Oftentimes, you must step back to the formula that works. We all need spiritual cleansing regularly. If you read my last blog, I expressed I was under spiritual attack, in my heart, in my mind, and of course, it reflected in my behavior. I was angry, filled with polluted thinking, and allowing external circumstances to affect who I am as a child of the King.

Everything we do emanates from the heart. Every part of our life intersects with what is going on in our hearts. So, I took a sabbatical to spend time alone with the one and only person who can guide me and mold me back into shape. We must have the courage to ask God for help, to watch over us, and purify our hearts especially when it gets out of control. If we humbly seek His grace, He will not fail to give it, and so He did.

During this time with God, my help consisted of prayer, the Word, meditation, my Pastor’s messages, other sound biblical resources, and love and support from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you for the cards, emails, and encouragement.

In reference to my anger, well, it can give Satan a foothold into your life, (Ephesians 4:26-27), therefore I had to let it go. We are commanded to get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger per Ephesian 4:31. God gave me Transforming Temples ministry the beginning of this year. I was focused, attentive to His voice until a few months ago when I allowed myself to get distracted by the world. Though some of my anger was righteous anger over the senseless killings, hate, division, and racial injustice; my negative emotions began to overwhelm me. God gives us emotions, and He gives us Godly ways to manage them. I was not doing a good job. But through the power of His Word, my emotions did not overcome me.

The feelings were real. The enemy was sowing unhealthy thoughts into my mind to steal, kill, destroy me, and distract me from the ministry. This is why we need to STOP, examine, cleanse, ask forgiveness, and renew a right spirit pleasing to God. The devil is the greatest rebel of all times. He is in the business of persuading God’s people to join him in anything that is contrary to God’s holiness, statues, and commands.

I have been studying the book of James for several months and during this time with God, he revealed to me three key concepts in James 4:8-10 on cleansing which I did not see in previous readings. Before I get to that, let me say this. God is amazing. When you take the time to seek Him in the midst of trials and temptation, He will reveal Himself to you. I am in awe of what He has done in me during this time. Okay, so back to James.

Drawing near to God is more than just saying it. It requires cleansing your hands and heart. Hands meaning behavior and “purify your hearts” meaning our inner lives. The hand reflects what is in my heart. When I research the word “heart” (because this was one of the issues I was struggling with), I find it refers to the totality of a person; mind, will, and affection. So here it is, the three concepts purify the heart, cleanse the will, and cleanse the affections.

In purifying my heart I have to cleanse my mind from unbiblical thinking; keep out all those things that don’t line up with the truth revealed in God’s Word. To cleanse my will, I have to stay focused, don’t make choices or decisions based on worldly distractions or values. God must have ownership of my life. Then, to cleanse my affections, well the scripture states “set my affections on above.” Colossians 3:2. I had to stop allowing my affections to get caught up in the trauma/drama of our present-day world. As I think about it, there is one last concept and that is coming to the point that you realize you’re out of order. It’s called being broken, James 4:9-10. I come to the point of having a truly penitential spirit over my sin.

I can’t change how people are, I can’t change oppression and injustices, but I can change how I deal with each challenge and that is with the mind of Christ, trusting Him with my heart and emotions. Does it make me sad? Yes Does it make me concerned? Yes, but I get on my knees, I slow down, refresh, and let the Father renew, and transform me.

So, ladies, I am back, still a work in progress, but I have my full armor on to do battle. I can’t stress enough how important it is to get away with God before it is too late. Don’t let Satan in to destroy, kill, and steal your life, your peace, your joy. Where do you choose to focus? On the distractions of the world or the Father above? This is what the devil will do if we allow him to do it. I had to combat the lies and the deception of the enemy with the truth of God’s Word.

Satan did not want me to blog on the goodness of God to the world, nor see me walking in the power of Christ. He hates that. Subtly, I became more involved with current affairs, (the pandemic, the election, racism, social injustice, people’s hate, greed, selfishness, and broken relationships). I was overwhelmed with emotions. This was the result of the enemy….. steal (your peace and joy), kill (your health, mind), destroy (relationships). I cried out to God and fought back starting with the Word. One of the first scriptures the Spirit lead me to was 1 Peter 5:7, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” I don’t have to carry the burdens that have been piercing my heart. When I slowed down, spent time with God I began to trust Him with a firm mind. He released me of my care and took it upon Himself. I am telling you, the things He revealed to me are nothing short of miracles. He brought my thoughts back to Him, His holiness, His power, His love. I am not saying all is cured, but I am in the right place as He works in me. My circumstances may not change right away, but my perspective on them is radically altered. Instead of being inundated with my issues, I can view my circumstances through God’s grace and power. I still have my emotions and need much prayer especially with loving the evil ones. Here is my list of things to do when battling spiritual warfare:

1. Recognize you’re in a spiritual battle.
2. Slow down, stop, pull back.
3. Put on the spiritual protection God has provided for us. 
4. Worship through it. Pray, read, meditate.
5. Renew your mind with a perspective based on the great ways and works of God.
6. Trust in God’s character.
7. Learn to discern when your heart needs attention.
8. Pray where you get real, open up and talk to God, pour out your heart until it is empty.
9. Let God transform you and stay out of the way.

When my mind was confused, tears still in my eyes, not understanding why and how our world was in the state it was in, the Spirit lead me to Psalm 73. This Psalm addressed every complaint and frustration, but it also helped me to see life from an eternal perspective again. Psalm 73 helped me work through my issues. “Until I went into the sanctuary of God, then I understood.” When I read this Psalm it unravels my sense of injustice and soothes my pain, my heart is softened and I can say as the psalmist in verse 26, “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

It is time to get back to kingdom work. I am praying for Transforming Temples to be an outreach of help to ladies living life in Christ, to ladies who want to meet Jesus, and for unity regardless of culture, color, or economic status. Our mission is to love one another as Jesus has loved us. Get the junk out of your heart. Be authentic. Pray for one another. Love you!

I’m back!