Needless Casualties of War

NEEDLESS CASUALTIES OF WAR
By John Paul Jackson
Insight by Maylia Trahan (April 2006)

As I reflect on all the insight John Paul Jackson revealed in his book “Needless Casualties of War” I believe it is by far one of the most profound insights I have ever read. This book has reminded me to always keep my focus on God. Yes, as many times we will be aware of the schemes of evil one, we should never turn our focus to him. John Paul Jackson states “When we pay too much attention to evil spirits, we end up paying homage to the strength of the demonic powers rather than to the power of Jesus. While we should engage in many forms of spiritual warfare, we should not be tempted to become so caught up in it that Satan and his hosts subtly become a greater focus than God. Satan would willingly lose every battle to us, so long as he could successfully steal the attention that belongs to God. Whenever we spend more time addressing anything or anyone other than God, our priorities are out of order and Satan receives greater attention. Thereby, he accomplishes his goal.” Our great commission is to share the Good News of Christ. It is a great commission and what I realized is that you don’t even have to know exactly what demonic spirit is operating in a person’s life, just to put a name to it. The Light is the only thing that removes the darkness. We should spend our time shedding the Light.

John Paul Jackson reinforces what I believe God showed me during a pivotal point in my life about deliverance. As God spoke these words “Deliverance will sweep across the land” to me, I became very nervous and was crying. For what I had seen in my experience of deliverance was not a pleasing sight. What I initially pictured in my mind was casting out demons and the like, which revolved around darkness. Then I remembered a scripture that said “be careful lest you cast out a demon and it return seven fold”. But as I inquired more of the Lord, I believe He gave me the key and that key is repentance. What I saw was when we repent “our sins are thrown into the sea of forgetfulness never to be remembered again”, which would be total deliverance. John Paul Jackson talks about the power of repentance in a person and even in civil leaders. Therefore when leading someone to Christ, there must be a point in that persons life that not only do they acknowledge that God is God, but they repent for the sins and turn away, bringing the cleansing power of Jesus.

We have been given all authority. “When we ask in Jesus name, power is at our disposal to advance God’s Kingdom”. I find this really exciting. Sometimes we walk around, wandering aimless as if we have no power or authority. Our authority is in Christ. He has given us authority to build the Kingdom of Heaven. We were chosen for this task, but we have to choose to humbly submit every area of our life to God.

When the Lights Go Out

WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT
By Graham Cooke
Insight and Revelation by Maylia G. Trahan (March 2006)

“When the Lights Go Out” is primarily a book about God’s ways of connecting with us through an intimate relationship. Graham talks about the manifestation of God’s presence as being the overflow from the hiddenness. He describes these two principles as “manifestation is about experiencing all that God is doing. Hiddenness is about possessing the things of God through His Word by faith. During times of hiddenness, you must learn to rely on the promises that God has made to you through the Bible.”

Through reading this book and reflecting on the lives of all the great men and women of God it is evident that they all share one thing in common, a secret place with God, where intimacy is the key that unlocks all other doors. Through intimacy is where we learn how to be obedient, and “obedience is the hinge that swings the door”.

I am learning that in most cases my perspective is what needs to change, not my circumstances. The way I view my circumstances determines the outcome. In order to have the right perspective I must spend time in the presence of God, becoming intimately acquainted with everything there is to know about his character. When I do this, it develops my character and I become more like Christ everyday. I love the insight Graham gives that “Every experience of God’s manifestation in our lives is a bonus. I am choosing to live my life in hiddenness, so that when God’s manifestation comes, it’s a bonus. I want to live in that place of constantly yielding inwardly to find the presence of God – the place that, even in the eye of the storm, is one of tranquility, of peace and of rest. In such a place, rest becomes a weapon against the enemy.” This short paragraph sums it up for me. I have chosen to adopt this for my life. The consistency of being in the hidden place with God, there is nothing else quite like it. The times of manifestation and blessing are definitely important, to know that God is working in and around me, but to be in a constant mode of surrender leads to the greatest power and authority available – the power and fire of God. In this secret place the scriptures begin to take on a whole new meaning. To look in the mirror and see only the reflection of Christ is an awesome revelation – this is what I want.

My cry has been that of Moses, “Lord, unless you are going don’t take us from here”. I have seen the continued love that God pours out on my life with unfailing measure. I am excited to know that God never gets tired of me and enjoys every moment of everyday with me. When all is said and done I hope that the inheritance I leave for my family and friends is that I was a woman after the heart of God and that I was his heart to all around. His presence I have found in the hiddenness, and Graham is right the manifestation is just a bonus.

God Revealed

God Revealed
By Graham Cooke
Insight and Revelation by Maylia Trahan (March 2006)

In the book “God Revealed”, I was given extensive insight and understanding of some things the Lord has put in my heart. “Who do you say I am?” is what it revolves around. In fact, the whole world revolves around that one question. As Graham Cooke unfolds the way to find out who God is and who we are, it will take upgrading our relationship with God.

Graham states “The favor is available to every single one of us. It’s favor to understand God, to go to a deeper level in Him and to upgrade our vision and image of who God is for us.” I like this concept, “who God is for us”, this is so true. I believe that every Christian would tell you that God is the Messiah, the I AM, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the beginning and the end, the savior, but take it a step further and ask “Who do you say God is?” this answer would probably be different for every person you meet. Who I say God is will be a perspective that would define the ways God has chosen to reveal himself to me. This is so creative, unique, and inspiring about God. The answers all lead to the same gate but there are many roads traveled to the gates, because of our choices, circumstances, and God’s individual provision for each and every one of us. To know and understand that my God has set me apart is really exciting.

Another revelation that I found extremely intriguing and pondered about the question “Who do you say I am?” is why was Christ asking Peter and the others this anyway. Did Christ need to hear it confirmed? Did He not know who He was? Was it to see if Peter and the other disciples could pass the test? No, ultimately it was so God could give them revelation – for Jesus even replies, “that it was revealed to him by the spirit.” The other concept is that Jesus knew who he was no one had to tell him. Even from a young boy, Mary never told Jesus who he was, it seems like he just knew. Wow, that is a whole big picture, if we choose to listen, the Father will just tell us who he is and who we are.

Now, “Who do you say I am?” takes on a new meaning. It’s all about relationships, but every time God answers this question in a new way it is an immediate promotion or an upgrade as Graham says. When God reveals himself in specific ways to me, there is no one, anywhere that can convince me that God is not who He showed me through that revelation. As Graham Cooke describes “Maturing Christians make the choice to stay in the flow of God’s love. They would rather die than step out from under it” – this is the place I have found myself – lovesick for my God. With everything that is within me I love to hear my Jesus say “Maylia, I AM the I AM.”

Consecrate yourself to be Holy

THE LORD SAID CONSECRATE YOURSELF TO BE HOLY (2004)

Many of these words are used throughout scripture as a guide to tell us what action we need to take for our families to consecrate and fully commit ourselves to the Lord.
Scriptures about consecrate:
Exodus 13:2 Leviticus 20:7 Exodus 29:43
1 Timothy 4:5 Joshua 3:5
Joshua 3:5
NIV
Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”
Living
Then Joshua told the people to perform the purification ceremony for themselves. “For tomorrow the Lord will do a great miracle.”

Definitions from Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
Consecrated – to make or declare sacred; to devote solemnly to a purpose.

Dwell – abide, to live as a resident, reside

Abide – stay, bide, linger, cling, stick, live
Syn. – continue, carry through, endure, last, persist
Ant. – depart

Hallow – to make holy or set apart for holy use, to respect greatly.

Intimate – belonging to or characterizing one’s deepest nature; marked by very close association, contact, or familiarity; marked by a warm friendship developing through long association.
Devoted, indwelling, interior, inner, inherent, or familiar.

Inherent – Quality of a thing’s inmost being, being a part, element.

Sanctuary - a consecrated place, a place for worship, a place of refuge and protection.

Pure – unmixed with any other matter, sheer, absolute; free from what weakens or pollutes.

Heart – one’s innermost being.

Hedge – a means of protection.

Devote – to set apart for a special purpose, dedicate; to give up to wholly

Sanctify – to make holy: consecrate; to free from sin.

Sanctity – Godliness

Study 2 Chronicles 20
Tracing Jehoshaphat’s steps through battle by verse

3 Jehoshaphat was determined to beg for help from the Lord.
He announced that the people should go without food for a time, in penitence and Intercession (prayer) before God. (This was a time of fasting and prayer)
6 Corporate prayer
12 Admitted they didn’t know what to do. (Humility, humbling himself)
15 Recognized the battle belonged to God
17 With God no fight was necessary
“Take your places; stand quietly, and see the incredible rescue operation God will perform for you.” (You will stand in amazement)
18 Fell on his face worshipping the Lord and the people did the same.
20 Believe in the Lord your God (not having any doubt or questioning God) and you shall have success.
21 Praising and thanking the Lord in sanctified garments (they even consecrated their clothes).
25 Came away loaded with money, garments, and jewels – it took them 3 days to cart away.
26 4th day – gathered in the Valley of Blessing and praised the Lord.
27 God gave rest and quiet/ Gave credit to the Lord because he fought the battle.

As we look as Jehoshaphat’s steps we see that he consecrated everything to the Lord. Success came because he humbled himself, and believed that only God could win this battle. He listened to the instruction of the Lord and no battle was necessary. The other armies killed one another. He gave all the Glory to God.



Prayer for the Family:
Lord, I pray that today my family would have a pure heart. That each person (by name) _________________________________________________________would have a heart that you would want to dwell in. We invite you into our home to live here with us. We want our home to be a sanctuary, a place where you want to dwell. We choose to put no other before you, consecrating ourselves totally to you and only you. I believe that you have great plans for us and admit that I cannot and will not do things my own way. I know that your ways are marvelous. Lord, place a hedge of protection around us. Lord, I ask that everything (husband) sets his hands to would be blessed, because he does seek first your kingdom. I thank you for ____________________________________________(all names of family members). I pray that each of us would serve you all the days of our life, that we would be a blessing to each other and to everyone we come in contact with. AMEN!

Stand Firm

A Living Word/ Rhema from God, our Father
from the journal of Maylia Trahan
Recorded 3:00 am 6-27-04

I hear the Lord: More, More
The men of God will see me more clearly. I am moving them into some places that are un-chartered for most of them. They will have many questions. And many things that seemed certain to this point will change. I will give new territories. They have prayed as Jabez, that their territories would be expanded- but the mind cannot even imagine the expansion I have set up. Never before have I had a group/ a multitude of men who have sought me the way your husbands do. You may not even recognize them as they see the reveal of my hand upon them.
Ladies stand firm and see what I will do. Trust that he is in my will and the gates of hell will not prevail against him. Many of you have encountered, as wives, some of the biggest attacks against yourselves. Know that this was a scheme the enemy was trying to use to bring down My men. Instead you have risen and awakened at the sound of my voice. During this time I call you ladies to delight in me and to be a delight to me. Trust me, be the encourager to these men. Even you don't know my plans for them. You will have to trust me. Do not be deceived by thinking that your security and comfort are being taken away. Everyone will see that it is me and not them. Remember that every knee will bow at the name of my son, Jesus, and in His name every evil will have to bow.


What do I do with an encouraging word like this?
1. Do not just tuck it away!
2. It is significant and should be prayed through and use it as fuel for your prayers.
3. As a wife and a mother you can fill in your Husband’s name and Son(s) name.
4. Believe God, even if you can’t see it!
(Lord, although I can’t see what you are doing with my husband, I believe your word and that you are working in him – Agree with God)