Acousticlilly

Bethel Day 2: Bright Light that outshines all darkness

I love this quote by one of the survivors of Colorado’s Dark Knight Massacre:

“There is evil in this world, and there is a darkness..There is an enemy, but the wonderful news is there is a Light, and there is a Light that shines brighter than the darkness ever imagined.” 

Pierce O’Farrill was shot twice in his left foot and once in his left arm by all of the gunman’s weapons. After Pierce was badly wounded and fell, the fully armed gunman stepped just a few inches away from Pierce’s eye. Pierce said he felt a the presence of darkness and hatred. Once the gunman stopped shooting, Pierce also felt that God’s presence became known; darkness left, and light came in…. (read more here)

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I think a lot of people neglect and run away from the Devil and darkness because they are afraid to confront or admit his power. But that kind of fear against evil and being unprepared makes us so vulnerable to his worst attacks. I’ve realized it’s so important to always be prepared with the full armor of God and to always stand firm.

During my Sozo appointment today, I started to get a headache so painful while being prayed for. I couldn’t think or comprehend what the woman across me was praying for. She told me she was even getting a really bad headache.

She asked if there were superstitions, demonic anything…. ever in my life… and I blankly stared at her and told her everything she listed surrounded me throughout my childhood and some up to date. Chilly superstitions have been/are consistently told to me and relatives and friends pressured me to watch marathons of horror films and read horror stories throughout my childhood…. (This all brought me tremendous fear at night and consistent nightmares. I hate all horror stories and hope no parent brings them into their household; these torment children)

And she prayed for all the evil spirits to leave the room. And quickly… our excruciating headaches went away. And my crying stopped. 

I’ve lately started to accept the fact that the Devil is very real and very intelligent. He is powerful and he knows all the tricks and he has a method to attack all of us at any life situation: poor, rich, sad, happy, unhealthy, healthy, single, in a relationship….But, the GREAT news is that God comforts, protects, and equips us to stand STRONG against all the schemes of the enemy. God is so much stronger; He is our powerful LIGHT that easily outshines even our darkest enemy. I love declaring these truths out loud:

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” -Psalm 27: 1

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having hastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints..” Ephesians 6: 13-18

I also love and encourage you all to listen to this great sermon by John Piper: (so sad he’s retiring, but am so grateful for his boldness and words)

John Piper: Spiritual Warfare and Prayer

Bethel Day 1 : Sleeping an average of 12 hours & naps at any given moment

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30

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this is my first day up in Bethel. and 7/9 hour ride up, I was asleep. PJ & his wife Helen were concerned that i wouldn’t be able to sleep as soon as we arrived the guesthouse at 10PM….  but once I stepped into my bedroom, i couldn’t even finish my second chapter of Becoming a Woman of Strength. I crashed onto the bed and slept through another 10 hours.

this just shows how extremely burnt out I am.

One of my best friends told me if you are working to serve God, you will never be burnt out.

Throughout this year, I was working with my hands more than occupied: Architecture + USC work + 3 hour commutes + gamble house set ups + Baking/cooking + photography + delivering food + drawing/painting + making cards and gifts + serving multiple churches + facebooking + skyping to catch up with/encourage friends =  me constantly complaining about my weak body and being burnt the heck out. Being burnt out is a sign of working to serve others or yourself. God never gives us work too much to handle; He knows us best. 

My resulting fatigue shows how foolish and ignorant I’ve been. I’ve been working so hard and neglecting to care for the precious body God has given that instead of producing benefit for myself or others, I fatigued my body that it now feels like a sick baby’s body who NEEDS 10 hours of sleep and afternoon naps or else it will blow up red. My immune system and defense shield is so weak that it has been attacking my own body (instead of my skin being a protectant barrier, it has been flaring up with rashes and wounds that bring in severe infections on my face)

And even today when my friend insist that we head back to the house for an afternoon nap, and I tell them how I don’t believe in naps….

…I fall asleep as soon as I step into his car. My body could not even wait 10 minutes to sleep in a bed; it had to sleep in the car.

Even God’s “weakness” is stronger than the strongest men.

It is God who provides us with ultimate strength and energy. Our strength and energy is absolutely nothing.

Psalm 46: God is Our Fortress

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea

though its water roar and foam

though the mountains tremble at his swelling

there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God

the holy habitation of the Most High

God is the midst of her; she shall not be moved

God will help her when morning dawns

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Selah