The Ant Brigade

By Dianne Evans, January 30, 2013

Living in Florida one gets to experience all type of bugs. Two of which come to mind. They are ghost ants, so tiny you hardly see them, and the other type, tiny, itsy bitsy black ants. They just seem to come from nowhere. They come to seek out a food source for their hive.

Yesterday, I caught these little buggers. They must have sent out their scouts and found a bag of cereal to obtain food. They were up and down the wall across the edge of the countertop onto the shelf above the stove where we keep unprotected cereal. Their aim was to survive by looting what was ours.

Just like satan, they come to infiltrate, war, and conquer. I have learned from past experience to make sure open boxes or bags of food are stored in ziplock bags or in sealed plastic containers. That is the armor for food. However, we also need armor to protect ourselves against the wiles of satan. Just as we use zip lock bags and plastic containers and throw away any old food stuff, we are to protect ourselves.

Man, I was not only skeeved out but furious that those ants got through and found a source of nutrition.

Satan is continuously looking for a place to inhabit, a place to corrupt and destroy in us. It could be in our minds. More often than not, that is where he begins. Such a subtle place to start. He begins to change our mindset. From positive to negative. From Godly to ungodly. From thoughts that are right and pure and just. And tries to change our character to from gentle and kind to critical and judgemental.

Satan is looking for weakness to penetrate. Just as those ants found a place to creep through the baseboard, satan finds an area of weakness in us. And in our bodies as well. Where is the weak area in your flesh? Begin to protect it. In the name of Jesus, call forth strength and wellness. And in the natural, fortify your body by eating right and exercising to become in better shape.

Your are a new creation, born again in Christ Jesus. Never forget who you are or that He is in you. You have the authority and power within to stay zip locked. In Christ, satan hasn’t a chance to get to you.

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From Dianne’s journal, edited by her husband, Dick Evans 12-27-2016

Peace

Colossians 3:15 NLT 
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 

When we speak of peace we may think of world peace and everyone getting along and how impossible that seems to be. But this scripture speaks to the peace we should be feeling inside. No matter what the circumstances of life we find ourselves immeshed in we can have that inner peace.

This is a peace that goes beyond all understanding. And that can only come from a personal relationship with God that begins with a commitment to follow Jesus. It is a commitment to ask Him to be our Lord and savior. When that occurs Father God sends the Holy Spirit to live in us. He is our comforter and the source of all we need as we walk out the rest of this life on earth.

We can choose to live wrapped up in the turmoil all around us. Or we can choose to seek peace within as we listen to the Holy Spirit and are thankful for all God does for us. I choose Jesus. I choose peace.

Roller Coaster Ride

The last two years have been just that. My mind and emotions riding the terrors of cancer and my body screaming for resolve.

At one time I would tell myself to find the eye of the storm and stay there. There it is quiet and peaceful. There is rest in the eye of the storm.

Now I realize it is not the calm of the eye that is healing it is retreating and living out of my spirit man. There I am the true woman God made me to be. There lies my inner belief system in Christ and there is the secret to my healing.

At times reading and quoting scripture seems to be meaningless for my mind and emotions. Thank God for the years of laying hands on the sick and digging into the Holy one for security and peace. Nothing on the outside remains in truth. But the inside is stable and knows the truth.

I share this today to nudge others back to their spirit man and the reality of the Word of God. For He is faithful to finish the work He has begun in you and me. It is for each of us to work it out and to walk it out in our spirit man through meditation on the Word and listening and obeying His lead.

Pray with me today.

"Lord thank you for this opportunity to repent. Thank you for procuring the promise of life for my body, mind, and spirit. Today, Lord, I am yours and you are mine. I will position myself to receive all that you have for me. In Jesus name, I pray."

The Butterfly

It all started with the idea of painting a butterfly. At the beginning of the cancer journey a friend of mine prophesied over me proclaiming new life. She saw hundreds of butterflies around me. That could have been the catalyst for the idea of painting a butterfly.

This year our eight year old granddaughter got an idea in her mind to do a school project on a butterfly. She began her research on butterflies that ended up with her collecting caterpillars and those in cocoons as well. One gave birth to a beautiful butterfly.

Well I finished my painting and sent a picture to her dad. She called me and told me that the butterfly I painted was the same kind that came out of the cocoon she had in captivity. It was a Monarch butterfly. It was a beautiful and colorful butterfly and we both had one.

So I take hold of this divine timing believing Lord you are speaking life into me; into my body, mind and spirit. Life is breathing upon me.

It Takes Belief

The peace of God will guard my heart and mind while I'm in Christ Jesus. Peace brings about His joy. The Joy of the Lord is my strength and it is yours as well.

Have you ever noticed Gods will manifest in our bodies minds and emotions? Have you seen it? Have you experienced a miracle? Well I have had one and if you know me you have seen a walking miracle!

All it takes is belief. Belief on the part of the person involved. You could be the believing person even if you are not the receiver of the miracle. However it takes relationship with the divine Kingdom to sustain that miracle. It took me a year washing my mind with His Word to continue to build my strength.

Today there is no difference. I need to do my part. Jesus already did His. I am grabbing a hold of my healing and going to believe He will finish the task that man cannot.

"Lord, today we come to you as believers in the word knowing Your will is yes! I am healed. Yes I'm ready to receive and serve in Your Kingdom. Today is the day You have made perfectly designed with Your will in mind. Today Lord we forgive ourselves as you have already forgiven us. Hold us fast to your will and your ways. Help us Lord with our unbelief and double mindedness. In Jesus name we pray."

Co-laboring with God

Did you know that the Lord wants to co-labor with us? He wants to work each of us individually to reach others for His Kingdom.

One of the most fulfilling times in my life was when I co-labored with one our sons at his place of business. It was easy to work for him because he allowed his employees to be themselves and work at what they did best. He allowed me the freedom to use my creativity in what I do best, which is cooking. This was the time I got to know my son as a friend and companion not only as boss. How rewarding it felt to work alongside and support him in his endeavor in life.

The spirit of the Lord is putting out the same request to us. He wants us to get to know Him by co-laboring with Him in this open field. He will use our natural talents and add His supernatural touch to draw others into His kingdom.

Just like working with my son-he was boss, he altered my recipe yet he gave me the reigns when we finished achieving the goal. Our goal then was to produce yummy chowder while keeping the cost reasonable.

Co-laboring doesn't always mean things run smoothly. There are always times of trials that will either strength or weaken your relationship. As for my son and I, we choose to have a deeper and stronger relationship by walking through the trial together.

Right now you might have a trial such as a sickness, financial struggles, or even an emotional breakdown. You can choose what you want. The Lord is calling you to deep to deep places with Him. Get ready. Dig your roots deep within the word and watch and see what the Lord has in store for you. Promises of healing, renewing, peace and strength are there for you. Keep your eyes focused on Him. His love and peace and joy are abounding in your direction.

"Lord, today we come running to you. We know You are there performing a new thing within us. Thank You for Your peace and Your strength to make the goal a reality. The goal-a tight relationship with YOU!

Amos 3:3 NIV
Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?

Sanctification

1 Thessalonians 4:3 reads "For this is the will of God even your sanctification...." Let us stop right here. God not only wants us as family-as a member of His Kingdom, He wants us sanctified, made more and more into His image by changing our character flaws with His holiness.

He tells us to be holy as he is holy. I don't know about you, but I have a long way to go to become holy. It is only by remaining in Him can I achieve holiness.

"Lord make my circumstances, illness, or lack be used to sanctify me. Draw me closer unto You. Change me molding me into that holy person you created before the beginning of time. In Jesus name I pray."