Deliberate Intentions

Howdy everyone….. and Helloooo Spring!!!!

I hope this nugget finds you well… 

So I’ve been quite stirred up with this word “deliberate” lately. Seems to me the Lord has been prompting me about the meaning of this and seems like everything I read or listen to points to the word “deliberate”, “on purpose”, or “intentional”. The word deliberate is defined as, “to do something consciously or intentionally.”  The thing that stirs deep within my heart is most obviously, what does that mean to us in our walk of faith. Ask yourselves… “Is my faith deliberate? Do I seek the Lord purposefully, consciously every single morning when I open my eyes? Am I intentional about my walk with God? Is my presentation of Christlikeness in the earth a conscious normal effort in my day? Am I deliberate about knowing Him? (Ephesians 3:19) In Matthew chapter 11 verse 12 Jesus is speaking and says, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers VIOLENCE and the VIOLENT take it by force.” Now interestingly, the word violence and violent in the Greek mean two different things here. The first, violence means to attack… Which we would assume suggests an aggressive, purposeful engagement. The second, violent, is defined in the Greek as a vital activity. So what is Jesus saying here to us?  What can we take from His words?

Well, here’s what He’s saying folks…. understand that we are living in a world where there is going to be attacks on us! Your enemy knows you all to well!! All you have to do is open your eyes and open your ears when you’re out and about and you will see and hear the things that are going on in peoples lives. The enemy is attacking in all ways, in all forms, and in all people! We are living in a time where we MUST be knowledgeable about our enemy, not just knowledgeable about the things of God! It’s a double edged sword if you will, being deliberate in both realms of the spirit. When Jesus says that there will be violent attacks… He finishes the sentence with saying, “but the violent take it by force”. Now remember the word violent in this verse means vital activity… It means deliberate, conscious EFFORT and activity! Are you deliberate in understanding the works and schemes of your enemy? Are you well-versed in who he is; the destroyer, the deceiver, the thief? Are you aware, and paying attention to the deliberate attacks on your family, on your friends, and on this world?? Because we’re supposed to be deliberate, and intentional and vitally active in dealing with the enemy of our souls! That’s why the Lord gave us the armor. His armor! (Ephesians 6:14-20)!! Think about it, when a Roman soldier was going out to battle he deliberately, purposefully, put on his whole armor! It was an active, vital thing to ensure his survival! To ensure safety! And I would imagine that any confidently soldier would physically and courageously be DELIBERATE in his body language and words!! (just a thought…ask yourself how the world and the devil may see and perceive you)

So with this understanding, let’s make a conscious effort first in knowing who our enemy is. Don’t forget…. smart, victorious military troops study their enemies and know their weaknesses! And secondly, I challenge you to stop before you open your eyes in the morning to take a conscious, intentional moment to speak to your Father. To thank him for all He does, and to prepare you to not only walk through the day deliberately displaying Jesus Christ to the world, BUT to deliberately and Violently make it clear to the devil. Be expecting to have victory over all the schemes of the enemy!!  As Paul said, “STAND”!!!!