No Vacancy

In Matthew 12, Jesus tells of a horrible occurrence in the human heart. While teaching about spiritual warfare and demonic domination, He says that when an evil spirit leaves a person, it wonders in dry desolate places, weary and homesick. It then decides to return to its previous housing, the human heart. When it returns and finds the place empty, it moves in and invites seven of his evil-spirit friends, all stronger than he. When this happens, Jesus says, "The last state shall be worse than the first."

While this teaching was during miraculous times and demonic possession was literal, I believe that we deal with spiritual domination in more practical terms. I think our demonic opposition is one of mental invasion and control. The Devil cannot force his way into our lives, no matter what The Exorcist, and Rosemary's Baby says. He works through teaching, temptation, and torture to make havoc of our lives.

The Devil gets control of our lives when we buy into his thoughts, follow his mannerism or fear his wrath. Spinning heads is not demonic, two facedness is. Levitating is not demonic, low morality is. Speaking Latin in a crusty, spooky voice is not demonic, speaking gossip and slander is. It is a matter of godless behaviour resulting from godless thoughts and devilish beliefs.

The hope that we have is the Holy Spirit. When we obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Spirit fills our lives with the energy and vitality of a new life. As we embrace the Word of God and submit to the Spirit's direction, He fills our hearts and minds to the max. It's called the Indwelling and it puts a 'No Vacancy' sign on our hearts.

When that old habit, twisted mannerism or false practice tries to make a comeback, it should not find the house of your heart swept and clean, waiting for new squatters. It ought to see Jesus on the porch, the Holy Spirit in cooking in the kitchen and God chillin on the couch in the living room, telling you about heaven and whatnot.

Let a devil see that going on in your heart and it will get on it's way.

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph. 5:18-21, NIV)."

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Hold fast to dreams, For if dreams die, Life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly, Hold fast to dreams, For if dreams go, Life is a barren field, Frozen with snow. - Langston Hughes

My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

- The Psalmist David

Selling Yourself Short

"For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money (Isa. 52:3)."

These words were said as part of a challenge to the people of God to prepare themselves for salvation from the bondage of captivity. It is a statement that helps us understand how this captivity came to pass. It was not that they were overcome by superior military might. Nor were they beguiled by political savvy. The sad and ugly truth was that they sold themselves into slavery. Moreover, they sold themselves for nothing.

In life you don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate. Negotiation requires an understanding of value and worth. Imagine sitting at the table with life making demands and expecting compliance. And then life asks, "What are you willing to give for the things that you demand?" It becomes impossible to negotiate favorably with life when you have a low opinion of your own self-worth. You will always negotiate for a loss. You will settle for less. You will be okay with okay.

What causes one to sell themselves for nothing? These answers may seem simplistic, but they come from the same situation with Jerusalem. God says, "Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I [am] the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way [that] thou shouldest go. O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea: Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me (Isa. 48:17-19)."

Low morality lowers values. God says that if they would have obeyed His commandments they would have had profit, peace and prosperity. Obedience is worth it! The benefits create holistic wealth which increases worth. The opposite is just as dynamic but in the negative. Disobedience in unprofitable. It decreases holistic wealth and lowers a persons worth.

Low value lowers vision. When you have little it becomes hard to think big. Reality begins to stifle possibilities. Depression and despondency form an emotional tag team that alternates attacks again dreams, hopes and new horizons.

This is when the sell out really takes place. With a loss of vision for the future, it is an easy task for you to sell yourself short. The Dominator says about your life, "Look. You're not doing anything with that. I'll take it off of your hands for this addiction. Okay, okay, I'll throw in some sex and a few bucks to boot." Since your hope for the future is pretty dim, you say, "Why not?" And sell yourself short. It is the end of a downward spiral that began with disobedience to God.

Obeying him increases value and worth. You'll have peace like a river and prosperity from on high. When God profits you, you don't sell out, you buy up.

He that hath an ear...

Thank God for Forty

For I'm a jolly good fellow, for I'm a jolly good fellow, for I'm a ... Okay, okay. I think you get the point. It's my birthday and I'm celebrating.

Thank God for forty years. I'm halfway there according to scripture, ("threescore and ten and if by reason of strength they be fourscore..."). It's been a great ride, but the best is yet to come. Life is producing a smarter, wiser, happier, more efficient and dedicated David Wilson.

I've had tears a plenty. Made mistakes with the worst of them. Failed some really important test. Had heart break after heart break. But the irresistible truth is that God has been good to me. I've laughed more than I've cried. I usually did the right thing. Passed more than I failed. And bounced back after a fall. It's a good life because God is in it. As I grow older and older He becomes so much more valuable to me. "He gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by..."

Another great milestone came on Sunday, my 12th Ministerial Anniversary. God prepared me for Kings and prepared Kings for me. We make a great team for ministry. All the cards and gifts made the Brooklynite blush. Thanks church!!! I love you.

Everybody else - thanks for your prayers and best wishes. See you after the halftime show. Wink wink.

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Eagles are never evil except to the prey. I shall not strive to be beautiful in everyone's eyes. -D. Wilson

"Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart ofthe mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs." Jeremiah 49:22, KJV