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Devil Stand Down, God Help me Chase Those Birds Away, Kindle and Rekindle,16Aug

I really wanted to  write this piece in a strong and forceful way because I’m in the middle of some tough devil chasing…. But when I can feel myself forcing the writing I know it’s not Spirit led answers from God… my pieces usually take half an hour and I sat at this piece for 2 plus hours…. Was it a waste of my time? I doubted myself, the devil causes me doubt… No, because it was spirit-led for God to make me write in order to humble myself in editing… I see how God convicts me in that I am not to battle the devil myself, I am to rely on HIM, which is a good thing because HE is God… And when God pulls me long enough and I end with a very familiar lyric to myself then I know God has closed my circle on this piece… Thanks GOD for teaching me, for loving me so much to encircle and hold me as YOUR child in YOUR garden.

Here’s the piece:

Devil Stand Down, God Help me Chase Those Birds Away, Rekindle,16Aug

Right now I am in the middle of the planting season…. Planting the seeds of the good news of Christ… I am knocking on doors anew, sometimes walking away, shaking the sand off my sandals… but many I am working already cracked open doors and spending some time appreciating being welcomed into someone’s house, blessed blessed, blessed! The great commission can be done, it just takes you figuring out where you start… Start easy until you gain more tools in your toolbox… There are tough projects but easy ones too…
… Actually know it’s not you alone doing the work… And know it’s not YOUR work, it’s GOD’S work… Plant seeds to spread the good news, but don’t stop there… You might be called into duty to work the soil while God grows the seeds. You might be there to chase away the birds.

Don’t just plant the good news and walk away, stay to work the soils of some of the people… I found it’s a combination of new and renewing faith, of kindling and RE-kindling dying or dead embers… It’s not just about NEW commissions, its RENEWING-commissions… That’s a good place for new gardeners with excess blessings to share. Show the weary commissioners that their work is not wasted… Renew their spirits too.

Like in the four soils parable, people are at different faith conditions… No one said you couldn’t get in there and help them with their soils (or souls)… Till some old dried soil, and lend hands at trimming thorns, removing rocks and filling them in with extra soil… And yes, take some time to chase away those birds that swoop like the devil ready to eat the seeds of the good Word….

Use the old and new tools in your shed in new ways…

Why doubt your work? Did you do your work in God’s name? It’s the devil, I tell you from experience, which will make you doubt… The devil can sneak in with blindside attacks. But the devil also flies in “plain as day” like birds to eat fresh seed… and when you approach they all flutter away… A big whirl of feathers reacting all at once to the smallest scare. If you can see the devil come like birds then surely you can scare them away… By yourself? No! Don’t forget to call upon and rely on God… Command that devil to see God’s almighty power strengthening inside of you and holding you and ask God to make the devil stand down for you, your family and for others…. Put God firmly on your face, in your heart and in your walk. It’s God’s will to change hearts, it’s your job to witness that He did this in your heart.

Maybe you want to make it a game to scare that devil and he will get tired of playing (for now)… Await him knowingly and run directly at him with Jesus power and watch those birds flutter so fast… But don’t tempt yourself too much… It’s God’s power not yours that is scaring the devil away… And you might slip up if you think it’s a game… It’s NOT a game…

But do what you have to do to be God’s tool for this Great Commission… Remind the devil (and remind yourself) that you are following God’s command to grow the kingdom and to be fruitful.  Be part of the vine that is Jesus and be ready to help God takeover the world… But don’t let go of that vine… Rekindle your own flame for the Lord; don’t wait for more gardeners to fertilize your own soil, but fellowship with them to do so together.

But do still your soil from time to time to let it rest and replenish nutrients…
Be Still and re-listen… And re-kindle…
“Be Still and KNOW that I am God”

But then get back out there for next growing season. God needs you out there refreshed and renewed, rekindled and re-vined.

Grab your tools folks! Game on! Got to get ourselves back to the garden…. GOD’S GARDEN… Let’s go… let’s grow…