Spiritual Wickedness in High Places

Every time we turn on the news, there’s another shooting, another person being outed for their indiscretions and so on and so forth.  It’s exhausting to watch, which is why after 9/11 I stopped watching the news.  Tried again and then Katrina.  It was only last year that I brought back the news to my life.  It’s not any less exhausting, but I realized something.  How can I effectively fight when I consciously blind myself to my enemy?  The Bible says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  (Ephesians 6:12- Emphasis added) 

Courtesy of Google Images

That scripture is one of my favorites in the whole Bible. As a matter of fact, it’s the premise for my entire book series, The Chronicles of Warfare.  As my readers know, there is a whole other world out there moving and influencing the one we live in every day.  The other morning during my boo time with God, I was musing after I had gotten a call about yet ANOTHER shooting.  The fact that an elementary school was targeted is just heart breaking.  I was reading in Psalms 133 that day about the oil flowing down from Aaron’s beard.  I have heard many a preacher say, the anointing flows from the head down.  I believe that to be the absolute truth.  When there’s chaos all around a particular body of Christ, look to the head and see what’s really going on behind the veil.  Just as the anointing will flow from the head down, so will everything else.  In the United States our “head” is the office of the presidency.  

Now before we go any further, let me say this. I believe wholeheartedly in the sovereignty of God. I believe what the Bible says in Psalm 75 about promotion coming from God. I believe one of two things happen during the election of a POTUS.  Either it's God’s choice or God allowed the choice of the people for His ultimate purpose.  Either way, God remains in control and ultimately all things will work together for the good of those who love Christ and are called according to His purpose.  Since this scripture applies directly to my life, I tend not to lose sleep over who sits in the oval, though I must admit, this new one definitely makes it difficult to understand.  Back to my point though, who sits at head (The Oval), whether it’s your choice or not affects the body (America).  

On the campaign trail, this man incited violence (encouraging supporters to harm opposition), he displayed his disrespect for women, his bigoted and racist remarks were cheered on or unchallenged by his supporters, his narcissism has been legendary and he’s basically a “mean girl” on Twitter.  Now, I don’t want 45 supporters to go ham and blow a gasket. I’m not here to talk about the man, because we wrestle not against flesh and blood. I’m here to deal with the spirits that are in play because of him, his rhetoric and those he chose to surround him on his presidential journey.  Like it or not, as a result of this man winning the election, some very nasty spirits have been unleashed.  The Bible says death and life are in the power of the tongue.  Don’t be fooled and think that this man’s words have no power and that they don’t influence the spirit world.  It’s not to say these spirits didn’t exist before him, because they did. However, his boldness has given them free access to flourish in the current atmosphere.  

People who allow these spirits to influence them feel like it’s okay to behave the same way 45 does.  If he can do it and get elected to the most powerful position in the world, surely, they can do it too with no consequence.  Spirits like hatred, division, anger, violence, bullying and narcissism are acting a complete fool.  Let’s not forget his sexism that fuels the rape culture in this country that is already out of control.  If you don’t believe me, just look at the news. The violence and the level of aggression is rising.  Each one of the shootings that have occurred are reaching new levels of cruelty - “Worst mass shooting in MODERN American history” or “Deadliest church shooting in American History.”  I believe that the bold and unapologetic actions of 45 are emboldening those with like spirits.  The boldness that has risen in racial tensions is absolutely ridiculous in 2017.  The way racists feel entitled to come from beneath their masks to boldly and openly display their message of hate and superiority is despicable.  I think one of the most reprehensible displays of privilege I’ve seen so far was the injustice for “60 year old white men” being jailed because they only watched child pornography, never mind the traumatic nature of whom the statement came from.  I mean, it’s like, did I just actually write that?  

As these spirits are emboldened, they are also exposing themselves. The enemy cares nothing about you. He will use you as long as you benefit him, the minute you’re no longer useful, he leaves you to the wolves.  Fret not though and see the hand of God exposing and bringing light to dark places.  The spiritual wickedness in high places also exposes the wickedness in HIGH places – the government, Hollywood, National Sports, TV executives and the list goes on and on and on.  Never think that God doesn't know what He's doing.  There is a reason and there is a purpose.  We must continue to do our part and combat the effects of this spiritual wickedness with spiritual warfare.  That is through prayer, fasting and obedience to the Almighty God.  

Finally, to my Christians, be careful with your political label – democrat, republican, conservative, liberal, etc.  Some of us are making this label an idol and putting it not only above COMMON SENSE, but above the Word of God.  But, like my mama said, common sense ain’t common.  Yes, we are to do our civic duty and vote.  Yes, we are to pray for our leaders and yes we are to respect authority, but we are also to stand up for what is RIGHT! Not what is right to man, but what is right to God.  We believers need a heart check quick, fast and in a hurry!  We don’t fight these battles and sins with hateful words, we fight them through spiritual warfare.  Like my late pastor use to say, you gotta catch the fish before you clean them.  You can’t legislate morality.  How do you justify voting for Christian values by electing hate?  This country needs an overdose of unconditional love and it is our job as believers to supply it, not add to the hate AND division.  At the end of the day, the writing is on the wall and the blood of the innocent is crying out from the ground.  The sooner we realize what’s really going on, the sooner we can actually make a difference.

I’m out y’all,

Melinda Michelle

Ways to Get at Me

Personal Inventory

Was scrolling through my Facebook memories and this one popped up from two years ago. It's a bold in your face reminder of what this walk with Christ is all about.  It's also one I needed to revisit. It's funny how life, impatience and world events get in the way of focusing on what's really important. #Ouch

                                                                                                         Photo courtesy of Google images

My favorite scripture is Ephesians 3:20. I think about it all the time, trying to wrap my mind around how powerful it is. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Am I the only believer who feels like because I’m a believer my life should be extraordinary? I mean not necessarily fortune and fame, though some assignments/calling might lead there. I’m talking about walking in power, anointing and spiritual authority and God getting ALL the glory. I don’t feel like I’ll ever be satisfied in my Christian walk until the fruit of my life has tangible results in the form of people being healed, set free, delivered, and changed. Well maybe it’s just me, but if Christ said, “Greater works will we do, if we believe in him…um…yeah…it’s been like two thousand and fifteen years. I ain’t seen these greater works…at least not with any consistency or on any large scale. So then, why is that? Well that’s on us, the Body of Christ…ALL of us. In all honesty, we’re just lazy, selfish and fearful. We are too lazy to put in the work for our relationship with God that it can be more than surface or just lip service. That is spending one-on-one time with God daily, fasting, praying, etc. We love to say we don’t have any time, but we got time to complain and we got time to watch those around us perish. If God told you to do it, he will give you the strength, time and resources to do it. But that takes discipline… I think TV might be most of our problem. We definitely waste so much time watching other ppl work… Ijs. We are selfish because all we care about is our own salvation and our own ticket to the pearly gates. We don’t care if our brother right next to us is headed straight for hell. Which brings me to us being fearful… We are afraid of what it will take for us to have that spiritual authority. We are afraid about what we will have to give up to have that spiritual authority. We are afraid of what we will look like to others to have that spiritual authority. But aren’t we supposed to look different from everybody else? Are we not supposed to stick out from the crowd? We’ve become too accustomed to conforming to the world vs transforming it. When did the church become such a hateful place? There is a church with a website called “God hates fags.” SERIOUSLY? SERIOUSLY?! I am not here to condone anybody’s sin…including mine, but what happened to love? Not man’s made up definition for it…God’s love… you know the 16 characteristics he laid out in 1 Corinthians? God hates ALL SIN, but he LOVES every single person he created. I wouldn’t want to come to a church where you are openly hostile to my struggle, and think that your sin is less than mine because it yields a different consequence. Ppl should read the whole Bible. Try Ezekiel 16:49 for Sodom’s sin. Hmmm…sounds like America to me and it has nothing to do with THAT sin. Meanwhile… people are so concerned with the sins that are open for everyone to see, but not the ones hidden in our wicked hearts. It was that kind of stuff that kept the Children of Israel out of the Promised Land, Ijs. Yes our hearts are wicked and deceitful. What about that envy, lust, bitterness, jealousy, un-forgiveness, malice, RACISM, anger, drunkenness, complaining, selfishness, nasty attitudes, and all the other stuff we’re walking around holding on to. (Please note: I am ONLY talking to believers here) I have a question… Has holding on to any of this stuff, made your life better? Has it enhanced your life in ANY way, shape or form? Has it made you a better person…at all? I’m thinking…no… let it go. There’s too much at stake. Why would God put his anointing and power in us, when he can’t even trust us with the basic stuff about our walk? We want to participate in everything the world does and then we wonder why we have no power. I’m not anti-fun. I have fun all the doggone on time, but do I lose my WITNESS in this state of fun. That’s when the problem comes in. We are so comfortable in our sinful selves that we don’t want anybody correcting us. Some of us, can’t even FEEL the Holy Spirit’s conviction, we’re so far away from God. We are SO QUICK to say…Don’t judge me or only God can judge me… That baffles me. Have y’all read the Bible? Is God’s judgment something you really want brought on your life?! Seriously? 'Cause he won’t necessarily wait until the end of your life to judge you. Galatians 6:1 tells us we who are spiritual are to restore our brothers/sisters when fault has overtaken him in the spirit of meekness. It also says to consider ourselves unless we are also tempted. So…we GOTTA get that plank out of our eye before we come for the beam in yours…but make no mistake…that beam still has to go whether the plank remains or not. When we are judged we can’t say…well…well…what about what so and so did…it was worse…Nah bruh, that’s not how this works. See, we don’t have time to judge each other, but we do need to correct each other and hold each other accountable. Ezekiel tells us, if we are the watchman and we don’t warn, that blood is on our hands…Ijs… that’s the Word. There has GOT TO BE MORE. But are we willing to live a life of FAITH and OBEDIENCE to see it happen? Will there come a time when people just walk up to a believer and say, “There’s something different about you? What is that? Can you tell me how to get it?” Does our light ever shine? There won’t be any arguing about whether or not our God is real, because his signs and wonders will speak for themselves. Miracles should be so common place that we walk around like my late pastor saying “Who’s surprised?” Do you know there are actually Christians who believe that miracles and such was only in the Bible times? UGH!!! Listen…what is the point of this walk if all we do is live and die. Why even make the choice if we’re not going to go all in? Am I the only person who feels like there has to be more? But we must be willing to do more. When are we going to stop asking for God’s hand and seek his heart? When are we going to surrender our will to his? When are we going to stop fighting the yes in our spirit and JUST SURRENDER? I’m not saying it’s easy…'cause it’s not. But greatness never is. If it was everyone would do it. It’s time to get to work. I don’t know about y’all, but I want a life where evil has to stand down just because I am there, with the spiritual authority God has entrusted to me because I put myself in a position where God can trust me with his power. Every time we turn on the news, tragedy, tragedy, tragedy…and it doesn’t have to be. Anyways, those who have ears to hear, let him hear.

MM

Site

Books

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