May God Grant You According To Your Heart's Desire.

Photograph; Bell Biblical Garden, Bell Qld, Australia.

Luke 10:19

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

The word says in Psalm 20:4; May God grant you according to your heart’s desire and fulfil all your purpose. Psalm 37:4 reads; delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. We are to trample serpents and scorpions, have power over the enemy and the Lord grants us our desires. These are a few of God’s promises to His people.

But how do we access those promises? God gives many promises and yet most of us aren’t seeing them come to fruition in our lives.

You most likely know we’ve been given all power and all authority. Shouldn’t we be seeing greater works by now?

Many of us are falling short of God’s promises and we don’t understand why. After all, we’ve sought God. God says we don’t have, because we haven’t asked. But we have asked; I know we’ve all asked for either a better job, more money, greater health, breaking of addictions, improved relationships, etc. And yet, we still don’t have what we ask for.

We’ve asked for more power and yet we’re still not seeing the results we desire. What we desire is a promise of God’s (He will give you the desires of your heart), so why aren’t we seeing that manifested in our lives?

One reason is; we don’t understand the difference between power and authority. If we ask for more power, but don’t ask for authority, we’re missing 50% of the equation. How do we access authority?

We can’t be wishy-washy Christians.  We have to be all in. We have to stand in our authority; make our decision and not waiver. Jesus shed His blood, that we might have authority. Because of His act on the cross, His taking back the kingdom that Adam and Eve gave up; due to this, Jesus then gave us all authority on the earth.

The way we gain authority is, we access it through relationship with the Father. We attain our authority by drawing close to God. We do that by diligently reading His word, applying His principles, giving thanks, praying, praise and worship, speaking in tongues, regardless of what we see happening around us; regardless of seeing the opposite in our lives. And we do it through the taking of the elements.

God won’t give us more, when we aren’t even using what He’s already given us. Our job is to cast out demons, heal the sick, make the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear and to pass the baton to the next generation.

We overcome satan by the word of our testimony to the people. Revelation 12:11 says; and they overcame him (satan) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony… We need to tell our testimony, to be telling people what God’s done in our lives, if we want to overcome satan’s works in our lives. If you want results, you need to be doing what God’s asking you to do and if you’re not using what God’s already given you, don’t expect more.

There is a difference between power and authority. Power is the miraculous. It’s what we can see. When a new limb is grown, or a kidney is healed, that’s done through power. Authority is what we can’t see. It’s the spiritual side of things, in the heavenly realm. It’s seeing we have it, even when it’s not yet in front of us. And isn’t that what faith is all about? Believing in what we don’t yet see.

When it came to authority, the devil said to the seven sons of Sceva, (these were itinerant Jewish exorcists casting out demons in the name of Jesus, but without a relationship with Jesus) and the devil said to them; Jesus I know and Paul I know, but who are you? Acts 19:15. Satan understood; they didn’t have authority and because of that, the demon actually leapt onto them, overpowered them and prevailed against them.

We need to have a relationship with God, so that we are recognised as one’s with authority. It’s essential that we attain authority. Without it we may have some success, but we won’t have good success.

Part of doing what God wants is for us to take communion. The broken cracker is the represented life of Jesus; the holes in the cracker His piercings, the baked stripes on the cracker, His stripes from the whip across His back. The wine represents the blood that was shed. Why do we take communion? I can give you seven reasons.

Seven sons of Sceva, the leper dipped seven times, God created the world in seven days, there are seven days in a week. There’s a lot in the bible with reference to the number seven. Seven speaks of Jesus perfect sacrifice.

Did you know; the blood was sprinkled seven times over the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:14)? Jesus bled seven times, each wound a significant act in His giving up His life. 

Jesus was beaten until bloody.

His beard was plucked out until He bled.

He was struck on the face with a rod, until He bled.

He was whipped, until bleeding.

The crown of thorns cut into His skull and He bled.

Nailed to the cross, His hands and feet bled.

His side pierced, until blood and water came out.

Each of these brought forth a healing to us. Yes, all seven aspects.

We were redeemed by the blood. Cleansed by the blood. Justification given by the blood. Sanctification through the blood. Access to the Father through the blood. Intercession by the Son through the blood and given new life, due to the blood.

These are seven reasons why it’s important to take communion. Let’s do this together now, in remembrance of Him and His sacrifice to us. Thank You Jesus, for Your sacrifice for the redemption of my sins, for cleansing, justification, sanctification, access to the Father, intercession and the new life, that I have through You. I praise You. I worship You. I honour You. I acknowledge You as the One True God. In Jesus mighty name. Amen.

About the author:

Alexandra Grose – An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.

 

 

#Integrity; truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.

I believe one should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it - do it.

If you want to soar like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.

 

Books:

alexandragrose@amazon.com

 

Photographs:

http://www.instagram.com/alex_photographer_author

 

Blog:

https://alexandragrose.blogspot.com/?m=1

 

©2023

 

This work is based on the belief of the writer. All she asks, is that you study and form your own opinion, as to the validity of her beliefs. You can’t assume you’re right on any given topic, you have to prove it.

 

 

The Wisdom of King Solomon

The Wisdom of King Solomon

Before reading this segment, I would like to encourage the reader to first glance through the passages of 1 Kings 3:5-28, from the bible. In doing so, you will have greater understanding of the following written work.

King Solomon asked for wisdom above all else and the Lord gave him wisdom and the Lord was pleased, as He told Solomon He would grant his request. It wasn’t long after, King Solomon was asked to judge a case, between two women, who each claimed that the one child was hers.

Neither of the women’s names were mentioned in these passages; either due to their low standing in society, or the fact that the names weren’t needed to mark the story. King Solomon’s name wasn’t used either and this could be attributed to the fact that 1 Kings had mentioned him already, in relation to gaining wisdom, but also due to the King being so high and mighty; perhaps the writer didn’t feel the need to mention his name again, for everyone would know just who King Solomon was and who the author was referring to.

King Solomon was placed in an extremely unique situation. Having been given a dream where God bestowed wisdom upon him, that wisdom was soon to be tested. The fact that Solomon came out of that test, with all of Israel fearing the King for the wisdom to judge, acknowledging that the Lord had given this wisdom to him, settled it in the eyes of the Israelites.

As Christians, we are to never doubt the bible and the biblical accounts they represent. So how do we reconcile today’s view, upon yesterday’s happenings?

Not to take away from the wisdom God imparted to King Solomon, we must remember Solomon had been raised by a warrior King, his father, King David. Solomon knew how to intimidate. Although not a man of battle himself, he’d have no doubt heard the war stories his father told around the dinner table at night. He’d heard of the strategies used in battle, of what worked and what didn’t.

Solomon also had 300 concubines and 700 wives. Do you think it stopped there? Do you not consider for a minute, that he may have used (to refer to the biblical writings in this section) ‘harlots’ to appease his manly appetites, whenever the mood struck him? Why so many concubines and wives? Were the women afraid of his retaliation, if they refused his advances? Perhaps his father’s reputation preceded King Solomon and perhaps women were afraid to say no to the King.

Women in the Arabic regions weren’t allowed out on their own (many still aren’t allowed out on their own today). Women had to be accompanied by a male; a brother, uncle, husband. Why would two unaccompanied women; two harlots, come to the King and ask him to judge their case?

Did they know him personally, or had they just heard of his great wisdom and felt they could get an answer to their dilemma: Whose child is it, the One or the Other?

Could it have been the King’s child? Could the King have been so flippant, as to decide to cut the child in two, especially if it was his? Was he sick of all the bickering of a thousand women around him? And so just quickly decided the matter, with no empathy to the plight of the women he so readily used, if he had used them? Maybe they weren’t part of his harem, but maybe he still felt the same way; demeaning women in general, as they held so little value to him.

The story leaves a lot out and it’s not our job to make things up as we go along, so there are no answer to these questions. All I’m wanting to do is to bring clarity and understanding, with the knowledge we have.

A man, lording it over his concubines, his wives and possibly all women. A man with a reputation to uphold. Do you not think, Solomon asking his servant to bring his sword, that wouldn’t be a slight bit intimidating to the young women? Did they fear his anger, fear a reprisal, for coming to him seeking answers?

‘Working women.’ Women, shall we say, coming from a shadier side of life, regardless of their choice to do so, or perhaps their forced circumstances.

With their names withheld, these women were referred to as the One woman and the Other woman. One woman was made to be the good, honest woman and the Other woman to be the liar, or the bad woman in the story. What if there is no good or bad? What if intimidation was a factor?

Strong women might stand up to a King, whereas a weaker woman probably won’t. Was the King truly justified in judging the case in the manner in which he did? From a legal standpoint today, the answer would be no. The Other woman may have thought it better the child be killed, than he be raised by another mother. Whereas the One woman may have been more empathetic to the child’s plight, than to allow him to be cut in half by the sword, whether or not she was the mother of the child.

Life in King Solomon’s era was barbaric. And while today, we wouldn’t settle an argument in such a manner, it wasn’t uncommon to threaten and carry-out brutal treatment in biblical times. And so, while we do believe the account of the story of 1 Kings 3:5-28, today we certainly wouldn’t judge a case based on intimidation, fear, love and empathy, but on fact and evidence; evidence that wasn’t available in King Solomon’s day.

 

*Bible quotes from NKJV

 

About the author:

Alexandra Grose – An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.

 

 

#Integrity; truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.

I believe one should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it - do it.

If you want to soar like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.

 

alexandragrose@amazon.com

 

©2023

This work is based on the belief of the writer. All she asks, is that you study and form your own opinion, as to the validity of her beliefs. You can’t assume you’re right on any given topic, you have to prove it.

 

 

 

 

 

Let God’s Glory Shine.

(Photograph: Lake Cargelligo N.S.W Australia.)

 

Let God’s Glory Shine.

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1

God will develop your character, before he promotes you to work for Him. He can't use someone unstable in their ways; well, He can, because He's God, but He is less likely to use unstable people.

You need the 9-character traits: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These traits are spoken of in Galatians 5:22

They are commonly known as; True Christian Trait Characteristics. If you can't work with God on this, it's unlikely God will call you to a deeper level. You want that deeper level. It’s essential to have that deeper level, if you wish to see mountains move in your sphere of influence.

It's not that He can't use you. He uses broken people all the time, it's just that He wants to see His character displayed through you, and if you work with Him, He will develop you towards that end. When we call ourselves Christians and if we're not displaying His character, we're letting not so much God down, as the people around us down.

We need to be loving, patient, kind, gentle, self-controlled, etc. Many people in the world call Christians hypocrites, as many Christians don't show these Godly characteristics. Our job is to advance the kingdom, not be seen as hypocrites and we need to be doing our best to ensure this is what’s happening; to ensure this is what we’re showing to the world around us.

People see what you do. In fact, people are always watching what you do, particularly if you’re calling yourself a Christian. They’re watching to see if you are a hypocrite or not. You need to be displaying “good fruit” all the time.

Is it easy? No. Do we fail? Yes, of course we do at times, for we’re all imperfect. When we fail, our job then is to quickly repent, ask forgiveness and to do better next time.

Don't think you can't change. Ask yourself how you can change. Better still; ask God how you can change. We can all change, but it takes effort. It takes bringing every emotion and thought into captivity and not letting our thoughts, or emotions run away with us.

The bible says to take every thought captive. 2 Corinthians 10:5 states; “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” What does the bible mean by taking every thought captive?

It means not allowing those thoughts of alcohol, pornography, anger, rage, gluttony, gambolling and any number of other means the devil can use, as a foothold into your mind. It means taking control of your mind, taking control of your particular sin. Not dwelling on the sin, but casting out any thought that might lead you further in to sin.

Stop that thought, as soon as it enters your mind. The sooner you cast out the sin thought, the less you’re likely to act on that thought. For we sin in our mind first. That’s why the bible says in Matthew 5:28 “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Jesus said that because He knows; the thought comes first, then the action. Get rid of the thought and the action won’t follow.

Hebrews 12:1 says; …let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us… In other words; take your mind off the sin which easily ensnares you and turn it to what God would like to see you do in this moment.

You see, the devil will never tempt me with alcohol and he knows it. Sugar; that’s an easier temptation for me and the devil knows that too. Sugar for me, is the sin which easily ensnares. It’s something I’ve used in the past and now that I’ve overcome my addiction, I still need to be mindful that I don’t fall again. Does it mean I have to cut out every ounce of sugar? No, I can be mindful, but it took a lot of work on my part to get to this point.

For some though, that answer is yes, cut out every ounce. If you unleash the beast, so to speak; if your sin is sugar and whenever you have it, you can’t stop and if it’s affecting your health or happiness, then yes, cut out every ounce of sugar. It may not be sugar. It may be cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, pornography. If you find you can’t control it, cut it out and don’t take it up again. Be determined.

I’ve heard it said it only takes 30 days to form a habit. Can you cut out the sin which easily ensnares you, for just 30 days? What if you cut it out for today only, and then tomorrow and then the day after? Go as far as you can and when you give in to temptation, start again straight away and try for another day. Eventually you’ll find strategies that work and you’ll notice you can go longer and longer, until eventually you don’t need that addiction any more.

Addiction is usually a need which has come about through pain, or trauma. As God heals the different areas in your life, you’ll find you’re not in pain any more and you’ll find it easier and easier to do what’s right and healthy in your life.

Once the addiction leaves you, you can then help others who are still stuck in their addictions. We’re put on this earth, not for our own gain, but to help others in any way we can. At this time of life in the world today, it seems to be ‘anything goes,’ as long as it makes you happy, but that’s not what Jesus says. Doing what makes you happy, doesn’t always mean doing what’s good for you. You need to know what Jesus says, so you can overcome the difficulties in your life.

What does Jesus say? Jesus tells us to follow Him, to do as He does and what does He do? He heals the sick, makes the lame walk and casts out demons. He’s given us the tools, through His word. He’s given us the authority through His death on the cross and now it’s up to us. Shine your light in all its glory. Show God and His glory to all the world. That’s why you’re here. That’s your purpose in life.

 

About the author:

Alexandra Grose – An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.

 

 

#Integrity; truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.

I believe one should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it - do it.

If you want to soar like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.

 

Books:

alexandragrose@amazon.com

 

Photographs:

http://www.instagram.com/alex_photographer_author

 

Blog:

https://alexandragrose.blogspot.com/?m=1

 

©2023

 

This work is based on the belief of the writer. All she asks, is that you study and form your own opinion, as to the validity of her beliefs. You can’t assume you’re right on any given topic, you have to prove it.