WHO GAVE HIM PERMISSION?

Reading articles, news items, emails and FB posts in preparation for a retreat at which Steve and I have been invited to speak, I am saddened to find Satan’s fingerprints all over the ruins of so many lives. As the tears flow down my face and prayers are offered up on behalf of so many hurting friends, I wonder, “What makes the devil think he has a right; who gave him permission?” Of course it began in a garden. Genesis 1:28-29 tells us God’s plan from the beginning; “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God gave dominion and authority to mankind and only they could bestow that authority on another. Satan had no authority until Eve gave him permission because of her own desires.


True, at times Satan seems relentless with his attacks. He will tempt you at every turn and just when you have one thing conquered, he comes with something else or a new tactic. GOOD NEWS!!! God already has a solution; 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. The Word of God promises us that with every temptation, God will make a way of escape. The only way sin can overtake us is if WE give it permission.

Several years ago, I had an employee who asked to leave early one day to go to her son’s ball game. I gave her the permission to leave that day but the next week she left early without permission and twice the following week. Finally, I confronted her about leaving work early and I have never forgotten her reply and the lesson I learned. She said, “You didn’t say no, so I thought it was ok.” Have we allowed the devil to think he has permission to interfere with our lives because we haven’t said NO!!!

Think of all the seemingly “innocent” things we let slip into our lives. The television shows and movies we watch, the music we listen to, the people we surround ourselves with, the internet sites we visit, the books and magazines we read, even the things we laugh at, the priorities we set and the time we waste; are all of these inadvertently giving the devil the permission for which he’s been waiting? James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. You will notice that it is not until the lust is conceived that sin is birthed. It starts with temptation and the choice, do we take the “Way of Escape” or give the devil permission. If permission is denied immediately, conception can never take place and Satan has no authority.

So once again; “What makes the devil think he has a right? Who gave him permission?” Sadly, the answer is, “We did.” It is time that we say NO MORE!!! It is time to TAKE BACK DOMINION and REVOKE SATAN’S AUTHORITY. If you are as “fed up” as I am at the audacity of Satan’s intrusion in your life, KICK HIM OUT AND TAKE IT BACK! Reclaim your children, your marriage, and your peace; reclaim your relationship with God. SATAN, PERMISSION DENIED!

JUST ONE DAY

On Wednesday, February 22, 2012, American journalist, Marie Colvin was murdered in Homs, Syria. After learning of the death of her daughter, Rosemarie Colvin said, “She was supposed to leave Syria” on Wednesday. “Her editor told me he called her yesterday and said it was getting too dangerous and they wanted to take her out. She said she was doing a story and she wanted to finish it and it was important and she would come out on Wednesday.” The grieving mother then added, “SHE WAITED ONE DAY TOO LATE.” I am sure Marie Colvin thought, it won’t make any difference, it’s just one day, but what a difference the 24 hour delay made.

We have all had situations occur when we have said “if only I had done that yesterday,” “if only I hadn’t waited,” or “I didn’t realize yesterday was the deadline.” When we moved to Tennessee, I had to switch my driver’s license from Michigan to Tennessee. They were due to expire on my birthday and we were in the process of moving at the same time. It was also the political season and I wanted to be sure I was able to vote in the upcoming election. My intentions were to register to vote and switch my driver’s license all in one quick trip. I arrived at the Secretary of State office on Tuesday, October 5, four whole days before my license expired; plenty of time. I filled out my voting registration, driver’s license application, had my picture taken, paid my money and asked, “Will I receive my new voter registration card in time for the upcoming election?” The clerk said, “Sorry, yesterday was the deadline to be registered for the November election.” It didn’t matter that I was unaware of the deadline or that I hadn’t bothered to check, there were no exceptions made for being a new state resident or even that the prior day was a holiday and the office was closed. October 4 was the deadline and today was October 5; I had waited one day too late.

Not being able to vote in 2010 was a real aggravation to me but it also made me check things thoroughly, when we moved back to Michigan. I wanted to be sure that I registered in time to vote in the 2012 Michigan primary. Usually missing the deadline is a mere inconvenience and not really as serious as the one Ms. Colvin faced. Like Marie Colvin, however, every one of us has an unknown deadline to meet. We do not know when we will come face to face with the “Last Day.” The appointment will have either of two outcomes; it will be a day, full of joy for which we have prepared or a day of despair because we will have waited one day too late. 2 Corinthians 6:2 tells us, For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. As we reread the verse, in connection with our inevitable deadline, we can understand that the “Day of Salvation” must be today for JUST ONE MORE DAY could be ONE DAY TOO LATE!

A NECESSARY MESS

The sink was full of soaking dishes, dirty pots and pans were piled high on one counter, while a coating of flour, sugar and spices covered the other. To a casual visitor, it looked like a jumbled mess but the dirty dishes and messy countertops were not the final product, they were just necessary preparations for what was to come.


Soon the mess was cleaned up, but the orderliness of the kitchen could not hide the delicious smells wafting from the roasting turkey, baking pies and bubbling pots on the stove. Pausing for a moment and breathing deeply, she savored the sweet aroma of her labor of love. But the inviting smell filling the kitchen was not the goal; it only represented what was to come.

Finally, the kitchen buzzer sounded and the doorbell rang; it was time. Hungry kids and grandkids filled the home. The enticing aromas guaranteed that soon they would be stuffing their mouths with the time-tested recipes that were pulled out once a year, making sure that everyone’s favorite dish was on the menu. It was time, this was what all of the mess and all of the mouth-watering smells was really about; the children were home and dinner was served.

Often times in our spiritual journey, we have had a vision of the goal, but became overwhelmed because of the “dirty kitchen.” Discouraged, we looked around at the “rags” and broken pieces of our life, positive that even God couldn’t do much with such a mess. But the “Master Chef” holding the recipe of our dreams reminds us, this isn’t the final product, these are just necessary preparations for what is to come.

With order restored, our journey continues and the sweet aroma of God’s presence fills our life. Pause for a moment, take a deep breath and savor each blessing that He has prepared just for you every step of the way. Don’t pause, too long, however, because the little blessings along the way are just a hint of what He has waiting for you. You can’t even imagine what is to come.

The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” One day the trumpet will sound and all God’s “hungry” children will be gathered home. It will be worth every messy kitchen, dirty pot and broken dish. The sweet aroma of blessings we enjoyed during the journey will pale in comparison to sound of His voice saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of the Lord.” WHAT A GATHERING THAT WILL BE!!!

THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE

1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”


“Grandma, look what I made you.” Caleb handed me a perfectly cut, neatly colored square. As I took the masterpiece, Caleb received a hug and praise, bragging on his creative efforts and super intelligence. Suddenly, a little voice piped up, “I make for you too, Grandma.” I looked down at Nathan who was offering his “masterpiece;” scribbles on torn/cut pieces of paper. He, of course, received the same hugs and praise as his older brother with an extra squeeze. My heart is so full as I look at a folder full of grandchildren “artwork” and an envelope full of torn scraps of paper. They will never win awards or be auctioned at Christies for millions but to me they are priceless. They represent concentrated efforts to return the love they have received back to Grandma. My grandchildren have every confidence that when they offer their expressions of love they will be received with excitement, hugs and accolades. There is no fear that I will laugh, deride their efforts or shower them with condemnation; no, they are secure in Grandma’s love for them.

Oh the freedom I would enjoy if, like my grandchildren, I would learn to trust God’s great love for me. 1 John 4:18 reminds us that “Perfect love casts out all fear.” Yet as adults we allow fear to put up a wall shielding us from the perfect love of God. The fear of “not being good enough”, failure, condemnation, rejection and all the other negative experiences we have had with “imperfect” love. If only I could catch a vision of the heart of God as I present my little torn pieces of paper to Him, confident in His love. If I could understand that my “mess-ups” are never met with condemnation but lovingly, He gently takes my hand, corrects my steps and guides me safely to the right path. If I could only believe that “He will never leave me or forsake me” maybe I wouldn’t find it necessary to test the validity of the statement by “living on the edge.”

My grandchildren aren’t concerned with how fat or skinny I am, whether my hair is fixed perfectly and my clothes are just right, if I live in a big house or if everything is in its place, all they care about is the perfect love and the hugs they are sure to receive at Grandma’s House. I’m not so concerned with the gifts and the blessings that God showers down on me daily, but I crave the feel of being held in His Everlasting Arms. I seek to hear the love He whispers in my ear as I reach out to grasp the gentle hand that guides me every day because I am confident that HE LOVES ME.

“Oh love of God, how rich and pure, how measureless and strong. It shall forevermore endure-- the saint’s and angel’s song.”

FORGIVENESS OR PERMISSION?

She skipped blissfully into life. A whole new world of adventure awaited her, far removed from the cloistered lifestyle of her childhood. Besides, she was confident that her Mother’s prayers would follow her all the days of her life; they did!  “The world was her oyster (Shakespeare);” she embraced it! “Life is too important to be taken seriously (Oscar Wilde);” she laughed! “Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance (anon);” she danced! Her motto became, “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission (G. Hopper);” but it wasn’t! There would be plenty of time to consider God when she was old, but there wouldn’t! The morning after the last party never came.

There have been many variations to U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Grace Hopper’s phrase, “It’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission,” but they all have the same meaning rooted in self. However it is worded, the speaker is declaring, “I will do it my way without regard to authority.”

It started with Lucifer. He wasn’t satisfied just being the archangel God had created; oh no, he had much more ambitious ideas. Isaiah 14:13-14 records that Lucifer did it his way,

Isaiah 14:13-14“For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also on the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” 

Of course, it didn’t stop with Lucifer. Satan tells Eve, if you eat of the fruit, “you will not surely die” or to paraphrase, “go ahead, you can ask forgiveness later.” Eve discovered as Lucifer had previously, as Sampson, David, Jonah, Ananias and Sapphira did later along with everyone throughout history who decided to forego permission, there are consequences to “doing it my way.” Lucifer will be cast into the pit, Eve was put out of the Garden, Sampson lost his eyesight and ultimately his life, David lost a child, Jonah ended up in belly of a fish and Ananias and Sapphira paid with their lives for embracing the “Self-philosophy.”

I was introduced to the phrase, “I would rather ask forgiveness than permission,” by an employee under my supervision. It didn’t warm my employer heart just as our willfullness doesn’t warm the heart of God. You see, I was paying for 8 hours of my employee’s time every day. Although, I was always ready to hand out forgiveness for mistakes, I expected my instructions to be followed for the success of the company.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 

Acts 20:28 tells us a very high price was paid for you and me; “He purchased with His own blood.” Not only is God our creator but He shed His own blood to redeem us; He has a right to every area of our life and to expect us to ask permission. He desires our success.

Yes we serve a God who is rich in mercy and ready to forgive but forgiveness doesn’t remove the consequences of our actions. How beautiful life can be when we “get permission” or seek the Will of God before we act. God has a life of blessing planned for you, don’t trample it underfoot in your haste to “experience life” and “do it your way.”

The best choice you can make is ASK FORGIVENESS and then LISTEN FOR PERMISSION as God DIRECTS YOUR STEPS!

DINING IN EGYPT

I was swimming downstream, running on level ground, flying high, life was good and I was blessed. Oh sure, there were battles, but God was my champion and we always won. My steps were light and every day I could sing, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.” Even the “Valley of the Shadow of Death,” which I had never walked through or even been near, held no fear for me, because God had promised to always be near. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;” could life get any better? Not only was God supplying my needs and guiding my steps but now He was going to show my enemies how highly He favored me. Mercy and goodness were following me and my cup was definitely filled to the max. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the current changed, my paddle broke, a mountain rose up and the engine died. The enemy was advancing and I felt like a one-woman army. Lord, where was that table you were preparing for me?


The account of Joseph has been used numerous times as an example of the faithfulness of God and the perseverance and patience, on our part, as we wait for the fulfillment of God-given dreams. Joseph was thrown in a pit and sentenced to prison before he was brought to the palace. Finally the dreams God had given him as a young man would come to pass. This wasn’t the way he had pictured it so many years ago. Perhaps Joseph had imagined that he would become a wealthy man in his community, live in a beautiful mansion on a hillside surrounded by friends and family; admired by all. His father, mother, and brothers would all come seeking his advice and benevolence which he would graciously bestow upon them at their humble petition. No, it definitely was not as he had envisioned it. Yes, he was wealthy and lived in a beautiful home but it was not in his beloved homeland. Joseph was far away from his family and friends; alone in “enemy” territory. According to Genesis, Pharaoh promoted Joseph to rule over the kingdom, under him, with the specific task of preparing for the coming famine. During the seven years of plenty, Joseph stored one fifth of the harvest. The years of plenty came to an end and the famine began, as Joseph had foretold in Genesis 41:31, “but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land.”

How many times have we been enjoying smooth sailing and abundant blessing, when up pops a storm or a trial that seems to totally erase the memories of the good times from our mind. If we’ve been just cruising through the times of plenty, we may find ourselves hungry with nothing in the storehouse during our famine. If, as Joseph did, we are praying, laboring, glorifying God and storing up during the years of blessing there will be something from which to draw during the lean times. Genesis 41: 53-54 tells us, “Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended, and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.”

One of the striking things about this account of God’s provision is that God did not provide for His people in the Land of Israel; GOD PROVIDED THE BREAD IN EGYPT. He “Prepared a table for His people in the presence of their enemies.” God doesn’t always get us out of the trial or stop the storm to show His faithfulness. Many times He prepares a table and provides bread right in the middle of Egypt. Once again I read Psalms 23 but this time verse 5 takes on a whole new meaning, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.” And I realize His goodness and mercy has been following me through the darkness and I am DINING IN EGYPT.

STEP ASIDE? BUT GOD...........

“What do you mean; I don’t get to lead the people into the Promise Land? You do understand that I was the one who spent the sleepless nights, worrying when they wouldn’t obey. It was me, God that had to climb the mountain, TWICE, to get instructions on how they should behave. And I would like to remind you, that you wanted to destroy them; just wipe them right off the face of the earth, but I pleaded with you, God, to spare their lives. I even offered my own life in place of their sorry carcasses. I have traveled through the wilderness with them for 40 years, when we could have crossed over after about 39. I’ve listened to their whining and complaining, rejoiced over each new birth, helped them bury their loved ones and counseled them endlessly to solve their petty little problems and now you are telling me that Joshua gets to march triumphantly into the Promise Land? Why if it wasn’t for me, Joshua would have grown up a slave in Egypt. You really want me to step down, let go and let Joshua lead them to the next level?” Now the Bible doesn’t record that this conversation actually took place but what if you or I had been Moses? Would we have been so willing to let go of the ministry we had labored so diligently to build, just as God was ready to take it to the next level? Just when the Promise Land was in sight?


1 Corinthians 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. We start out so humbly, just thankful for the privilege of being called; as time marches on the ministry begins to define us and we forget that it is God that calls and determines the times and seasons of our life. There are several examples, in the Bible, of great men who were called for a season, then stepped aside so that the next part of God’s plan could be fulfilled. Of course, Moses had to relinquish his leadership to Joshua, who God raised up to lead the Children of Israel to the prize. David had to transfer his dream of building a great temple to his son, Solomon because that was God’s plan. John the Baptist was born to be the forerunner of Jesus Christ. In his words, according to John 3:30, “He must increase but I must decrease.”

God was not impressed that Moses was a great leader; He had called him to lead. God was impressed with Moses’ humility. Numbers 12:3 records, “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.” God was not impressed that David was the King of Israel; He had anointed him to be king. He wasn’t impressed by the many songs he wrote; God gave him the songs. God was impressed by David’s love and awe for Him and his willingness to recognize that God was creator, provider, his rock and Savior. Psalms 121:1 “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.” Finally, God was not even impressed that Paul was an Apostle. It was God that struck him down then raised him up to become a great Apostle. He wasn’t impressed with Paul’s education, his missionary travels or the fact that he wrote most of the New Testament. God was impressed that Paul had kept the faith and finished the course. 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Ministry does not make us important to God; we are important to God because He created us, washed us in His precious blood and filled us with His Spirit. God is not impressed with our titles or our accomplishments; only with our faithfulness to His will and His plan. There comes a time in each ministry when it is time to let go and let God begin the ‘next phase” with the next leader. It may be gut-wrenching to let go until you realize that God has a “next phase” for you also. When we realize that our identity is found in Jesus Christ and not the ministry He has called us to or the title that has been bestowed upon us, it becomes a blessing to reach forward, place the baton in our teammate’s hand and let go as they move forward.