Living faithful, fruitful and fulfilled on the mission field
Before I went into missions I had a grand desire to do something meaningful with my life. I think most of us long for something like that. Our search for meaning and purpose can leave us feeling disappointed with God or ourselves. Disappointment in how …
When I woke up this morning, I wondered what I should write. My first thought was, “Joy is a really big deal.” I didn’t understand this for a long time, actually, joy always seemed right out of my reach. It seemed others were in touch …
I was out in my garden working. Suddenly there was a sharp pain on my chin. I swiped it off – it was a bee. Then there was another buzzing. I flapped my arms wildly but got another sting on my eyebrow. A few minutes later there was more buzzing and another sting on my arm. That was it! I ran inside – to escape the attack. I normally don’t react to bee stings, but this time was different. I felt sick and dizzy. My face painfully puffed up. This experience got me thinking about other times I have been under “spiritual attack”.
Psalm 118 talks about the enemy swarming around us like bees, “but in the name of the Lord I cut them off.” This is a great Psalm that teaches us about the reality of spiritual attack.
In my distress, I called to the LORD,
and He answered and set me free.
The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
The LORD is on my side; He is my helper.
Therefore I will look in triumph on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
They swarmed around me like bees,
but they were extinguished like burning thorns;
In the name of the LORD, I cut them off.
I was pushed so hard I was falling,
but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and my song,
and He has become my salvation.
Ps 118: 5-14
How can we tell when pain is from spiritual warfare or natural occurrences? If it is warfare, what can we do about it?
When negative things happen, the first question I ask is, “Lord, where is this coming from?”
1 Cor 12, says the Holy Spirit can give us a gift to discern spirits. We should ask the Lord for discernment, rather than trusting common sense, or what we see with our eyes.
We must find out. Is something allowed by God to train and strengthen us? Or, is this something sent from the enemy to discourage and destroy? Or, is this just part of living on a fallen planet?
Most things in life are not controlled by spirits. We don’t want to give the devil credit for everything!
God created the natural order. Folk Islam and animism create fear. They teach that everything is caused by spirits, jinj, or the supernatural. The Bible teaches that is not true. The world is not controlled by demons. We are part of a rational universe. There are laws that govern it, and consequences to choices.
God made the world, and not everything that happens is because of a demon or angel. Much of what happens is caused by the natural order or the effect of a human decision. This means that science works because of the laws of nature that God created. We also know there is a spiritual dimension because God created the heavens and the earth – (Gen 1:1).
We do have a personal enemy who opposes God. We do not want to be unaware of his schemes or be undone by them. Nor do we want to elevate the devil to view him as an equal to God. They are not even close in their power!
The way the enemy works, however, has similar qualities to bees. It’s good to be aware of this.
Demons sense fear. In the Bible, we are frequently exhorted to be strong and mighty. We are told not to be afraid. This is because fear, pride, and unbelief are all part of the enemy’s strike power.
Fear makes us withdraw. That is what the enemy hopes will happen. Satan wants to hold his territory. He does not want us to bring light into darkness. He wants us to stay away. If he can make us afraid, then it will make us leave, stay silent, or disobey God.
How to deal with the enemy?
With bees, and spiritual warfare, you should work in pairs – one has the smoker, one handles the hive. Spiritually, we need the Helper – we need God to be at our side. He is the one who strengthens us to overcome any opposition.
If you are being effective for the Kingdom, demons will try to get rid of you. They want to make you go away or leave your place of calling. Some scriptural examples are; a demonic storm in Mk. 4, and Jezebel in 1 Kings 18.
Demons seem to be attached to places. In the Bible, they are often named after cities or nations. For example, the “Prince of Persia,” or in Mark five, the demons did not want to be sent out of their location. When we proclaim the gospel, we are a threat to the demons in that location. They want to get rid of you as quickly as they can.
There can be many types of opposition: discouragement, sickness, thoughts of giving up, financial or material loss, or even attacks from others. When there are setbacks, do not take it as guidance that God wants you to give up. Jesus promised us that in this world we would have difficulty. He said that servants are not above their master (Jn 15) and if people hated him, they would hate us as well. Jesus faced many instances of physical and demonic opposition. He did not give up, but finished the task the Father had given him.
We must “Commit ourselves to God” and persevere. Then we will overcome. Our God is far, far greater than any demonic power!
Smoke deals with bees, as the intercession of saints deals with demonic opposition. If the bees are swarming, get the smoker and puff lots of smoke. It confuses, distracts, and disorientates them.
In the Bible, smoke, incense, or the lighting of the lamps is often symbolic of prayer. Jesus dealt with opposition, both physical and spiritual, through prayer. He rebuked demons. He commanded them to be silent. He prayed for those who crucified Him and told us to pray from our enemies – to bless and not curse.
To discern if the opposition is a spiritual attack, check your heart. Is there anything you are doing that you feel guilty about, or that is not good for you? Are your choices causing the problems?
For example, if I lack self-control and stay awake too late at night watching a movie, I feel tired the next day. If I feel flat, or find it hard to concentrate and then make bad decisions, it is my fault – not spiritual warfare. If this is the cause, be honest with God. Repent and make life choices to love him and please him. That is the place of greatest safety – in the refuge of God.
To be under God’s shadow you need to stay close to him. Resisting sin and walking in holiness helps push away the enemy.
When you work with bees, you should wear protective clothing. In times of spiritual attack; holiness, and walking in obedience to God protect. Loving God and others by choosing to be in unity is like the bee suit we put on to keep the sting of the enemy at bay.
Lastly, bee stings are painful but don’t usually kill you. The same with the enemy. He may harass, or incite other people to hurt you. But in the end, his sting will be destroyed. He does not hold the key to eternity. His attack, painful as it may be, is short-lived. One day he will be vanquished totally, and we will say with the rest of those who love Jesus:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O Death, is your victory?
Where, O Death, is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:54-55,57)
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen?
Are you facing bee stings? Spiritual attack and harassment from the enemy? Reach out for prayer to a group of trusted friends. Ask them to help you discern what is happening and to intercede with you for victory. Share your prayer need on the Missionary Life Facebook group. We’d love to pray with you.
*This blog was written by guest author R.M and edited by C. Anderson.
Do you know how much money you need each month, and what you spend most of your money on? If you answered no to any of the above questions, you probably don’t have a working plan for finances. This is part of our discipleship, growth, …
When I was starting out as a missionary, I was quite concerned about my finances. This is a word that God spoke to me: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made …
I lay awake at night thinking about some big bills, yet unpaid. I didn’t want to admit it, but I was overwhelmed by worry about money. There was a tightening in my stomach and a feeling of stress as I pondered. How would we pay the bills? Where would the money come from?
Some people think it is more spiritual to live in poverty or to live hand-to-mouth. What that phrase means is, I only have in my hand what I need to put in my mouth.
That is a very stressful way to live! If we live this way, and disciple others to live this way, we establish something called community poverty.
God may call some people to this lifestyle for a specific purpose or time. Like when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness. Most of the Biblical account teaches financial management, planning, and increase. This is called wisdom in God’s Word.
There are different seasons in our ministry, and various approaches to support raising. God may speak different things at different times. One thing we can be sure of. He does not want us to live in fear or worry about money. Living in stress is the opposite of trusting our loving heavenly Father.
I have fostered orphans in the past. Often if a child has not had a loving family, they struggle with hoarding. They may hide food in their bed, or take far more than they can eat. They are fixated on food. Because they have experienced a lack, and not having someone faithful to care for them, they save and hide food.
We should not behave like spiritual orphans. We have a loving Heavenly Father who does care for us. A loved child does not worry if he/she will be fed. He/she may need to work with the parents to grow or cook food, but there is no worry about surviving.
Living in a poverty mentality can come from a faulty understanding or application of Jesus’ teaching. In Matthew 7, He said, “Do not worry about food or clothes, because God knows what you need.”
I have regularly seen how God miraculously provides for His children.
For many years, we started churches among people who had no Christian background. Some of these believers wanted to become missionaries. Their unbelieving families did not support them, and their sending church was made up of 4-5 young people. Where would the money come from?
One of these girls, we will call her L.F., was such a witness to me about what it meant to trust God. Although she had no visible means of support, she would ask God what to do, and then follow His instruction. She told me once when she had no money to buy food, she was asking God what to do and was walking along praying. As she walked, she looked down in the gutter and a packet of tissues caught her eye. She felt prompted to pick it up, and as she opened it she found a few 100 notes inside it. She took it to the police station nearby to ask if anyone had lost it. Amazingly the police did not take it for themselves. They told her no one had lost it, and that she should take it. That money was enough for her food and rent for a month!
Maybe you have your own story like that. I have some I could add here. Its important that we remember how God has provided for us in the past when we are struggling with our present. He is the same yesterday, today and forever!
L.F. demonstrated that it is possible to trust God to provide. We trust, pray, and then listen and obey Him in detail to “find” where and how He wants to provide for us.
Turn to God with your financial fear and stress. Listen to Him. Jesus said that God cares for the birds. You are far more precious to Him than swallows or parrots. Your Father cares deeply about you.
Be honest with God and share with Him what you are worrying about. Ask Him for His wisdom about what to do.
Do you have a story of God’s guidance or provision? Share it in the comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook Group! We’d love to hear and be encouraged by your testimony. We will share more on this topic next week so stay tuned!
*This is a guest blog written by RM.
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