Who is God…

Who is God?

To some people, He is nobody.
To others, He is this elusive Being Who is judgemental, controlling, angry and oppressive.
To some He is distant, and not really bothered about what happens to you.
To others He is the One who holds life in His hands…both the good and the bad.
To others He is this floaty, cloudy, Santa Claus who will make everything perfect…if only we had enough faith.
To some, He is there for others but not for them because they’re not good enough.
To others, He is a killjoy who doesn’t want you to enjoy life, at all.
I can go on….

How people form their understanding of God, is based less on Who He really is, and more on the perceptions formed of Him, according to the actions and behaviour of those who allegedly represent Him.

• For someone who was abandoned by their father, trying to relate to a God Who is like a father, who cares like a parent, and all we imagine a parent to be, this doesn’t relate. So God becomes distant.
• For someone who feels rejected by parents, family, friends for whatever reason – whether real or perceived – God is just another person Who will potentially reject you, if you don’t live up to expectations.
• For someone who has been in any kind of abusive, controlling relationship, God becomes this controlling being who will torment you, play games with you and generally not mean what He says.
• For someone whose marriage wasn’t what they expected, for whatever reason, trying to relate to God as like the lover of the soul, the “husband” who will never leave or forsake you, becomes another distant fairytale.

You get the picture, right? We try to understand an incomprehensible God, based on the people we know, have come into contact with, or experienced. We try to understand God according the limitations of our humanity, and box Him in by what we think we know.

So who is God?

While it is true Christians are supposed to be “Ambassadors for Christ”, are supposedly “being transformed into the likeness of Jesus”, and are “made in His image”, more often than not, even we Christians are not good representations of Him. Sometimes, we get it wrong. Sometimes, we understand God wrong ourselves. Sometimes, we don’t even know Who He is and have our own agenda. Sometimes, we like the idea of the God who makes dreams come true, so we lie about life, in order to present Him in a “better” light. Sometimes, we don’t care if we really represent Him or not, as long as we make ourselves look good.

I’ve been in church for over 40 years. Been around “Christians” for over 40 years. I’ve met many who have inspired me to become an even better version of myself, because of the depth of the relationship they have with Jesus. But…I have also met wolves in sheep’s clothing. Those people who are in the church, but not of the church. Some with titles, some without titles. Some of whom have given me a “check in my spirit” immediately. Some for whom the “red warning flags” weren’t as visible – or maybe I just didn’t want to see them.

But…. Who is God?

He is not Who we sometimes portray Him to be.

His nature, His character, Who He is – this is all revealed in the Scriptures….. and yes, I do mean the Old Testament as well as the New. God isn’t some vengeful, angry controlling being in the first part of the story. Who He is becomes clear when we understand Him from His Word first, and from others second. Like Jesus said, “You have seen Me, you have seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

It is this which then allows the Holy Spirit to bring a “check in your spirit” when someone tries to present God in a particular way, and it doesn’t “sit right”….because it isn’t right if it goes against what you really know of Who He is according to the Scriptures. The Bible tells us to “test everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

We’re living in the end times. Of this there is no doubt. So when people start saying, “God is here.” or, “God is there.” or, “We can only be in a certain place, if we expect God to show up.” remember this:

“If anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or, ‘There He is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs, and false prophets will rise up….so as to deceive….even God’s chosen ones.” (Matthew 24:23-24)

While I was reflecting on Who God is, this is what I was asked, and I will leave it with you, at the beginning of a New Year:
“Who is God? Who do YOU say that I AM?”

Stand Firm: Know What you Believe!

You know you’ve “made it” as a writer or “person of interest” when one of your posts gets reported and removed from Facebook!

Did I upload a naked photo with everything on display? NO!
Did I share a breast-feeding image – which seems to get deleted a lot? NO!
Was I inciting racial hatred? NO!
Was I inciting any kind of terrorism or aggression? NO!
Was I being a bully and consistently targetting anyone with abusive language? NO!

So what did I do, for crying out loud?!?

I shared my opinion based, on my personal experience, after reading an article in the paper one Sunday morning in July.

And yes – that opinion was very un-politically correct, and went against the grain of society, because it was very BIBLICALLY-based and went with the created order of God’s design for life and humanity.

The article was about the increase of women who are having a sex-change (on the NHS) to “become” a man (on the outside only), but then they still want to have IVF treatment in order to become a mum (still a woman internally) – for free on the NHS. My opinion is that this is unfair, given the number of women who don’t choose to have a sex-change, but live in the wrong postcode area and are denied the chance of motherhood.

It just goes to show how warped and twisted this world is becoming! Every year I think, “Lord seriously, how much worse can things get?” and then along comes the next thing which a couple of years ago wouldn’t have seemed possible!

It seems that the further away our society falls away from God, the more what is natural is condemned and what is unnatural is applauded.

Or as Isaiah puts it,

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter…for they have rejected the law of the Lord of Hosts, and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 5:20-24

To stand on the word of God, now means to swim against the tide of opinion. This is why in my post a couple of days ago, I describe the Bride of Christ as being a Warrior Bride, because there needs to be a determined strength about who we are and what we are about. We need to be confident in what we believe, and in order to achieve this, we need to know the voice of our Shepherd.

Having a post deleted is a small matter, in the grand scheme of things. But as Believers, at the end of the day, having our words and actions tested in the fire will truly demonstrate what will be deleted by God permanently, when it is tested in the fire.

Some will use gold, silver or precious stones in building on this foundation; while others will use wood, grass or straw. But each one’s work will be shown for what it is; the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire — the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If the work someone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward; if it is burned up, he will have to bear the loss: he will still escape with his life, but it will be like escaping through a fire. 1 Corinthians 3: 12-15

While it was annoying, I would rather seek the approval of God, than the approval of man. and besides, I can always re-write the post and add it back onto FaceBook. If my work is destroyed by God, there will be no second chance to re-write it!

As the Warrior Bride of Jesus, we are engaged in the fight – whether we want to be or not. OK – it might make life a bit uncomfortable at times, but we are on the winning side!! Walk tall in the confidence of someone who knows they have already won – you know, a bit like a strut more than a walk….a bit cocky and self-assured! With purpose! Don’t be intimidated, but find the strength we have received through the blood of the Lamb, and let your word and actions marry up with the knowledge that YOU are an overcomer in Christ Jesus!!

Don’t slouch along as someone who is beaten and intimidated by the enemy – be aware, for although he “stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8), his bite is nowhere near as bad as his roar – he is all gums and no power! No power, because Jesus has already defeated Him!

THAT’s the assurance we have as the warrior bride! Boom!!

 

 

Watch For the Wolves

Not everyone you meet in a Church is who they present themselves to be. Trust me, I have been in Church long enough to know this to be true. And Jesus warned us about it too:

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as servants and innocent as doves.”

Matthew 10:16

We know Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10), and He has our best interest at heart, as His sheep we learn to know and recognise His voice – but there are others who will come in to the Church and speak “as one of the sheep” or as one of the “hired shepherd helps” but these are not of the same fold. The message they bring is not the message of the Gospel – the salvation and hope found only in Yeshua

As Jesus also says,

“Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

Matthew 7:15

Having been brought up in the Church, I know that I had this misconception that everyone I encountered in Church was like me. Born and raised in the Church with a genuine love for God, His Kingdom purposes and a sincere love for the body of Christ.

But over the years, there have been numerous wolves in sheep’s clothing who have risen up and tried to “steal, kill and destroy” the Body of Christ – locally, nationally and globally. 

In the words of Paul, “O foolish [Christian] who has bewitched you!” 

If we know and recognise the voice of the Good Shepherd, it will be harder for us to be swayed by the voice of a stranger. How do we know the voice of our Shepherd? The same way we learn to recognise a friend or lover’s voice – spending time with each other. By spending time reading God’s love letter to us, we soon learn to recognise His voice, and as we recognise His voice, we recognise His character, because His Word is His Character. He doesn’t change who He is to fit any particular audience. He is consistent. 

We are told to “test all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). There have been times when I have been reading a book, or listening to a sermon, and I have a check in my spirit that something isn’t lining up with the word of God. This is me knowing the voice of the Good Shepherd. 

We are living in a key time of God’s Kingdom. I really believe this. Which means that now more than ever, it is important for the sheep to know their Shepherd’s voice. Become wise to the tricks of the enemy who won’t think twice about dressing himself in light, or sending out his wolves dressed as sheep – whatever it will take to distract the waiting bride from recognising the soon-coming arrival of our Bridegroom, Yeshua.

Warrior Bride

Some of you may be wondering, if this blog is not strictly aimed at women, and it’s not actually about heels – or even shoes, for that matter – why is it called “You Can’t Slouch in Heels”?

Or maybe you aren’t, but I’m going to tell you anyway!

Basically it is to encourage anyone who reads my offerings, that we can walk tall in the confidence of knowing who we are in Christ. This isn’t just a message for women, or men, but for all of us. Collectively. 

I believe we are living in a time of spiritual significance, as heaven prepares for the return of Jesus to claim His Warrior Bride. I use the term “Warrior Bride” because we have been called to stand firm in Christ, to fight the good fight, and not to lose heart as the Day of the Lord approaches. 

As the day seems to grow darker, the light of Christ within the Church need to shine brighter. There are many ways to achieve this, but walking with confidence and purpose, in the strength of the Lord, is going to be more attractive than a bunch of Christians slouching around trying to not draw attention to ourselves, and hide in the shadows to avoid being seen as being confrontational.

As the Warrior Bride, waiting for the return of our victorious King, stand strong on the solid foundation of the Rock of Jesus, allow God to be the lifter of your head as you look up and fix your eyes on Him, and stride with confidence that we are on the winning side.

When we walk through the fire, we make purposeful strides to get out quickly, with as little damage as possible. It’s kinda better for us if we don’t dawdle, as this prolongs the pain and causes more hurt. I am obviously speaking spiritually….I’ve never actually walked through a real fire, nor on hot coals, before you ask!

As a woman who wears heels, I know there are wrong ways to walk in them as well as the right way……! This is the substance behind this site! There are many ways to walk, but could it be that there is a right way for the Warrior Bride to strut her stuff on this earth?? Especially as we are being made ready for the return of our Groom?

Let me know what you think!

This Present Evil Age

As we watch the news coming through each day – a new terrorist attack here, a failed terrorist attempt there, right across Europe – one can only sit and wonder, “God, what on earth is going on?” There are no real words to describe the time we are living in, beyond that what Paul used in Galations 1:4

…our Lord Jesus, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from THIS PRESENT EVIL AGE… (Emphasis is mine). I believe this is definitely the most accurate description of the time we are living in.

I was discussing this, recently, with one of my colleagues as we spent time with God in our morning devotions, as news of the truck attack on French civilians enjoying a firework display sunk in.

As we were talking, I had the thought (revelation?) that we were living in a time which is so significant spiritually, it drew me to Revelation 12:10-12.

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And the overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows he has a short time.” (Emphasis is mine)

In a way, it feels as though God is withdrawing His hand from the earth, in a final preparation for the return of His Son, Yeshua. And that we are clearly in a time of “woe” as inhabitants of the earth. Is this the time we are living in, where the devil has indeed been cast down to earth, and is full of anger against the people of God?

I know the terrorist acts are not strictly against the Church….per se! But the anger of the extremists is directed, by admission of their own mouths, against Israel and the West. The West which personifies “Christianity”, because this is what they have been taught. The imorality of the West equates, in their minds, to the imorality of Christianity. And against Israel because of the centuries old spiritual battle between Ishmael and Isaac. It represents the attempt by satan to do all he can to usurp God’s position in our lives, and try to hold back the return of Jesus to Jerusalem. As if! Jesus is already victorious over satan, and it is only a matter of time before we witness this spiritual reality in the physical world.

But if we go back to the first verse I quoted from Galatians, we see hope. For although Paul talks about “this present evil age” he also writes that Jesus gave Himself, that He might, “deliver us from this present evil age.” While we may feel fear at what we are witnessing, we have the hope that Jesus can – and will – deliver us.

How this will look, we may not know in this life, but we know we will overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimony. But this hope shouldn’t just be hidden to ourselves. Like the woman at the well, in John 4, now more than ever we need to declare to the fearful and the lost of our communities, there is one who will deliver us from this present evil age.

Jesus’ Hebrew name is Yeshua – which literally means salvation. Yeshua truly is the salvation for the world, He is our hope in this present evil age. How can we not do our bit to save those around us too? How can we stay silent, while the darkness becomes louder? May we as the Church – as the “bride” waiting for her groom’s return – walk with strength and purpose through this present darkness, intent on allowing the Light of Yeshua to shine and draw people through the darkness toward the hope He offers. Amen!

Well This is Nice!

Over the weekend I received an email from a friend, which couldn’t have come at a better time, actually. I was working over the weekend, organising three conferences to run simultaneously in one venue…so quite full on!!

And then the email – with a link to a post by someone who had reviewed my book, Ready or Not – He is Coming. As I started to read it, I felt really encouraged and blessed by what the author had written, and couldn’t have asked for a better review!!

So – for your own enjoyment, and to get an overview about Ready or Not – He is Coming, please click here to read the review by Paul Luckraft on the Prophecy Today website.