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30
Aug
How to Deal With the Accuser Living in Your Head

Do you ever have one of those days when you feel like there is a little voice in your head telling you what a poor example you are of the human race? Be assured that the little voice is not you. It may sound like you, but it is not. That voice is actually thoughts being thrown into your mind by someone known as the Accuser—and he is out to destroy your life. Here are some facts about the Accuser and some tips on how to deal with him.

How to know you are being condemned by the Accuser

You will feel one or more of the following emotions: depressed, discouraged, guilty, shamed, inadequate, a failure, hopeless, stupid, unloved, disliked, rejected, blamed, useless, lonely, discarded or condemned.

You will think thoughts along the lines of the following: “I’m a failure.” “This will never change.” “I’m a jerk.” “There is no hope for me.” “No one likes me.” “It’s not worth it.” “Why me?”

He is not flesh and blood! 

The Accuser is not human. He is a type of spirit, and he has been around for a very long time. He goes by the names of Satan, Devil, Accuser, Adversary, Angel of Light, Father of Lies, Lucifer, Serpent and many more that describe his character and activities (see Ephesians 6:12).

The Accuser does what his name implies—he accuses. “For the accuser of our brothers is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night . . . .” (Revelation 12:10 NIV).

What to do when the Accuser assaults you

1. Don’t agree with him! Recognize who is speaking. Even if the voice sounds like your own voice, don’t believe it!

2. Put on your spiritual armor and use your spiritual weapon (see Ephesians 6:13–18).

3. Apply the finished work of Christ through repentance if you have sinned (see 1 John 1:9).

4. Remind the enemy that the Lamb’s blood identifies you as sinless. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Revelation 12:11 NIV).

5. Then speak your testimony to the enemy. “Yep, everything you say was once true, but in Christ that is no longer who I am” (see Revelation 12:11 above).

6. Reaffirm your total commitment to Christ and expect a little more practice in laying down your life (see Revelation 12:11 above).

7. Rebuke the enemy! You’ve been given authority—now use it! Just say something along the lines of, “Accuser, I rebuke you. You have no power over me. I have been bought with the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and he now owns me and has authority over my life. You have no authority to accuse me of anything. Take your accusations about me, and tell them to Jesus. Stop criticizing God’s property”  (see James 4:7).  

Dealing with the Accuser can be an ongoing battle when we first realize who is attacking us. But the more we practice the above steps, the more we find freedom from mental torment and the tendency to believe the lies of the enemy.

What suggestions can you add that would help in dealing with the Accuser? Please leave your input in the comment link below. We would love to hear from you.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: Brain overhaul, Prayer, Spiritual Warfare  Tags: , , , , , , ,
11
Aug
Unexpected Encounters With the Holy

I walked along the rugged shoreline of Shell Beach today, remembering a time long ago when I was young and often came to these cliffs to play my flute. I recorded one such memory in my book, Intercessors, God’s End-time Vanguard. I reprint it here as a reminder that finding the Holy in the daily often comes when we least expect it.

“Years ago, when I was in college, my roommate, Pam, and I went to the beach for some quiet time. It was late at night and Pam decided to go for a walk. I sat down by the cliff and listened to the waves breaking over the rocks below. Pulling out my flute, I began to play songs of worship and songs from my spirit. This had become a way of expressing my heart in prayer to the Lord and I often felt His presence closest during these times of musical intercession. Suddenly there appeared a woman in front of me walking out of the fog by the edge of the cliff. I probably jumped three feet but calmed down when I realized she was crying.

Sobbing she explained that her life had no meaning and no hope. She had come to the edge of the cliff intending to jump onto the rocks below. As she contemplated her final decision she heard music floating up through the fog. Feeling compelled to follow the sound she ended up weeping in front of me. Not knowing what else to do, I led her to the Lord! Pam arrived in time to answer more of her questions about Jesus and together we took her home.”

Most of my encounters with the Lord are not so dramatic, but an occasional in-you-face experience does reinforce his authority and activity in my life. Do you have a story of an unexpected encounter with the Holy in the course of your day? I’d love to hear about it. My comment section is a blue link at the bottom of this post.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: Prayer, worship  Tags: , , , , ,
02
Jul
George Washington Lost More Battles Than He Won

Did you know that George Washington lost more battles than he won? Many of those were important battles of the Revolutionary War. Yet, America was born out of that war—regardless of how many battles our first President won or lost. It seems that God really is behind the rise and fall of nations.

Liberty comes with a price tag regardless of what country you live in. And with freedom comes the responsibility to serve others and to live peaceably with all men.

Following is the closing prayer for this week in The Divine Hours—Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle. I think it sums up my heart very well for this 4th of July.

“Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

 In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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28
Jun
The Celtic Art of Knitting Work and Prayer Together

Celtic Christians lived an intertwined life of work and prayer, knitting the two together in such a way that the work of the day became the prayer of life.

In her book, The Celtic Way of Prayer, Esther De Waal explains the Celtic practice of work and prayer. “… there was no separation of praying and living; praying and working flow into each other, so that life is to be punctuated by prayer, become prayer.”

Morning hygiene happened slowly and in the name of the Trinity as each palmful of water was splashed upon the face.

The palmful of the God of Life,
The palmful of the Christ of Love,
The palmful of the Spirit of Peace,
  Triune
  Of grace.
 

The task of making the bed became a time of prayer as seen in this Irish prayer, one of many collected in 1906 by Douglas Hyde.

I make this bed
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
In the name of the night we were conceived,
In the name of the night we were born,
In the name of the day we were baptized,
In the name of each night, each day,
Each angel that is in the heavens.
 

Alistair MacLean recorded this prayer in Hebridean Altars for days when our work load seems overwhelming or dull.

Even though the day be laden
and my task dreary
and my strength small,
a song keeps singing
in my heart.
For I know that I am Thine.
I am part of Thee.
Thou art kin to me,
and all my times
are in Thy hand.
 

And finally, this prayer from Hebridean Altars:

Seven times a day, as I work upon this hungry farm, I say to Thee, “Lord, why am I here? What is there here to stir my gifts to growth? What great things can I do for others—I who am captive to this dreary toil?” And seven times a day Thou answerest, “I cannot do without thee. Once did My Son live thy life, and by His faithfulness did show My mind, My kindness, and My truth to men. But now He is come to My side, and thou must take His place.”
 

What comes out of your heart and mouth as you work your way through your day?

In Him Together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: At work, Celtic Christianity, Daily chores, Prayer  Tags: , , , , , , , ,
23
Jun
Hijacking Worship

Prayer, fasting, giving and meditating in the Scriptures are all spiritual disciplines. So is worship. I don’t usually put worship on my list of spiritual disciplines. A spiritual practice for sure, but I haven’t listed it as a discipline–at least not in my mind.

I’ve been reading over the Psalms and noticing how often that book puts us in the place of ministering before the Lord with praise and thanksgiving. The New Testament goes beyond mere ministers and calls us priests. Priests minister before and to the Lord.

Worship is the main ministry we do for the Lord even if all we are is a “gatekeeper in the house of our God.” Pretty big assignment if you ask me. Worship is work. It is what we will be doing for the rest of eternity future. It is something we are to learn to do well and practice even now, and it doesn’t always come easy. That’s why I think it is a spiritual discipline.

However, something I’ve noticed in my circle of Charismatic relationships is that worship isn’t always regarded as our spiritual work. It’s been hijacked into being one of our unalienable rights to a good spiritual experience.

Some seem to think that church is not really church unless we have a moving encounter with God during worship. If our emotions aren’t involved then worship doesn’t cut it. If one is not emotionally stirred then the service isn’t spiritual enough. Some people even change churches because their expectation of good worship isn’t being met at their current place “of worship.”

I wonder how many worship teams believe that their job description is to provide a time for people to experience God or that they are to set an atmosphere where people can encounter Him. I hope they understand that their job is to minister before the Lord and to do so in front of all of us in the congregation so that as a community of worshippers we can follow their lead in worshipping the Lord of Heaven and Earth.

I’m not against having good feelings or an awesome experience when I worship. I especially appreciate it when I encounter God during worship. But a gatekeeper, or a worshipper, doesn’t always encounter the Lord of the Manor. Gatekeepers, or servants, are known for how unnoticeable they are. They blend into the background and not the forefront. Good feelings, awesome experiences, and encountering the Living God are not the purpose of worship. These are byproducts. Good byproducts, but byproducts none the less.

It was King David who said that he would not offer to God that which had cost him nothing. One reason the Scriptures call us to give ourselves as a living sacrifice and to offer the sacrifice of praise is because sacrifices can only be given when we have to forfeit something. A sacrifice will cost you. Bottom line–we are not on the receiving end when we worship. We are on the giving end.

When we gather together as the church, we assemble to minister to the Lord. Our job description, every one of us, is to bless Him and minister to Him. Not the other way around. Sounds like work to me!

So the work of worship deserves more study, practicing, perfecting, and performing. I’ll let you know how my musings on this spiritual discipline go.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

This post is a reprint of my May 7, 2009 post from my Sabbath and Sabbatical blog.

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07
Jun
Celtic Graduation Blessing

My youngest son graduates from high school tonight. His five brothers and sisters have made their way out into the wider world, and I’m sure this one will too. This beautiful Celtic blessing is my prayer for James. I hope you enjoy it, and pass it on to those you know who are celebrating a significant event in their lives.

 If you received this post via an RSS feeder or by email and cannot see the video, please stop by the Holy in the Daily blog to view it. It will make your day, I promise.

In Him together, Susan

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Category: Celtic Christianity, Monday's Moment Videos, Prayer, raising kids  Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
26
May
Celtic Prayer For Unexpected Guests

I wish life was predictable, but it is not. Yet, blessings often sneak in unexpectedly if we have prepared our hearts to be interrupted.

I sometimes view unexpected phone calls as interruptions to my planned day, especially if the call is from someone needing something from me “right now.” Slow traffic, long lines at the grocery counter, work related demands, and the neighbor who drops in unexpectedly when I have been up all night with a sick kid and the house hasn’t seen “clean” in a month—these interruptions frustrate me.

What if all the people involved in these situations were viewed as unexpected guests into my life? Might a new perspective adjust my attitude and my interactions with them?

Brigid of Kildare was a woman who looked for the unexpected. She lived between 450 and 523 and was known for her generosity and hospitality to all, but especially to strangers, the poor, and the sick. She never saw people as interruptions to her life, but as guests to be welcomed. This is one of her house prayers still used by many as they prepare their hearts and lives to be interrupted by unexpected guests.

I would welcome the poor
and honour them.
I would welcome the sick
in the presence of angels
and ask God to bless and
embrace us all.
 
Seeing a stranger approach,
I would put food in the eating place.
drink in the drinking place,
music in the listening place,
and look with joy for the blessing of God,
who often comes to my home
in the blessing of a stranger.
 
We call upon the Sacred Three
to save, shield and surround
this house, this home,
this day, this night,
and every night.
 

You’ll find more of Brigid’s prayers in Celtic Daily Prayer—Prayers and Readings From the Northumbria Community. (See right sidebar for more details.) But for now, how do you prepare your heart and life to be interrupted by the unexpected guest?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: Celtic Christianity, Daily, My village  Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
14
May
Do You Worry About Your Kids? Grab Onto This Tip.

Sometimes I forget that God is closer to my kids than I am. Usually this lapse of memory occurs when a child, or grandchild, falls into some type of crisis—or my definition of a crisis. When my worry genes kick in, my mind switches gears into anxiety mode and my hand reaches for my Bible. The latter action adjusts the former two.

One tip for dissolving worry is to tweak your mind from thinking worry-talk to thinking promise-talk. Here are two Scripture promises I use for my personal self-talk during times of anxiety. Note how each Scripture ignites a spiritual pep talk in my brain. Just replace my name with yours.

“Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD—with the first of them and with the last—I am he” (Isaiah 41:4 NIV).

Susan, God has been calling your generations from the beginning of time. He has called each individual in your family into existence and he is with each one of your kids, just as he has been with you. He is also calling your kids—even those yet unborn—to come into his love and light. God is passionate about your generations and he is passionately in love with your kids. He will always be at their side drawing them close.

“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations” (Psalm 33:11 NIV).

Susan, God’s plans and purposes for your kids will stand firm. These plans are not dependent on the opinion or actions of your kids, yourself, or others. God is more determined than you are to see your kids come into his kingdom and walk with him. His intimate thoughts are on each person in the generations that follow you—planning how He can influence each life to reflect His love and grace.

God’s promises hold steady when our lives don’t. Self-talking a few Scriptures transforms worry into faith. What Scripture promises do you grab onto when your children hit your worry button?  

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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30
Apr
My Gift to You: Quotes For the Contemplative Life–Free Ebook

I’ve been experimenting with ebooks as I plan to publish an ebook called Scripture Prayers to Pray for Your Kids. I also plan update my Family Discipleship Manuals and release them in an ebook format within the next few months. My first adventure into the ebook realm consists of a booklet full of contemplative quotes.

Some years ago I hosted a contemplative prayer retreat at the historic San Miguel Mission. I thought it would just be myself and a few curious friends attending, but I was surprised at the turnout and how eager folks were to learn about this ancient Christian practice.

Many people don’t realize there is a name for the intimacy they experience or desire with the Lord. Contemplation is all about intimacy and holiness with the Lover of our souls. Contemplative prayer is an ancient tradition for gaining a depth of relationship with God. I find it interesting that this practice is exactly what the Spirit Holy is saying to the church in this present hour—intimacy and holiness.

We also touch on contemplative prayer when I teach on Hearing God’s Voice at YWAM’s Discipleship Training Schools and in our own ministry training courses at church. People hunger for this practice that dates back to our ancient Jewish roots. Someday I’ll put these teachings into an ecourse, but for now a short booklet of quotes will have to do.

Definitions of contemplative include:

  • A long and thoughtful observation
  • Meditating on spiritual matters
  • Focusing on the loving God within you through prayer
  • To ponder and consider
  • Inner communion with the Lord

 

I like Peggy Wilkinson’s definition best. In her book, Finding the Mystic Within You, she explains that, “the word ‘contemplation’ is based on the Latin ‘templum—open space for observation of the heavens, which also gives us temple.’ In contemplation we descend into our inner space to observe heavenly things.”  

Moments of contemplation arise during my morning coffee, prayer, and musings. Other times I take an hour or more to practice contemplative prayer in the quiet of my study or garden. I’m still learning much about this ancient practice. Some of the things I write about are birthed during such hours of intimacy with the Lord.

You’ll find Quotes for the Contemplative Life available on my Free Stuff page at www.susangaddis.net. You do not need to buy special software to read this ebook—you can read it right on your computer. The password to open the booklet is contemplativequotes. I hope you’ll enjoy it enough to pass on to your friends.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: Ebooks, Prayer, Quiet moments, Spiritual Practices  Tags: , , , , , , , ,
12
Apr
Celtic Blessing On Leaving Home

My son left home this morning. Packed his car to the ceiling and stuffed a grocery bag full of carrots, peanut butter, bread and energy bars into a left over hole. He’s left home before—two years in Northern Ireland a few years ago. As with most men at age 23, this will probably, hopefully, be his last time leaving home.

He’s headed to Massachusetts to discover adventure and his future. I prayed this blessing for him this morning from To Bless the Space Between Us, A Book of Blessings by John O’Donohue.

Every time you leave home,
Another road takes you
Into a world you were never in.
 
New strangers on other paths await,
New places that have never seen you
Will startle a little at your entry.
Old places that know you well
Will pretend nothing
Changed since your last visit.
 
When you travel, you find yourself
Alone in a different way,
More attentive now
To the self you bring along,
Your more subtle eye watching
You abroad; and how what meets you
Touches that part of the heart
That lies low at home.

 

Well…I’ll let you find the rest of the blessing hidden amidst many more daily blessings and experiences in To Bless the Space Between Us.

Go forth and conquer, Jonathan. Our prayers and blessings go with you.

In Him together, Mom

Four down and two to go. My nest will become empty someday.

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