I’ve been thinking about what Dan spoke to our squad. Dan and his wife, Rena are long term missionaries in Costa Rica. They have been apart of the base and actively encouraging us to embrace new ways of sharing our faith. Throughout our time in Costa Rica Dan has mentioned two things continuously: hearing God’s voice and the authority that we hold.
These are two topics that aren’t really talked about and something I’ve struggled with on the race simply because I didn’t know it existed. Growing up I didn’t hear much about what the Holy Spirit was, how to walk in the spirit, and how to share Christ by simply listening to His voice. The Holy Spirit is what God promised and put within us long ago. It’s His discernment, wisdom, and conviction that pulls on our hearts. It’s the piece of God the lives inside of us, guiding us on the path of righteousness. I didn’t really know this until the race and I haven’t fully dove into it until Dan started talking about it. On a weekly basis, Dan talked about what the spirit was, how He works, and then we would spend a day of putting that into practice. We would take some time before we left to practice this gift of the Holy Spirit and ask God what He wants to do, what He is showing us, or how He wants to use us that day. It’s been a really powerful testimony for sure! I’ve seen God work in crazy amazing ways. Throughout our time in Costa Rica, I’ve been challenged more than I’ve ever been to dive in deeper in my relationship with the Lord and accept the gift of hearing his voice and walking in authority. Although, Dan has challenged and taught about it, it has been my personal times with the Lord practicing it that has really grown my faith. What are the fruits of that you may ask? Well, the fruits have been the impact it has on others. I’ve been learning that the more that I seek His voice and walk in the authority the Father has given me, the more that I’m able to let God use me. Because of this practice and wisdom I’ve learned from Dan, I’ve seen God use it through me to share Christ by simply loving someone, painting a mural, giving someone a hug, passing out flowers, etc. Sharing our faith can come in so many different ways, but in order to really dive in deeper with our relationship and position our heart to do God’s work it’s necessary to acknowledge God’s voice and walk in the authority God has given us.
Today, Dan talked more about authority in specifically. In the Bible, Jesus says that we have the authority to heal the sick, cast out demons, make disciples, and so much more in His name because He lives within us and His spirit is willing in our hearts. After his words of wisdom we were given time to sit with the Lord and do what the Lord is prompting us to do. The past couple days I’ve been struggling both spiritually to connect with God and physically with my health. Yet, today I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I was upset and I wanted to tell God how I felt without being upset at Him because it was Satan’s fault not God’s. As I wrote to God in my journal He put it on my heart to yell at Satan by writing an angry letter to him. So, I did. I wanted to share this letter with you because it shows the fruit of hearing God’s voice (since the Lord put words and scriptures on my heart as I wrote) and walking in authority (the authority to cast out Satan because he doesn’t belong here, God does). Ever since I’ve written this letter to Satan something in my spirit changed. I felt freedom, loved, joy, and God’s presence that I haven’t felt for several days. There’s something so beautiful about hearing God’s voice and then acting upon it by walking in authority. My friends when we do this we position our heart to focus on God and because we are focused on Him He will use us in ways we can never imagine. So, here is the letter:
Satan,
How dare you! You lying, cheating, destroying scum bag!! You really thought this would work? I’m done I’m done with you! Stop trying to destroy my team, my squad, and me. Stop trying to destroy my relationship with my Father. You know what? God’s love is deep, wide, and higher than I could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:16-19). And no matter where I go I can’t be hidden from the love of God (Romans 8:38). I can never be hidden, separated, or destroyed from God. I made my vows to Him long ago and I am a women of my word. My ‘yes’ is ‘yes’ and my ‘no’ is ‘no’ (James 5:12). He is mine and I am His forever. So I say get out!!! Satan get out in the name of Jesus! For you have no authority or place in this squad, this team, and me. For my God is my rock and my refuge and I find my home in Him! For I choose Him. I’m choosing to be strong and courageous just like He said (Joshua 1:9). I’m choosing to stand upon God’s promises and Him alone (1 Peter 5:9). I’m not afraid of you! How dare you test the Lord my God, my refuge and strength. I refuse to believer your petty lies. For I know where my hope is found because my hope is found in the Lord. In the name of Jesus be gone! Be silent and leave the children of God alone. For I know my worth. The Lord calls me a precious inheritance (1 Peter 1:3,6-7). I am a child of God (Romans 8:14-17). I am filled with Jesus and because of that I have the authority to cast you out of this squad and away from me (Colossians 2:9-10). For I know that even though you come to steal, kill, and destroy, my God came to give my life and life abundantly. For I know that God works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). I know that in every attack you send me that God is for me and not against me. He will provide a way out of it for me because my God is faithful (1 Corinthians 10:13). So how dare you test the Lord and put His people in misery? How dare you destroy the harvest that the Lord planted in my heart? You fool!! You think you could just stomp over God’s people like that? Don’t you know that this affliction produces endurance, and endurance character, and character hope (Romans 5:3-5)? Don’t you know that God’s words, these words, are living and active like a double edged sword (Hebrews 4:12)? Don’t you know that I am more than a conquerer and you can’t separate me from Him (Romans 8:37-39)? You darn fool!! I’m done with you! Get out of here! I’m done with you. I’m done giving you power over me! I’m done hearing your lies. I’m done dwelling in guilt and shame for I’m no longer bound, but I am free indeed (Romans 8:2). You had no power to begin with because God conquered your schemes of sin and death. Now He has given me the tools to conquer fear. For fear is all you have on me. But even in that God says that I was not given the spirit of fear, but of love and a sound mind. He will crush you under his feet Satan (Genesis 3:15 & Romans 16:20)!! He will and He did Satan! You are defeated. You are powerless. I’m choosing to no longer listen to your lies. I choose to listen to God’s truth and Him alone. I know my identity in God and so does my team and the squad. I will no longer let you have control of me, my emotions, attitude, or anything and neither will my squad. So we are done with you! I’m angry at you! I hate you and all you’ve done Satan!! I’m not longer going to listen to you! In the name of Jesus be gone from me, my teammates, and squad. My God is for me and He will lift up my foot so I don’t stumble on a rock (Psalms 90:11-12). Be gone Satan forever! You are defeat then, now, and forever! It is finished!!
