The Prince of the Power of the Air: The Real Culprit

“The Strongman and all the demons that dwelled in the mansion began to screech and scream, thrown off by the unexpected presence of God’s most powerful emissary.  They didn’t want any parts of it.  The fact that his sword was out and his eyes were aflame told them this isn’t where they wanted to be.  At the moment, Michael didn’t engage them, but let them flee.  They didn’t get far because one sixth of a legion of naval angels sprang up out of the Pacific like golden flames.  They emerged in rank and file.  As one rank of 100 would come up out of the water, another would follow right behind them until there were 10 rows of 100 angels each. The water rolling off their wings sparkled like diamonds.  There were countless skin tones.  Their armor was golden and their luminous two sets of white wings had a 15-foot wingspan.  Their wings were tipped with gold.  They stood 13-feet tall.  They waited for their entire squadron to join them before they made their move.  In one mighty united snap of their wings, they began to fly towards the house where they formed a circle of brilliant golden fire around the house.” ~ Excerpt from “Saturday Showdown” Book 7 – A Chronicles of Warfare Novel

There’s a war going on people plain and simple.  So many wonder where God is in the chaos all around us.  My response… He’s everywhere.  He’s not on vacation and He’s not MIA.  He’s also in a place He’s always been, but often ignored – His Word!  The Bible tells us the following:

2 Corinthians 4:4: “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” (NLT)

Ephesians 2:1-2: “And you were dead in your trespasses and sin, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” (NASB)

Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.” (NET Bible)

Let’s take the state of America today.  Any person with a modicum of common sense can see that there is something very wrong in America 2016.  The worst of human nature has reared its ugly head while causing division and strife among those who are supposed to be the citizens of the UNITED States of America.  I submit to you that like the Bible says, Satan is the prince of the power of the air and death and life is in the power of our tongues.  So let’s look at the air all around us.  What is saturating our airwaves?  What words have been spoken or are being spoken over America?  The 24-hour news cycle and music that is more attainable than ever before. We walk around with personal computers as our communication devices.  The whole world is in the palm of our hands.  On those devices, we are in constant communication with the world around us, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.  Let’s start with the words that are written in the history books of America.  What do those books glorify?  What do those books leave out?  What lies have those books told?  It doesn’t matter, we’ve all been indoctrinated to believe it’s the truth.  Those centuries old lies have birthed the reality we live in today.  Those words were spoken and created our atmosphere.  Let’s talk about the mainstream media – and this is right, left or in between.  Pay close attention at the words they use to describe one set of people versus another for the same exact crimes and offenses.  Discern the photographs they use to sway public opinion of one group of people over another.  It wasn’t by accident, it was by design.  Satan knows what he’s doing and people have fallen for his lies and manipulations over and over again. His version is so loud that the truth gets tossed aside as paranoia and conspiracies.  Either his lies are so convincing or the hearts of those that want to believe his lies are so deceived they dismiss the truth that’s right in their face.

Is God actually missing or is it perhaps that our world has been shaped by the words we have used for centuries.  From the lies in the history books to the strategic manipulation of the mainstream media to the fruitless lyrics of today’s music disguised in a clever beat to the negative words we speak to and over ourselves and our fellow man.  Meanwhile, Satan and his minions continue to stir the atmosphere because our hearts go unchecked.  If we want to see change then we need to check our hearts. What nasty little emotions and thoughts are there that Satan can use to further his agenda?  Maybe it’s time to stop blaming God for all of problems and realize we bring it on ourselves.  It’s greed, hatred, fear and superiority complexes that have led us down this path.  The truth is out there, thanks to the internet but who’s going to be bold enough to tell it?  

For the saints who are praying, my suggested strategy is for God to expose the prince of the power of the air for what he is – a liar, a thief, and a killer.  Let’s ask God to let the truth resound in the hearts of men, women and children.  Let’s pray for the spirit of greed to be exposed and dealt with. Let’s pray for the spirit of hatred to be extinguished.  Let’s pray for the spirit of fear to be annihilated.  Let’s pray for the belief that one is better or superior to others be vanquished from the hearts of men, women and children.  And last, but certainly, not least, let’s pray against the spirit of division.  There is so much division in these United States of America it’s hard to call this country by name without feeling like a liar.  

So many times in life we are waiting on God or asking His whereabouts when He’s waiting on us, asking where have we been.  In Matthew 22, the Bible states: 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. I think before we ask where God is, we need to ask ourselves, His body of Christ, where have we been.  These two commands are a prerequisite to the other laws.  The main ingredient for the two greatest commandments in the Bible is love.  I think we can all agree that is the ONE thing missing from this country.  I believe if we start with love – true, unconditional love, then the rest will fall in place. 

Those who are in the Body of Christ, I challenge you for SEVEN days to cut off the prince of the power of the air from your life.  Turn off the news, turn off the radio, avoid social media if it fuels anything ugly in your heart. Fall on your face and ask God to show YOU everything in your heart that’s not like Him. Ask Him to show you every area your heart is not pleasing to Him and harmful to others. Then pray and ask Him for the courage and strength to go through the process required to change it, as well as the humility to seek forgiveness from those your misguided heart has injured.  

Now, let’s wrap this up.  Verse 8 of Psalm 139 says, “If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”  This verse tells me there is nowhere I can be that He is not.  So, while Satan may be the prince of the power of the air, he’s still restricted and under the sovereign rule and authority of the Great I AM.  Maybe it’s time we snatched back the atmosphere around us and filled it with love, life and truth.  Maybe we can stop asking God where He is and show God where we are.  It starts in the heart. It begins with love. It ends in victory.  

Until Next Time,

Melinda Michelle

www.melindamichelle21.com

Armed and Dangerous

This one popped up in my Facebook memories from three years ago. I thought it very appropriate to re-post as we take on the challenge of ending the year STRONG through spiritual warfare strategies!

Check it out!

These words have been ringing in my head ever since our pastor said them a few weeks back.  Placing them side by side with the conjunction “and” seemed to make them more powerful.  When you think about a civilian that might carry a concealed firearm, these words may come to mind.  The weapon makes them armed.  The fact that they know how to use it makes them dangerous.

            With that picture painted let’s see this in the spirit.  We are supposed to be soldiers in God’s army.  Soldiers are armed and they are certainly dangerous as their training makes them such.  If you’re a Christian that the enemy doesn’t consider armed and dangerous then it’s time for a spiritual check-up.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

            As Christians we are armed with spiritual weapons, our faith, prayers, praise, fasting, the Word and obedience to name a few.  If we know that we possess these weapons then we would consider ourselves armed.  If we understood just how powerful these weapons were and we had the right relationship with God then we’d know just how dangerous we are.  We’d understand the attacks against our lives and purpose.  We’d understand the necessity to keep our relationship with Christ solid and we’d understand why we couldn’t just tuck tale and run hiding our weapons behind our fears.  That civilian that carries that concealed weapon is no longer fearful about what the day may bring because they know they possess the capabilities of defending their life should the need arise.  So it is in the spirit if we know and are secure in our spiritual weapons.

            Not only do we have these weapons that can break chains, tear down walls, open doors and shut them, we have the Creator of all we know backing them.  Just like a firearm comes with a manufacturer’s warranty so does our spiritual weapons.  The eternal warranty we have is backed by the Great I AM, the God who is whatever we need.  The Lord God strong and mighty, the Lord God mighty in battle.  The alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, the author and the finisher of our faith, the God who knew us before we were formed in the womb, need I go on?

            One thing we must be careful of.  A person who is armed and dangerous can also be a danger to others if they are not trained.  If someone walks around with a firearm that they’ve never shot or trained with they are not only a danger to others but themselves.  So as it is with a soldier in God’s army who never trains with their spiritual weapons or communicates with God.  Those who are Christians are those who try daily to be like Christ.  Without that one very important caveat one is simply a person that believes in God.  That person cannot be armed and dangerous in the spirit or a threat to the kingdom of darkness.  That person is simply marking time waiting for their appointment with eternity. 

            I don’t know about you but when I chose salvation I know I enlisted in God’s army and I want to be an effective Christian that’s armed and dangerous that the enemy knows and fears.  I didn’t sign up for this journey to be scared and live in fear.  I signed up for this to know my Creator and to walk in dominion.  To do what He called me to do and to win souls for the kingdom of God.  I encourage you Christians out there to spend time daily with the one true living God and to exercise the weapons at your disposal because we wrestle not against flesh and blood.  We can win this spiritual battle in the spirit.  We are more than conquerors, we are equipped therefore we are armed and dangerous!  Now let’s drop the fear and pick up the fight!

Melinda Michelle

Author. Speaker. Life Coach

The Chronicles of Warfare

            

The Day After...

#ShiftYourThinking

*Best time for up and coming comedians to take the world by storm, we're going to need laughter more than ever. People will gladly pay for your gift.

*Best time to learn about investing and INVEST.  Take advantage of the uncertainty, change and emotional panics.

*Best time to know the truth about those who are among you. His win came at the hands of SILENT supporters. DO NOT UNFRIEND! Who blinds themselves to their opposition? Watch the moves they make and use that knowledge to your advantage. Remember division is what got us here. You don't fight the tide, you swim with it. Use the momentum to work FOR YOU. Pray for your enemies.

*Best time to be a witness for Christ. People will be looking for solace in this time of despair and uncertainty. It's time to show His love and who He REALLY is not this false effeminate picture He's been reduced to here in the the good ole US of A.

*Best time to get on your grind with the gifts and talents God placed on the inside of you so you can become independently wealthy and not have to be depending on the government to sustain you. Maybe even create jobs! Your gift will make room for you and bring you before great men.

*Best time to REALLY do something about racism. It can NO LONGER BE DENIED because it's the prevailing reason why this man got elected. PERIOD! It's here now, let's deal with it!

Just like no one could know/believe this would happen NO ONE but God knows what the next 4 years will bring. Don't speak defeat and regression into existence. Speak life and prosperity over your life, family and this country. You see that nut spoke his candidacy into existence. 😂 You better catch that and learn something. Seriously though, I get it y'all. THIS SUCKS! I did my part, but I'm really shocked bcuz I HOPED we were better, but since we're not it's time to look for the opportunities in this disturbing turn of events. He's everyone's president JUST LIKE Obama supporters let his opposers know he was their president too. There are people who are genuinely afraid and scared out there. They need your prayers, strength and faith. It's never about ourselves. God loves people. We have to love people.  ALL PEOPLE! If there was ever a time to pray for a leader... MY GOD! It's NOW! Happy Hump Day y'all. Take your emotional MOMENT but don't stay there. We gon be alright. 😘

Queens Holding Kings Accountable - Initial Approach Edition

I know some folk take issue with the "decoy" ring, but this thing comes in handy. Lord knows I always try MY BEST to never verbally assault a black man, because they get it from er'body, even though some of them have earned the wrath of this pre-Jesus tongue with their shenanigans, I always bite it. This is the politest way to respond to the variation of their "are you available" line. I simply hold up my left hand, smile, slide into my car and ride out. (‪#‎BoyBye) And I didn't even have to open my mouth to tell a lie. Plus, it's a character meter. If they back off right away then at the LEAST their moral compass is trying to point due North, even though he just bit his lip as he eyed you up and down as if you were a piece of meat like ain't nobody fed him at all this month. (‪#‎StopIt I'm wearing sweats, didn't even make an effort today, it's too early in the morning for this foolery) And if he doesn't respect it, you know you dodged a bullet anyway. I know there are some who will debate that I could miss "the one" with this tactic, but trust me, that's not a necessary concern you need to have, so miss me with that logic.

To my beautiful black men out there, listen... It's time for y'all to upgrade your approach, especially when it's a grown woman. Read the body language - walking away is not an opportunity to chase her. Take the polite smile and gracious exit for what it is - a kind "no, I'm not interested." I know this current generation got this whole dating game out of whack with their low standards and acceptance of any foolishness offered, but that doesn't translate well to adult interactions. Let's up these approaches, add some class, take out the crass and actually use your verbs, nouns and adjectives to communicate and not your disrespectful eyes. Some of us actually prefer an adult conversation to the immediate lustful stare and objectification. Exercise some self-control, it's a very telling sign when you don't. Even if you don't walk away with her number you will have restored/confirmed her hope in her black brothers. Be encouraged. Selah.

‪#‎Standards ‪#‎BlackLove‪#‎GrownWomen ‪#‎LoveMyBlackBrothas ‪#‎QueensHoldingKingsAccountable

Ciao,

GMME

www.melindamichelle21.com

Great Authority, Great Responsibility

I know my FB posts this week have been mostly silly in nature, but it is release week and that just comes with the territory.  However, in this week of spiritual consecration and fasting I haven’t lost sight of all that’s going on in the world around us.  What we are seeing played out in the news daily are symptoms of something much greater.  The ROOTS of the problems need to be dealt with.  I was reading my Bible today, Numbers 30 to be exact, and I came across something so interesting…

The chapter deals with vows and how God sees them.  Any believer knows, or should know this scripture in Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 (NASB) - 4 When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands?

So yeah, we don’t play with God and vows.  Now back to Numbers 30.  I found it interesting that if a woman still in her father’s house or a married woman makes a vow and the MAN responsible for her, overhears it he can nullify it based on his position in her life and the authority God has given him. God will honor his authority and release her from a VOW, something we know God does NOT play about.  BUT, the man has to say something as soon as he hears about it.  If he doesn’t take direct action and lingers in his nullification then he will be responsible for any guilt.  WHOA.  Did y’all get that?  God will intervene for her based on the man he put in place to cover her and RELEASE her from a vow.  Also, the man has to act on that thing immediately, he can’t play with it or that guilt is his to bear.  NOTE: The man can suffer if he doesn’t PROPERLY use the authority God has given him.   

So what’s my point and how does this tie in?  Listen, one of the root causes of what’s going on in society today is men being out of place, in particular black men.  Yes, there are MANY contributing factors and I am not about to list any of them, because what matters now is solutions.  Look at how much authority and responsibility God has given the man in his Divine Order.  Wait… pause… this is NOT an open forum for an independent woman or feminist argument.  This is about God’s order for the family.  It’s NOT up for debate.  Now where was I, oh yes, the man aka the head of the house aka the authority in the family.  It’s no coincidence that Satan is destroying the head of the family through senseless violence, hate, mass incarceration, identity issues and the like.  It’s a PLAN.  It’s a strategy to get them out of place.  When the head falls, the body suffers.  I am reminded of a passage in my upcoming release, “Saturday Showdown.”  (Not a shameless but an INTENTIONAL plug – LOL)  In this book, God is very much dealing with the men, their rightful place in Him and in their family, so we need to take heed.

Wise words from First Lady Darcy Stone: “Don’t be like Adam and throw her under the bus.  Even if Adam hadn’t eaten the fruit, God would still have come looking for him because he’s the one that God left in charge, not Eve.  So take a lesson from him and cover her sins with your love the way Christ covered your sins with his blood. I don’t care what she reveals.  You cover her.  When God looks at you all He sees is Christ’s blood.  When people look at her, all they need to see is your love.  You are to love her the way the Christ loves the church.  Most times the only scripture a man knows is, ‘Wives submit to your husbands.’  It never occurs to them the weight that goes with that charge.  Yes, God gave you all great authority but that’s because it comes with great responsibility.  There’s a cost to be the boss and the price is your life.  Just like Christ laid his life down, you are to lay yours down for the family God entrusted to you.  Son, you have to crucify your flesh and operate in the spirit.  So you stand in front her.  You hide her.  You protect her.  Do you understand me?”  (Excerpt from "Saturday Showdown" Book 7 in the Chronicles of Warfare Saga)

Men, and not just black men, but ESPECIALLY black men, it’s time to take your place!  We need you!  The authority you’ve been given is great.  It can change the very fabric of our existence.  TAKE YOUR PLACE!  This blog has been brought to you by the letter V and the number 2. (LOL)  Y’all be blessed!

Until next time... 

Open Letter to the Body of Christ

Listen, scrolling through my FB feed what disturbs me more than anything else, and there's plenty that's disturbing, is the hopelessness I'm seeing from those that are Christians. I'm here for the anger (without sin).  I'm here for the outrage. I'm here for the righteous indignation. All of that is necessary, but what I can't deal with is the hopelessness. The “I don't know what to do.”  We have seen God move on our behalf time and time again, this isn’t any different; it’s just bigger, but NOT bigger than Him!  If this is not a wake-up call to the ENTIRE Body of Christ, then NOTHING will be. Now is the time for the POWER and AUTHORITY of Jesus Christ to manifest itself in the earth. People are asking where God is. What is He doing? I believe with everything in me, God is saying where is My church? What are YOU doing about this?  We have God's unlimited power backing us, but it takes OBEDIENCE to activate it. Could it be that we know we are not in the right position with God to tap into the spiritual power and authority given? This battle doesn't belong to us, it belongs to the LORD! But we have a part to do. We spend all this time getting dressed up, hooping and hollering, running around and shouting but when our country turns into a war zone right before our very eyes, WE HAVE NO POWER!!! I know this hurts and I know it makes you angry, as injustice should, but EVERY church across America regardless of ethnicity or denomination should be standing in the gap as a congregation for their cities in prayer and fasting.  If your church is not addressing this issue then that is a BIG PROBLEM!  We should be seeking God for divine strategy about what He wants us to do and THEN we should GO OUT AND DO IT!!!! I guarantee you it won’t be a strategy that involves taking more lives!  Are we heartbroken enough to repent and turn back to God?  Are we heartbroken enough to see that love is the only answer to hate?  Are we heartbroken enough to see that our petty differences are moot when people are dying in the streets left and right!  Make no mistake about it; this battle isn’t against flesh and blood.  Look at the overall picture.  If an enemy of America wanted to attack right now, it would be good strategy because we are so divided.  A house divided against itself cannot stand. No more should I see weak words and hopelessness from believers as I scroll down my timeline. I should see words spoken with authority and wisdom that are backed up by the Word of God.  Because NOTHING can stand against God’s Word.  

I should see Kingdom men saying how they are anointing their wives and children and praying over them before they leave the house. They know that the God they serve will protect them and those they love.  They are covering them in prayer.  There are legions of angels at your disposal.  DIVINE PROTECTION is a real thing! I have seen it. I have experienced it.  Psalm 91:7 says, “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee.”  I don’t understand, did we just forget about the God we served. Instead, we need to see this in the spirit.  This chaos requires US, the believers, to turn BACK TO GOD!!!! You fight power with power not violence with violence.  You cannot speak life to yourself or your family when all that’s coming out of your mouth is death.  WATCH YOUR WORDS!!! Do not make yourself a victim THROUGH YOUR WORDS!  Either we believe in the God we say we serve or we don’t. We can’t be double minded. The world is dying all around us.  Please understand reacting emotionally is not the answer.  The evils of the world are inciting a race war and that will usher in martial law and then EVERYBODY will be crying out for justice.  It won’t be a black/white thing.  THEN it will be a people thing.  DIVISION IS NEVER THE ANSWER – NEVER!!!!  We may live in different communities and experience different things, but we all still live in this ONE country.  So we ALL need to partake in fixing it.  It’s not enough of any one group to make a difference, so we have to stand together in LOVE to conquer hate.  (P.S. This is a TOTALLY separate issue than the black community coming together FINALLY to take care of their own – that’s ECONOMICS, that’s another post.)

For the Single Christian Woman Who's Tired of THAT Question

Hi, my name is Gwendolyn Evans. I am thirty...cough...ahem years old and I am SINGLE. Yep, that's right.  My left ring finger is naked, except for when I rock one of my fabulous rings.  Meanwhile, when I say single, I mean, like for real, for real...single.  I am not entertaining a male acquaintance, it's not going down in my DMs and I don't have a "friend" around just for companionship.  

For me, being single at this point in my life is by divine appointment.  Just to clarify, my meaning of divine... I'm talking about Yahweh, Jesus' dad.  Let me be clear, yes I do want to get married and have a family someday, but in the meantime... I'm good.  I know it's hard for some people to grasp this concept, but I really am okay.  Why you ask?  Because I live my life on, in and about purpose.  

I believe that God put me here on this earth to do something great.  So that's what I'm doing. The thing that works my nerve about folk, specifically church folk and family folk, is this constant questioning of the status of my left finger and/or my uterus.  Now look here, I understand some of it is genuine concern, but most of it is just plain old busybodied-ness.  Is that a word?  Well it's going to be one today.  

Listen, I am NOT here for your personal love connection skills, which by the way SUCK!  At some point these people ASSUMED that because my life wasn't moving at THEIR expected pace that I need their UNSOLICITED help.  Oh. Em. Gee! The "candidates" that have been brought to my attention make me want to say, "Do you even like me?  Do you know anything about me?  How much thought did you put into that before you approached me with this option?  Why do you insist on trying my life?"  

It's like come on people... I'm good.  Unless you see me around here moping, behaving in a thirsty manner, or suicidal on Facebook due to loneliness, ASSUME that I'm good. ASSUME that I'm happy.  ASSUME that I'm content in my single life.  ASSUME that I'm having fun. ASSUME that I believe the Bible that I confess to believe in and that I'm not worried because I know God's got me. 

My Bible tells me in 1 Corinthians 7:34 that, "The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit..."  My life revolves around doing what God told me to do (see www.melindamichelle21.com for documented proof), enjoying my family, enjoying my friends, traveling and pretty much selfishly spending my time the way I want to with no regard for anyone else's opinion.  I am enjoying my season of singleness because guess what, I am going to enjoy the mess out of my married life. That's right people. It's important to enjoy whatever season you're in because seasons change.  

So if you are a part of the "folk" that harass the single person about their status in life... STOP IT I SAY. Why don't you pray that God sends them the godly spouse that you're so desperate for them to have and give them encouragement on how to be a good spouse when that person arrives.  If you're the single person who is tired of being harassed, cornered and questioned, I say it's time to cut off the un-edifying chatter and LIVE YOUR LIFE!  Besides, once you get married they're going to ask you when you're having a baby.  Then as soon as you give them this baby, they're going to ask you when are you having another one.  See the pattern? People cannot be satisfied, so you have to be.  

Go live your life. Stop waiting on a spouse to validate you, God has already done that. Find your purpose and get your Kingdom Grind on.  I'm on mine and I'm telling you it's a wild ride that NEVER has a dull moment.  I'll leave you with this. Cyrus Flanagan, one of the greatest men I have ever known said, "You don't marry a person, you marry a destiny." Therefore, your marriage is an assignment from God.  If you're not able to focus on your assignment as a single person, how will you ever be able to focus on your assignment as a married person with all the things that will be added to your plate when you say, "I Do."  To everything there is a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Until Next Time,

GMME