We all have life patterns of sin where we continually get disturbed by the same perturbing perceptions and then always react to them in the same way.  The father-of-lies does his job well.  He suggests unworthiness and we ACCEPT it, each time.  He introduces shame and we RECEIVE it, every day.  He offers hopelessness and we BOW to it, all the time.

DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT IF YOU CONTINUALLY SURRENDER YOURSELVES TO ANYONE TO DO HIS WILL, YOU ARE THE SLAVES OF HIM WHOM YOU OBEY, WHETHER THAT BE TO SIN, WHICH LEADS TO DEATH, OR TO OBEDIENCE WHICH LEADS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS?
(Romans 6:16 AMP).

Beloved One, you need to understand that if you CONTINUALLY accept the beliefs of unworthiness from the father-of-lies, you will be taken captive by them.  If you CONTINUALLY receive the thoughts of shame from the father-of-lies, you will become trapped by them.  If you CONTINUALLY bow down to the suggestions of hopelessness from the father-of-lies, you will be hobbled by them.  If you CONTINUALLY heed the counsel of the father-of-lies, you will become his slave, obligated to wait upon him, hand and foot, as you perform his duties.

BUT NOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SET FREE FROM SIN AND HAVE BECOME SLAVES OF GOD, THE BENEFIT YOU REAP LEADS TO HOLINESS, AND THE RESULT IS ETERNAL LIFE. FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD
(Romans 6:22-23).

Child, there is a different counsel available to you, every day, moment-by-moment—My Counsel of Hope, Love, and Truth. If you CONTINUALLY receive and believe My Counsel, your life will change. You will be set free from the suggestions of the father-of-lies and your reactions to these. The benefit you will reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal Life.

Whose counsel do you heed continually, every day, moment-by-moment: the deceitful counsel of the father-of-lies…or God’s Counsel of Hope, Love, and Truth?

I urge you to start living in a new way.  When the counsel of hopelessness comes, yield it to the Lord Jesus…and receive Hope.  When the counsel of unworthiness strikes, lay it at the feet of Jesus…and receive Truth.  When the counsel of shame enters your mind, surrender it to God…and you receive His Love.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me that I become a slave to him whom I obey, moment-by-moment. Help me to choose and heed Your Counsel of Hope, Love, and Truth, today.

In this world, most of us need some sort of antidepressant to numb the pain we experience here.  It hides the pain from us and us from the pain.  We are afraid of pain.  We do not want to feel it; therefore, we avoid it.  The problem is that we might not pursue the pain, BUT THE PAIN WILL PURSUE US.

As a little girl, my earthly father had his own solution to pain.  Whenever I would share my pain with him and start crying, he would hush me with the words, “Don’t cry, then you will feel better.”  But it did not help.  The pain was still in my heart.  My daddy was afraid of pain and taught me to be afraid of it too.

JESUS ANSWERED HER, ‘IF YOU KNEW THE GIFT OF GOD…YOU WOULD HAVE ASKED HIM AND HE WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU LIVING WATER’
(John 4:10).

Precious Child, I, the Gift of God, am here with you. I am not afraid of pain. You do not have to be afraid of it, either. Rather, you need to understand pain—that it comes from the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies when he tells you that it is too late, now…that there is no hope, now…that all is lost, now. Beloved, I did not come to offer you a band aid for your pain, but to save you from the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies that are causing the pain in your heart.  I did not come to tell you to stop crying. Instead, I came to give you a drink of My Living Water of Truth that will flow deep into your wounds.  This will make your pain go away…and dry your tears. 

Life is full of pain.  There is the pain of feeling alone… companionless…forsaken.  Then there is the pain of rejection…non-acceptance…condemnation.  Still yet, there is the pain of shame—a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety.  There is also the pain of loss and of disappointment.  Which pain do YOU have, today?

Regardless of which pain you have, the determining question is, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT? Will you find the negative, destructive beliefs from the father-of-lies that are causing your pain, today, and lay them before the Lord Jesus? Will you receive the cup of Living Water He is offering you? Will you let Him dry your tears?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, today I choose to EMBRACE my pain. I choose to find the negative, destructive beliefs from the father-of-lies that are causing my heart-ache; then, I choose to EXPOSE these oppressing beliefs to You. Today, I have decided to receive the cup of Living Water You are offering me—to allow You to EXCHANGE my pain for Your Truth.

SINCE, THEN, YOU HAVE BEEN RAISED WITH CHRIST, SET YOUR HEARTS ON THINGS ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.  SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON EARTHLY THINGS
(Colossians 3:1-2).

Where has your focus been, lately: on the present circumstances around you, on your past failures, or on the hopelessness of your future?

SO IF YOU’RE SERIOUS ABOUT LIVING THIS NEW RESURRECTION LIFE WITH CHRIST, ACT LIKE IT. PURSUE THE THINGS OVER WHICH CHRIST PRESIDES.  DON’T SHUFFLE ALONG, EYES TO THE GROUND, ABSORBED WITH THE THINGS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.  LOOK UP, AND BE ALERT TO WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND CHRIST—THAT’S WHERE THE ACTION IS. SEE THINGS FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE
(Colossians 3:1-2 MSG).

Beautiful One, do not shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with your own perspective. Instead, look up…and see Me. Up above is where the action is, not on the ground in front of you. As long as you are focusing on the circumstances, nothing is going to change. Set your heart on Me, because I have set my heart on you.  What is it that is bothering you? Tell Me. What is it that you want from Me? Show Me. What is it that you need, in order to be happy? Ask Me.

Lift up your eyes and call to Me. I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know about your present circumstances, about your past failures, and about your future. I will give you My Perspective…and you will live.

CALL TO ME AND I WILL ANSWER YOU AND TELL YOU GREAT AND UNSEARCHABLE THINGS YOU DO NOT KNOW
(Jeremiah 33:3).

What is your sense of value: that you are worthless…that you do not count…that you do not matter? Look up and ask the Lord Jesus to give you His Perspective.

What is your frame of reference: that there is no hope…no answer…no way out for your problem?  Look up and ask God to show you His Answer.

What is your sense of proportion: that you are not enough…that you are too small…that you are too wounded? Look up and let your Savior show you great and unsearchable things that will change your life.

PRAYER:  Lord God, lift my eyes above the circumstances to see You at work: to see Your Hope…to see Your Answers…to see Your Perspective.  I worship You with gladness.

WE DEMOLISH ARGUMENTS AND EVERY PRETENSION THAT SETS ITSELF UP AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST
(2 Corinthians 10:5).

Does the following scenario sometimes take place in your mind? An oppressing thought enters your mind. You receive it and start entertaining it.  Before you realize it, a whole debate breaks loose in your mind. As if you were watching a movie, you replay the painful argument that happened that day over and over and over again. Going back and forth between your part and that of the other party, you relive all the accusatory thoughts…all the bad emotions…all the contemplated actions. At some point, you hear the little voice of the Holy Spirit, prompting you to demolish the argument that started in your mind, but you do not listen.  “Just a little while longer,” you insist, “I just want to replay it one more time.  I almost have the whole thing figured out in my mind.”

THE LORD DOES NOT LOOK AT THE THINGS MAN LOOKS AT. MAN LOOKS AT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, BUT THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART
(1 Samuel 16:7).

Beloved One, no matter how many times you replay an argument in your mind, you will never be able to figure it out by yourself. Child, you need to understand that I know you better than you know yourself. I know your thoughts from afar. I am acquainted with all your ways. I know your heart. I can figure things out for you in your own mind. Therefore, let go of the destructive debates that often take place in your mind.  Bring them to a stop. Demolish them.  Instead, hand the whole war-of-words over to Me. I will examine, deduce, and point out the Truth to you.  And My Truth will set you…and your debate partner…free.

O LORD, YOU HAVE SEARCHED ME AND KNOWN ME. YOU KNOW MY SITTING DOWN AND MY RISING UP; YOU UNDERSTAND MY THOUGHT AFAR OFF. YOU COMPREHEND MY PATH AND MY LYING DOWN, AND ARE ACQUAINTED WITH ALL MY WAYS. FOR THERE IS NOT A WORD ON MY TONGUE, BUT BEHOLD, O LORD, YOU KNOW IT ALTOGETHER
(Psalm 139:1-4).

What are your reasons for keeping destructive debates alive in your mind?

What will it take for you to refute the arguments in your mind, and hand the whole war-of-words over to the Lord Jesus, daily, in exchange for His Truth?

PRAYER: Jesus, I invite Your Presence and Participation into my daily arguments.  You understand my heart and the pain these debates cause.  Inhabit my mind, Lord Jesus. Cast down all arguments that form in my mind. May I be a bearer of Your Truth.

THIS IS THE VERDICT: LIGHT HAS COME INTO THE WORLD, BUT MEN LOVED DARKNESS INSTEAD OF LIGHT
(John 3:19).

For some reason, it is hard for us to choose Light.  Sometimes, we walk in circles for days or weeks to avoid the Light.  We focus on the other person’s darkness, knowing very well that the darkness that fills our own hearts is far worse. We reason that if we could stay focused on the other person’s darkness, our own darkness could stay hidden just a little longer.  But, darkness is like quicksand—it pulls you in slowly…until you suffocate and drown.

SO LET US PUT ASIDE THE DEEDS OF DARKNESS AND PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT
(Romans 13:12).

Precious Child, you need to know that your enemy, the father-of-lies, will try to persuade you to stay in darkness, because from this painful place of abandonment, condemnation, rejection, and shame he can manipulate you…control you…manage you. However, these negative, destructive beliefs will become irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they will harass you, wherever you are, whatever you do. Therefore, put aside the deeds of darkness and put on My Armor of Light. This will put ME in control of your heart and life…and drive the darkness out.

BUT IF YOU DO NOT DRIVE OUT THE INHABITANTS OF THE LAND FROM BEFORE YOU, THEN IT SHALL BE THAT THOSE WHOM YOU LET REMAIN SHALL BE IRRITANTS IN YOUR EYES AND THORNS IN YOUR SIDES, AND THEY SHALL HARASS YOU IN THE LAND WHERE YOU DWELL
(Numbers 33:55).

This is how you might put aside your deeds of darkness and put on the Armor of Light: 

Stop playing mind games.  Be honest with yourself by looking at your own heart and calling a spade a spade.  Why are you really so upset?  Is it because you feel betrayed?  Is it because you feel overlooked?  Is it because you feel unloved?  Invite the Lord Jesus into the perturbing perceptions that comprise your darkness, and allow Him to show you His Perspective. His Light will drive your darkness out.

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, thank you that You have come so I may see.  I invite You to shine Your Light into the dark beliefs of abandonment, shame, rejection, and condemnation that dwell in my heart.  Break through the darkness, Lord, and bring me clarity, as I expose these beliefs to you.  Clothe me with Your Armor of Light, so You may be in control of my heart and life.

There is a saying that states, “It is all in the mind.”  Well, this happens to be true. Have you ever noticed that you tend to act out the beliefs that reside in your mind?  If your mind contains negative beliefs, you have negative emotions and destructive actions.  If your mind contains positive beliefs, you have positive emotions and constructive actions.  Your mind is a control center that affects your whole life: how you handle yourself, how you handle other people, and how you handle God.

THE MIND OF SINFUL MAN IS DEATH, BUT THE MIND CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE
(Romans 8:6).

Precious Child, think of a control tower at an airport.  It is the job of the air traffic controller to control the incoming and outgoing planes and tell them where to go.  He gives the planes permission to land and the pilots have to obey.  This ensures life and peace.

In the same way, I have sent My Holy Spirit to be the thoughts-and belief-traffic controller of your mind, giving permission to certain thoughts and beliefs to land, and others, to leave.  I, the Father, of whom are all things, want to be in charge of your life—what you believe, how you feel, and what you do. The result in your life will be Life and Peace.

FOR US THERE IS ONE GOD, THE FATHER, OF WHOM ARE ALL THINGS, AND WE FOR HIM; AND ONE LORD JESUS CHRIST, THROUGH WHOM ARE ALL THINGS, AND THROUGH WHOM WE LIVE
(1 Corinthians 8:6).

The question is: Will you allow Me to be in charge of your mind through the Spirit of My Son, through whom are all things and through whom you will receive Life and Peace?

THOSE WHO ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD ARE SONS OF GOD
(Romans 8:14).

Who is in control of your mind—your own beliefs, or the Father, from whom are all things, and the Spirit of His Son, through whom are all things? Consider praying the following prayer, every morning, giving God’s Spirit authority to exercise restraining and directing influence over your mind and its beliefs.

PRAYER: Lord God, how encouraged I am that You are able to purify me through and through…even my mind.

Lord God, be the belief-controller of my mind.  In the same way an air traffic controller gives permission to planes to take off and land, I authorize Your Spirit to be in control of the beliefs that enter my mind, moment-by-moment.  Give permission to the pure beliefs of Truth to land, and command all negative beliefs to leave, so my life could be filled with Your Life and Peace.

MAY GOD HIMSELF, THE GOD OF PEACE, SANCTIFY YOU THROUGH AND THROUGH
(1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Beautiful One, I, the God of Peace, yearn to purify you, through and through, all the way to your emotions.  But you need to know that your emotions do not stand alone; they are governed by what you believe—by what you accept as true or real in your own mind.  Have you noticed how often your emotions become hopeless, fearful, and bitter when you lean on your own understanding…when you depend on your own beliefs…when you rely on your own mind?

AND WE KNOW THAT THE SON OF GOD IS COME, AND HATH GIVEN US AN UNDERSTANDING, THAT WE MAY KNOW HIM THAT IS TRUE, AND WE ARE IN HIM THAT IS TRUE, EVEN IN HIS SON JESUS CHRIST. THIS IS THE TRUE GOD, AND ETERNAL LIFE
(1 John 5:20).

Child, I want you to start living differently, even today. I want you to learn how to deal with your emotions.  Whenever you have an emotion that perturbs you, I want you to find the belief from the father-of-lies that supports that emotion. Know that the father-of-lies is constantly roaming around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour with his negative, destructive beliefs of abandonment, shame, rejection, and condemnation. He likes to plant these in your mind with the hope that you will receive, accept, and believe them.

But, I have sent Jesus, My Son, to bring you understanding, that you may know Him who is the Truth. If you submit the beliefs that support your perturbed emotions to Jesus, He who is the Truth will show you His Perspective. Then, your beliefs will change and your emotions will follow suit. You will receive a spirit of Power, and Love, and of a sound mind…and sound emotions.

FOR GOD HATH NOT GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR; BUT OF POWER, AND OF LOVE, AND OF A SOUND MIND
(2 Timothy 1:7).

Do you have a sound mind? If not, how does your mind influence your emotions? Are you willing to receive a sound mind, even today?

Practice, every day, moment-by-moment to submit the perturbing beliefs in your mind to the Lord Jesus. Ask Him to bring His Truth into your mind, daily. Then, you will receive a sound mind…and sound emotions.

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You have come to give us a sound mind—an understanding, so we may know You, who are the Truth.  Thank you that we may be in You, who are true, and that we may know the Truth for every negative, destructive belief from the father-of-lies that enters our mind. Enlighten my understanding, daily, O Lord, so I may receive a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, for a sound mind will generate sound emotions.

MAY GOD HIMSELF, THE GOD OF PEACE, SANCTIFY YOU THROUGH AND THROUGH
(1 Thessalonians 5:23).

A few years ago I realized that my actions—the things I DO in life—were not so bad.  But on the inside—in my THOUGHT life—it was a different story.  That area looked more like a war zone.  Ugly thoughts “I am a failure…I am worthless…I am a victim” ravaged my mind, all the time.  Negative, belittling thoughts were running loose, everywhere, turning my mind into a battle zone.  The worst thing was…I believed everything I thought. But then, the Lord God had a Word with me:

LET THE WICKED FORSAKE HIS WAY, AND THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAN HIS THOUGHTS: AND LET HIM RETURN UNTO THE LORD, AND HE WILL HAVE MERCY UPON HIM; AND TO OUR GOD, FOR HE WILL ABUNDANTLY PARDON
(Isaiah 55:7).

Beautiful Child, I can see that you have no peace in your thought life. I wish to change that. I wish to give you My Peace; but first, I need something from you.

Precious One, I want you to forsake your thoughts and return to Me.  Stop receiving, accepting, and believing the negative, destructive beliefs from the father-of-lies. Do not let these belittling commands from the evil one run loose in your mind, allowing them to influence your mind and injure your heart. Instead, take each thought captive and bring it before Me. If you do, I will have mercy upon you and sanctify you, through and through, spirit, soul, and body, with My Peace.

 AND WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST
(2 Corinthians 10:5).

What do your day-to-day thoughts look like? How do these thoughts influence your life—your emotions and behavior?

I urge you to keep your thoughts from running loose. Start catching each thought that causes you to feel bad, mad, or sad. Then, submit each one to the Lord Jesus and ask Him to exchange it for His Word of Truth to you.  With which thought do you want to start, today?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, today, I catch this thought that has been running loose in my mind, causing feelings of shame, condemnation, rejection, and abandonment in my heart. I submit it to Your Authority to be submissive to the Perfect Father’s Will.  Remove this thought from my mind and replace it with Your Word of Truth for me. Redeem my spirit, soul, and body from the damage this thought has caused in me, so I may be sanctified, through and through, by Your Peace.