I have been scarce of late for many reasons but do know one thing. What I enjoy as much or even more than writing, is listening to others explain what is most important to them just now. Perhaps I’ll even ask how that has changed recently for them, or not! For it is from those insights, from both me and them, that we can begin to build mutual interesting significant relationships. Relationships possessing value and exhibiting the seven levels of intimacy as identified by Matthew Kelly in his book so named include clichés, facts, opinions, hopes and dreams, feelings, faults fears and failures, and finally, legitimate needs. And no, these levels are not achieved in any particular order though clichés and facts are usually first encountered. It does seem our culture is bent on destroying meaningful communication as it is being encouraged by both Kelly and the Holy Scriptures. But more on that later.
I have read Dennis and Dr. Jen Clark’s book “Self – Deliverance made Simple: Keys to Closing Every Door to The Enemy In Your Life” several times with much appreciation. I just recently returned to it to prepare to lead a 90 minute weekly discussion group thru it’s three sections and seventeen chapters. The sections are titled “Training for Battle, Winning the War, and Advancing the Kingdom.” Likely not your typical self help Christian walk in the park book!
Quoting from its Preface, “The Protestant Reformation began to restore the truth of the priesthood of the believer. In practice, however, most believers are an audience instead of an army. The times are changing. Deliverance Made Simple is not intended to be a comprehensive guide on the subject of deliverance, nor do we suggest that the church no longer needs experts for deliverance ministries. However, we do believe there are somethings we can learn to do ourselves. We should take care of our own daily dental hygiene by brushing our own teeth and flossing, but we still need to go to the dentist for cleanings and dental emergencies.
God has given all believers spiritual weaponry and authority but many have never been taught how to use their spiritual equipment. When leaders train their congregations to rely on Christ within for daily “spiritual hygiene,“ they can trust more in God and rely less on other people. As pastors, we rejoice to see Christians in our own fellowship taking personal responsibility for their spiritual growth. As far as we are concerned, it is very fulfilling to show up as coaches equipping the team to “play the game.“
Quoting now beginning on page 18, “when Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, prior to sin entering the picture, they had perfect harmony with God and one another. The only emotions they felt were God’s emotions. Emotions were created to be conduit, or “pipes,“ for the love of God. We experience the love of God as the fruit of the Spirit – one fruit, multiple functions (see Galatians 5:22-23).
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Joy is love rejoicing: finding the pleasure in God‘s presence.
Peace is love resting: having an assurance that everything is in God’s hands.
Patience is love enduring: willing to wait for God’s timing.
Kindness is love giving: serving others with Mercy.
Goodness is love motivating: love and holiness.
Faith is love trusting: we can believe God and others can believe us.
Gentleness is love esteeming: (“esteem others better” than yourself, see Philippians 2:3).
Self-control is love restraining: (power under control)
Reread this several times over several days. These are the “key understandings” to implement the “Seven Levels of Intimacy” in your life. Are you perfecting your rejoicing, your resting, your enduring, your giving, your motivating, your trusting, your esteeming, and your restraining? This will require your conscious diligent effort and practice! ==========================================================
“As soon as sin entered the picture, Adam and Eve were catapulted into a kingdom of disharmony, toxic emotions, and evil tormentors. In just a few short verses in Scripture, Adam and Eve felt hurt, fear, lust, anger, guilt, and shame for the first time. (see Genesis 3:1-24). Every negative emotion signals an area where the enemy has legal ground. The banner over the kingdom of God is love. (See Song of Solomon 2:4). The flag over the kingdom of the devil is fear. God’s emotions are love based while negative emotions are fear-based.”
The last three paragraphs in this chapter identify Jesus saying “if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither willy our Father in heaven forgive your trespasses“ (Mark 11:25-26). This does not mean we lose our salvation if we fail to forgive someone, but we will suffer the consequences of our sin and will experience tormenting demonic harassment. (see Matthew 18:21-35).
Our conscious mind only knows a tiny portion of all that is hidden within us. Even when we can’t think of anything, the Lord will reveal what needs to be dealt with when we get in the attitude of prayer. When we ask God to show us secret sins and issues in our heart, the Lord is always faithful. Never once has he said, “You are now perfect and have no need of me! “
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way (Psalm 139:23-24 NASB).
The principles for forgiveness, emotional healing, bringing down strongholds, and self-deliverance can be easily learned and quickly applied by all believers, including young children. We have taught many children as young as three and four years old to forgive and let Jesus wash “bad feelings” out. Children actually learn more easily than adults because they haven’t spent years living by will power and intellect. God has equipped all Christians, young and old, with the tools for victorious Christian living.
The following are Block Quotes from Chapter One “Hitchhikers”
When we forgive, we have peace.
Fear invites evil into our life.
Sanctification and spiritual growth is an ongoing process.
Negative emotions remove us from God’s protection.
Emotions show us what kingdom we’re in.
Evil can’t touch something God controls.
Forgiveness is instant!
Keep short accounts with God.
Unforgiveness is sin.
God has equipped all Christians for victory!
Blessings as YOU GO FORTH TODAY TRAINING FOR BATTLE….merlin