The war between good and evil, love and hate, has been raging since the devil’s demonic attack on mankind back in the Garden of Eden. (See Genesis 3:1-6.) Still today, we are experiencing the aftermath as sparks continue to ignite hellfires around the world. The most destructive spirit in the enemy’s arsenal is hatred. And we know it’s lethal because once it’s internalized, some people are willing to sacrifice their well-being and the well-being of those they love—just to do hateful deeds toward their fellow man whom God commands them to love.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1John 4:20)

It might seem like the enemy is winning—but he’s not!

With hate on the rise, it seems like the enemy is winning—but he’s not! Think about this: There was a time when hatred could hide behind insincere platitudes of admiration and false smiles. However, now, hypocrisy, injustice, and other forms of this vile spirit are no longer concealed; but broadcast around the globe for everyone’s viewing. This exposure is good news, especially for those who want to do right by God but have no idea they’re harboring such deep-rooted animosity that keeps this fire fueled.

Know who the real enemy is.

Imagine the military fighting against their unit instead of the adversary. That’s not what you would call a winning strategy. But that’s precisely the devil’s game plan to get our focus off him, the real enemy. He knows he lost the war. He also knows how much God loves people and wants no one to perish. Therefore, the devil’s mission is for multitudes to join him in hell.

^… [T]he devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Revelation 20:10).

By faith, stay encouraged; know when hate flickers its flames—God is Love, and Love Won!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

© 2021

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why are innocent children abused? Our brains are left puzzled when trying to understand the “why” behind those types of questions. But we shouldn’t waste time trying to make sense of it all because that piece of the puzzle remains under the sovereignty of God. We must accept the fact that we are incapable of understanding everything. Therefore, our job is to grasp what the Holy Spirit wants us to know, and for everything else that we don’t know, we are to trust Him and walk by faith.

Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his wisdom and knowledge and riches! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! ³⁴ For who among us can know the mind of the Lord? Who knows enough to be his counselor and guide? ³⁵ And who could ever offer the Lord enough to induce him to act?³⁶ For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory. To him be glory evermore (Romans 11:33-36, LAB).

The book of Job is a perfect example of human logic’s shortcomings when trying to understand God’s ways. Job’s wife and his friends couldn’t figure out why all the catastrophic events came upon him, an upright man of God. They each offered their opinions on why all the disasters. Job’s wife went so far as to tell him to curse God and die.

After all of their dead-end discussions, analyses, and interrogations, God asked Job: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me if you know so much.” (Job 38:4, LAB)

We know less than we think we know.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Job had no idea about the dialogue that took place between God and Satan before his turmoil started. During that conversation, God allowed the enemy to attack Job and all his possessions. Even though Job couldn’t understand what caused his afflictions, he remained loyal to God. In the end, he was given double blessings; his family, along with his material possessions, were restored. This entire heart-rending story can be found in the book of Job.

When we’re faced with troubles beyond our justification, we don’t need more intelligence; we need faith in God. Just like Job didn’t know what had transpired behind the scenes between God and Satan, we know less than what we think we know in our particular circumstances. One reassuring thing about Job’s situation was that God remained in control; He restricted Satan’s range. That detail should comfort us when we’re going through trials.

When we surrender our inept, misinformed wills over to the Almighty, the One who knows everything about everything, we align ourselves to His absolute wisdom. One of the best prayers we could pray should go something like this:

Lord, help me accept Your will as mine; You know things that I don’t know. You are monitoring my path as I walk by faith. I put my trust in You to make all this work out for my well-being.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Do you really know—what you think you really know?

 © 2021

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

(LAB) Life Application Bible copyright © 1988 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189.

 

Not all blessings come neatly wrapped served on a silver platter. Some are unrecognizable and, at times, seem more like curses. How many blessings have we bypassed because they didn’t come in the “right” packaging? Or how many have we overlooked because we misjudged or didn’t like the person delivering it? It’s going to take faith to see—when the blessing is unrecognizable.

Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you (Psalm 84:12, NIV).

It’s not our call to tell God how and when to bless us.

The story of Joseph is a perfect illustration of how some blessings can be unrecognizable. Thrown into a pit and sold into slavery by his brothers would not have been viewed as a blessing. Even though his brothers had evil intentions, God used their wickedness to bless a nation. Joseph played a crucial role in Israel’s history. See Genesis 37-50 for Joseph’s story.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Genesis 50:20, NIV).

What blessings could you be overlooking?

Most of my writings come from my life experiences, and this one is no exception. One day the Holy Spirit told me to look for Him, especially in the small things He will do throughout that day. When evening came, I replayed my day and realized all the unrecognizable blessings that I would have missed if I had not paid attention. I ended up making a sign so I’ll never forget in the future to:

Look for Me today!

If you are in a troublesome situation, Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

Therefore, there’s no need for those in Christ to spend all their time focusing on problems; instead, pray for insight and wisdom to recognize unrecognizable blessings.

 Recognizable or not, God will bless us as He pleases.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you

 (1 Thessalonians 518).

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

© 2021

 

 

Jesus knew the storm would cease when He told the wind, “Peace—be still.” (Mark 4:39) Jesus did not doubt Lazarus would walk out of the tomb when He said, “Lazarus come forth.” (John 11:43) Jesus spoke with assurance; He knew troubling conditions didn’t have to be permanent. He had faith to see into the spiritual realm where impossibilities were possibilities.

Faith doesn’t bow to situations; situations bow to faith.

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. (Hebrews 11:1, AMP)

We, who are in Christ, are called to imitate Him. For that reason, we should think like Jesus thought, and expect whatever we pray for to be done according to God’s will. (See 1 John 5:14-15.) In Christ, we are in right standing with God. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Therefore, we have permission to copycat the Son of God.

Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. (Ephesians 5:1, AMP)

However, we can’t act and think like Jesus if we don’t know Him. Each time we read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), ask the Holy Spirit for revelation into the mindset and character of Jesus. We should ask the Spirit to show us how to apply the Lord’s actions back then, with our present circumstances.

If you want mountain-moving faith, think mountain-moving thoughts.

As I learn more, I’ll conclude with this: My thoughts need to come up higher. By faith, I need to see situations from God’s perspective. I am growing spiritually, but I still have a way to go.

If you are agitated about anything, think like Jesus thought, then tell yourself:

“This would not have upset Jesus.”

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

© 2021

 

Even when we have faith to hear God, we still don’t hear half the stuff He’s telling us. The gentle voice of the Holy Spirit often goes undetected because our spiritual antennas are usually programmed to only listen out for “big ticketed” issues.

Divine subtleties!

But, the Spirit gives us invaluable information on run-of-the-mill everyday stuff that we often don’t hear in all our hustle and bustle. It’s the information He gives on those unassuming matters that could make the difference in us walking in chaos and failure, or peace and success.

Recently, someone asked me to write a post that will give people hope during these trying times. Quite often, our hope is in the whispers we overlook, the fleeting divine subtleties that float through our minds that we take for granted instead of viewing them as power-packed answers that we are seeking.

When we draw close, we hear more.

Sometimes we fail to receive all that God wants us to get from His Word because we aren’t paying close enough attention to what He drops into our spirits.

In Psalm 23, for example, the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit:

• Will direct us to those green pastures and still waters in verse 2.
• Will tell us what we should do to get our souls restored in verse 3.
• Will comfort us in the valley of death in verse 4.
• Will help us recognize the table, in verse 5, that He has prepared in the presence of our enemies.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. ³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. ⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Where is this secret place talked about in Psalm 91:1? The Holy Spirit is telling us how to get there when He whispers thoughts like:

• Instead of doing this and that, spend time with Me.
• Instead of relying on others, come to Me, and I will direct you.
• Instead of contemplating every thought that pops into your head, keep Me at the forefront of your mind throughout the day.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. (AMP)

God is telling you stuff—so listen!

 

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

© 2021

The sooner we learn to follow God’s Light, the sooner we can get off the crazy-go-round. I don’t know why we think we can get along fine without the Holy Spirit’s directions. How much time do we waste before we, by faith, follow God’s infinite wisdom?

 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21, NIV).

One day I asked a friend for directions to a reservoir. I followed his detailed instructions until he told me to make a right turn at a particular light. I (who didn’t have a clue how to get there) told him I should make a left turn instead of a right. His reply:

Go ahead; turn left.

That response can preach. When we operate outside of God’s directions, we are trading His perfect sovereign will for His permissive will, allowing whatever consequences are in store to happen. It’s easy to get the two wills confused when we don’t know the attributes of God’s character, when we don’t read and study His Word, when we don’t spend daily one-on-one time listening to His specific directions for our lives, and when we allow our stubbornness to rule.

Don’t overthink it.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The devil wants to keep us on his crazy-go-round until we have no idea where we’re going or what we’re doing. He knows the more confusion he throws our way, the easier it is to be misled, questioning our faith in the Spirit’s directions.

We should view confusion like a neon sign flashing in the darkness. When we see the first flash,  STOP—and remember God is not of disorder but peace. (See 1 Corinthians 14:33.)

God knows which:

• doctor to go to,
• realtor to trust,
• contract to sign.

Answers to questions like those are not found on the devil’s crazy-go-round. Go somewhere and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance. He’s the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby). If All that He is can’t help you, then you can’t be helped. (See John 16:7, AMP.)

I’m so determined to stay off the crazy-go-round that throughout my day, I periodically ask the Holy Spirit: Is this what I should be doing right now with my time? Or if I’m feeling in a slump, I’ll ask Him, what should I do to lift my spirit?

If you are on the crazy-go-round, get off—seek God’s directions.

Follow the Light!

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

© 2021

How many of us would have been on the side of those who called for Jesus’ crucifixion? I know it’s hard to think we could have been a part of such a horrendous undertaking. After all, what did Jesus do to deserve such hatred when His message called for love?

The Jewish religious leaders wanted to get rid of Him. They felt threatened by the control and popularity Jesus had over the masses. They didn’t want to give up their status quo. Jesus’ message of love and equality didn’t fit into the segregationists’ agenda. Therefore, they influenced the crowd to call for His crucifixion.

Crucify Him!

And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? ¹³ And they cried out again, Crucify him. ¹⁴ Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him (Mark 15:12-14).

Are you part of a modern-day crucifixion?

That same love message is put before us today, and many are rejecting it like the crowd did who yelled crucify Him. But before we say we wouldn’t have been involved in such an abomination, let’s think about that for a moment. Many of us don’t realize it, but we would have nailed Him to that cross if we had to choose between the cross or being kind and loving everybody.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1 John 4:20)

• How many of us go along with all the hate crimes and division in our nation?
• How many of us pretend like we don’t see all the injustice and inequality in the world?
• How many of us point our self-righteous fingers at prostitutes, drug addicts, and others who the world judge as repulsive?
• How many of us are quick to put people in hell for their sins yet excuse our iniquities?
• How many of us feel superior to immigrants, the homeless, and others in a state of deprivation?

Jesus accepted those who were despised, which of course, angered the hypocrites of His day. He ripped the disguises right off those who claimed to love God but walked in malice. Isn’t He doing the same thing today? All our prejudices are being exposed. He has made us sound silly as we try to justify the unjustifiable.

Are you following the footsteps who called for Jesus’ crucifixion, or do you have the faith to walk in the footsteps of His love for humanity?

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 7:21).

Crucify Him?

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

© 2021

 

 

image by  fpwing via 123rf

All the world’s money can’t buy class; common sense isn’t common, and religious catchphrases and gestures can’t replace the anointing. We can’t count on our physical senses to make sound judgments because we are too easily swayed by our human wants and needs. God has given His children discernment along with wisdom, so, by faith, sniff out the pretenders.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).

Something doesn’t smell right.

During Jesus’ time on earth, the Pharisees and Sadducees were highly honored and celebrated men of virtue. They were the go-to if you needed the Scriptures quoted and interpreted, but they couldn’t pass the sniff test with Jesus.

Jesus saw straight through their shallow, hypocritical ways; even though they could cite the  Scriptures, the Word wasn’t sited in them. Jesus called them out and said they were whitewashed tombs filled with dead men’s bones.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness (Matthew 23:27).

I hope you know we have modern-day Pharisees and Sadducees. They aren’t all in the religious sector. Any imposter pedaling off evil motives and selfish agendas can fit into this deceitful category.

Sniff it yourself!

Some of the people you rely on to do your sniffing can’t pass the sniff test themselves; do your own sniffing. And when the Holy Spirit troubles your spirit about a matter, don’t ignore it. Because the Spirit will let you know:

That, right there, can’t pass the sniff test.

See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.

© 2021