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."

Going Deeper

Some of you heard me say for twenty-on years I have lived without Crohn's disease in my body. Twenty- one years without taking any prescription meds. The Lord miraculously healed me. Now I am faced with this battle of cancer. Do I believe the Lord heals? Yes. Have I changed my belief system about healing? No. I can say I have been humbled and I have been in a position to take the Lord more seriously.

Recently I attended a women's group and experienced a slice of heaven in praise and worship and received extraordinarily powerful prayer. I was given a book and many encouraging words straight from the word of God through His loving daughters. The message that night was on guarding your heart while you rest in His peace.

Man I needed that! What about you? Is He calling you deeper? Is life overwhelming? Does calamity and chaos seem to be all around? Then take the opportunity to join me and go deeper into His Word, deeper in His Spirit, and find rest for your soul.

"Today Lord we come to you. Draw us closer to you Lord. Allow us to rest upon Your breast and receive Your everlasting peace that provides us with all we need. Quiet our souls and eliminate anxiety and frustration so we may pursue You above all! In Jesus name, Amen."

This was a Godly connection that led me to re-read our own writings and dig deeper into His word for life and strength for myself.

To Share in His Suffering

1 Peter 4:13 NIV 
But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

This is not a cop out for sickness and disease or hardship of any kind. The Lord is sovereign and He wants us healed. When you have done all you can do by praying, repenting, praising, thanksgiving and you have not been freed consider getting closer with the Lord. He is calling us neigh to Him. We should be doing the same. The ultimate sacrifice is when you can offer up the process you are going through right now. The everyday struggle with addiction or sickness or a troubled loved one.

James 4:8 NIV
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

There is a testimony of faith and faithfulness. For God is faithful and He will show us how to be also. What a small price to pay, that is, offering up our struggles to Him. When you think of what He has done for us by taking on a human form, struggling here on earth, taking ridicule, and resisting temptation all to give us a relationship with the Father, and ultimately giving of his body in the most painful way.

With that being said, Lord, I thank you for the joy it is to align myself with you. I am waiting for the day of your return. Father, take each day as an opportunity to mold me into the image of your Son. May each day be an opportunity for me to give you praise with a thankful heart knowing that the victory is in Jesus Himself.

The Preposition

It is all about the preposition! Did you ever get talked at? Talked at implies that someone is speaking their mind in a forceful abrupt manner. The person doing the talking does not want a verbal response; it is a correction given and you should listen and change. This implies that feedback is not necessary. The person is just looking for you to change and comply with them. It is almost as if they are speaking above you as a dictator and not as an equal.

Have you ever said "I will give them a good talking to."? Talking to is not quite as harsh; however, talking to someone is still considered unfriendly and it could be a word of correction or edification given with little love and affection. The person speaking may or may not want a verbal response. They are in the driver's seat and would not like getting interrupted. Consider how a teacher talks to the class; never expecting communication unless they specifically ask a question.

To talk with someone is the way to go. This is when there is an exchange of ideas and opinions, needs and desires. It is giving and taking; an interaction that causes relationships to grow with love and respect. What we have to say counts. Talking with does not mean there is not conflict at times. Yes, it can be corrective and edifying, but there is love and respect in the relationship. No one speaks down to the other. There is relationship built out of love and kindness.

This is the kind of interaction the Lord wants from us. He wants us to talk with Him, listen to Him, and interact with Him. He wants a time where our hearts connect and our spirits become one. The Lord wants to speak with us. Have you thought about your relationship with the Lord? Do you speak with Him, to Him or at Him?

Lord today we come to talk with you. We want to share our thoughts, needs, and desires with you. We want to know your thoughts and ways! We can only know you by listening to Your response. I confess that I do not always talk with you. From now on I will change my ways to be more like You. Holy Spirit, lead and guide my conversations with You so that my ways, thoughts, and desires become like Yours. In Jesus Name we pray.

Who is God?

He is perfect unadulterated Love.When we receive Jesus as Lord & Savior that love made us pure and holy. He has made His abode in us -- in me! -- in you!

When we are overflowing with His love His love gushes out through the outer man and we are able to love others. Sometime we find it difficult to accept His love. And yet, His love peals away self righteousness, shame, guilt, and sin.

I think of myself as a honey comb full of small compartments some filled with love and some with other stuff not God. As we develop our relationship with Holy Spirit He is able to replace sin, hurts, abuse, and bad habits with His perfect love that casts out all fear.

So what's the point? To know God is to love Him. As we love He shines down upon us with the heavenly glory!

By the way, Jesus made it possible for us to love Him because before we know HIm He had a plan and that included His love for us! Love makes the world go around.

So what's the point? The Lord wants to use us right where we are to love others the way he lives us!

Philippians 1:9-11 NIV
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God.

Transformation

Romans 12:2 NIV 
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Everything in our lives has value once we have found our value in Christ.

Notice that we treasure those we value. We take time to understand the nature of those we love. As we cherish our loved one (Jesus) transformation happens.

It isn't necessarily effort or time that transforms. It is the yielding and submitting to His presence that changes us inside and then out.

Transformation is the continuous and progressive change of heart that begins with the renewal of the mind.

Matthew 17:2 NIV
There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

I am convinced! that a Christ centered life produces a Christ fruitfulness within us. This occurs with the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ within us.

What's the point? He is jealous for companionship with you and I. He wants us not in a slice of time or a compartmental portion of us. He wants all of us.

The point is that a fruit filled life; faith expressing itself through His love flowing through us. Christ in us, the hope of Glory.

What's the Point

Recently I have sought out the Lord's face and asked "What is the Point?" That same day I received a package from our daughter-in-law with a book entitled "What's the Point?"

So it began, my quiet time with Misty Edward's book. I tell you there is nothing new with God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

However we change; our circumstances change. It is my desire through it all to become more like Him.

Today I came across a verse in scripture:

John 8:31-32 (NIV) 
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Abide in the vine dear ones; abide. As you abide "in the truth" will set you free. Abide trusting and knowing His love for you and your love for Him is enough.

As I continue my quest in the Truth I pray His truth will also set you free!

Be Holy Like I Am Holy

Ephesians 4:24 (NIV)
Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Be a new person and that new person has been made like God, He does what is right and holy because he know the Truth.

Over the last few days I have been thinking about what holiness look like in my life. How can it really be holy in this weakened body of mine? My thoughts go to and fro. My tongue gets off in the wrong direction and I find myself in a poor state; not too holy. Then I begin a new thought process.

I am a new creation created and fashioned in His likeness. My Daddy, Father God's DNS in my spirit man!

"Walk in the spirit, Dianne. Walk and do not falter for this world shall fade away, but what is to come is eternal."

So I reflected on moments of holiness in my life, times of intimate communications, times of obedience to the Word, to Jesus. Times for being a partaker of His grace and partnering in His work here on earth.

"These are times of holiness. Not necessarily in the doing but in the being is essential. Be Holy, Dianne."

Without the guidance of Holy Spirit demonstrating His word in my mortal body, I would have NO holiness. That new person I became spiritually shall ease out into my mortal man.

I shall not be anxious but at peace in all things knowing He is perfecting the work He has begun in me.

In order to become holy we must:

•   Get to know the Lord
•   Read His word
•   Be led by Holy Spirit
•   Repent and be transformed in our mind then in our actions

Worship Him in spirit and in truth. You will get to know His character, His desires. Commune with Him and seek the face of the almighty.

I know I shall do more myself.

Thank you, Lord illuminating my head with Your word and Your character. Lord, I pray You continue to make me aware of your drawing presence.

Among the Remnant

Zephaniah 3:17, 20 NIV
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes," says the Lord.

As I read Zephaniah this morning anxiety began to stir. Am I like Cush, Moab, or the Ammonites? All of those were slain by the sword or burnt in fire. I pray I am among the true worshipers bringing offerings of myself; laying down my wrong doings. I pray to be among the remnant. How about you?

Retreat

Pull back.
Reassess.
Evaluate.

Rest and be assured of your future and rely on the Almighty to secure you to Himself and fortify your temple. I know these words are few. Ponder them for inner strength just as the general calls his troops to retreat, our Lord is calling us to "retreat".

Notice the word treat in retreat? There is always a treat involved and it can be had again and again; taking shape in different forms.

Time and Timing

Alignment with the Spirit brings us to the secret place. Time and timing are essential in life. It is more than just memorizing and repeating His Word. When the word is ingested and digested it becomes one with our mind and emotions It becomes a part of our DNA. The Word becomes a reality in the way we live out our lives.

As we open ourselves to the Lord we begin to have God experiences that cause us to hunger and thirst for more input and growth. And we move from faith to faith; from glory to glory. These experiences encourage us to continue our walk with Holy Spirit. But remember that all this takes time.

So what we do with our time is important. Begin a time journal and begin to prioritize. Be a good Stewart of your time. Remember your life is not your own it has been bought with a price.

Exodus 20:8-11 NIV
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Be reminded to keep the Sabbath rest. It is not going to church. It is that private time between you and Holt Spirit. It is a time of no work--no stimulation from the world. It is about the quiet peace and that deep inner security God gives you as you continue to delve into His presence.

When we allow ourselves to get so busy we tend to get by without communication. Communication or communion is of utmost importance in relationship. Just as husbands and wives need the art of intimacy through communion, our Father God is calling, wooing us to have that personal face-to-face with Him.

Can you hear His voice? If you haven't felt that inner nudge to go running into His Arms, enter into His rest the next time He calls. Allow the noise of activity of life to fade away as you meditate on His love and goodness.

Consecrate unto yourself your life each day, the seen an unseen. Communion is the meal that heals and fortifies body soul spirit.

He is calling. Will you answer?

Teach Our Children

Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (NIV)

Cry tears of sorrow and then let Holy Spirit fill you with the joy of new life this year of resurrection power. Harkin to the bell of freedom. It is ringing in the year of jubilee. Families, set up your home altar. Teach your children how to pray a prayer of thanksgiving and praise. Teach them by pointing out God's work in their lives. Encourage them to share their life with others. It is by example they will learn best. Once you have begun this process of a family altar, it will become a natural occurrence and become part of the fabric of their lives. This will help them in hard times to come.

Celebrate your trials as victories to come. This teaches how to project God's blessings in their lives. There is a scripture written for every challenge. Find it and stand on it until it comes to pass. Our Father God's hand is in everything. He will see you through torment and catastrophe. He is waiting for the family to call out so He can use it all. Leave jealously in the Lord's hands and celebrate being liberated by His blood and compassion.

Our assignment is to love our children not to fix them. Our redeemed relationship with Christ leaves us empowered to live a life of faith. This life of ours is an awesome witness for those to emulate. Because in Christ we are justified, we can overcome the world's deceptions. So we live focused on the fruit of the Spirit, not the natural fruit in life, our children will become aware of the most valued relationships, in Jesus and one another. The new toy or new clothing is not as valued or as pleasing and praising Jesus.

There are many things we can teach our children but teaching them about eternal things outweighs those things in the world. The Bible is our written faith. But the faith we carry within our hearts is living and growing. It expresses itself through the circumstances of life and bears witness to our children.

Into Me You See!

Intimacy is a mandate from the throne room of our Lord. In order to have intimacy with Him we are to examine ourselves. Take a good look in the mirror and see yourself for who you are. The Lord already knows and He is patiently waiting for us to discipline ourselves according to His word and confess those idols we have made out of our belief systems mixed with half truths. Mixed traditions, morays of the world mixed with the Word hold us back from having an authentic relationship that He has for us.

We are called to a discipline of being in the word and confessing sin-our short comings and false teachings. These are crucial times. Remember reading the Word once is not good enough. Listening and sitting under good teachings is only a step in the right direction-and not good enough. Worship without change of heart doesn't cut it either.

Line all you know up with the Word. Cross every "T" and dot each "I". Most importantly don't force what you think to line up. I confide in a godly friend to search out the truth with me. This gives us balance and accountability.

His mercy is new each morning and His grace is sufficient to see us through. And know He is calling you to quiet time with Him. If you have not done this before begin with a few seconds then minutes. It will increase. Whatever it takes to apply His bit into your mouth so the slightest movement of the Holy Spirit will be detected and you will draw near to Him. Take a line of scripture and begin your journey of living your life in the Spirit.

We get consumed with the worlds toys-and its' drawings. We need a way to train our self to retrieve information and direction from the Spirit of God in our daily lives. We want to establish a history of the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is how we prepare for battle.

Then the implementation comes by an ever so soft voice. To hear a drop of a dime is to recognize His voice and His plan and then the appropriate delivery and implementation.

Do not take man's words as Gospel truth. Listen then line it with the Word for yourself. Judge and apply for yourself the living truth. It is impossible to have this type of intimacy with another human-even a spouse. Oh we get glimpses and specks but it is Holy Spirit who knows us better than we know ourselves.

Does this ring true to you? Check it with the Word and you shall experience what the Father has for you. Speak the word from your own lips and enter in to a safe haven with Holy Spirit. You shall realize He has called you out of the world of chaos into His rest. The infilling of peace instantaneously no matter what we are doing, where we are going or how we are affected by the world. His power will allow us to walk by Faith and not by sight.

I tell you this because as believers our mandate is to be carriers of the light, the truth and the way. Just as John cried out in the wilderness we shall chant with Him "make straight your ways" repent and be baptized. Not by water but by FIRE. And the same power will be with us that sent out the apostles to establish true believers sacrificing their lives in the baptism of blood.

Our first mandate is get in the Word receive truth and repent of untruths.

Do not waver. Be firmly placed and rooted in the Word. Stand ready to freely receive and freely give of yourself to others. You and you alone are vital to the Bride of Christ.

He is calling! Are you listening?

Father, I pray this time that you quench my spirit's hunger and thirst after you. Allow me to become transparent with you. I need to know what you see so that repentance comes clearly so that I may be a ready soldier reporting for battle knowing that I fight against powers and principalities of darkness; not flesh and blood.

God is Sovereign

But that does not mean He does not want our involvement with His work. So you might ask how do we join in with the Lord's handiwork? So I sat and thought about it and came up with these:

1. Prayer of protection against the wiles of imagination and works of divination
2. Prayer of thanksgiving and releasing of angelic forces around yourself and all those involved.
3. Prayer of wisdom for all caregivers and their protection and well being
4. Prayer for healing both physical and emotional.

Jesus spent time to withdraw from the crowds and withdraw from ministry before He entered another dimension of his journey. His ministry began when he entered his late 20s. However, there were times when he was younger when he spoke in the temple and at the marriage feast. "God the Father gave him a sense of his ministry then to help him prepare for what was to come. I believe our Father God does the same with us.

You might ask does He act upon our request and petitions. The answer is yes. The question is "Does it line up with the word and is your mind focused in on Christ Jesus? Asking for His will then we are joining in?

     5.  Pray for the abundant life here and in eternity.
     6.  Ask for the completion of the race He has set before us!
          If you know the specifics, pray them through.
          If not ask and they will be given to you.

Remember sovereign means He can do anything at any time using any means He chooses to bring about His plan. But with all that, let us consider His mercies that are new every morning and His grace is sufficient for us to live a victorious life!

So welcome prayer warriors to the battleground-fighting against powers and principalities of darkness. Be renewed in your body, mind and spirit. There might be some of you who are considering prayer, I suggest that you begin with these simple suggestions and ask Holy Spirit to open up the doors of opportunities and lead you into victory. Pray and then sit back and watch God work with His sovereign hand.

The Lord is calling us into relationship and I cannot think of a better way to get to know Him better. Experience His love and power firsthand in your life and in the life of your loved ones.

For you experienced prayer warriors, send in your comments and additions to share with us all. Either email them to me at dianne@theevans.org or post them here on my blog.