Tuesday, June 26, 2012

The Hidden Wound of Perversion!


Psalm 107:17 (The Message)

17-22 Some of you were sick because you'd lived a bad life, your bodies feeling the effects of your sin; You couldn't stand the sight of food, so miserable you thought you'd be better off dead. Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; 
He got you out in the nick of time. He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death. So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children He loves; Offer thanksgiving sacrifices, tell the world what He's done—sing it out!


Perversion - To lead astray morally. To turn away from the right course. To lead into mental error or false judgment. To turn to an improper use; misapply.

Lust - Intense sexual desire or appetite. Uncontrolled or illicit sexual desire or appetite; lecherousness. A passionate or overmastering desire or craving.

Fornication - Voluntary sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons or two persons not married to each other.

Lesbianism - Sexual orientation of women to other women.

Adultery - Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married man or woman and a partner other than the legal spouse

Harlotry - A prostitute or promiscuous woman.

There are those who are reading right now and thinking, this is not me. I don’t struggle with any of these things now. Maybe not now, but what about in your past? Remember, we are talking about "Hidden Wounds"  It is so important to understand that sin has a residue, and that even after God has delivered us and strengthened us to change our ways…the continued filling of our temples with the word of God is key in washing away that residue.

I share this with you all on today, because the guilt and shame we can carry because of our past can keep us from moving in to our future. In particular, all of the terms I have listed above, when acted out, are sins against our personal bodies, our temple’s; and for women there is a special worth in our femininity and our purity. When that worth has been lost, guilt and condemnation set in, along with hopelessness, for we see no way in reclaiming what has been stolen by the works of satan. Even when we have moved on in the physical, our thought life can be plagued by the memories and impressions – thus residue, of our past.

Let me stop right here and now, and tell you what God says about the whole thing.

John 8 Amplified Bible (AMP) 
1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning (at dawn), He came back into the temple [[a]court], and the people came to Him in crowds. He sat down and was teaching them, 3 When the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the middle of the court and put the case before Him.

4 Teacher, they said, This woman has been caught in the very act of adultery. 5 Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such [women—offenders] shall be stoned to death. But what do You say [to do with her—what is Your sentence]? 6 This they said to try (test) Him, hoping they might find a charge on which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger. 7 However, when they persisted with their question, He raised Himself up and said, Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.

8 Then He bent down and went on writing on the ground with His finger. 9 They listened to Him, and then they began going out, conscience-stricken, one by one, from the oldest down to the last one of them, till Jesus was left alone, with the woman standing there before Him in the center of the court. 10 When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you? 11 She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more.

I believe we could insert the words Fornication, Lesbianism, Harlotry, any of those sins against the body, where God dealt with Adultery in the scripture above.  The point is this...

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Come out of condemnation and guilt. You may have once walked after the flesh, but you are now walking after the Spirit. God can and will restore EVERYTHING that was stolen from you in your past. Receive it! Women of God, has He now Blessed you with a wonderful husband? Receive it! Has he restored your marriage? Receive it! Has He taken away the taste and desire for movies, music, or even friends, that stir up lustful desires? Receive it! Most importantly here, Guard (protect, defend, watch, secure) your heart and your thought life. How, start with daily doses of the word of God! Follow with membership in a Bible based church, and welcome the new set of friends God will send your way. Also, know that there are times when God will direct you to additional help to fully walk away from past sins of perversion. He has given a great gift to the body of Christ in the form of Pastoral and Christian Counselors, many of which who are Licensed Professional Counselors as well. Make use of this resource if you need to. Don’t let guilt or shame keep you from talking with someone when needed.

I’ll end on today by sharing just a bit of my own testimony, and I will do so poetically if you don’t mind. God Bless you, and remember, John 8:36, Whom the Son sets free, is free in deed.


What You Won’t Do, For Love


sit down and let me tell you bout this Love thang
and for Love all the things I’ve been through.
as I consider my life, some joy, some strife
it’s true, for Love
what I didn’t do.

love it blinds the eyes
and then it hypnotizes
and before you know it you’ve been compromised.
and years later you wonder, why your goin’ through?
you see for Love
what you didn’t do.

now hang with me my sista’ cause I’ve been sent here to free ya.
For in your search for true love
you’re not alone.

trying to quench a
spiritual fire
with an earthly desire,
right there, that’s where you went wrong.

you didn’t understand that you were formed in Gods hands.
fashioned in His love not to be violated by any man.
It’s His love, that our spirit really craves.
not an earthly love, but Agape.

Agape is patient and kind
not puffed up with pride.
it says truth always wins; it covers a multitude of sin.
it endures all things never once weakening.

we can’t expect any man without Christ
these things to do.
for only Gods love in us
then shared
is a love that’s true.And anything else
leaves you wanting
it will never do.

so can you step back a minute realize your spirit was in it?
can you try and reconnect with just what you have left?
be restored today with so much taken away?
and the answer my sister is Yes!

you must acknowledge the sin, the pain
that lies within.
you must stand up and shout
i’m turning my life around.
you must believe in your heart and receive
His grace and His pardon.

and then soon, you’ll sing it too,
for God’s Agape Love
what I wouldn’t do.
for God’s Agape Love
what I wouldn’t do.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Free from the spirit of Offense!


The Hidden Wound of Offense

Colossians 3:12-14 (The Message Bible)

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.


It’s OK, it’s alright, and I’m fine. That was my mantra; those were very common statements you would hear me say when someone had said or done something that angered me, offended me or hurt me. It was my way, of being forgiving and “letting it go.” I was a non-confrontational, non-conflict person; which in some ways does have its virtues, but in other ways this non-confronting behavior really set me up to become one who walked in a spirit of offense and unforgiveness. You see, it wasn’t always Alright! I discovered I was not being honest with God, with myself, or with the other person, and lacking the genuineness of heart in making those statements, I began to tuck certain incidents and situations away. The result? I began to harbor a spirit of offense and unforgiveness.

Here are our definitions for this week.

Offend
1. to irritate, annoy, or anger; cause resentful displeasure in.
2. to affect (the sense, taste, etc.) disagreeably.
3. to hurt or cause pain to.

Bitterness
1. having or denoting an unpalatable harsh taste, as the peel of an orange or coffee dregs.
2. showing or caused by strong unrelenting hostility or resentment.
3. difficult or unpleasant to accept or admit.
4. cutting; sarcastic.

Unforgiving
1. not disposed to forgive or show mercy; unrelenting.
2. not allowing for mistakes, carelessness, or weakness.

There are times when we really need to talk things out. In denying hurtful situations in my life, I in essence denied myself of the opportunity to have the conversations that I needed to have to really "clear the air."  Interestingly enough, while I may not have had the conversation with the person, I still had the conversation in my mind. That’s right. I replayed the events over and over in my mind. What I could have said, what I would have said, what I wished I had said. This kept the incident as fresh as something happening the same day, even when it had been several months or perhaps a year ago.

How did this all begin to surface for me? Let me give you an illustration. If I sweep an entire room, and instead of picking up the trash, I sweep it into a pile under the carpet, for the first few weeks you may never notice. However, that pile will begin to grow, and continue to grow, and shortly you will begin to notice a lump under the carpet. Soon, there will be no way to hide it. This is how offense and unforgiveness can be. Unaddressed, the weight of this grows and grows, and soon the manifestation of the consequences of that spirit on our lives is undeniable. Along with Worry, Anxiety, and Restlessness, here are some other major consequences you will experience in this situation.

1. Prevents God From Forgiving Us. Matthew 18:35

2. Prevents us from Coming into God’s Presence. Matthew 5:24

3. There is also medical evidence of sickness and disease, as a result of unforgiveness. (http://cslr.law.emory.edu/fileadmin/media/book_covers/Witvliet.Forgiveness__Health_and_Well_Being.pdf)

I want to encourage you this week to meditate on the definitions given above, and ask the Lord to reveal people and situations in your life that you need to forgive and let go. God may direct you to speak to that person, or maybe not. The most important thing is that you deal with it before Him in your heart.

Here are some very practical steps I have taken to address this in my life.

1. On a sheet of paper, make a list of the persons God reveals during your quiet time, and what/why you need to forgive and release them. Done this before? Well I believe if God led you to this word, it’s time for you to do this again. Be encouraged, Forgiveness is an ongoing act!

2. You might want to write a letter to each of them, sharing your heart and releasing them.

3. Then make the decision that once and for all, you are letting it go. It is between you and God what you do with the letter.

4. Decide that you are going to be honest with yourself and others. Learn to speak the truth in Love!

People of God we must know that unforgiveness is one of the tools the enemy uses to destroy relationships, especially in families. If you do not deal with these situations, this will turn into Bitterness. Here is what the Bible says about Bitterness.

Hebrews 12:15
See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

Bitterness causes trouble, and in the midst of bitterness, many are defiled (made dishonest or corrupted).  This week, make the decision to come out of the spirit of Offense.  Expose this Hidden Wound, and allow God to wash your Heart, cleanse you, and release you from this bondage.

I love you all with the love of Christ. Be Blessed!

Copyright 2012 - Victoria L. Burse, Queens of the Kingdom  www.queensofthekingdom.org
Purchase your copy of Sabbath Songs today  http://queensofthekingdom.org/Online_Store.html  or get the e-book at  http://tinyurl.com/sabbathsongse-book 


Friday, June 8, 2012

Fear, or the spirit of Fear. How can I know the difference?


The Wound of Fear
 

Deuteronomy 31:6 (The Message)
6 "Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you.He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you."

2 Timothy 1:7 (Amplified Bible)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

This week, we will address the Hidden Wound of Fear.  Let me begin by saying that there is Fear, and then there is the "spirit of Fear."  As you study the scripture and definitions provided below and read today's message, you will find that there is a reverential Fear, and that some Fear can be healthy.  However, it is the "spirit of Fear" that comes to immobilize us, and since our goal is to get "unstuck, and move forward"  the spirit of fear is what we are coming against in today's lesson.  Don't be afraid of Exposure people of God, Exposure breeds Authenticity and what we don't acknowledge, generally does not get addressed.

In addition to Fear, I've provided the definition of a few other terms.  Worry, Anxiety, Dread, and Apprehension...because we often see these in operation together. Meditate on these, and with God, search your heart and mind; reviewing some of your personal habits/behaviors and determine where any of these may be present in your life and whether or not you are addressing them.

Fear
1.  A distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. Synonyms: foreboding, apprehension, consternation, dismay, dread, terror, fright, panic, horror, trepidation, qualm.

or

1. reverential (worshipful) awe, especially toward God: the fear of God.

Worry
1.  to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; fret.
2.  to torment with cares, anxieties, etc.; trouble; plague.
3.  a cause of uneasiness or anxiety; trouble.

Anxiety
1.  intense desire; eagerness
2.  A state of uneasiness and apprehension, as about future uncertainties.

Dread
1.  to be reluctant to do, meet, or experience.
2.  terror or apprehension as to something in the future; great fear.

Apprehension
1.  anticipation of adversity or misfortune; suspicion or fear of future trouble or evil.
2.  acceptance of or receptivity to information without passing judgment on its validity, often without complete comprehension.

Let me ask this.  What exactly are you afraid of?  Being alone or feeling rejected?  Authority, truth, exposure, competition or confrontation?  What makes you, back up, turn around, or bow down? 

Everyone experiences fear.  Actually, fear is not all bad.  Some of the emotions attached to fear are meant to serve as a “warning” when you are embarking on dangerous territory.  But what I am addressing now, is that fear that causes us to quit, or to be quiet when we should speak out, even the fear of success.  If you do not put fear in “check” with the truth of the word of God, it becomes an immobilizing force, stopping you dead in your tracks, causing you to take unnecessary detours. 

You must examine your fears. I found that many of my greatest fears were imagined.  It’s like the story of the ferocious barking dog that scared a young schoolgirl every day, causing her to detour from the shortest route home.  One day, she got tired of going around that dog, and decided to meet it face to face. Well, upon approaching the dog, looking it dead in its face,  she discovered the dog had no teeth.

Except you take hold of the truths of God, your mind is a playground for the devil.  Don’t allow any fear, real or imagined to keep you from experiencing the life that God has promised you, for there is nothing like the feeling of having accomplished something you did not think you could do, or that others told you, you would never do.  Take it from me, a schoolgirl at heart!

(as taken from Victoria's first book, "Sabbath Songs:  A Spiritual Coming of Age in the Transforming Presence of Jesus Christ"  purchase your copy today at www.queensofthekingdom.org)

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Yes! You are Worthy.


1 John 2:20  The Message (MSG)

 20-21But you belong. The Holy One anointed you, and you all know it. I haven't been writing this to tell you something you don't know, but to confirm the truth you do know, and to remind you that the truth doesn't breed lies. 

Today we begin our 8-week study on “Healing Hidden Wounds”, and I would like to talk just briefly about the Wound of Unworthiness…or shall I say a spirit of Unworthiness.

Is your answer YES, to any of these questions?

1. Do you find yourself consistently turning down opportunities because you do not feel that you are ready, and then afterword’s regret that you did not take advantage of them?

2. Has your list of “ideas” remained confined to a sheet of paper for more than a year with no movement to them at all? Or do you start, then stop, start, then stop?

3. Do you spend more time trying to get the opinion or justification, or stamp of approval from people about something that is on your heart to do, than praying to God about it?

4. When is the last time you can truly say you took a “leap of Faith”? Has it been more than 6 months? More than a year?

I’ve experienced all of the above in my life, and for me it has played out in many ways. Coupled with fear, I found myself hesitating, or holding back…when I should have been moving forward. I’ve missed GOD opportunities. I’ve questioned myself, and God, over and over and over again…thus making me slow, lethargic even…in moving when He speaks. In the end, of course, I questioned myself as to knowing the voice of God in my life. Thus, there was a season when I was slack in my assignments in the Kingdom, in my personal growth, and in seeing the manifested blessings of God in my life, but the trick of the enemy had me “excusing” these things saying over and over again in my holiest voice “it must not be my season yet!”

Let me go a bit further. Alongside Unworthiness are often Guilt and Condemnation. Review the definitions of these terms, and I think you will quickly see how the devil uses this to throw a “wrench” if you will, into the Destiny of the Believer.

Unworthy

1. Not worthy lacking worth or excellence.
2. Beneath the dignity.
3. Not of adequate merit or character.
4. Not commendable or creditable.

Guilt

1. The fact or state of having done wrong or committed an offense.
2. Remorse or self-reproach caused by feeling that one is responsible for a wrong or offense.

Condemnation
1. To express strong disapproval of; censure
2. To pronounce judicial sentence on.
3. To judge or pronounce unfit for use.

These self-thoughts, these feelings can originate from numerous places. From people, certain experiences, even generational curses. This list could go on and on. As we take time this week and ponder on this, I'm sure God will reveal some things to us. Know that Healing is often a process and rest assured, God would not reveal anything to you that He is not going to walk through with you. Be encouraged and allow Him to minister to you regarding the above definitions.

I feel it important to speak on these things, because as I talk with and walk alongside women of God on their Destiny Journey, they are often “stuck” and don’t quite know why. You see, the personal and professional things, the ministry or entrepreneurial projects God has give you to complete, will suffer, or not get done at all, when certain things are out of order in your life. Here, what is mainly out of order is our Thought Life. We must get our “Thought Life In Order.” Our mind is the Battlefield of the enemy and he will have us using our own tongue against ourselves in condemnation.

Others hear your words and see your actions, but they don’t have access to your thought life. We can have all of the outer trappings. A great job, a great husband or wife, a nice home and all the things that come with, but on the inside, where it really counts, we are fractured. For a season, we are able to well hide all these feelings and insecurities. But there is a time in which they are sure to surface, and our goal in this study, is to CANCEL THAT PLAN OF THE ENEMY IN THE NAME OF JESUS

Romans 12:2 says this
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Now, I leave you with the Truth of God’s word on this subject. If in fact you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and your Lord, and you have submitted your life; your will and your ways, unto Him…then hear what He says about you as it relates to whether or not your are qualified, or deserving, or even forgiven…and therefore Worthy, to serve Him in whatever capacity HE has called you to. Together this day; We bind up the spirits of Unworthiness, Guilt, and Condemnation. In the name of Jesus, go BACK to where you came from!

Ephesians 1:3-14 The Message Bible
PLEASE READ THIS OUT LOUD! (first person emphasis is mine, trying reading this using those words. It makes it personal)

The God of Glory
3-6How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us (me) to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us (me) in mind, had settled on us (me) as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us (me) into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us (me) to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

7-10Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're (I am) a free people (person)—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our (my) misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we (I) could possibly need, letting us (me) in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us (me) in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.

11-12 It's in Christ that we (I) find out who we (I) are (am) and what we (I) are (am) living for. Long before we (I) first heard of Christ and got our (my) hopes up, he had his eye on us (me), had designs on us (me) for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

13-14It's in Christ that you (I), once you (I) heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves (myself) home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll (I’ll) get everything God has planned for us (me), a praising and glorious life.

Copyright 2012 - Victoria L. Burse, Queens of the Kingdom  www.queensofthekingdom.org
Purchase your copy of Sabbath Songs today  http://queensofthekingdom.org/Online_Store.html 
or get the e-book at  http://tinyurl.com/sabbathsongse-book