Your Sphere of Influence

                                                   
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12 NIV

but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
Acts 6:4 NIV

"'For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us.  We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.'"
2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV


At the beginning of 2016, I attended Koahine ( a wonderful women's ministry for all denominations). Taimane, a precious woman of God, spoke about the Jewish meaning of 2016.

She said, "God has given each of us a sphere of influence.  We are to claim it and stake it."
Her message was very familiar to me.  I had heard that message in prayer for over a year.  What was new about her message were the words "stake it."

All of God's messages are important and when God repeats a message  though prayer, scripture or another person I believe He is stressing the urgency for us to meditate and gain a deeper understanding of what He is saying.

Through meditation and understanding I believe God's prayer for us is that our faith will increase and our commitment to fully live His message will be strengthened.

To me the words: "stake it" told me that I wasn't exerting the full power and authority God had given me.  I know I understand some of what it means to move in Jesus' name in power and authority but I also know I have a long way to go.

A few months ago I saw the movie War Room.

In War Room, Elizabeth Jordan's (Priscilla Shirer) marriage was falling apart.  Her husband was distant and withdrawn.  Elizabeth was angry at her husband.  In a large sense she saw her husband as the enemy.  Through a very wise older woman of God she was directed to understand that the real enemy (Satan) was working to destroy her marriage.  She began to understand that her focus had to be God and not her circumstances.

Elizabeth turned to God for help and focused on Him only.
She prayed daily.
She surrendered her anger and forgave her husband.
In Jesus' name she claimed the sphere of influence that God had given her (her marriage, her family).
She believed God -  in His name she had power and authority to change her sphere of influence.

Again the same message.

God gave her a miracle. He restored her marriage and family.

What sphere of influence has God given you?
How much do you believe that prayer is a required spiritual weapon to fight in spiritual warfare?
How much do you believe that God is bigger then anything you face?
How much do you believe that God will give you the grace (spiritual, emotional and physical power)  you need everyday to claim and stake the sphere of influence He has given you?

Lord, I pray we go to You everyday in prayer.
Increase our faith (trust) in You.
Help us remember and believe that You are bigger than our circumstances.
Help us stand and move in your name Jesus in the power and authority you have given us.

Miracles took place with Jesus and through His apostles 2000 years ago and miracles do and will  take place today as we pray and walk as His apostles in His Name.

Hold On To Me Only

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"~Matthew 14:28-30 NIV

Recently I had a time of rest and at Hualalai on the Big Island.  On the 2^nd day of my stay I went into the ocean even though the water was rough.  I am a poor swimmer so I decided to stay in the shallow.  I thought I was choosing a place where the water was calm.  Instead it was a place where a fast current circled me. 

I have partial hearing loss in my right ear which can cause me to lose my balance especially with fast movement.  Even though I was only in about 3 feet of water I fell.  I tried to stand but I couldn’t.  As the current tossed me around I saw a large rock.  I grabbed the rock and tried to hold on to it.  I couldn’t hold on and continued to be tossed around in the water.  

Finally I realized that I couldn’t stand on my own.  I asked God to help me.  God immediately helped me stand and I walked to shore.  

As I sat on shore and and thought about what had happened, God spoke to me.

“You will be knocked down if you don’t focus on me.  You will be off balance. Even if you hold on to someone else, you will still be tossed around.  Hold on To Me Only.

I believe God's message was a reminder to come to Him every day in all situations.  God wants our focus to be on Him in the easy and difficult times.  

We are taught in this world to do things in our own strength without a lot of help. That world teaching carries over in our relationship with our Heavenly Father.  We either don't ask God for help/direction or wait too long to ask Him. 

In the ocean, I couldn't stand.  I tried to hold on to a rock.  I couldn't hold on to it.  When I realized it wasn't a rock I needed, I called out to God to help me.  He immediately put me on my feet. 

As Peter focused on Jesus, he walked on water.  When he focused on his fear Peter began to sink.

When we exclude Him, the outcome is never as good or as great as it could be.  

To those who are wondering if we have a role to play in helping ourselves, the answer is yes.  Our role is to go to Him first in all situations and ask Him what He wants us to do.   

Dear Father, I pray we would go to you first for help.   
Direct us every day in all situations.  
Father I pray we obey Your directions. 

If

"'...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.'"
2 Chronicles 7:14,15

I had something else in mind for the first blog entry and then yesterday God directed me to this painting.  A painting I have had for over 20 years.  Then He directed me to this scripture.  The scripture fit.

Today I decided to google Beth Sweigard, the artist.  I had never googled her before today.

What I found:
Beth Sweigard painted this original piece in 1980 and titled it,  If My People.
She painted it after 2 Chronicles 7:14.