Pet peeves

Have you ever noticed little things that just severely irritate you, that don't seem to have any affect on the vast majority of people?
I have personally had MANY pet peeves over the years, however, very few of them carried over into my redeemed being.
Praise God!
A few that I still joke about, are people mispronouncing words like "exit", people using their teeth for things other than eating, and repetitive speaking. I'm still aware of the fact that I don't care for these things, but they don't have an emotional affect on me like they did my fallen nature.
There are, however, a few that did carry over.
Things like lying, being wasteful, and gossiping still drive me crazy!
However, one of the worst ones is when Christians say things that aren't biblical and it costs the world Truth that will set them free.
The phrase that ranks at the top of this list is, "God is in control". This causes the world to look at all the pain, suffering, and destruction and wonder why anyone could love and serve a God so heartless.
The good news is...

God is NOT in control!

First John 5:19 tells us, "We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one."

Did you catch that? The WHOLE WORLD  lies in the power of the evil one!
What does that mean?
It means, when you look out your window, watch the news, or visit the hospital, it should be abundantly clear that God is NOT in control! God is NOT a God of confusion and disorder, but One of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). These things are all the evidence of the devil running the show here on earth! Please don't misunderstand me! I AM NOT saying that the devil is more powerful than God!
Absolutely NOT!
God is so powerful that He lets love draw us by free will rather than controlling us like mindless puppets!
What I AM saying, is that in the Garden of Eden, when God created man, He told Adam that everything was given to him and that he then had dominion over all! Then at the fall, Adam handed that dominion over to satan! That ugly serpent has been wreaking havoc on this planet ever since!

The enemy even confirms this while tempting Jesus in the desert.

Matthew 4:8-9 says "Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, 'All these I will give You, if You will fall down and worship me.'"

Jesus of course refused to worship satan because He knew that all the kingdoms of the world would be given to Him again! Woohoo!
After Jesus died on the cross, and before He returned resurrected, He made a little pit stop in hell and took the keys of dominion back from the enemy!

Well then, wouldn't that mean that God IS in control?
Nope!
You see, Jesus did this outside of time!
Whaaaaat?
I know this is a tricky concept to understand, but did you catch the part where I said Jesus went to HELL to get the keys from satan?
During this age, we know that our adversary is prowling the earth to and fro like a roaring lion, looking for any he can devour (1 Peter 5:8).
It's not until the end of ages that the devil who deceives us, is thrown into the lake of burning sulfur where he will be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Revelation 20:10).
Jesus, while "in the grave", LEFT TIME as we know it, went to sprinkle His blood on the mercy seat, and regained dominion. Jesus has GIVEN that dominion to all who believe and call on His name!
Did you get that?
Jesus GAVE dominion to believers!

So... Christians are in control?

Yes and no.
Christians HAVE been given control,
but the issue arises in the fact that few in the Church understand and walk in the authority they've been given, so rather than shutting down the demons party in this world, many are submitting to it! Thus, the enemy remains in control.
THIS is why WE, the Body of Christ, are called to RISE UP and destroy the works of the devil!
We are called to
spread the Good News that sets the captives free,
heal the sick,
raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers,
cast out demons,
and love as we've been loved
because love NEVER fails!
As we continue to walk in this authority,
pushing back the gates of hell,
and claiming what is rightfully ours,
dominion WILL BE RESTORED!!!

Are you ready to rise up, and

RUN WITH ME CHURCH!?!!!
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I JUST DON'T SEE IT

Go to church on Sunday.
Come home and watch tv.
The news is filled with horror.
God we really need Thee.
Getting crunk on Friday.
The bartender knows my name.
Share the love of Jesus,
As long as you can hang.
Each night it's time for porno.
I struggle like them all.
Everyone's a sinner.
Didn't you read about Paul?

This is the sound of the western world.
A people proclaiming faith.
I just don't see this in my bible.
Aren't we sick of being fake?

I like to watch action movies.
Zombies, killing, sex, and crime.
Sure I'd like to read my bible,
But I just can't find the time.
I let a cuss slip here and there.
I know I'm not a saint.
Sometimes I get so angry.
Even Jesus lost restraint.
The club is full of people
That definitely need saving.
I can't reach them if I don't drink,
Pop some pills, and do some raving.

I hear excuses all the time.
Why we can't be free.
I just don't see this in my bible.
Is it only me?

Did you hear about John and Jess?
I heard John just moved in.
No, we're not gossiping.
Just praying for their sin.
I got the new Drake album.
His beats are frickin raw.
Sure he degrades women,
But I'm not under law.

So many people claiming Christ.
Not an Acts church to be found.
I just don't see it in my bible,
The only real is underground.

Picket signs and condemnation.
Mouths have been red taped.
Yes that baby's a living person,
But so is the girl who just got raped.
Some have chosen a life of sin.
They've decided to live in doubt,
But them being cold isn't as bad,
As the luke warm that get spit out!

No I'm not a radical,
A Charismatic or Pentecostal!
I'm a CHRISTIAN! No compromise!
And my friends, THIS is the gospel!

Is music JUST music?

Let's go back in time. Way back. Before time even existed. Before the earth was ever created. All that was, was the Godhead in three Persons, and a host of angels. There were three main angels, called arc angels. One of these arc angel's name was Lucifer, and he was in charge of worship. This arc angel became proud and wanted to make a god of himself, which resulted in him getting demoted to the arch enemy of God, satan. When demoted, he didn't forget the gifts he was given, and now uses them to destroy God's people. You may be asking yourself, why would God put one of the most powerful creatures He had created at that time in charge of something as silly as worship?! And, how could it possibly destroy people?! The answer to this is astounding! Worship (which all music is, since it's used to exalt or idolize something or someone) is incredibly powerful! Music, if used correctly, can bring you great victory. Accounts in the Old Testament tell of armies who put worshippers on their front lines, and we're miraculously victorious! It continues to bring great victory for people all the time today! Music can also, if used incorrectly, cause great destruction and sorrow. No matter which course you go, it has the power to control you.

Let's look at some examples...
Have you ever been really tired or unmotivated when you needed to clean the house or do work, and turned on upbeat music to get yourself motivated?
Have you ever been super stressed or tightly wound from a hard day and put on some mellow music to soothe you or put you to sleep?
Have you ever had difficulty concentrating while studying or preparing a project and put classical music on to get your brain engaged?
Have you or your spouse ever put romantic music on to "get you in the mood"?
Have you ever had plans to go out with people at night, but felt too exhausted, so you turned on some dance music to get you pumped up?

These are all very real examples of the every day use of music to control your emotions, energy level, mental capabilities, etc., and it goes much further beyond this!

Do you struggle with anger?
Check the music you listen to!
Is it angry and violent?

Do you struggle with lust, perversion, or pornography?
Check the music you listen to!
Is it very seductive and sexual?

Do you struggle with depression?
Check the music you listen to!
Is it very defeated and hopeless?

Do you struggle with addiction?
Check the music you listen to!
Is it glorifying drug and alcohol use?

I have personally lived through every single one of these examples!

I was filled with rage until I met Jesus and He revealed my need to stop listening to gangsta rap. Not only rage, but a complete lack of purpose for my life.
I remember every single time I would hear the song "Move b****h (get out the way)" by Ludacris, I would find myself driving at ridiculously excessive speeds down the highway, dipping in and out of traffic, putting not only mine and my children's lives in danger, but everyone else's as well.

I was filled with lust, addicted to promiscuity and pornography. Jesus revealed to me that those behaviors were rooted in my daily habit of filling my ears and mind with sensual R&B.

I was addicted to just about every substance in the book while partying to music that was all about getting drunk and high as a lifestyle. The songs made it seem as though this behavior would lead to more fun and excitement, but only left me empty and craving more.

On the flip side of this equation, now, if I feel anger trying to make an appearance, I start worshipping God, or simply turn on Christian worship music. Almost instantly I can sense my affections turn towards Him, instead of being focused on myself, and my problems. When this happens, anger doesn't have any power to advance.

My entire family used to have difficulty sleeping at night because of wandering minds, worries, nightmares, etc, but that's no longer an issue since we starting playing a Spirit infused piano instrumental CD every night while we're in bed!

I no longer struggle with any lust, addiction, rage, or lawlessness. I no longer feel the desire to fill my ears with noise that degrades me, others, or God! I no longer feel any emotional attachment to songs from my past that once held a dark sentimental meaning. There are no longer songs that bring me painful debilitating memories!

I'm no longer a slave to tunes that strum my heart strings to the beat of an evil war drum! My heart rejoices to the beautiful sound of Abba singing and dancing over me!
Sometimes it's a love song.
https://youtu.be/X5x_3uzyf-I

Sometimes it's a shout of confidence.
https://youtu.be/p2wf9DvhrPw

Sometimes it's the roar of victory.
https://youtu.be/Xk_b0VweDx8

Sometimes it's a battle cry.
https://youtu.be/QtLGNYeIZQ4

Sometimes it's just soaking in His presence.
https://youtu.be/i07ZG4dnC3c

Whatever the sound, it always speaks grace, mercy, love, and identity! It always speaks a positive word over my soul! And it always leaves me on a high note!

Run (to the beat of His heart) with me Church!
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Test the spirits

1 John 4:1 reads, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."

How many times have you heard stories of people doing horrible things because "God told them to"?
How often are people in the Church spun into confusion because "God" told them something would happen, but it never did?
Have you ever been certain that you were called to go somewhere, do something, be with someone, etc. only to have it fail horribly?

Friends, it is crucial, as warriors for Christ and ministers of the Gospel, that we KNOW our Daddy's voice!

But how can I be sure?

The first, and most important way, is to spend lots of time intentionally in His presence! This includes praise and worship (He inhabits the praises of His people. Psalm 22:3), praying in the Spirit (Your direct line to God, and a vital piece of the armor of God. Ephesians 6:18), and staying in constant communication (Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstance. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
When you spend this much time with someone, it's impossible to mistake their voice! Remember, none of these are a one way road! These are all two way communication! He hears you, AND HE RESPONDS!

Secondly, remember there WILL be other voices! No, I'm not talking about being schizophrenic. Although,I do believe that people diagnosed with this condition are just more sensitive to the spirit world with the absence of deep rooted identity in Christ, but that's another topic. In John 10, Jesus tells us that sheep know their Shepard's voice, and a stranger's they will not follow.  Jesus is the Good Shepard that laid His life down for us, His sheep. What Jesus does NOT say, is that once you know the Shepard's voice there won't be any other voices! The enemy and His demon minions are always speaking to us, telling us to think, feel, and do things that don't glorify God, and are meant to hurt us and others. That snake comes to steal, kill, and destroy, beginning with the mind of all those created in the image of God. That's all of mankind! In snake like fashion, he has learned to disguise his voice to sound like an angel of light, so we MUST know the difference! If we hear something that seems a little off, or leaves us with an unsettled feeling, we should test the spirits. This DOESN'T offend God! He's proud of you for wanting to be sure you're following Him alone! This is also NOT the same as putting God to the test! That would be like if Jesus threw Himself off the cliff when being tempted to see if God would send His angels to catch Him! Testing God can be summed up as... being irresponsible and expecting Him to rescue you in the process! Testing the spirits is totally different!

How do I test the spirits?

Examining the scriptures is critical! If you're receiving a message that does not line up with the Word of God exactly, it must be rejected! The enemy knows the bible inside and out, and will manipulate it to manipulate us. In the desert, Jesus was tempted by the devil using "near" scripture. Jesus combated against those attacks using the correct Word of God.
If the attack is not directly biblical, we must know what to ask! First of all, a demon can not say, "Jesus is Lord"! That only comes from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3)!
They will not acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ (1 John 2:22), or that Jesus came in the flesh (2 John 1:7). If you're not sure, ask these questions!

If feelings of guilt, shame, or condemnation accompany this clarification process, you can be sure that's from the evil one! Our Daddy is sooooo proud of us, and He's cheering us on the entire way on this journey to knowing Him more deeply and moving from glory to glory!

Pursue Him alone, in Spirit and in Truth!

Run with me Church!
Www.purusamor.com

Who is my brother?

All over scripture we are told that loving God means loving others as ourselves.

"If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
1 John 4:20-21

So then, who is my brother? It seems to be a popular belief in the Church that a brother or sister is those who have chosen Christ aka Christians. However, I'd like to challenge that perspective!

For as in Adam ALL die, so also in Christ shall ALL be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15:22

This word ALL, is the same ALL in both!
Just as ALL fell into sin through Adam, ALL were redeemed in Jesus! Thus, ALL are our brothers and sisters!

Whether people are Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Agnostic, Atheist, Buddhist, heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, peaceful, vengeful, pro-life, pro-choice, rapist, murderer, humanitarian, martyr, terrorist or anything else....they are still our brother and sister and we are NOT ONLY called to, but are also empowered to love them! This is the primary purpose for God putting His Spirit inside of us! It doesn't mean we will always agree with people's choices, but it does mean that we always love them perfectly, despite their choices!

As Christians, we have declared that we've given our lives to live JUST AS Jesus did! Jesus hung out with those who made choices He didn't agree with or condone! He didn't join their behaviors, but rather demonstrated sonship! He loved them perfectly, while reflecting who the Father created man to truly be! He walked out identity for the lost to see!

Because He CHOSE this lifestyle,
sinners CHOSE repentance!
The lost CHOSE to be found!
The blind CHOSE to see!
He didn't rebuke!
He didn't judge!
He lived love!
Let's live lives of created value!
We were created in the image of Love!
Let that love dissolve darkness!

Run with me Church!
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You Are Promised Life

It is far too common these days to hear people say the phrase, "the only thing we're promised is death." I've been seeking God a lot on this topic lately because when I came into the kingdom, it was immediately my understanding that Jesus defeated death and the grave! I hear friends that are on fire for God, and much respected Christian evangelists preaching about being martyred. Since when does faith in the finished work of the cross not include believing that our inheritance is a promise of life and that more abundantly!? Any time I bring up this subject of never dying, people argue that it means eternal life after we physically die. I'm sorry, but my bible doesn't say that! My bible says I am justified, just as if sin in the garden NEVER happened! So if I'm living, by grace, in a place of God's perfection as they were in Eden before the fall, empowered by the Spirit of God, then why would I ever believe that I can die?! Were Adam and Eve ever going to die if they hadn't eaten from the forbidden tree? No! They weren't! I believe that this subject is based on a twist and limitation of our faith. Do we have more faith in death or in Jesus? Do some desire a martyr's death because it seems like a glorifying thing to die for the gospel? I would much prefer to LIVE a martyr's life, picking up my cross daily, laying my life down for the gospel, KNOWING I'll NEVER die, and not giving the devil the satisfaction of twisting my mind to romanticize being killed! Let's not put God in a box! We were crucified with Christ! We partook in His resurrection! He'll NEVER die again, and neither should we! Eternal life is this...that we could KNOW Him here and now, not that we should die and THEN hang out with Him!
Selah.

Run (forever) with me Church!
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Is Christianity Losing Its Power?

As I mentioned in a recent Facebook post, Daddy God has been talking to me a lot about the difference between receiving the Holy Spirit, and getting baptised in the Holy Spirit. This is in response to me crying out,"Lord, why are people in the Church struggling so much with sin and purity? How do I help them?"
I'm so excited to share His response with all of you today!

We'll start in John chapter 20. Here we see the remaining disciples locked away in a room, gripped by fear. This is precisely the state of the world we live in today! People have locked themselves away in so many different fashions, out of fear. Whether it be addiction from the fear of their current reality, crime from the fear of a lack of provision, promiscuity from the fear of being unwanted and unloved, etc.
Jesus appears to each and every one of us, just as He did them (although not always bodily), repeatedly telling us to have peace.
"Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.' When He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" (Verse 22)
When the we decide to take Jesus at His word, and receive His forgiveness, which includes receiving His Spirit, this is called being born again. This is done through faith AND water baptism. The modern day church has turned water baptism into "an outward demonstration of our inward faith" and thus robbing it of its power. First of all, our FAITH should NEVER be "inward"! It should always be lived out loud for the entire world to see, AND be transformed by! Secondly, water baptism has NOTHING to do with showing anyone anything, and has EVERYTHING to do with partaking in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus!
Romans 6 in the Passion Translation, eloquently puts it this way...
"Sharing in HIS death by OUR baptism means that we were co-buried and entombed WITH Him, so that when the Father's glory raised Christ from the dead, we were ALSO raised with Him. We have been co-resurrected WITH Him so that we could be empowered to express an ENTIRELY NEW LIFE. For if we are permanently grafted into Him to experience a death like His, then we are permanently grafted into Him to experience a resurrection like His AND the new life that it imparts. Could it be any clearer that our former identity is NOW AND FOREVER deprived of its power? For we were co-crucified with Him to dismantle the stronghold of sin within us, so that we would NOT continue to live ONE MOMENT LONGER submitted to sin's power. Obviously, a dead person is incapable of sinning. And if we were co-crucified with the Anointed One, we know that we will also share in the FULLNESS of His life." (Verses 4-8)
People can argue this fact all that they want..."So you're saying that our works are what save us?" Jesus said it! Not me!  Here's the thing, if Jesus said "repent AND be baptized", is it not by faith that we get baptized and are thus born again?  Jesus is even recorded in Mark 16:16 saying,"Whoever believes AND is baptized will be saved..." So it is faith in Jesus that allows us to receive His Spirit AND partake in His death, burial, and resurrection through water baptism.
BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE!!!
Jesus told His disciples to stay in a particular place, a prayer room of sorts, until He finished what He intended to do in them! Why is the Church stopping at a sinner's prayer (that isn't even biblical by the way), when Jesus has clearly shown that there is so much more!?!  He never intended for someone to pray a random prayer in a church building, conference hall, or street corner, and then go on with life as usual! Jesus said stay put until you're clothed with power from on high! (Luke 24:49)
Don't stop at acceptance!
Don't stop at death!
Don't even stop at resurrection!
You MUST be clothed with power!
You MUST be baptised in the Holy Spirit!
What does that look like, you ask?
Check out Acts Chapter 2.
"And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Verses 2-4)
The disciples didn't stop at being filled! They pressed in, fervently praying, believing what Jesus told them...
they would receive POWER from on high!
It may not LOOK the same for all of us. It didn't LOOK like Acts 2 for me, but there IS one thing that remains constant in EVERY experience...
IMMEDIATE 100% TOTAL TRANSFORMATION!
The Apostle Peter went from angry and afraid, to determined and bold.
The Apostle Paul went from murderous pride to loving humility.
I went from a selfish and suicidal addict to a generous and joyful world changer!
IN AN INSTANT!
Once you've given yourself FULLY to this gospel, and received what He wants to give you, there is no lengthy painful process! There is only instantaneous transformation! Sure, we move from glory to glory, as we get to know Him more and more deeply, but it BEGINS at glory!!!

Friends, many of us have been duped into believing a "gospel" that is really no gospel at all! The word gospel means good news! Where is the good news in believing that we are all sinners, destined to sin, because we live in a fallen world of which we're prisoners until we die? Where is the good news in believing that we will all struggle through this life, trying to resist temptation, but we're expected to have good cheer while doing it, so that we can bring glory to a distant God, who puts bad things in our lives, to test and strengthen us, and allows horrific things to happen, because He's in control? Where is the good news in believing that any power that the gospel held died with the original apostles?
What is the point?
Where is the hope?
Why even give yourself to a "gospel" that is dead and depressing?
The Truth is, that ISN'T the gospel!

This is...

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW creation. THE OLD HAS PASSED AWAY; behold, THE NEW HAS COME ."
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a NEW person. The old life is GONE; a new life has BEGUN!
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV & NLT

"And these signs WILL accompany those who believe: in My name they WILL cast out demons; they WILL speak in new tongues;  they WILL pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it WILL NOT hurt them; they WILL lay their hands on the sick, and they WILL recover." Mark 16:17-18

This, my friends, is the WILL of God, in Christ Jesus!
Don't stop at "letting Jesus in your heart"!
Give Him your life!
Press in,
fervently praying,
KNOWING
you WILL receive
POWER from on high!

Run with me Church!
Www.purusamor.com

Shaking Things Up

If you think Christianity is anything other than Christ-likeness, you need to get alone with God and cry out for a renewing of your mind! We don't have time to be in this for ourselves, Church! It's not about us! It's about the price He paid to transform us back to His image, so the world could experience Him through us! Jesus was never about His rights, His feelings, or His struggles! That's all selfish, self-centered garbage! There are people dying physically, mentally, emotionally, and more importantly spiritually! We can't let the way they impact us, influence the way we reflect Him!
I recently found out that someone in my family is responsible for getting the FB page I developed in my husband's name deleted. They made nasty, ugly, hateful remarks and accusations about his character, due to an ignorance about his record, without having ever met him, and cost us two years of memories I had accrued for him. Do you know what our response is?
"Bless her Lord! She knows not what she is doing! She is hurting from a wrong done to her as a child, and I pray mercy and deliverance for her!"
Why would I be mad at her? Why would I allow what she doesn't see, influence what I do see? She is desperate for the love of a Father that will bring healing to her injured soul, and doesn't know how to express that any other way than lashing out! That's a miserable life! Why would I try to make her more miserable? Because she said mean things? Because she got our page deleted? Come on! What's really important here? The health and well-being of her eternal soul! I want her to know peace and joy in this life time, despite the fact that she's being used as a pawn to try and steal mine! Peace and joy are in the Holy Spirit, and nothing anyone does can take Him away from me, so how could I possibly be shaken?
This is just one small instance of the petty persecution that we are BLESSED to experience on a daily basis! So, just because it adds up and compounds day after day, should we crack? Oh, woe is me, this is more than I can take? NEVER!!! The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in me!!! If death couldn't hold Him down, how could the words and actions of our family, friends, the "Church", and the world?
Let's stop being so feelings-focused and start living from selfless hearts driven by the compassion of the One who gave His life for us! Jesus didn't die so we could get to heaven, but live like hell! Let's stop looking like the devil to this world every time we get squeezed! We are filled to overflow with Love Himself! Let's let Him flow freely and abundantly!
Run with me Church! Www.purusamor.com

The Difference Between Knowing And Believing

As many of you may know, I just birthed the newest member of our already incredibly blessed family, Judah Doron Siravo.
Pregnancy with Judah was an amazingly blessed journey! I never had any of the defining symptoms (ie. morning sickness, chronic lower back pain, horrific swelling, etc). The reason why I never had these symptoms is because I knew that Jesus paid the price for me to have a glorious pregnancy, not a fallen one. As we approached the end of the pregnancy I was encouraged to switch care providers due to our choice to have an unassisted homebirth. Wisconsin state laws say that in order to have a homebirth, you must be under the care of a midwife. She doesn't have to be present at the birth, but you must be under her care. We were blessed with the most understanding midwife, that fully supported my decision to birth unassisted, based on the fact that she could tell I was not going into it ignorantly, but that I had done a ton of research and knew what to expect every step of the way. She was very reassured by the peace that I carried in this decision. Of course I was at peace...I knew that Jesus had paid the price for a beautiful, pain free, complication free labor!
Everything began to change, however, once I went past my due date. The midwives, doctors, my friends, and family all began to speak doubt, death, and destruction over my baby's health. It was no longer supported that my baby and my body knew what to do, but rather that this has become a dangerous situation and your baby could die! *I don't think people, whether in the church or not, realize the power of life and death that's in their tongue.* As much as this constant onslaught of death spoken over my baby took a toll on my emotions, I still knew that the lives of myself and my baby were in Jesus' hands and we can't die!
Last Thursday, things got very intense. My midwife ordered me to get an ultrasound and a non-stress test due to the fact that I was 15 days past my due date. The ultrasound showed that the fluid around Judah had deceased significantly and they wanted to induce immediately. I declined the induction. I felt peace in my spirit that he would be ok. That was until I got home that night. I spent the entire night up praying and asking for guidance. I knew that the answer I was getting was that I would not be getting induced. The next morning I went to visit my husband. We prayed and worshipped together for three hours straight, and found great peace in going home to labor...and I did! I labored the entire day! Judah was very active, I was having contractions, everything was going great! At 11 pm I went to sleep and everything stopped. The next morning I started going about my day until late in the afternoon when I felt a shift in my spirit...something isn't right. I immediately went to the hospital to listen for Judah's heartbeat and get an  ultrasound. His heartbeat was strong and consistent but he was very inactive. The ultrasound showed there was now NO fluid in the womb at all. The doctors came in and told me they must do an immediate emergency cesarean section, induction was no longer an option.
This is the place where the rubber meets the road! I KNEW God gave me a vision for homebirth! I KNEW He gave me the peace and wisdom to carry it out! I KNEW He gave me more visions and prophetic words over Judah's life than I could count!  I KNEW that He is the Giver and Sustainer of life! In this moment all the wisdom, words, and knowledge did me absolutely no good! I had to dig for something deeper! I had to BELIEVE that we are in relationship! I had to BELIEVE that the enemy knew of the big plans for mine and Judah's lives, and he wanted to destroy them right now! I had to BELIEVE that what the enemy intended for destruction, God could change for good!
I consented and was immediately prepped for surgery. Within one hour I was under the knife and Judah was being removed from my wide open abdomen. I was cold, shaking, and uncomfortable...NOT at ALL what I had planned for!
Just then, I heard my baby boy cry...loud and strong! Tears flowed down my cheeks! They wiped him off and placed him on my chest, at which time he opened both eyes very wide, lifted his head, stared directly at me, and stuck his thumb in his mouth!!! None of these behaviors are typical of a moment old newborn! It was as if he was telling me that I didn't wait too long...The extra time inside made him stronger! I couldn't have been happier! I came to find out several minutes later that not only was all the fluid gone, but the placenta stopped working, and there was absolutely no blood in the umbilical cord for an extended period of time!!! My baby's life was being sustained 100% by only the presence of God!!!!!!! He was a miracle!!!!!!! The staff was baffled and amazed! He was a perfectly healthy, almost 11 pound, flawless baby boy, that should not have survived!!! He scored at the top of every test and his appearance was so perfect that nurses repeatedly said he looked more like a 2-3 month old, than a newborn!
Our time in the hospital was very painful, emotional, and tiring, but somehow God's glory was still shining! Now that we're home, drowning in worship and praise, recovery is going very quickly and we're feeling AMAZING! I could have never made it through this without KNOWING my Daddy and BELIEVING His amazing plans to prosper us...to give us hope and a future!!!
You see, having faith doesn't always mean things will be easy! Sometimes they're very very hard! As a matter of fact, the deeper you go in faith, the harder you get hit! But if we've built our home on a solid foundation, believing His Truth, we will not be moved! The ONLY way to strengthen your faith muscle is through resistance! Think about that the next time you're getting hit, and...

Run with me Church!
Www.purusamor.com

(Birth story for Judah Doron Siravo... which means praise gift for God.... Born at 8:16 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2015...
10 pounds, 10.9 ounces, 21 inches...
Perfect in every way)

Feelings vs. Truth

Just recently, with the very public way that I have been sharing our trials, I have had several different responses. One response is for people going through trial to ask me, is it okay to feel sad/mad/hurt/scared in the midst of great tribulation. The answer is absolutely yes! We have feelings because they are a part of the character of God! Just look at the life of Jesus. He experienced all of those feelings. The only difference comes in when we allow our lives to be directed by our feelings! The enemy is very capable of manipulating our emotions, and twisting them to be something far from Truth and faith. It's in these times that we must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and know the difference between "fallen, selfish, doubtful emotions", and "natural" emotions, that while they may conflict with Truth, they can be reigned in and brought into submission to Truth.
For example, just a short while ago, I was watching a beautiful home birth video on YouTube. As I watched the husband assist and support his wife, and love on their new born baby, I began crying uncontrollably. In that moment (not ten minutes later), I immediately needed to ask myself, "Why are you crying, Amber?" My response was, "I want my husband to be here with me....to experience the birth of his son, and to share these memories with me." Once I had determined the reason for my torrential tears, I had to ask myself, "Do you believe that he WILL be here with you to experience it?" My answer, "Yes! Of course he will be! God is faithful!" Nothing in the natural could lead me to come to that conclusion. Nothing at all! This is where I make the choice to believe faith over fact. The facts say that he has been sentenced to eleven months in jail for being a good dad and husband against the rules of the DOC. However, faith says that God would not have put this life inside of me, as a result of the love bond between my husband and I, if He didn't intend for us to be able to share in these moments together. Faith says that God wouldn't have shown me visions of my husband and I delivering our baby at home, and placed total peace in both of our hearts regarding this seemingly crazy decision, had He not already prepared a way to make that vision come to pass. Faith means that when the Word says man cannot separate what He has brought together, it's Truth. Faith means that when the Word says that because my earthly father, who by comparison is evil, knows how to give good gifts, and he is fighting to bring Marvin home to us, My Heavenly Father, who only gives greater gifts, will do exceedingly and abundantly more than anything I could ever ask or dream of. Faith means believing all the prophetic words that we've received over the past several weeks that align with scripture. Faith means I live by God's promises, not by sight!
With that being said, did I stop crying? Nope! I continued to cry as I praised God for His Truth, His love, and His faithfulness, and before long my tears were of overwhelming gratitude instead of fear and sadness! That my friends is how we take feelings captive to the Truth that we know is bigger!
Run with me Church!
www.purusamor.com

Intense humility and vulnerability report. My feelings have been under great attack this morning, but it's such an intensely great reminder. I was feeling defeated, destroyed, helpless, hopeless, and like a victim for an entire 30 minutes. I felt no peace. I allowed the lies of the enemy to veil me from my Daddy's presence for an entire half an hour! It was the most miserable half hour of the past 2 1\4 years of my born again life! The reason I'm sharing this is to strengthen the Church and stomp the enemy! The Truth.... I haven't been defeated! I am more than a conqueror! I'm not helpless.... My Help never leaves me or forsakes me! I'm not destroyed... I'm empowered! I'm definitely not hopeless.... The Hope of the world lives inside of me! When I took my eyes off of God's face and focused on myself (fear, pain, uncertainty), I began to sink... quickly! There is no room in this life for that nonsense! I must always keep my eyes on Him and His promises! I must always live by faith and not by sight! I can't afford, for even a moment to let what I see become a greater reality than Him! His promises for Marvin and I are so much bigger than what I can see with my earthly eyes right now! I've seen ridiculous evidence of that already in the very short time we've had together so far! How could I possibly believe the lies of this world over the greater Truth that I have stored up for me? We have to keep our focus, Church! We can't afford to allow our minds to be set on the things of this world at the cost of Truth! We must always keep our minds set on things above, where we're seated with Christ Jesus! We can't afford to turn our thoughts inward at the cost of relationship with the One who holds us together in the palm of His hand! Be strengthened, Church! Be encouraged! Every plan He has for us is better than we could ever possibly think, dream, or imagine! We must actively pursue the Giver! Never give in to the illusion that you are destined for anything but greatness! Never allow yourself to be victimized by deceit! The wisdom of this world is sensual and destructive! Keeping busy in times of trial may seem like a good idea... keeping your mind too busy to think about what's happening, but that's the furthest thing from the Truth! The way that seems right to man leads to death! Spiritual, mental, emotional, and even physical death! In the midst of trial we need to stop everything and get alone with Him! We need to allow Him to be our focus, so that we're able to stay focused! I'm not saying forsake all responsibility when disaster strikes! That's the furthest thing from what I'm saying! If it's a work day, don't busy yourself with mindless distractive work, but rather keep your thoughts on Him and stay in communion while you complete your tasks! If you're a stay at home parent and the kids are around, don't lock yourself in your room leaving them to tend to themselves, but rather take every opportunity to care for them! In doing so, you will be behaving exactly like our Savior, while keeping your mind focused on Him! When you do have moments of downtime, get alone with Him! Get all of your focus solely on Him, and be renewed! We're in a war, Church! Take every opportunity to get the training and preparation you need! Soldiers in the armed forces don't distract themselves with busyness or leisure in the short down times between battles...they train! We need to do the same! Strap on your armor! Receive your instruction! Be strengthened! Be prepared! Be overwhelmed by confidence and peace! And... Run with me Church! Www.purusamor.com

No Compromise

It was three years ago, when I first came into true relationship with my Daddy God, that Holy Spirit spoke these words to me,

 "I made you to be a warrior! All the traits in you that the enemy once used for destruction were put in place by Me, for kingdom glory! I'm redeeming them today! You will not back down! You will not make people comfortable at the cost of Truth that sets them free!" 

Honestly, I was a little intimidated by that calling! I had, up until the day He encountered me on the floor of that Lexington sanctuary, been all about the approval of man. If I couldn't somehow finagle you into liking me, I'd make sure that you hated me. That's a huge difference from my new heart that loves everyone with all of my being, and would lay my life down for each and every single person! Often times, laying my life down looks like saying and doing things that make people really uncomfortable. Sometimes it even makes people angry. That's ok, because my life MUST be lived from a place of perfect peace WITHIN my Father! I can not afford to make people comfortable at the cost of His Truth and reality! I can't afford to let you die when I know life! I love you too much!

A while back, I had posted a status on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/amber.sloan.missionary.for.christ) 

that provoked comments that could be very controversial. My post read...
"Why does it seem so much easier for people to put their faith in a pharmacist they've never met, to give them prescription drugs that will heal rather than kill them, than it is for people to trust their Father and Creator to heal them? Selah."
A comment that was made by a dearly loved friend was in regards to those who have not seen their healing manifest, "needing" prescription drugs to bring relief. After posting my response, I was both surprised and troubled! This is a topic that can cause mass controversy, and I had tiptoed around it trying to be safe and not offend anyone. Holy Spirit immediately convicted me," Would you be comfortable being accepted, at the cost of the Truth that sets people free?"  In response to His question, NEVER! I believe that was a turning point for me. If I truly love you, I will not let you live in a lie, without at least attempting to show you greater Truth! The real Truth is, I don't believe anybody EVER needs prescription drugs. Or EVER needs over the counter drugs! And let's just go ahead and throw in the fact that nobody EVER needs illegal drugs!

Here's where the lie comes in...

The enemy has come to steal, kill, and destroy!

First he steals your faith in the finished work of the cross. 

Then, he kills your defenses by ushering in people, places, and things to put your trust in that will NEVER bring relief like Jesus does! 

Lastly, he destroys your life (mind and body), resulting in physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental anguish leading to death. 

On the cross Jesus said, "It is finished!", and He meant it! 

IF we truly believe that He took our pain upon Himself so that we could be healed, THEN we can live in a place of divine health! I personally have only had pain reliever once in the entire three years since I gave God my life, and that was for the c-section birth of my son, Judah! Other than that, for the past 3 years, I have not taken a single pain reliever, antibiotic, antihistamine, cold suppressant...anything!!! And the ONLY reason I took pain reliever at the c-section is because the hospital is filled with beautiful, good meaning, kind hearted, text book brain washed drug pushers that administer drugs without permission or convince you that you have no choice.

But we do have a choice! We can choose to believe everything that the bible says, without compromise, even if/when our physical reality isn't lining up. 

I HAVE been sick a few times in these past 3 years. One time it was as if I was on the verge of death, and onlookers were terrified for my well being! I still chose to believe His Truth! I chose to stand on His promises believing that I can't get sick, NOR can I die! I have nothing to fear! I chose to take that time of extreme pain and illness as an opportunity to spend time soaking in His presence, while laughing at the devil for his failure! You see, all getting me sick does, is give me more time to rest in my Daddy's arms and get to know Him better! I can't do that if I'm so focused on myself (my health, my pain, my responsibilities, etc), or doped up on drugs that numb me up or knock me out! He is the ONLY drug I need, and THAT IS the gospel!

Run with me Church!

Www.Purusamor.Com