A False Worship

By Nina Medrano –

When the Black Gold Casino had their Grand Opening just across the Texas/New Mexico border, my brother invited me to join him and his wife. Never having been inside a gambling casino, I was curious as to what the whoopla was all about, so I went. Read more

A Glove in God’s Hand

By Nina Medrano –

With baseball season and our annual baseball game around the corner, there is much talk around our office about breaking in new baseball mitts. Read more

He Heals the Broken-hearted

By Nina Medrano –

Life is a series of relationships. Some are good, some bad, some long-term, some short-term, some that warm the heart, and some that grieve the soul. Read more

Spiritual Agents for Hire

By Nina Medrano –

 

I was praying for a loved one who is trapped in a cycle of temptation, asking the Lord to deliver her as he delivered me, to protect her against temptation as he protected me; to tip the balance from living a lie to living in truth, as he did for me. I began to see a picture of a chase, a hunt, for her life. I saw words, like, SELF-DESTRUCTION, DEATH, VIOLENCE and HARM, seeking her out. A sense of urgency for her safety stirred my heart to pray. I asked the Lord to “hide her in the shadow of his wings” (Ps. 17:8), to “hide her in the cleft of his rock” (Ex.33:22), to “house her in the secret place of his most high” (Ps. 91:1). I prayed that these spiritual assassins would not find her and that they stop seeking her out.

As the picture of this spiritual chase played out in my mind, the Holy Spirit re-played the words I spoke to my loved one just a day prior. Sharply, I said to her, “You could be hurt or lying dead somewhere! What if something happens to you, I won’t know what to tell the police?” I was so afraid for her well-being that I didn’t stop to consult the Lord for wisdom. I just spewed out words from a place filled with fear and worry.

I have heard many messages, read scripture, and studied books that teach on the power of our words. But, this is the first time to visually see how my words are currencyin the spirit-realm with which I hire agents to carry out death or life assignments.

Humbled by his Spirit, my posture falls to the floor. It grieves me when the Spirit of God has to discipline me. Yet, his loving hand of correction re-aligns me to God’s word and I find myself thanking him again for the conviction. I sought forgiveness from my loved one, the Lord and from myself—and found it.

I feel a new sense of accountability to steward my words; to be more effectually in the spirit-realm by hiring godly agents to carry out life assignments!

Deuteronomy 30:19 New Living Translation (NLT) “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!

 

Am I a Godly Influence?

By Nina Medrano –

I woke up one morning thinking about my younger brother, Daniel.  I asked the Holy Spirit, “What about Daniel?  What is going on with him?”

The Holy Spirit’s response was, “Ask Daniel, ‘Are you sharing the gospel of Christ at home?’”

Good question, Holy Spirit.

It’s too early to call Daniel so I sent him a text.

I was mulling over the Holy Spirit’s question, “Are you sharing the gospel of Christ at home?”

If I answer, “Yes,” then the gospel that I share outside of my home should be the same gospel.  If not, then I dishonor God.

If I say, “I’m sharing the gospel with friends but deny sharing it with family,” then what gospel am I presenting?

In Romans 2:23-2 (NIV) Paul writes, “You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?  As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

Paul says in Romans 2:28 that “a man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly…No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit…”

I will paraphrase this verse to say that “a man is not a follower of Christ if he is only one publicly…No, a man is a follower of Christ if he is one inwardly and of true circumcision.”

So I asked myself, “Are you sharing the gospel of Christ at home?” It is a question that is loaded with Holy Spirit conviction.

It challenges me to examine what gospel my life demonstrates in the privacy of my home as well as in my public life.

Oftentimes, we live our lives flippantly and forget that our lives are no longer our own but His.  If we yield to God, or not, what influence does this have?

I hope that the gospel that I share at home draws family and friends to want to know God.

“Are you sharing the gospel of Christ at home?”

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