ENTRENCHED JEALOUSY

by Glenice Mills

One of the biggest downfalls as women is our entrenched jealousy. Sadly I have observed women older in years harden their hearts against fellow women who appear to be getting ahead. The tragedy of this is it is against God and His precious daughters. So how does this happen?

As young children we are raised in competitive environments where we try and find our place among our friends. Already some children show leadership qualities and because they stand out, they are the obvious and subtle objects of competitive jealousy. Child leaders alike are jealous of one another, as are their followers. This on flows into teenage years where the jealousy is more blatant. There is a competitive push to belong to the ‘it’ crowd and when you are cast out jealousies root takes deeper ground. By the time we reach adulthood and particularly parenthood this stronghold has entrenched itself in and through our lives. Women are often seen at their worst as parents. It becomes all about the children – who are brightest, sporty, musical, best looking and myriad other ways we judge. Jealousy that already has a hold is now becoming more bitter and resentful. This develops into a deep hatred that flows over the children. This continues the iniquity of jealousy down through the generations. So by the time women reach older years jealousy is like a rotting crusty hard shell.

Jealousy that is already ugly is uglier in an older woman. I am particularly centred on women because it is what the Lord is highlighting to me at this time.

We have a problem because we should show a higher way, a Godly example for those who are watching us. Women, we are our own worst enemy. Jealousy with its roots of judgment, comparisons, resentment, bitterness and resulting hatred causes divisions, competitiveness, backbiting and betrayal.

It is interesting that as I have waited on the Lord and He has been speaking to me that He would use the word ‘entrenched’. The dictionary meaning of entrench is to establish firmly in position, and surround as fortification. In other words jealousy takes a position in our soul area and we then fortify it as a protective mechanism. Anything that is fortified appears to stop attack however it is a false strength that needs to come down so we can let others in. At its core are insecurity and a fear of missing out.

Why am I writing this at this time? The Lord has been alerting me to entrenched jealousy because it is actually bringing bondage on both the perpetrator and the victim of the jealousy. It is a cause of strife among women in the body of Christ and does nothing to build up or encourage one another. If we are to be examples to the younger we need to be careful of our words and actions.

I am particularly alerted at this time with the mature in years because it is and will have the potential to actually hold us, and keep us in the old. We will resist the new move of God, and worse still become a stumbling block to the young ones who are being raised in this hour.

Romans 14:12,13

So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

To resolve is to make up one’s mind, to decide firmly with a firm mental decision or intention. This is a choice – to purposefully hold one’s back or choose to want the best for them.

The truth is God is raising a new generation of young ones whose growth is exponential compared with many of us who have battled for decades. We dare not begrudge the younger from a place of entrenched jealousy because this is displeasing to God. This word is not meant to be critical but we have to be very careful we don’t put bondage on the younger ones because they ‘appear’ to have it easier than we had. They will have different battles to face and the Lord has uniquely forged some things in their lives that will be required for their walk in the coming times.

However there is good news! We don’t have to bow to jealousy. We can also choose to stop it continuing down through the generations. Repentance is the key. Acknowledging our behaviours, attitudes, and the words we speak, stop jealousy becoming entrenched in our lives. We need to examine the insecurities and the ground where this became a stronghold.

Older women are to train up the younger. We are charged with this responsibility and our Godly behavior and example are powerful influencers.

God is requiring a higher standard from us more mature ones. Let’s come in unity, encouragement and most importantly love. Love conquers all! 

THE KNIFE EDGE OF OBEDIENCE

by Glenice Mills

We are all on a knife-edge of walking in obedience or walking in the trap of disobedience. We have choices and sometimes they can be split second decisions that can either have positive benefits or negative consequences.

I have an alert, a warning, for many who would be classed as ‘mature in God.’

You face critical choices right now. It is a very defining knife-edge walk of obedience. What may appear or seem right is in fact a test for whether you will hold onto and keep the Lord’s command that was given to you. You know you heard clearly from God, and you know the weight of responsibility in this pivotal time. Be careful of the split second decision!

Don’t fall in the trap of what appears to be right. Remember the man of God in 1 Kings 13 who did an amazing exploit at the command of God, but in a moment of weakness of the flesh listened to a lie. This is a cautionary example of a man of God who had the word of God so accurate, so right, yet in the end got it so wrong. That is a warning for many, particularly those who are seen by many as a man or woman of God. You hold a leadership position and many look to you for direction and instruction. Keep alert!

Many of you are at the cusp of breakthrough coming and you have waited for a specific dream/word to come to pass. You know it is coming soon, you sense it, you see it, it is tangible but it is waiting on you doing something specific to usher it in. The action not only requires a step of faith, more importantly and extremely pivotal - it requires a step of obedience. It will cost you something, something very dear to you, however many people will be influenced and affected by your choice.

There is a big picture that has not yet been revealed. The Lord has kept it hidden because it is a protection, so you don’t run ahead of Him. Significant people need to be in position so the full benefit will reap much fruit and impact many people, bringing change to areas, regions and nations in profound spiritual and practical ways.

There are key strategies about to be released to God’s apostles and prophets that will make a way for breakthrough both in the heavens and in people’s lives. Great reform is about to come through one’s who have been faithful to hold their position, and move only when directed by the Holy Spirit. Obedience is the key.

You only see in part, however for those who are faithful, obedient and very careful with the anointing for the specific project, will reap great rewards. You do not do it for a reward however there will be answered prayer, which only you and the Lord know about. You will truly know Him as a personal, caring, God who is faithful to do over and above what you even think or ask for.

I sense an important key at this time is to be careful with the anointing. Again it is a fine knife-edge choice between being led of the Spirit, and only speaking and doing what you know you are anointed for right now. It is a time where you dare not move in your flesh, or what you think and want in order to bring a quick resolution to a problem you face right now.

Remember what may seem right to a man leads to death, don’t go that way!

Many are weak right now and this is also opportunity for an enticing, seducing spirit to come and bring what appears as the answer to some difficult circumstances right now. Again be aware and alert to what feels good in the moment. Don’t let complacency win at this crucial time. If we bow to compromise because we feel a sense of peace – remember it could be a false peace, a peace sent by the enemy.

It is a time when we need one another to watch out for each other, to stand as one, united in our passions and dreams, ready to move forward, to take the ground that has been given to us. This is not the time to be independent, to think you know what is right. Don’t isolate, you will get picked off and if you are not careful will open doors for deception to come!

This is a heavy word, but I know and sense an alert I have not felt for some time.

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 are key verses right now to declare over your lives.

“Now it came to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.

And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.

Following are some specific blessings the Lord wants to release at this time:

Verse 6: Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

Verse 7: The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

Verse 13: And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and be careful to observe them.

Breakthrough is coming to the obedient!!!