MELISSA–The initial hit from the enemy might require you to go on the defense, but you never stay there. I will explain this in a tactical way. I took self-defense classes for a number of years. One of my instructors recently said, “We teach you to defend yourself one time. We will never teach you to stay in a defensive position. You must counter, control, and finish the fight.” Well, my goodness. What strategy! After you defend yourself one time from your enemy’s attack you then strike back with the weapons and skill God has given you. You can’t stay just in the defensive position. You propel forward because He already set up your counter measures and you are well armed, and able! What are your counter measures? Number one: Scripture. Number two: your Holy Spirit-breathed prophetic words. Other than that, whatever God has personally set up for you. Ask Him to show you and open your eyes to see! Don’t get bogged down in the fear of it. Look for His provision because it is already there. Isaiah 54:17-“no weapon formed against you shall prosper” is not an afterthought. It is solid forethought!
Melissa — Let’s look at “Call to me and I will answer you” through a modern American paradigm: I call on the Lord and He will answer – I will tell Him what I need and He will give it to me because He is a loving God. You know, kind of like curbside grocery delivery. I took the time to get my list together and I took the time to call about this list. Now, it’s on Him to deliver! I’m afraid we North Americans operate out of an entitled mindset not only in our relationship with earthlings, but also in our relationship with God. If I call on Him then ________ (insert pre-determined answer here). The problem with an entitled relationship with God is where the entitlement is rooted. If it is rooted in the Spirit, according to the covenant, then it will put you in a posture of dominion. If, however, it is rooted in the soul then it will hold you in a victimized defensive posture. The soul will keep you chained out of reach of God’s original intent which is indeed dominion. Or said another way, the soul will keep you from being heaven on earth.
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