Some weeks as I am sitting with my pink laptop, Bible, and Girls with Swords book, preparing the blog for you all, I wish I could just rewrite everything Lisa has written on the pages we are about to discuss. Not because I do not want to write but because her words touch my heart so much, they challenge me, and they bring me closer to God. So much of what she has written has led me to dig in to God’s Word more and more. I pray that her words have done the same for you! I am thankful for Lisa’s words. Reading this section of the book, these are the words that stuck out the most to me; they are found on page 164:
- Discernment and true intercession have the power to release restrained captives into their destiny.
- Throughout His earthly walk, Jesus discerned the work of the evil one, then interceded by bringing light, truth, and healing into the darkened days of earth.
- Discernment realizes when others are blind and then intercedes based on their ignorance rather than on their actions. The Cross ended our separation from God, but His intercession didn’t stop there. Jesus not only rose from the grave; he ascended into heaven:
Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Romans 8:33-34
Once again, Lisa’s words remind me that I am a princess warrior (in training) for the King. I am challenged to remember what God has done for me over again so I will never forget! I believe the best part of witnessing God’s work in your life is learning in those moments how to let God work in the lives of others by interceding for them. These are the lives of the restrained captives and ignorant warriors who are blind to God’s power in their own life. When God is working in your life to form you into the princess He has designed you to be, it is not always under the best of circumstances. Sometimes, God’s best work is in the darkest part of our walk with Him. Through these moments, though, we have found God’s light that we may shine brightly for others who are living in darkness to see.
I have learned so much of how to share God’s help with others because I was once held captive, restrained by Satan’s slithering grasp. I was once an ignorant princess who did not even know she possessed warrior potential. I was so blinded by the darkness my life was quickly becoming. Can anyone relate? When I was living in the darkness of my past sins, mistakes, shame, and poison, I remember crying painful tears every single day. These tears left stains on my heart… dark stains. Every time I cried, I always wished someone would see me crying, and then just maybe that someone would pray for me. I knew I desperately needed prayer, but I had no strength or words to pray for myself.
When I finally decided to start getting back into God’s Word, I came across this passage one day:
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself
intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,
because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
Romans 8:26-27
The first time I read this, yes, I CRIED! This time the tears were not painful; instead they were filled with joy and thankfulness to God. These new tears washed away the stains the painful ones had left on my heart. After reading this passage, I realized that God saw every tear that fell from my eyes and, not only did He catch them in His hands, but He also prayed each one away. In those teary moments, God’s spirit interceded for me. He was the One I was wishing for all along to pray for me—I just didn’t know it at the time. This realization moved me to tears; wouldn’t it do the same for you? This passage remains true for each and every one of us. Whether it is our tears that are falling into darkness or the tears of others, God’s Spirit is ready to intercede for us on behalf of the tears that stain our hearts.
The darkness we go through is never pitch black. There is always God’s light nearby or far away depending on how fast you are wandering from His path for your life. In our darkest moments, God is interceding for us with His truth, light, and healing.
Because of the dark we find God’s light.
Because we have found God’s light, we are able to help others find God’s light.
From our darkened moments, we learn how to intercede for others who are searching desperately for “their light at the end of the tunnel.”
As conquerors through Christ, we are here for a purpose to be God’s light THROUGH the tunnel for others to see. When lost warriors and restrained captives find YOU on their dark path, will you be shining on God’s path and guiding them to Him? Will you be the reflection of God’s Light—His Son? Will you discern God’s truth that is needed and intercede for all of the lost? God desires to set the captives free through YOU and ME, can you believe that?! We know we can handle such a task because God’s Spirit is our aide at all times.
When I was traveling through my dark tunnel, I found God’s light in the midst of the darkness because of faithful followers of Christ who looked through the exterior of my hardened self, and discerned what my heart truly needed, a healthy dose of Jesus! For that reason and so many others, I desire to be that same light to the whole lost world. It is not time for judging the exterior shells of others we pass by on our path to Heaven; it is time to intercede for the lost, darkened hearts, waiting to be broken out of their shell by Jesus’ mighty power. God, we give YOU all glory forever and ever!
*****
Let’s Pray:
Lord, thank You for Your goodness. Thank You for giving us your Holy Spirit to live inside of our hearts. I pray that You help all of us princess warriors in training to be YOUR Light for others to see. I ask Your Spirit to help us discern and intercede on behalf of the lost darkened world. I pray that others see Your light shining bright through us. Thank You for teaching us how to be Your useful light, even (and especially) if it was not under the best of circumstances. We trust that our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Lord, until we are living in YOUR GLORY, let us bring You glory through living out Your will for our lives. We pray all of these things in your Precious, Holy Name. Amen.
About Diane Meyers
Beautiful message Diane!! We truly need the eyes and heart of Jesus to look past the exterior of people and see the possibilities of what Jesus can do for us and everyone we come in contact. We just need to continue to pray and lead others back to like you said” a healthy dose of Jesus.” Great message!!!
Thanks Lorraine,
Yes, we truly do need Jesus’ eyes. God hears and answers our prayers, because He truly does give us His eyes to see, I need to remember to make the most of HIS vision in my life so that others may find Him!!!
Diane, thank you for this excellent study this morning and sharing your testimony of how God interceded in your life through the intercession, the arising, of others.
When Lisa was writing about Jesus’ interceding for the woman accused of adultery (John 8:1-12), she made this statement “He empowered her to walk sinless IN THE LIGHT OF HER FUTURE–the very thing she could never do while still trapped and tethered to the dark condemnation of her past. Stones would no longer send this nameless woman to the grave!” Interceding, arising on behalf of someone, is shining God’s light on their future for them to see that He has the best plan for them, a plan with hope and a future (Jer 29:11).
What an opportunity, privilege, and responsibility Christ has given us, His princess warriors, “to be YOUR Light for others to see!”
Yes is it not INCREDIBLE that HE has given us this task, it may seem overwhelming sometimes, but I must not forget that we have access to His Spirit always to help us!!!!
Diane, every time I read portions of your testimony, I think of the scripture” “she has overcome by the blood of the lamb and the words of her testimony!” There is nothing about a victim in your heart; no doubt you will help so many more women. And yes, I cry tears, (PINK TEARS) when I read your testimony.
PINK TEARS:) if there were tears in Heaven I imagine they would be pink! Thanks Martha, I have been through a lot with God and that verse you think of is what encourages me to share parts of my story with others. I know God doesn’t want our story sitting on the shelf, He wants me to open it up for others to hear.
love these questions: “When lost warriors and restrained captives find YOU on their dark path, will you be shining on God’s path and guiding them to Him? Will you be the reflection of God’s Light—His Son? Will you discern God’s truth that is needed and intercede for all of the lost?” may we wholeheartely answer ‘yes!’ …echoing each of the words of your prayer, too, diane! <3
I pray I always answer YES to those questions! This is a prayer I need to pray every single day.
Love the personal testimony, the questions Coleen just mentioned, and the prayer. Awesome words, Diane! What an incredible witness you are – an inspiration to us all!!!!
Thank you for your kind words. Each day the discussions in the groups and studying this book alongside of amazing women is an inspiration to me. You all hold me accountable in my study time with Jesus and I am so thankful for that:)
Diane, I keep telling you that God is going to use you in a BIG way…but truthfully, there is no “IS GOING TO” about it….He Is ALREADY using you in a big way. Your heart for Jesus blesses me so very much! Your heart for women…amazing!! God BLESS You honey!!!!
Amen Christi Wilson!!!
brought me to tears Christi. Happy tears. I never imagined four years ago that I would be here today. Thank you for sharing part of your story in the discussion group. It makes me feel so much better that I am not the only one who was once living a life that was spiraling out of control. I appreciate your heart so much and your encouragement and love. When I think of you the first word that comes to mind is LOVE. You are a wonderful picture of Jesus’ love! Thank you.