Author: Anneta Pinto-Young
I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession.
Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm.
I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing.
I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.
Learning from Mistakes (2)
Yesterday we explored the grave mistake that David made, which led to a married woman becoming pregnant and the death of her husband. For most people, murder is one of the most depraved crimes that a person could commit. Within the context of bible history, people died quite frequently and soldiers anticipated that death was a possible consequence of battle. In the New Testament, Saul was a zealous Roman soldier who fiercely persecuted the church and sanctioned the murder of disciples.
On his way to Damascus with an order to arrest and persecute anyone who believed and proclaimed Jesus Christ, Saul was struck down by a light. “And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me” (Acts 9:4)? Saul lost his sight and was led to a disciple to lay hands on him for his sight to be restored. Soon after Paul’s conversation, he went to the synagogues to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul joined the disciples who he once prosecuted in advancing the kingdom of God. He was a very instrumental disciple who wrote much of the the New Testament which we read today.
I have used two extreme examples of men who committed grave crimes against others and against God. Yet God forgave them once they confessed their sins and turned from their wrongs. David has been referred to as ‘a man after God’s own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14). If God can forgive murder, adultery and persecution, please tell me what you have done that is too terrible for God to forgive? Guilt and shame are weapons that the enemy uses to keep us from a relationship with God.
The devil is good at convincing us that our sins are too many, or our mistakes too great for God to use them for his glory. God can use even our mistakes and turn them around for good. David eventually had another son with Uriah’s wife who succeeded him as King. Although the marriage was initially founded on a bad foundation, God used it for his glory. Paul who was zealous about persecuting the church became a powerful apostle and evangelist. God used his zeal to advance the kingdom and to reach souls. Even our biggest mistakes, surrendered to God, can be transformed into a miracle.
Stop allowing the devil to torment you about your mistakes and do not allow it to make you stay away from God. Confess your faults to God, ask for his forgiveness and stop punishing yourself for the mistake that you made. God has removed your sins far away into the depths of the sea and he calls you his righteousness.
A.P.-Y.
Learning From Mistakes
There is a really sad story in 2 Samuel 11, of David who slept with Uriah’s wife Bathsheba. When she became pregnant and David could not succeed in convincing Uriah to sleep with her to cover it up, he had him killed in battle. David then married Bathsheba and he perceived that no one knew what he had done. God revealed David’s sin to the prophet Nathan who confronted him about it. The consequence of David’s sin was that the son that Bathsheba bore to him died. David lamented in prayer and fasting before God to ask him to save the child. After the child died, David washed and anointed himself and went to the house of the Lord to worship.
David’s actions confused his servants as they did not understand how he could spend time in worship after losing his son. He did not blame God because he knew that his son’s death was the consequence of his sin. Nevertheless, David did not allow his mistake to separate him from the presence of God. He sought God to see if he would spare the child and even after the child died, he worshipped God. This showed that David understood the need for repentance and restitution. He knew enough to know that once he repented, that God would restore him in right standing.
This is why David said in Psalm 51, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). God sees our heart and he knows when we are truly sorry for our sins. We don’t need to wallow in self pity, guilt and shame any longer than necessary. Once we have acknowledged our sin, we make restitution where possible, confess our sins to God and rest in his forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
If you feel weighed down by guilt and shame due to making a mistake, confess to God your faults and failures. Repent of your sins and accept God’s forgiveness because God says that you are forgiven. “for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity” (Proverbs 24:16).
A.P.-Y.
Beware of False Prophets (2)
Yesterday we started to discuss how God views false prophets who use his name to prophesy falsely. We see other accounts of false prophets in the Old Testament and one story of significance relates to a young prophet and an old prophet.
There was a King at that time in Israel who built golden calves for the people to worship and an altar for the people to sacrifice. A young prophet came out of Judah and prophesied against the altar. The King stretched out his hand to give the commandment for his men to seize the prophet. The King’s hand dried and the altar was torn down just as the man of God foretold (1 King 13:1-5).
The King begged the prophet to pray for his hand to be restored and he did and his hand was healed. The King was so grateful that he begged the prophet to return to his house for a meal and to be refreshed. The prophet declined and explained to the King that God had warned him not to eat or drink with anyone, but to return to his own home.
An old prophet was told the story about the young prophet. He went on his way to meet him, convinced him that he was also a prophet who had heard from God. He told him that God said it was ok for him to eat. The young prophet agreed and while he was eating in the old prophet’s home, God spoke to the old prophet. The revelation was that the young prophet would die on his way home because of his disobedience (1 King 13: 6-22)
As it turns out, the young prophet was killed on the way home by a lion. The story reinforces the point that we need to hear from God for ourselves. Did the old prophet lie or was he testing the young prophet to see whether he would obey God or listen to man? The reality is that the scripture does say that the word of the Lord came to the old prophet concerning the young prophet’s disobedience. Either way, he had clear instructions from God concerning what he needed to do and he caused an old prophet to tempt him into disobedience.
Forget about people’s titles because none of that impresses God. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8).
Beware of False Prophets
Jeremiah wrote letters to the children of Israel who were in exile in Babylon. His guidance for them was to build houses, marry and have children and to pray for the welfare of the city where they were living. Jeremiah went further to warn them not to listen to the false prophets and diviner’s who were among them who prophesied lies.
God offered comfort to his people that he had a good plan for them. His plan was to restore them to their place of promise. God spoke concerning the false prophets, who were prophesying lies to the people in his name. “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying a lie to you in my name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall strike them down before your eyes”(Jeremiah 29:21).
Jeremiah spoke regarding God’s anger towards other prophets in the land who prophesied falsely. “therefore thus says the Lord: Behold, I will punish Shemaiah of Nehelam and his descendants. He shall not have anyone living among this people, and he shall not see the good that I will do to my people, declares the Lord, for he has spoken rebellion against the Lord’”(Jeremiah 29:32).
God may not exact such vengeance against false prophets in this time, because we are living under the dispensation of grace. We however, have to be circumspect enough, to not believe every prophecy that we hear. God warns us to be discerning and to test the spirits to see whether they are of God (1 John 4:1). We also have to measure every prophecy against the knowledge of God’s word.
Furthermore, you will seldom receive a prophecy about your life, that does not relate to something that you already know, a desire that you have, a prayer or a private request to God. Even true prophets can miss God or misinterpret revelation, because everyone is human. It is important not to put anyone on a pedestal. Instead make the time to cultivate your own relationship with God, so that you are able to hear from him for yourself. More so pray for God to increase your discernment so that you can test what is good or evil.
A.P.-Y.
Leave No Place Empty
Jesus shared the parable of the return of the unclean spirit. He shared that when an unclean spirit is driven out of a person, it passes through waterless places trying to find rest, but does not find it. The unclean spirit decided to return to the place where it came from. When it returned, it found the house empty, swept and put in order. “Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation” (Matthew 12:45).
Jesus addressed this parable to a crowd of Jews, which included the Pharisees who accused him of casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons. He responded to them saying, that any kingdom that is divided against itself cannot stand. “And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand” (Matthew 12:26)? Jesus seemed to share the parable regarding the return of the unclean spirits, in response to the reception from the crowd. He was despondent that in his own city of Jerusalem, so many signs and wonders had been performed, yet the people did not believe and receive him.
The consideration would have been for the state of that city, which had rejected the message of salvation. Earlier in Matthew 11, Jesus denounced cities where the most mighty works had been done who did not repent. The lack of repentance and acceptance of the Holy Spirit, would leave those cities empty and allow for evil spirits to return. This would cause those cities to be worst off than before, when the evil spirit returned with seven other spirits more evil than itself.
We have to maintain a relationship with God and remain full of the Holy Spirit. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the presence of God abides in us. Our lives within the cities and communities where we live, should create a free flow of the presence of God. We pray for our cities and places of employment in order that the kingdom of God can be established. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).
A.P.-Y.
God Given Strength
(2 Corinthians 12:9).
We need faith and confidence in God to consistently maintain an eternal perspective. One where we maintain our focus on God’s goodness and not on our challenges. Disappointments and set backs are a part of our journey and like David we can stumble when we consider the prosperity of the wicked. David said he envied the arrogant (Psalm 73:2-3).
Since the word of God stands true, we have an assurance that the righteous will never be forsaken, nor shall his seed be in want of bread (Psalm 37:25). Sometimes we worry when it seems like people who do wrong, go unpunished and we doubt God’s ability to avenge. God’s word does not lie and he declares that whatever a man sows that he will reap. It is true that God will exalt the humble and bring down the proud who exalts himself.
We have to remember the power and dominion that we have as saints of God and the fact that our victory is guaranteed. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14). There is strength in God and he longs to show himself strong through us. We are his work displayed and God will use us to demonstrate his power to the world.
We need to take our positions, stand in the word of faith and be ready to be used by God. God has given us authority and once we understand who we are in Christ and what he calls us to do, then our lives will never be the same. Be encouraged because God will strengthen us to pass the test and to be victorious.
A.P.-Y.
Jesus Demonstrates Authority
Jesus was teaching in the synagogue and the scripture says that the people were surprised by his teaching. Their surprise related to his use of authority which was different from the scribes. I had to look up the role of the scribes to see what was so distinctly different, in the way that they taught. They are referred to as knowledgeable about the law and could draft legal documents. It was interesting to read that although the scribes were knowledgable about the law and scriptures, that the people viewed Jesus as demonstrating an authority which was different to theirs.
Later on in the story, there was a man with an unclean spirit who recognised Jesus and said, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are— the Holy One of God” (Mark 1:24). Jesus rebuked the spirit, commanded him to be silent and to come out of the man. The unclean spirit came out of the man at Jesus’s command. “And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him”” (Mark 1:27).
Jesus first demonstrated authority through his understanding of the word and he taught the people with boldness. He commanded a knowledge and interpretation of the scriptures, which was different than even the scribes who understood and practiced the law. Jesus then demonstrated authority over unclean spirits and used this authority to command them to leave the man alone.
We have the same authority which Jesus demonstrated and his promise is that we have the ability to do even greater works (John 14:12). The same power that lived in Jesus Christ and raised him from the dead lives in us. We have this power over every evil that lives in the world. We have the authority to command sick bodies to be healed and for people to be delivered and set free. “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you” (Luke 10:19).
A.P.-Y.
Created to Dominate
God created us to dominate over the other species and elements on this planet. We are the salt of the earth; the light of the world, a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:13-14). Salt helps to preserve food and we act in this manner to preserve the earth. Light draws attention and separates the darkness. There are people who are desperate to see our light in a dark world. So we shine our light through our example of love and showing the world who God is.
As children of God, we are described by God as head and not tail, above and not beneath, when we keep the commandments of God. (Deuteronomy 28:13). We are the righteous of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 2:21).
Head and not tail means that we are expected to stand out wherever we go, in order to advance the kingdom of God. Being the righteousness of God sets us in right standing with God, which frees us from a sin conscience. This sets us free from guilt and shame which brings about insecurities and a sense of inferiority. Living with this sense of dominance builds our confidence in knowing that the greater one in us, is greater than he who is in the world.
We don’t achieve dominance through our own strength, but by the spirit of the Lord that lives in us. We can be assured that we are strong in Jesus Christ. Mighty through God to pull down strongholds and powerful enough to destroy the powers of darkness. No weapon or scheme formed against us is allowed to prosper when we know exactly who we are, when we remain seated with Christ Jesus, far above principalities and powers. Your assignment is to dominate in the marketplace, in whatever field or sector that God has assigned you to as a kingdom ambassador.
A.P.-Y.
Praying for Your Spouse
Earlier in Genesis, Adam referred to Eve as, “bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). In the following scripture he mentions the concept of marriage being one of a husband and wife becoming one flesh. A husband and wife are equal halves of the same whole and as such the two together become one person. Marriages are successful when a wife and husband commit to praying for each other. This is like praying for yourself if you truly accept the bible’s definition of marriage and two equal half’s becoming one person. When two people are married, whatever affects one half of the whole affects the entire whole.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1). Paul made several references in the New Testament to the importance of the saints praying for each other. More so, the importance of praying continually with and for your spouse. Paul also spoke about the matter of a wife or husband being converted while the other half remains unsaved. “For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy” (1 Corinthians 7:14).
The above scripture underscores the point about two equal halves becoming a whole as a spouse who is saved sanctifies the unsaved spouse. We pray for each other in order to commit each other to God and so that the other person will be submitted to God. Our prayers are powerful and effective and ensure that the enemy does not have a foothold in our lives. I believe that our prayers can determine the outcome of the lives of our spouses and determine the success of our marriages.
There are some situations that are untenable due to ongoing abuse or infidelity, when you may choose to separate for your safety and protection. This decision is based on your own conviction and the relationship that you have with God. Abuse is a risky situation and no one should be encouraged to remain in an abusive relationship while you pray for God to change your spouse. It would be safer to maintain a safe distance while you pray.
A.P.-Y.
Devotional Inspirations 