THE INNER WORK OF GOD IN THIS TIME OF TESTING: A PERSONAL TESTIMONY
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THE INNER WORK OF GOD IN THIS TIME OF TESTING: A PERSONAL TESTIMONY
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How is God working our inner lives as national intercessors during this time of spiritual battle for the soul of our nation?
As we gird up and do battle, we use the spiritual weapons of prayer and the Word to fight against the enemy. At the same time, God is using this battle experience to transform us into His disciples. I want to share some insight into this transformation as it pertains to me personally. I believe I am not alone in this process and I want to bring understanding to give hope, strength, and insight.
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. (Lk 9:24)
Something is happening deep inside me as I have dedicated myself to pray for our nation and engage in this battle over the last 5 years. Let us recognize this transformation in each of us. I believe what is happening to us is just as important as the battle for our nation.
What is this transformation?
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Pt 1:3-9)
This Scripture tells what is happening inside us. Read it and meditate on it. Verse 6 talks about suffering grief in all kinds of trials. Verse 7 tells us the result is to prove the how genuine our faith is. Verses 4 and 5 explain the inheritance that is kept in heaven for us. Verse 9 promises we are receiving the end result of our faith, which is the salvation of our souls.
Exactly how is this taking place in our lives?
When I started in this journey of prayer for our nation, 5 years ago, I had a sense that something was not right with America. It seemed forces of evil had infiltrated every mountain of society. When I first heard Donald Trump speak, I thought, “Here is a chance for our country to turn around.” I heard Kim Clements’ prophecy in 2012 about Trump. Then, when the election for Trump happened in 2016, I thought, “God has a plan and I want to be a part of it.”
But over the last 4 years, the plan did not work out the way I expected. It has been one battle after another. It seems many good people have been victims of unjust behavior by many bad people. I have prayed and prayed my heart out, expecting results to come in a time frame that I have defined. We have not seen much true justice occur, yet.
Through this time, feelings of discouragement have crept in. The anguish caused by this situation has caused me to press in closer to God. I have asked Him to reveal sin in my heart that keeps me from hearing Him. I have been listening to the Bible as I walk my dog every day. I learn hymns and sing to Him with my guitar almost every morning.
What has this devotion done for me?
It made God more real than I have ever experienced before. It has taught me to discern when the evil one is harassing me and given me the authority over it to cast it far away from me. It has given me an understanding that I am working toward an end result of my faith, the salvation of my soul. It is not just about this battle we are in. Somehow it has softened my heart to others, even the ones that persecute me for my beliefs. I accept that they cannot see the Truth, because the prince of this world is contrary to the God I serve, and they unknowingly are in his realm.
I ask myself, if these last four years would have gone the way I wanted, would I have the kind of relationship with God as I have today? To be honest, I must say, “No, I would not.” It is the trials I have gone through that has taught me what I know.
Now back to the nation. Something inside me hates injustice. God hates injustice.
They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!” Surely the human mind and heart are cunning. But God will shoot them with his arrows; they will suddenly be struck down. (Ps 64:6-7)
We must always take a stand against injustice. So, I will continue to fight with the power of the Holy Spirit against this onslaught for the soul of our nation. I will not give up as the battle is not over. Knowing God uses all things for good for those that love Him and called according to His will, I can continue in my mission as an intercessor for our country with motivation and hope. His love will sustain me.
Michael Guidera is an IFA intercessor, retired from a 35 year career developing implantable medical devices that have brought help and relief to thousands of people. (Photo Credit: Unsplash.)
What about you? What is your story?
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Comments
Dear Mr. Vice President Mike Pence, stand strong and firm on January 6, 2021.
The future of America is at risk of losing its identity. If we don’t fight with courage and strength to save USA.
We will loss our freedom, liberty, and justice. The future generation will be in pain and sorrow. Don’t let Leftist and communist ideology take over our country.
I pray every day for President Trump and also I pray for you and your families.
Mr. Vice president BE Strong in Lord and fight with strong faith and trust in GOD.
God touch your mind and heart.
As I read what you have shared tears stream down my face, in part because I identify with your passion and I too have felt those very thoughts & because I am blessed to know how others across this nation are being drawn in to a closer walk with our Lord.
For me being a part of this group is a true encouragement as I don’t personally have anyone in my family or community that prays as deep as those I find here at IFA – I’m pretty isolated and those I know who profess Christianity are not interested in serious prayer or politics for that matter. As Mr.Kubal said ” Our people are divided, isolated and polarized.” he was referring to politics but we are seeing this being enacted in every level of society during this era we have been born into. Thank You for sharing and THANK YOU for your Prayers -All of you.
Thank you to my brother-in-Christ for the very well written article that expresses so many of my thoughts precisely. May we each/all grow closer to God as we continue on our prayer walk with Him. May we each be transformed daily into Jesus’ likeness, and may the Holy Spirit continue to increase our love and empathy for all people who each have the potential to know HIM and become part of HIS family.
I know that there has been a huge shift inside of me this year – unlike anything I have ever experienced in walking with God. Burdens to pray like never before. Heavy burdens for our nation and our people and our leaders. Sometimes they have almost felt crushing yet God has continued to remind me that it is an honor to pray for others to Him. It is a solemn responsibility and a realigning of priorities.
I can’t say its always been fun or that I have looked forward to it. But that is because I am being “overhauled” and learning that the kingdom of God and God himself are much more important than anything else.
Thank you for a needed article that reminds us that ‘we must be God focused’ and that is different for everyone as to what that will look like. But in the end, to God be the Glory.
Along with all the others, Michael I want to thank you. My thoughts go to a pruning job I have been working on for 5 days on my fig tree. After all the work all the tools I used were sticky & full of paste. The Lord has told me that I must sharpen my spiritual tools in this day of turmoil as I had to sharpen all of them in the natural. We cannot allow the weapons of our warfare to not be sharpened. Sitting back & thinking they will sharpen themselves will not work. Iron sharpens iron–so lets join together with our brothers & sister in this battle. Keep in mind we need all hands on deck. The storms are all around us, but the Lord of the storms has it under control, the enemy is under our feet. Thank you Lord for your abundant wisdom & love!!!
Thank you, Michael. I pray that everyone who reads this will be inspired, as I have been, to continue to trust Him and pray faithfully as the battle rages on. May the Lord be glorified in His will and His work!
Thankfully my husband and I are on the same page with the Lord and with what is going on in the world. God has helped us to sharpen and challenge each other, and point out scriptures that apply to the world as it is now. I am so so thankful for His provision that way. We are focusing on trying to wake up some, encourage others, challenge a few to go deeper with Jesus…. all to the end to be ready for his return and to be bold and courageous in our faith even if/when persecution may come. I have noticed a holy boldness in my life which I have prayed for, for years but now see the Holy Spirit equipping me. Thank you Jesus! Along with it comes a cynicism and frustration with the church, manifesting in lack of love. But now we ( God and I) are working on that through the Word, obedience, and prayer. He is so faithful and I praise Him for doing the work in us to bring our faith to completion in unexpected ways. The key thing we’ve learned is to keep no sin unconfessed but be quick to confess to God and others, not caring what man thinks… only concerned with what our Father thinks. I have found the Spirit more active in my life as I am honest and transparent and just calling sin what it is in my life with no excuses! God is so good
Thank you for sharing this! I still grapple with seeing the humanity of the evildoers because I’m too focused on the spirit behind them, but this is definitely the area that God is working on me.
Now I’m remembering to pray for their salvation, not just their incarceration. Joseph Prince has been good for reminding me that I’m saved by the Grace of God and not defined by the violence I suffered under the heavy hand of our enemy – I will not even say his name because his ego would thrill at that.
I remind myself that I’m seated with, and in, Jesus. I’m at the right hand of the Father and the demons, principalities, and other spiritual garbage are under my feet because they are under His feet. And as wonderful as it is for me to be on the giving end of Spiritual warfare for a change, the most important thing to remember is that Jesus loves me. In fact, He loves EVERYONE, even evildoers.
It’s hard to keep that thought in focus, but when I do, I know my prayers are powerful for wreaking havoc on the enemy’s plans – as long as I remember that whatever meat sack is doing the enemy’s bidding isn’t my enemy. As long as I remember that I was also a meat sack doing the enemy’s bidding, for years, yet He gave Himself for me so I could be finally saved by the Love and Grace of God.
After all, maybe I needed to go through Hell on Earth in order to become a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. Anyway, that’s my personal testimony during this time of testing
Excellent! Thank you, Michael. This has been a very trying season for me as my spouse is on the opposite side of this battle, despite being a processing Christian. But He is faithful!
Lori, I want to share something with you that may help you in your situation. I am finding that this whole issue that people have with Trump is due not to his behavior, but due to deception orchestrated by the enemy. The enemy wants to people to focus on the perceived nature the enemy has created. Once he has accomplished that focus, he has his victim in his control and it is very difficult to present any type of argument which will change their mind about How they feel about Trump. You can argue for hours and it only makes matters worse as both sides can get frustrated and angry with each other.
The real issue here is between good and evil. When you mention the “battle” it means two different things between you and the person you disagree with. That is exactly the position the enemy wants to keep you both in. It’s a deceptive ploy the enemy uses to make agreement impossible.
I am in this position with people close to me. I believe it will be the truth that will set those that have been deceived, free from the bondage they are in. Rather than focus on defending Trump, I focus on the bits and pieces of truth that are being revealed showing the corruption that has occurred. The massive fraud during the last election is slowly being revealed. Hard evidence of votes being switched, and of illegal ballots are being uncovered and presented. It is this type of information, the truth showing the evil that is like a battering ram to the enemy. It is because of prayer that is even being uncovered.
I try not to focus on issues that cause division and strife, but on areas of agreement, which can be far away from the current battle I am in. Love is not dependent on agreement, it is kindness, long suffering, and patient. As I grow in my relation with the Lord, I am filled with acceptance and His love for me. I can then reach out to those that do not understand my struggle and love them with the same love God is giving to me.
Dear Father, I lift up all of us in this situation where disagreement exists in relationships, and I pray You give us wisdom and understanding to see the nature of the true enemy and how he uses deception to cause much discontent and strife. He is the father of lies and there is no truth in him. Than you Lord for giving us authority over him and the tools to bind him. In Your time, You will defeat this enemy that has taken our nation captive. Help us to understand the everlasting love You bestow upon us. May we draw all our strength from this love that has power to change our hearts. Teach us how to receive it. In Jesus name.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Michael! This is amazingly similar to what I have experienced as well. I even had to smile when you spoke of listening to your Bible as you walk your dog every day – I recite memorized Scripture as I walk my dog everyday! ☺️My love for the Lord and for my brothers and sisters in Christ has grown tremendously over the last 4 years – also a burning desire to spend most of my time in His Word so that I can learn more about this amazing God and how I can love Him and bring pleasure to His heart.
Amen! Thank you for sharing. In the next chapter (1 Peter 2:5), it speaks of us as “living stones ” being built up a spiritual house. Too often I forget that the building process, the setting of stones, is not an easy pain-free process. But HALLELUJAH we have His promise that the good work He has begun in us, He WILL bring it to pass. Be of good courage!