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Frankincense: Gifts to Embrace Forever Part Two

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

 

Who doesn’t love the scents of this season? From balsam fir to peppermint, I relish every whiff of the coming holiday. Unlike many other Christmas traditions, celebrating with delightful smells traces all the way back to the Messiah’s original welcome to earth.

Fragrances meant far more to the ancients than a means to indulge the senses, however. The aromatic gifts offered to the Christ child had profound significance. Last week’s post discussed the symbolism of myrrh, a fragrant resin used for embalming during Biblical times. The gift of this aromatic substance foreshadowed the sacrificial death of Jesus, who suffered and died in our place so we can live in eternity with the Father. Today we’re exploring the meaning of frankincense, another scent-sational present delivered to Jesus by the magi.

I welcomed a bottle of frankincense into my home for its rumored benefits regarding memory and focus. Research proves the essential oil carries more potential as an anti-inflammatory agent. Far beyond its applications to health, Old Testament priests used frankincense as part of holy ceremonies and offerings to the Lord. The wise men illuminated Christ’s role as our ultimate high priest before God when presenting him with this gift.

We can show wisdom by embracing this gift as we grow more into the likeness of Christ. 1 Peter emphasizes our “royal priesthood” role as followers of Jesus. Paul also shares our potential in terms of aromatic spirituality in 2 Corinthians 2:14-15.

spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Though not all of us have a calling to serve as pastors from church pulpits, we each have a role as ministers to share Christ with the world from our specific callings. Our character, attitudes, and actions can spread the fragrance of Jesus’ nature to each life intersecting with ours. Our role as priests in the family of God encourages us to serve as models of Christ’s heart in the community, workplace, and in our families.

Our video discusses the following ways we can offer frankincense blessings to the world:

Speak on behalf of Jesus’ love for others, not according to what they deserve.
Cover sin with grace and love. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
Demonstrate integrity in character, attitude, and action.
Resist temptations to lapse into language, attitudes, or behaviors which fall short of honoring Jesus’ image.
Honor the Lord’s temple–your body.
Honor others’ physical and spiritual being as temples of God.
Speak truth in love. Without truth, we cannot represent Christ or his love. Without love, there cannot be real truth from Christ.
Remain connected with the Holy Spirit at all times. “Rejoice always,  pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Center your mind, heart, and soul with praise. Especially when you least feel like it (See Donna Spark’s book No Limits: Embracing the Miraculous).
Intercede with and for others often.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years..Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops (James 5:13-18).

Spend time in prayer to center your heart, mind, and spirit in the Lord’s will. Jesus modeled this at Gethsemane and urged his disciples to pray as a protective measure against temptation, as well. “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ Then he returned to his disciples … ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ He went away a second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.’” (Matthew 26:39-41).
Study the Bible and pray through scripture. We can only fulfill our roles as representatives of the Lord if we know him personally through studying his word and listening to him in prayer.
Seek opportunities to share love. “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). Jesus spoke this in context with his commandment to love one another and his promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit to come. The Lord’s purpose for us includes the loving and compassionate ways Christ ministered to those in need. Jesus cared for physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs while revealing the presence of God among the lost and suffering around him.
Obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the calling of God. Step out in faith and serve the purpose to which the Lord has called you.

This list could grow with your suggestions of ways we can fulfill our roles as image-bearers and representatives of Christ so his fragrance lingers in every place we have been present. I look forward to reading your feedback and comments.

Be Encouraged,

Tina

P.S. Don’t forget to comment on a post in this series for your chance to win a Christmas gift from me. One randomly selected entrant will win their choice of a copy of Beautiful Warrior: Finding Victory Over the Lies Formed Against You or a Beautiful Warrior soap!

The post Frankincense: Gifts to Embrace Forever Part Two appeared first on Tina Yeager.

Myrrh: Gifts to Embrace Forever Part One

Ever contemplate the gifts of Christ when you admire a creche?

Nativity scenes often imply three wise men visited the newborn Savior on the first Christmas. Scholars believe the visit might have occurred a bit later than the night of Jesus’ birth and no specific number of magi are mentioned in scripture. Our traditional assumption of three men arose from the number of gifts presented to the Christ child.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. – Matthew 2:11

Instead of squinting at exact timing or the number of Easterners on scene, we can focus on the greater meaning of Christmas. Why do the gifts at Christmas matter? Could an ancient exchange provide us valuable blessings today? Unlike other historical events, the birth, life, and death of Jesus carry eternal impact and personal significance for every human being. No matter how many attended the first Noel, each of us can embrace the gifts shared in the incarnation moment.

To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.- John 1:12-14

The magi laid symbolic treasures at the feet of a King, High Priest, and Savior-Lamb. Most scholars concur the gold, frankincense, and myrrh honored these three roles of Jesus Christ respectively. Yet they gave nothing compared to the incomparable gift offered by the Messiah in return.

Jesus laid his glorious form aside and arrived in human form to be placed in a manger, a feeding trough. His sacrifice would save us from death by soul-starvation. For all who kneel before this self-sacrificing King and Priest, Christ would suffer all our shame for us and raise us to eternal position as children of God.

Like the magi, outsiders from the faith can arrive at any time to exchange burdens and minor trinkets to live in God’s perfect love forever. We lay down our dust-molded selves and Jesus gives us a new identity as co-heirs of an eternal kingdom. As we receive the amazing benefits of our new name as Christ’s image-bearers, we can embrace the fullness of all Christmas offers us.

Our restoration as image-bearers of the Lord involves anointing and urgency in our hearts. The Holy Spirit drenches us with power to fulfill the greatest commandment and love as Jesus loves in all three of our relational dimensions. Dwelling in Christ can revitalize our connections with God, self, and others.

But like all gifts, we must embrace and make use of the Spirit’s precious blessings.

Today’s video explores myrrh as the first of the three Christmas gifts which can revitalize us from the inside out.

The ancients applied myrrh when embalming those who died. This Christmas offering highlights the sacrificial nature of the Messiah. When we consider how to honor Christ this season, we cannot neglect the significance of how we demonstrate His nature in our relationships to others. We can share the fragrant blessing of His image when we love sacrificially.

We embrace and offer the Christmas treasure of myrrh when:

We forgive others.
We spend precious time with those who feel neglected or lonely.
We listen to others’ hearts and set aside the need to be heard.
We give our talents to bless others.
We share with the needy when no one else sees us.
We pray for each issue as soon as we become aware of it and continue until we feel God releases us.
We demonstrate grace to those who cannot or will not return it.
We seek the Lord for our needs to be met and share all He prompts us to give.
We weep with the hurting and care about the pain of those around us.
We visit or send letters to the lonely or imprisoned.
We check on those who live alone.
We show compassion for the grieving, even if their loss occurred in years past.
We volunteer our time and the grace of our hearts with charities or churches.
We resist the temptation to judge others, even during a hectic season.
We lay down our own lives without comparing our paths to others’.

Of course this list of myrrh-bearing activities and mindsets remains incomplete. I would love to hear your recommendations for how to love others in the nature of Christ. How would you embrace and offer this sacrificial gift of love during the Christmas season? I look forward to reading your comments.

Be Encouraged,

Tina

P.S. Would you like to win a fragrant gift this Christmas? Comment and share this post to be entered to win your choice of a Beautiful Warrior book or a Beautiful Warrior soap! Merry Christmas, my friends!

 

The post Myrrh: Gifts to Embrace Forever Part One appeared first on Tina Yeager.

Thankfulness as an Elusive Treasure

 

I’m thankful each day. Some of the time. When I’m not tired, hungry, or complaining about something else. I yearn to define myself as an optimist, a positive individual. Instead, I seem to have a natural talent for finding what’s wrong with things. Or what might go wrong. Despite my intention to center my life on worship and praise, my human nature steers me back to its default settings of negativity.

I’ve suffered guilt regarding this inability to rest in a constant state of joy. Time and again, I committed myself to remain positive. I read scriptures of praise and commands for thankfulness each morning with prayer and meditation. No matter how much I try to live in a continual celebration of thanksgiving, I revert back to melancholy thoughts all over again.

Why on earth would this struggle occur in my soul, since I’m redeemed by Christ?

As I reflect upon scripture with regard to thanksgiving, I realize I’m not alone in experiencing this kind of torment. The apostle Paul noted his struggle between his human nature and dwelling in the Spirit.

I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! – Romans 7:23-25

Paul went on in the following chapter to encourage us as believers to resist the enemy’s attacks of shame in this regard. Romans 8:1 assures us of our position before God in Christ, noting we no longer serve under impossible demands which condemn us for our flawed humanness.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. – Romans 8:1

My inability to remain chipper and positive all day and night does not leave me condemned before Jesus, since my heart is submitted to him. Yet my love for the Lord compels me to depend on the Spirit to empower me to grow more into the person God intended and experience joy when I cannot do so on my own human strength. The Lord loves me too much to leave me condemned. He also loves me too much to leave me as I am in my negativity.

So my struggle reminds me of my constant need to depend upon God. I am grateful for the Spirit when my heart resonates with a spiritually positive disposition. Perhaps I’m even more thankful for grace when I’m unable to summon joy-centered thoughts. I depend upon the mercy of the Lord to bring me back to his Spirit’s power and center my heart on him each day.

Today, I’m celebrating with highest thanks for God’s great blessings. Though I’m deeply grateful for a rare day with both sons to enjoy, I also realize they will leave soon. Circumstances cannot determine my soul’s center of peace and gratitude.

Paul offers us a hope which remains ahead of us, despite any present situation we experience on earth.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerlyfor our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 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 usthrough wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

More Than Conquerors

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us,who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns?No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j]

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

– Romans 8:18-38, NIV

This lengthy passage includes vital encouragement for all who struggle this season. In Christ, we have hope to nurture our melancholy souls despite these present sufferings. In the Spirit, we have help to support us and equip us as victors in the war against the enemy’s attacks of shame and negativity. We need not lay our lives down at the feet of the enemy and accept his condemnation. Instead, we can daily take up our message of truth and depend upon the Lord to equip us for a triumphant life in him.

The treasure of thankful mindsets can prove elusive for many of us. I’m grateful for the mercy, grace, and sustaining presence of Christ to keep centering me on our conquering venture together.

What about you? What are you grateful for this season? I’m thankful for each of you, and always love to read the words of your hearts.

Be Encouraged,

Tina

 

P.S. You’re invited to take advantage of three limited-time offers on my products and services this week!

Book your first life-coaching session at 40% off (if you mention this notice and get an appointment on the calendar before November 30th).
Get 50% off Beautiful Warrior and other books at New Hope Publishers this week.
Serious Writer Academy is offering 60% off courses right now, including mine. Use coupon code BLACKFRIDAY19.

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Why I’m Thankful for the Light

I made a huge purchase decision this weekend. In the dark. I couldn’t see the car I committed to drive for the next three years. Assuming I knew what I would receive, I signed the contract and drove home. When the light dawned on my mistake the next day, I felt sick over what I had done. Though I hadn’t prayed for the light of God’s wisdom beforehand, I now needed to pray for grace.

I needed God’s help with something more important than favor with the dealership. My foolishness, now on display in the SONshine, proved a desperate need for ongoing grace. I had failed to invite the Spirit’s light into this impulsive contract signing. Worse, my attitude reeked of self-centered smog.

Instead of rushing to the dealership in the Sunday morning daylight, I attended worship. Scripture and praise re-centered my focus on Christ. Wherever I drive, in whatever I lease, I need to dwell in Him and for Him alone. The One who transforms life’s journey into a blessing with His presence is my way, pilot, and destination.

I’m profoundly grateful for Jesus. His grace sustains me every moment. Not just during this season of grace and gratitude.

Thanksgiving seems a perfect time for me to focus on gratitude for the light of Christ and all its benefits this season.

Research and scripture prove we can experience more joy and light with our thankfulness, after all.

Today’s video discusses the following scriptural concepts about light:

God spoke light into creation before any other element of the universe.
Jesus defines Himself as “the light of the world.”
To be “in the light” according to the passage in 1 John 2 refers to dwelling in Christ’s heart.
We see where we are going, what is around us, warnings, and opportunities only when in the light.
Any amount of light dispels the darkness. Darkness is the absence or blocking of light.
The brain depends upon sunlight to elevate neurochemicals which allow us to experience psychological happiness.
There is no darkness in God, and He cannot be blinded by any shadow. He sees through and into the dark as if it were daylight (Psalm 139).
We cannot create our own spiritual light. Nor can we see well by the synthetic light of our own understanding.
Joy comes from dwelling with and in the light of Christ.
The Lord’s presence illuminates heaven with no need for any other sources of light. In eternity, God will wrap us in His safe, loving, pure, life-nourishing light.
Light nourishes growth and sustains life.

 

If you’re in need of more light this season, consider meditating on scripture as you invite Christ to dwell with you in prayer. The verses below could offer a great starting place for your devotional time.

Thanksgiving offers us a wonderful time to remember all the things for which we can be grateful to the Lord. How do you plan to include praise and worship in your celebrations this year? Will you place candles on your table? Add prayers of gratitude to the onset of your meal? Put a gratitude jar in the kitchen for the entire holiday? Please share your ideas with us in the comments below.

Don’t forget to comment on the previous post if you’d like to be entered for a chance to win Crickett Keeth’s new study, On Bended Knee! I’m giving away a copy of her book, and will announce a winner on Friday, November 22 in the evening on my Facebook page.

As always, I look forward to reading your inspiring comments!

Be Encouraged,

Tina

 

“Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[b] is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[c] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.” 1 John 2:8-11

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes” Proverbs 3:5-7

“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” Psalm 18:28



“Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” Psalm 139:12

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How to Pray by Listening: Guest Post by Crickett Keeth

How to Pray by Listening

by Crickett Keeth

 

How would you describe your time in prayer? Do you do most of the talking, or is there a balance with listening?

When we hear the words pray or prayer, we tend to think of speaking, not listening. When we pray, we talk to God, ask for things on our hearts, and express our feelings about what’s going on in life.

But prayer isn’t to be one-sided. Yes, we talk to God and make our requests known, but we also need to take time to listen to His response. When I say that, I don’t mean we sit and wait for a small voice to whisper words to us. In all my years as a Christian, I have never heard God speak to me in an audible voice. But we can listen to God in other ways.

We don’t just pray by talking; we also pray by listening.

We pray by listening as we read God’s Word.

While you’re reading and studying the Bible, ask God to give you wisdom and guidance. Listen to what He’s saying through His Word. If something stands out to you, pray about it as the Holy Spirit prompts you.

Recently, I was reading Philippians 4:6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God (NASB95).”

As I listened to God’s Word, He convicted me. I stopped reading and began to pray: “Lord, Your Word tells me I shouldn’t be anxious about anything. But, to be honest, I am anxious about a lot of things today—my future, this decision that’s looming over me, the outcome of a situation, deadlines I have to meet, and so many other things. Lord, I    confess I’m worried. But how do I stop being anxious?”  

The second half of the verse answered that question. “But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” He was instructing me through His Word how to deal with my anxious thoughts. I listened to His Word and began to pray.

I wrote down everything I was anxious about and began to pray about each area, thanking God He had it under control. He reassured me I could trust Him to take care of my needs and the things I was worried about.

Praying by listening doesn’t mean we sit in silence and wait to hear God speak audibly or through random thoughts. We listen to His Word and begin praying His Word back to Him as it guides, convicts, and strengthens us.

Take a verse this week and practice praying by listening to His Word.   

 

We pray by listening as we journal.

 I love to journal and write down my thoughts and prayers. What am I struggling with? What am I thankful for? What is going on in my life today? God guides me how to pray as I journal, and I often write out my prayers.

Journaling helps me listen to God in several ways. It gives clarity about situations. It helps me verbalize what I’m thinking and feeling by putting it down on paper. Writing out my prayers helps me think through what I’m praying about. As I write, God brings things to mind and helps me process thoughts and situations. When I journal, I’m listening to God and praying as I write.

Take some time this week to journal your thoughts. What’s going on in your life? What are your needs? How do you view God in this season? Write out a prayer. Pray by listening to what He’s showing you as you write.

 

We pray by listening as we worship through music.

Worship music (hymns and contemporary) encourages me and challenges me. I love to listen to worship music as I drive to and from work each day. It prepares my heart for what’s ahead and helps me process the day on the way home. There are times I push pause on the music and start praying because of something I’ve heard in the song. Sometimes, it’s a phrase that has convicted me, and I want to confess sin right then. Other times, the words move me to pray about a situation. As I listen and sing along, the words and music lead me to worship and meditate on His attributes.

This week listen to worship music in the car or at home. Listen to the lyrics and see how God speaks to you through them. How does He use the words to move you to prayer?  

 

How do we pray by listening?

We listen as we read His Word, we listen as we journal, and we listen as we worship through music.

What would you add to this list to help you pray by listening?

 

Crickett Keeth is the Women’s Ministry Director at First Evangelical Church in Memphis, Tennessee, where she writes and teaches the women’s Bible studies. She is the author of The Gift of Rest, Sumatra with the Seven Churches (co-authored with Sandra Glahn), and her newly released study from Moody, On Bended Knee. Crickett was on staff with Cru for ten years and is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. In addition to teaching regularly at her own church, she also speaks at women’s conferences and retreats. Learn more at www.crickettkeeth.com.

 

 

 

 

P.S. from Tina – Don’t you love this amazing woman of God, Crickett Keeth? I do, too! And her new Bible study, On Bended Knee, has helped me dive deeper into Scripture’s best practices on prayer. I’d LOVE to make sure you can get your own copy of this insightful book! Just comment below to let me know you’d like a chance to win. I’ll announce the winner live on my Facebook page in the evening on Friday, November 22nd. If you’d like to grab your copy ahead of the announcement, you can always bless a friend or ministry leader with an extra if you win. Head to Amazon and purchase Crickett’s book at https://www.amazon.com/Bended-Knee-Praying-Prophets-Warriors/dp/0802419194/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2L1XG5J8FVL6I&keywords=on+bended+knee+crickett+keeth&qid=1560205203&s=gateway&sprefix=on+bended+kn%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-1

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Slay Your Inner Dragons: Divine Warrior Training Series Part 4

 

The smoke settles across our fire-scorched battlefield. Beside us, the mud groans as it swallows the two severed dragon heads of distorted identity. The dragon’s sister also decays on this field. Misplaced authority oozes its last bit of stench into the distant wind. The paved road glimmers with fresh dew near the foot of the majestic peaks ahead.

Wiping the gore of slain enemies from our swords, we gaze past the fallen beasts to assess our next steps on this venture. A deafening screech rips the breath from our lungs. We search the skies to find a massive shadow swooping in to eclipse the sun. Darkness crashes onto the land. Thunderous footfalls  send tremors quaking up through the soles of our boots.

We now face the dragon of our fears.

The third dragon, fear, prowls as an apex enemy in our land. He inhales the air he has tainted. The scaly lips of our enemy curl into a sneer and reveal sinister jaws. The dragon’s legion-sized breast swells larger, and he looms before us as a foe of impossible size and ferocity.

But we hold weapons he cannot overcome. We must remind ourselves who we are. And whose we are. Of our army and its kingdom which render victory over this and all dragons. Lest this obstacle puff himself up and block our way to victory.

God knew we’d face this dragon. He sent us weapons, wisdom, the Spirit, and our fellow warriors as means to slay fear with confidence. Today’s video training discusses the following tools and skills for defeating the dragon of fear:

Use your sword. Scripture includes 366 verses on fear–one for each day, even on a leap year.
Stare the beast down to true size.
Replace “what if” thoughts with “even if” jabs of courage.
Refuse to cower in the trenches of self-protection. The dragon will scorch your frontline and trigger self-defeat among the ranks of the kingdom’s army.
Self-guarded trenches leave you to die as ash in the enemy’s fiery lies.
Speak the truth of courage and live it until you believe it.
Obey orders and trust your king to protect you.
As you move forward in obedience, you’ll witness God’s protection and the dragon’s shrinking size. Fear’s illusions make this dragon appear larger.
Spear the enemy with copious amounts of laughter.
Courage flows from the heart of Christ’s love for us and others. Drink his love liberally as you battle fear.
Anchor your boots with the cleats of truth. Keep your stance firm as you battle this dragon.
Don’t charge onto the battlefield alone.
Center your mind in prayer at all times. Remain aware of God’s presence and continually listen for the Spirit’s influence.

How do you fight fear daily? Do you have a favorite verse to help you fight fear? Share your insights and comments. As always, I look forward to hearing from you.

Be Encouraged,

Tina

P.S. Next week’s guest post by Crickett Keeth will include a book giveaway! Don’t miss this amazing article or the chance to win On Bended Knee, her fantastic new Bible Study from Moody Publishers!

The post Slay Your Inner Dragons: Divine Warrior Training Series Part 4 appeared first on Tina Yeager.

Slay Your Inner Dragons: Divine Warrior Training Series Part Three

 

In our quest to fulfill our purposes as divine warriors, we must slay the inner dragons which stand in the way of our destinies. After embracing true identity as an esteemed member of Christ’s special forces, the next steps are to identify and overcome monstrous barriers.

Our previous training revealed the sinister wyrm of misplaced authority. This dragon slinks among the shadows of our thoughts and priorities. If we find ourselves offering influence over our thoughts, feelings, and identity to resentment, other human beings, roles/accomplishments, or anything other than our personal centeredness in Christ, we’re captives of this dragon. Check out the previous training to discover steps to overcome the barrier of misplaced authority.

In today’s video, we’ll train ourselves to recognize the second of the three main inner wyrms–distorted identity. Most of us face this two-headed dragon at various times, often failing to recognize we’ve surrendered our power to allow its oppression. The introduction to our training series named shame as one of the two heads of this beast. Distorted identity’s other head, arrogance, hides its relationship to its twin. But make no mistake. The necks of these two distortions extend from the same oppressive beast. As we train ourselves to overcome this double-sided issue, we’ll learn to recognize both its heads and slay the dragon of distorted identity.

The fiery breath of each dragon mouth, distorts our self-perception. Swift-moving heads, stinging flames, and a barbed tail tripping us will distract us from recognizing how these twin issues volley us back and forth. When attempting to stand up to shame, we can end up facing arrogance. After the consequences of arrogant lies knock us back down, we face the rancid breath of shame.

The twin dragon heads breathe fire to warp the lenses of our self-image in opposite ways, but both distortions center our focus on self. The dragon of distorted identity blinds us to our potential to serve others. Shame breathes a concave warp onto the lenses through which we see ourselves so we appear smaller and impossibly far from our true potential. Arrogance heats a convex bulge into our self-image to magnify the importance of ourselves in our own eyes that nothing and no one else shows up with significance by comparison.

Shame paralyzes us from moving forward. We believe the wyrm’s lies about who we are and who we aren’t rather than centering our identity upon WHOSE we are. In the concave view, Christ’s power to transform us and our purpose as servants to others lie in the peripheral blind spots. We lie crippled under the oppression of our false sense of worthlessness and inadequacy.

The same peripheral blind spots of serving others and Christ’s purpose exist in the convex distortion breathed onto us by arrogance. This wyrm-head strikes us with insidious forms of pride like self-importance. In addition to superiority’s overt means of arrogance, more subtle versions of selfishness strike us. We might feel entitled, seek justice for slights, and find ourselves easily offended. Instead of listening, we’ll inwardly demand to be heard. Arrogance creates the illusion that our purpose in life centers upon us, even if we don’t recognize our perspective as self-centered. We’ll perceive our needs as deserving greater urgency than anything or anyone around us.

Like all inner dragons, this beast remains vulnerable to those of us who know the secrets to taking it down. To slay this dragon, we must arm ourselves with the following tactics and tools:

Recognize the signs and identify the dragon. The two-headed dragon of distorted identity breathes its most destructive attacks when we fail to recognize its presence.
Grab your sword. Find all the scriptural truths to skewer the lies of shame and arrogance.
Secure your stance. Rather than backing down, stand firm on your true identity and purpose in Christ.
Slash and stab the dragon’s dual heads until the beast weakens and retreats.
Adjust your helmet strap to secure your identity and mindset regularly as a servant of Christ’s purpose to bless others.
Move forward in your purpose and serve.

How might you take a step to slay the dragon of distorted identity this week? Sharing your tactics and tools can serve as a step forward in equipping fellow warriors and will help us fulfill our purposes together. Comment below or in the “castle” (Beautiful Warrior Tribe Facebook group).

In the next training session, we’ll take on the third dragon–fear. I can hardly wait to charge ahead with our divine warrior skills. We’re in this together, fellow soldiers of Christ! Thanks for your service in the spiritual war against dragons and darkness. We all have “special forces” gifts to help us work effectively to accomplish Christ’s mission. And we must work together as a unit. So, I’m excited to have you along on this amazing, victorious march.

 

Be Encouraged,

Tina

 

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Slay your Spiritual Dragons: Divine Warrior Training Series Part Two

 

Today’s video post discusses how to defeat the first of three dragons which hold us back from becoming the heroes of our divine stories. Discover how to recognize and slay the sinister issue of misplaced authority, which traps us in a spiritual stronghold.

Ask yourself the following questions to determine if you have a dragon of misplaced authority holding your heroic potential hostage:

What do I think about the most?

What consumes my thoughts? What do I worry about? What shapes my attitudes? What are my perceptions and worldviews based upon?


How do I spend my time?
What defines me?
What is the main thing I turn to when happy, sad, angry, worried, afraid, or stressed?

If you have a dragon of misplaced authority blocking your path to heroic purpose and fulfillment, resist the temptation to despair or allow the dragon to invite shame to oppress you even more. We have armor and divine authority to slay this dragon and those accompanying it. We also have a mighty King to deliver us with greater power than we can summon on our own.

You’re not alone facing the dragons. We’re in this with the King ahead of us and beside us. We’re also in this together, sister warriors. So let’s rise as sheroes and do this.

As we venture onward to slay our dragons and march in our divine purpose, we are called to pray for one another and strengthen one another.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. – Hebrews 3:13

 

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  – James 5:13-16

If you have any requests for prayer, you may message me on Facebook if you’d like to keep them private. But if you share them here or in the Beautiful Warrior Tribe group, you will access more sister warriors to support you in prayer. Of course, you can also share an “UNSPOKEN” request and God will know the nature of our prayer support.

I’m heading to Sassafras on Sutton in Black Mountain for a book signing today and will be at AACC later this week, so my posts are likely to be brief and targeted to the issues we’re addressing. But, I always look forward to hearing your feedback and supporting you in prayer, my friends.

Be Encouraged,

Tina

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Lethean Shroud: The Next Tidbit

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Weariness sank deep into Rayanna’s flesh, dragging her to slump lower on the driver’s seat. She blinked and glanced back at the argument on the roadside. Though she strained to make out the voices, her cheek sagged against the headrest. The hum of the idling engine washed over them and swept her under the tide of slumber.

Darkness roiled through her mind, swallowing obscure flashes of jaws and gore. Thunder surged toward her. The crack and rumble grew louder and morphed into pounding near her ear.

Her eyes fluttered open to a fist hammering the window beside her. She jolted upright.

“Open up.” Officer Bowery’s tone sharpened as he battered the glass again. “Come on.”

Rayanna croaked an apology as she fumbled at the lock button.

Grantham drew open the door and waved her out.

“Switching out?” She squinted at slouching officer’s mauled, blood-stained uniform. “You sure you feel up to–”

“I don’t feel up to showing up in town as a passenger in my own squad car.” He sped up his beckoning gesture. “Skully Egg’s a little spooked since I told him I might call other officers or the paramedics, but he could head over here if we take too long to get going.”

As she stood from the cruiser, her head swam a bit. She put a hand on the vehicle to steady herself.

He took her elbow. “Can you make it to the passenger seat, or do you need to get in the back?”

Smudges lined the rear cabin’s vinyl, summoning the memory of swampwater odors and crawling through wreckage in handcuffs past another officer’s disembodied hand.

She cleared her throat, shook her head, withdrew her arm. “No, I’d rather not put myself back there.”

*** TO BE CONTINUED ***

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Another First Draft Morsel of Lethean Shroud

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The thinning fog drifted from the asphalt and puddled in the ditches on either side of the road. Ruddy paint scabbed a fading sign just ahead: Welcome to Beuteburg.

“Beuteburg? Sounds like someone thought your town was beautiful.” Rayanna eased her foot off the gas and glanced back at the slouched officer.

He blinked his drooping eyes, then lunged forward. “Hey!”

She whipped her focus forward and gasped. A cyclist veered from the edge of the road into the headlight beams. With a squeal of tires, she braked and yanked the wheel sideways. The passenger windows breezed past the tattered fellow within inches of grazing his flesh. He tumbled from his bike.

Highbeams flashed into her eyes from around a curve. Her muscles seized at the blare of the vehicle bearing down on her. She swerved back into the right lane. A postal truck gusted by.

Rayanna glanced in the rearview mirror at the hobbling cyclist as she pulled off the road. She set the gear in park.

Grantham tapped the divider. “Keep it running, but let me get out to handle this.”

The engine growled as she stepped out and opened the back door. He gripped the frame and heaved himself to stand.

“You sure you’re all right to–?”

“Good enough.” As he gimped toward the victim, Grantham pointed to Rayanna. “Get in the car.”

First, she rose onto her toes to get a better look at the scene. Long, white tufts of hair flared in errant directions around the bald peak of the man’s head. His ragged trenchcoat slipped off one of his bony shoulders as he lifted the dented bicycle from the road amid a stream of slurry, unintelligible curses. His shouts mounted as the officer approached.

“You hurt, Skully Egg?”

Rattling his bike with one hand and a raised fist, Skully screeched like a wildcat and frothed from the corners of his crooked mouth. He lunged unevenly in attempts to bypass him, but Officer Bowery gently hemmed him back. Chilling threats of mutilation sailed toward the squad car.

Rayanna slipped back into the driver’s seat, shut the door, and locked it.

 

*** TO BE CONTINUED ***

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