NEW NEW!

Been stirred up by some thoughts so I had to share.

Thank you to my sister/friend Rheanna who drops these little nuggets of wisdom that grow into forests of growth and change in my life. LOVE YOU doll!  

Humans have a tiny and fragmented grasp on agape forgiveness & reconciliation .

We hold on for dear life to who we've made God to be because "we can live" or create a comfort zone  with our idea of who he is and how he operates - even making scripture fit into our humanistic ideologies.

Our tiny minds won't ever grasp the fullness and bigness of his character and his nature. His love isn't something he puts on and takes off like a pair of pants... It's become so cliche that we don't appreciate or respect the magnitude of this: HE IS LOVE . Love is His very make up, DNA, fingerprint its not something He has the ability to throw away because He IS Love.

We say we forgive, but we never seem to forget. That's not His forgiveness tho.... He forgives, forgets, and doesn't even bring it up again. He doesn't keep record of wrong, he doesn't hold you hostage to your mistakes or reject you and cut off communication with you - in fact the bible says: He's married to the backslider. So-  if we say "we're like Him" how come we're so quick to slam the door on people who offend or hurt us? If I said it's because your love is tainted and still based on fleshly emotions you'd be upset, but in fact that's what it is.

We say " I've reconciled this or that" but (get ready for this) 

**there is no reconciliation without relationship**

that would be like Jesus saying "I've reconciled the world back to me, but we can't talk or know each other" HUH???

So you can't not have fellowship with your brother or sister and truly be reconciled to them. The way Christ reconciled us back to Him was thru His death & resurrection and then by putting us in right RELATIONSHIP with him.

It sounds real deep and spiritual "let go of anyone who isn't tied to your destiny"  

"I'm freeing myself from drama" (I've quoted it all) but please tell me where that is found in the bible??

Oh I know: forgetting those things which are behind (let's read whats before that verse and after that verse shall we?)

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also. Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that. (Philippians 3:10-16 AMP)

Not once was Paul speaking of forgetting those who hurt HIM rather he was speaking of forgetting the times  HE hurt others.  He got a hold of the understanding of grace and that he didn't have to feel guilt for persecuting christians prior to his conversion.   ( he was speaking of HIMSELF) 

that "I" may know. Him. That "I" may attain, that "I" may share, that "I" may become. Paul was speaking of forgetting the earthly ambitions he held so dear, and his own fleshly character (where he invoked pain on others) He was saying HE wanted to be more like Christ. He was not speaking of our "human" idea of forgetting whats behind and he most certainly wasn't trying to say "He's leaving PEOPLE behind"  (that would be putting yourself higher than even Christ himself)  because Jesus won't let go of anyone for any reason at all.

 but again we tend to analyze scripture in our own human context so that it fits our personal motivations--- to mask out hurts--- to stay in pride and retaliation rather than being fully converted.  Remember: His ways are higher than ours.

God is about love & relationship period. Everything Jesus did was out of love for us and so we could be in relationship with him... And as HE is so are WE (to be) on the earth!

You can put your own interpretation and personal stamp on it of you want, but then it becomes man-made. I don't know about you, but I am not settling for man-made religion, ideologies or motivations anymore. I want to live, move and have my existence in HIM, thru HIM and like HIM.

God is COMPLETELY COMPLETE and if we're saying we are His then our love our forgiveness our reconciliation and relationships must be completely complete with no holes or gaps -- otherwise were not living up to our full potential and we haven't tapped into all the benefits that come with truly living by the spirit and not by the flesh.    

How will they (the world) know we are christians?? By our LOVE  Love for who?  Yes, the world, but also one another.   * by our Love * (HE is love)  so how we apply Christ to situations, hurts, disappointments.  Is how the world will know we are Christ like!

I personally (Alisa) hasn't obtained this to its fullest either. In fact, I have to agree with Paul

(I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind*all the ways Alisa has missed it**

and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. 

I love Paul's confidence... I haven't made it my own YET, but my one aspiration (hope of achieving) is to forget what lies behind.... my old way of living, thinking, loving, forgiving, believing---- and pressing forward. 

To the glory of GOD!

Alisa Ross

Receive It!

SO GREAT!

Well worth reading

* This has truly opened my eyes and set me free! My heart is so fortified in God. wooo!!!

Written By:  Henry Wright

We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

Bitterness is a principality in the bureaucracy of satan’s kingdom that rules over the kingdom of Bitterness which is comprised of evil spirits that are invisible in the heavenlies and intrude into the lives of mankind. Each spirit that answers to Bitterness such as Unforgiveness, Resentment, Retaliation, Anger and Wrath, Hatred, Violence and Murder is progressively more dangerous than the other and more powerful than the other. When the final spirit interacts, the conclusion of the matter will literally produce spiritual and physical death. The kingdom of Bitterness will separate you from God, carry you into apostasy, bondage, disease, insanity and finally into desolation. Understanding this principality and the evil spirits that make up his armor, will prevent that from happening.

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 

Hebrews 12:15

Have you been around anyone who has the root of Bitterness? Do you know what Bitterness looks like in a person? Have you been exposed to Bitterness in your life? You may think the person with Bitterness is evil. They are not. There is an evil spirit in them that makes them that way and they are the victim. If there is a root of Bitterness in you too, and you respond in Bitterness, then you have Bitterness “ping-pong” and everyone is defiled.

When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. 

Luke 11:21-22

The Bible says unless you bind the strong man, you cannot spoil his house. You are the palace he wants to live in. He is in the second heaven and he is tormented. Jesus said in Luke 11 when the evil spirit is in his place of abode in you, he is the strong man and he is very content his armor is going to keep him in a place of superiority in your life. There is only One who can get him out and that is someone that is stronger.

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Mark 16:17

Bitterness defiles others. As a child, you could have been exposed to someone else’s Bitterness. The principality in that person wanted to connect with you and did or said something to make you a victim. Now there is a spirit on assignment immediately in conjunction with the spirit operating in the other person. What is the first thing that comes into you when someone wrongs you? Unforgiveness. Bitterness is the strong man and the first piece of armor he trusts in is Unforgiveness. He is banking on the fact that once Unforgiveness is part of your life, you are never going to forgive and he is going to have his place and his habitation in you and remind you, rehash what was done to you; project it and torment you.

After Unforgiveness has done its fermenting work in your life, then the strongman sends out another spirit to reinforce it. Resentment. It stands on the foundation of Unforgiveness. The record of wrongs is now fermenting. A spirit of Resentment fuels the fermentation of Unforgiveness. It accentuates and accelerates. This is the beginning of a permanent breach. Many times Unforgiveness is an intellectual thought because it is in the memory but Resentment comes like fuel to the fire. You feel Resentment in your innermost being.

After Unforgiveness and Resentment have gained their foothold, the next spirit the strong man sends out to be armor for himself is Retailiation. This spirit is much more dangerous than the former spirits. It is progressive hierarchy. This reality probably accounts for 99% of mankind’s problems. 

What is reinforcing Retaliation? Resentment. What is fueling Resentment? Unforgiveness. What is the root of it all? Bitterness. There is an entire kingdom of evil spirits, each one manifesting by its own nature.

When Retaliation has established itself within you, there is another spirit that Bitterness sends out to reinforce the other three. That is Anger and Wrath. Unforgiveness, Resentment and Retaliation can be hidden, but Anger starts to show physically. Anger and Wrath never occur unless Unforgiveness, Resentment and Retaliation have been festering for some time. You get angry because of the breach, the hurt and the victimization that allowed Unforgiveness, Resentment and Retaliation to get their foothold. This is a fermentation stage for a physiological open statement against another. 

Retaliation is internalized long before the act of getting even. Retaliation sets the stage to produce the elimination of a person in relationship. It is the root behind all family splits, all division, and all breakups of human relationships.

After Anger and Wrath has gained his foothold, Hatred comes. Hatred not only has the root of Bitterness, but it is being fueled by Unforgiveness, Resentment, Retaliation, and Anger and Wrath. Now begins the stage of elimination of the person that you hold in Unforgiveness. When you see Hatred in a person, you know Anger is there, Retailiation is there, Resentment is there, Unforgiveness is there and Bitterness is there and he is trusting in his armor. Bitterness is banking on the fact that when you are ready to forgive, Unforgiveness will pull up flash cards of voices, sights, sounds and smells reminding you of what they did to you.

The sixth level of Bitterness is Violence. Violence is Anger in motion because it is not just emotional anymore; it is not just spiritual; it has now become physical. You can see Violence in everyday life in families. This is the progression of the breakup of human relationship out of Bitterness. Bitterness is banking on the fact that this progression in your life is going to keep him in place, and these spirits are able to generate their nature in you and also in others to fuel this thing back and forth.

The seventh spirit that completes the full plan of the devil for destruction out of this strong man of Bitterness is Murder. The spirit of Murder is not just physical murder. Murder can be found in the heart, because the conclusion of the spirit of Bitterness is the elimination of the person on all levels. It is the breach that is the problem.

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:Matthew 15:19

The world is filled with Murder, anarchy, division, sedition, Violence and Bitterness. It is in our nation, our churches, our families and it is in our personal lives. You are the target of this strongman Jesus was talking about in Luke 11. If he gets into your heart and he sets up his throne within your life, he is the strong man, he is armed, and he keeps his palace. If you, from your heart do not forgive your brother his trespasses which produce Bitterness, your Father which is in heaven cannot or will not forgive you yours. We have to eliminate this strong man in order to be free.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses 

Matthew 6:14-15

Although God wants you to have a heart towards resolution with the people you have Bitterness against, if they do not respond to you (because they have the root of Bitterness and the armor) then it is not your problem. You have to come before God personally and get your freedom. The resolution comes from God.

Blessings & Favor

Alisa

RETALIATION

It's time to stop fighting against our brothers & sisters and its time to fight the real adversary who has blinded our eyes and has kept rivalry within the camp as he quietly overtakes the cities. (A word given to me) 

Retaliation: an action taken in return to an injury or offense. Ex: An eye for an eye. 
A spirit finding its root from revenge. 

First off let me say that I pray for any and everyone that I may unknowingly offend and I hope you can walk in forgiveness and true freedom. 

God is love. May He fill you in those injured and offended places and make you whole & complete. May your 1st response to others be HIS response: Love. 

The most misunderstood, mistreated of them all responded by laying His life down, not retaliating, not "sticking it to" or having an "I'll show them" mentality... He never came to his own defense  (Isaiah 53:7)  He loved, assumed the best, observed the worst, but still loved.  

Retaliation is not from the Lord. In fact I love the way John Ritenbaugh puts it:  "The spirit of retaliation must be aborted before it leads to murder". 

Have you ever felt like someone wronged you, excluded you, mistreated you so your response was to wrong them, exclude them, mistreat them??  That's retaliation. It's birthed in hatred and comes from evil. It's the complete opposite of Christ and how He conducted his life and it should be the opposite of how we who follow Him conduct our lives.
We must pray against this spirit. and further be continually filled with the Spirit of the living God.  If we find ourselves feeling revengeful or retaliatory  We should approach it in the manner Jesus exemplifies - We must make an honest and sincere attempt to reconcile with an offended brother. If the person truly is a brother, he will forgive quickly and go on with life without a grudge".  (Luke 17:1-4).  

Like the word the Lord gave me, I believe the spirit of retaliation is a tactic used from the real adversary to keep us "the army of born again believers" at war with one another so that he (the enemy) can go unsuspected throughout our cities and nation and try to conquer.  
 (a house divided against itself can not stand)  Mark 3:25 
Reconciliation is who God is and what He's about. He wants His family to be re-established in close relationship.  * that's the definition of reconciliation. 

We should all pursue this kind of living, this kind of loving. 1Corinthians  13:5 - we know this as the Love Chapter.  

What is interesting to note that the Revised Standard Version translates this verse as, "It is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful."


The Revised English Bible translates it: "Never rude; love is never selfish, never quick to take offense. Love keeps no score of wrongs."

Paul tells the saints in Colosse that he prays they will possess the trait that is the opposite of wrath or revenge. He speaks of having an even temper, an attitude that in spite of injury or insult does not retaliate. We can develop longsuffering only as a fruit of the Spirit, not as an independent character trait. It grows from the common root of love and bears fruit only along with other spiritual fruit.  

I pray as this year 2012 begins to come to a close that  we can truly be and exist according to the scriptures we profess and not merely profess them.  The world needs us to be light and to shine bright. If we get caught up in satan's web of deception he will keep us so focused on our own fleshly motivations that we will miss the opportunities God has for us to minister and witness to the lost. 

Lord, I pray against and curse the spirit of retaliation. I pray your people truly repent for un-forgiveness  and  I ask that you will replace revenge with love.  I come against deception. Where  their eyes have once only perceived and assumed  the worst in others, I pray your eyes and your truth will take precedence... And the spirit of Truth rules.  Offense  has no place in your people.  It can not stay. I pray against it now. I believe you are raising up an army of spiritual warriors full of Love who will win the world back to you. Thank you Lord that I am counted as a part of that army. I will not war against my brother or sister... I will war against the true adversary. In Jesus name! 


Blessings & Favor Always

Alisa 

C-H-A-N-G-E

I was at home a few days ago pulling out the fall clothing for the kids and having them try things on to make sure they looked right.  I realized that my son could no longer where last year's jeans (a bit of a bummer since most of them were new) but they were too short cause he obviously grew 2 or 3 inches.  He was trying to pull them down so they didn't look like high-waters and then he'd hike them far up and say: "I can just be a nerd the rest of the year"  LOL!   But in that moment I felt the Lord speak to me and ask me this question... "what have YOU outgrown that you're still trying to fit into?"   
It's time to CHANGE! 

Honestly I stuck that in my back pocket and really didn't take the time needed to really meditate on those words. Then the next day I was at the park and I noticed these two trees. One was still green and the other was this absolute gorgeous red.  Then again I felt the Lord speak to me and say:
" The same life source is provided to those 2 trees, yet one is remaining the same and the other is evolving... What is keeping YOU from evolving?"  It's time to CHANGE!

This time I did stop and pray and asked the Lord to show me what I've outgrown and what was keeping me from changing  I really didn't get a full answer, but I was sure of some things.

Then last night (God obviously knows I needed more re-iteration)  My Pastor Cherrie was speaking at Bible study. She gave a very candid look into things God was dealing with her about along those same lines ( I just love how God can speak the same word to thousands of different people at the same time)
As she was sharing I was just totally arrested in the spirit and I as led to the scripture Colossians 3:15 and my bible app was on the Amplified version  let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

And in that one verse was my answer.  I had to decide and settle with finality questions that I was holding onto regarding friendships, ministry and myself. 

I can not fit into "petty jeans" and I tell you what... I was holding on to some petty stuff and I didn't even realize it. Pettiness is too small for me I've outgrown it.

I've outgrown certain relationships. That doesn't mean I'm better than or anything like that- it just means that who I thought was going to be attached to my future was not who God had in mind, so I have to let go and allow God to divinely connect me to the people He was purposed for my life. 

I can not grow while holding onto unresolved issues, that season is over.  God has called us to boldness and to walk in love, but speak the truth.   

I can not grow keeping the same mindset and idea of myself. I have to decide and settle with finality * an irreversible ending * that I am who God says I am, I have what God says I have, I can do what God says I can do.... and that settles it.  

We can develop ideas of ourselves and who "we" think we are and be well meaning but in error because God has a totally different idea and plan for you. So it's important to always remain open, teachable and sensitive the Holy Spirit so He can speak to you and mold you.  

The first part of that verse says: Let SOUL HARMONY  which comes from Christ- Rule! 
Soul- (Spiritual)   Harmony- (Consistency)   Spiritual Consistency!  In order to Change we have to be spiritually consistent in all things.  Not speaking "God is for for me, I will not fear"  one minute then.. "I'm so afraid"   the next.  Not involved in this ministry, then hopping to the next because we're offended or don't like someone.   Not (what I like to call)  A "Facebook christian"  where we can post all about love and grace, but then not speak to our family.  


C-H-A-N-G-E  * to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone

I'm SO glad that God won't leave me alone to be what I've been. He makes all things new. (Rev 21:5)  He makes all things work together for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.  (Romans 8:28)

The funny thing about the change of our seasons is that we can not stop it or reverse it. Once God puts nature into motion a great symphony erupts all around us. Every living creature is busy in preparation for the changes to come. From the smallest insect to the largest mammal every single living thing is suddenly aware that we are in for dramatic changes.  Be aware- We are in for dramatic changes, but those changes are for our benefit.  

What have you outgrown that you're still trying to fit into?     It's time to CHANGE! 

Blessings,

Alisa Ross

Kingdoms

We can build up personal kingdoms in our  lives that are contrary to the Kingdom of Christ.  We don't call them kingdoms tho...we call them "preferences" or "expectations"

God has an established kingdom. His kingdom is the kingdom of love, the kingdom of truth, the kingdom of right thinking, right believing, right choices, humility and grace. 

(Matthew 6:8)  your kingdom come your will be done


 why is that how we should pray? 


I believe its because God knew that we would be prone to erect our own personal kingdoms.  Kingdoms that we set up in our hearts. 


within these kingdoms are buildings "chambers of  idols"  These idols are:

personal freedom of choice idols
things need to be THIS way idols  
my human nature  idols    
I was raised with this  preference idols
I don't have it in me to do ______ idols


and the list can go on, but you get the idea.


Not realizing that ALL of these things are rooted in pride (re-read the list) 
What these things are saying is:  "God you are allowed to only have this much of my heart, but these (personal, really sensitive or deep things) I'll keep those for myself. 


Do you ever wonder why anxiety, and unhappiness is so prevalent in this day and age?   I believe its because we truly walk according to flesh or human nature and we view things based off of that rather than walking in divine nature ( 2 Peter 3-4)   as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, ⁴ by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust


We say things like "I was raised this way" in order to escape changing our negative ways or surrendering our "self" and becoming like Christ.  We live according to how we were raised or how we think we're so supposed to be instead of being crucified with Christ and partaking in HIS divine nature.  


People say: It's not in my nature to forgive, trust, be loving, be nice etc... and you're right! BUT when you're a born again believer it IS your nature because we have been given divine nature!
In divine nature, we can be like the apostle Paul and find contentment in all situations because he realized its not him who is alive anyway... its Christ!


Some people get so far off into their kingdoms that if anything goes against what they've set up.. they become unhappy, despondent, annoyed or angry. 


If something or someone has the power to make you happy or unhappy, engaging or disengaging, pleasant or unpleasant...  It's an IDOL.  


We don't want to call it that because that would mean forfeiting  OUR "man made thoughts" of how things are supposed to be or how things SHOULD be.   Most are not willing to lay it down.  

it becomes a weight because it's not meant to be there! ( lay aside every weight) Hebrews 12:1
The word rendered "weight" - ὄγκον ogkon - means what is crooked or hooked, and thence any thing that is attached or suspended by a hook that is, by its whole weight, and hence means weight.
The word is often used in the classic writers in the sense of swelling, tumour, pride. Its usual meaning is that of weight or burden, and there is allusion here.


Lay aside!  but the moment we do that- we are saying  "God take control" hoping He knows us enough to still give us our desires, but fearful that he won't. (as if the one who knows the number of hairs on our heads doesn't get us?). 

I believe truly it's not about whether or not He'll give us our desires ( He wants to do that) I believe it's about surrender and trust. Releasing fear and truly walking by faith (even when those things we hope for are unseen right now) that's FAITH!!


He is King of kings. He is king of the self made kingdoms and the self made kings of those self made kingdoms. He is Lord of lords! 
"let the kingdoms of my heart BOW  to the kingdom of Christ"
YOUR kingdom come, YOUR will be done! 

If people would relinquish their need to be in control and truly let God rule their hearts, give Him dominion of their hopes and desires and trust that He's GOD... They would experience a true freedom, and healing like never before. 





Blessings!


Alisa