY AND NIGHT! Why shouldn't we be aware of him and his behavior?

Then I saw something I really hadn't considered before. The devil, who does the accusing, is bringing charges of sinful behavior against us. But look again at that phrase. If he's bring charges then we have already committed those sinful behaviors. Past tense. He can't bring charges of current or future behavior because it hasn't occurred!!! Only yesterday's. And if we are guilty, yesterday, then did we do what's available for us when we become aware that we did something we shouldn't? We have 1 John 1:9 (AMP):

   "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful

    and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and

    cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything

    not in conformity with His will and purpose]."

For me, this is a scripture I keep close since I need it so often. We do need to realize that repentance is a big 'condition' of this scripture. Because if you continue to repeat the sin, what are you actually saying when seeking forgiveness? Look to Matthew 3:8 (AMP) – I do believe this is our guide.

   "So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new

    behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away

    from sin];"

I also think that another realization is that we don't have to accept and live with yesterday's sins by accepting the accuser's words. He may have been right, but at the point we turned to the Lord, his accusations became nothing. We don't have to live with that guilt. We have been made conquerors, we can live in the abundance provided for us and become all that the Lord has intended for us.