WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE FALSLY ACCUSED?

copyright(c)2019 Daneille Gray Snowden

2019 

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE FALSLY ACCUSED? 

I recently posted this on my story on Facebook and Instagram:

This is one of those 'hard-truths' faced in the ministry. Actually, even in life itself. 

How we handle this as leaders is the most significant next step we will take in this journey of serving others; as we are in service for our Lord. 

We could REACT,  and that is not always a bad thing, it's HOW WE REACT that we must ponder. 

Truthfully, when things are said about us and even to us that is not true; as the deliverer of this 'so-called' information is convinced it is definitely true...this cuts deep into our own souls.

I have seen pastors being told many things when these 'accusers' definitely did not have the correct information. 

Sometimes;  the Holy Spirit will lead us to just keep our mouths shut. At least for a time. 

Matthew 5:38-40  “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.

My husband and I have had to do this; even recently. Our hopes and prayers were that the individual would eventually see the truth, or would possibly allow the Lord to touch their hearts to see things in a godly/spiritual way. 

Time and time again we kept quiet. Did it hurt? Oh yes...deeply.

This is where we need to be aware of  hurts turning into spite and bitterness, remembering 'why' the Lord told us to "be quiet."

2 Chron. 20:17 "You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you,..."

Then, there are times the boldness of the Holy Spirit says; "Rise up and speak the truth (defending ourselves)!" Yet, seasoned with grace and much love. Ha! Is that ever a challenge to our human nature. But, He is faithful to equip us. Ya see; we are still dying to self and yet still standing up for who we are in Christ. 

Ex. 4:15 "You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I, even I, will be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do."

Isn't it interesting to walk this 'walk' in life?

It is so different than what this world would advise us to do.

Remember: His ways are far different than our ways! 

Although, our goal is to be like Jesus! "But He answered him not one word, so that

 the governor marveled greatly." Matt. 27:14

He was accused; and stood silent. 

I also think of Job, who as we read in the beginning of this book of wisdom, was known as the most righteous man on earth. 

Still, his closest of friends; ASSUMED THEY KNEW his thoughts and secret sins ...thus they knew why he was suffering so much.

They were accusing of him by what they assumed. They truly believed what they thought. {Still, they were so wrong!}

I cannot even begin to imagine the deep cut into Job's heart by this; especially after all the suffering he was walking through. 

You think times have changed, but they haven't.

Man is still man; pride is still pride and people will continue to say what they think without bridling their tongues.

So, as a leader...

First: know you are not alone. 

Second; your God see's and hears what has been said and done to you. He has this as you keep it in His Hands.

Third; ask Him to lead your heart, then your lips as you speak  at a timely fashion in a loving way. Realizing even though this has been spoken about you; it's not about you. It's about the enemy distorting God's work. For you are His vessel, doing His Work.

Fourthly; Do not allow the hurt to sit in your soul. Pray, worship, get counsel from a spirit led, wise advisor. Surrender it and keep focused on your Lord Jesus...press on!

God is using you, or the enemy wouldn't be trying to intimidate you. 

Rise up my fellow warrior; and march on!

Repercussions & Blessings When Stepping Into Our God-Given Authority - In Christ

copyright(c) 2018 Daneille Gray Snowden

2018

Repercussions & Blessings When Stepping Into Our God-Given Authority - In Christ

"...because He was teaching them as one having [God-given] authority... Mark 1:22b

Repercussions means being driven back by a resisting body, an effect or result.

Blessings means benefit, a favor or gift bestowed by God, approval.

   Oddly enough, both happens when God's man or woman walks in the ORDAINED authority God has given them, which originally came upon his first church in the book of Acts.

"...But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,  
 and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." [Acts 1:8]

   In Mark 1:21 we see Jesus coming into the synagogue; stepping up as He began to teach. His anointed teaching was enriched with His power so much so that those who heard were simply...

AMAZED!

   Question was why?
The answer is:
HE SPOKE WITH (God-given) AUTHORITY!

This is at the BEGINNING of Jesus' ministry on earth. He starts out by STEPPING-UP to the place where He belonged!

HIS AUTHORITY IN GOD'S KINGDOM

Can you remember when you said: "yes" to your call? Then followed up with ministering in whatever capacity that may be? 

Recalling when you stepped behind a pulpit, or simply in front of people and shared the Word of God - teaching with AUTHORITY?

Think back....how did it feel when you opened your notes, full of teaching that you studied feverishly days before? The Words that God's Holy Spirit placed in your heart, and led you as you researched and jotted down notes upon notes. 

Do you remember you heart just pounding with excitement; knowing this is the answer for those you would be ministering to?

I do...I was so pumped (I still get that way)! 

And then the hour comes...we are in front of the crowds (in our own place like the synagogue) and we begin to share.

It's wonderful isn't it!!! Because you know that this word will indeed change lives.

WHAT'S NEXT AFTER THIS?

It is promised in the word of God that His word shall never returned void. [Is. 55:11]  We see it take fruit in lives, all in God's time as the soul surrenders their all to Him. 

I have witnessed powerful alter calls, seen many come to Christ, people healed in their bodies and hearts. 

I also have witnessed not one person respond to the message I shared. And we all know how discouraging that can be too. 

God has promised when we cast the BREAD into the water; it will return! Let's read a bit in

Eccl. 11

v.1 "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."

v.6 "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."

WHAT HAPPENS- 
NEXT:
v.23  "Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out [terribly from the depths of his throat], ²⁴ saying, “What business do You have with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

NOTE; WHEN THIS HAPPENED -

AFTER JESUS HAD STEPPED UP &

SPOKE WITH AUTHORITY THE 

WORD OF GOD!

Has this happened in your ministry? When you obediently taught God's Word, led an amazing 'out-reach', had a powerful service where many were changed greatly...

THEN a man, or woman cries out; with great accusations; questioning; 

"What business do you have with us?"

Questioning our:  CALL, ANOINTING, MOTIVES, CHARACTER, & AUTHORITY!

This tactic has an objective to cause us to question our calling! To even question God and His leading us as God's Ministers. 

Remember Satan at the Garden of Eden...the first tactic of Satan was to QUESTION God's directives for our lives. [Gen. 3:1]

Questioning breaks the WILL in a man's character; making us to take our Spiritual Eyes off the AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH!

And Satan uses vessels that are weak; to tare down God's Work. 

He will start by trying to tare us down!

If we are insecure after certain 'BEATINGS' in this method of demoralizing us even in front of others; we must get our FOCUS back.

That FOCUS IS:

1) WHO GOD IS.

2) WHO GOD IS IN US.

THAT IS MORE THAN ENOUGH TO BE RESTORED TO WHERE GOD HAS CALLED US!

Simple as that!

Remember what CHRIST said:

Matt. 28:18

"And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." 

Luke 10:19

"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."

THE SON OF GOD APPLIED WHO HE WAS!

Mark 1:25-28

"Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet (muzzled, silenced), and come out of him!” ²⁶ The unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions, and screeching with a loud voice, came out of him. ²⁷ They were all so amazed that they debated and questioned each other, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits (demons), and they obey Him.” ²⁸ Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere throughout the district surrounding Galilee."

Where are you at right now in your ministry, regarding either the repercussions and or the blessings as you obediently walk in the authority given in God's Word? 

   - Are you being 'QUESTIONED'?  Suffering an attack emotionally and spiritually?

  - Look at this Word here; see with the eyes that are illuminated by the Spirit (Jn. 14:26).

KNOW THAT YOU ARE INDEED CALLED-OUT BY HIM (You are His)!

1 Tim 1:11-12

 "For which I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day."

PRAYER FOR PASTOR SUPPORT TEAMS

copyright(c)2017 Daneille Gray Snowden

2017

PRAYER FOR PASTOR SUPPORT TEAMS

Heavenly Father we agree as ONE for Pastoral Support Teams to arise in each church and community across this vast earth.

Raise up Aaron's, Timothy's, Lydia's and many more with this like-minded heart; all
united together to pray for their pastors, wives and children.
We recognize the onslaught of the enemy to try to discourage pastors as they serve others as they serve You.

We ask You give these teams vision, direction, and unction that will indeed empower them to be that
Pillar for their pastor. Give them creativity to help better equip the church. May they be a buffer we pray for the Pastor as You are a buffer for all of us.

In Jesus Name we ask,
Amen

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

WHAT'S YOUR PURPOSE?

copyright(c)2017 Daneille Gray Snowden

2017

WHAT'S YOUR PURPOSE?

The Lord has been speaking to me about  'PURPOSE'; 'The God Purpose' for ALL OF OUR LIVES! He has intensely burdened me for ones who God has many plans for (quite frankly, that is everyone);  yet are not  listening, or willing to walk this particular path. Wow, this type of a 'WALKING PATH' --- 

is a CLOSE WALK WITH JESUS! It's quite intimate as you feel His Hand Holding and guiding you along; results are that we are being filled with  deep peace and a great joyful anticipation as well! 

LOOK 👉

PURPOSE: deliberate plans for our lives. 

It is the -

SOURCE OF TRUE HAPPINESS which is done by living-out the purpose God has for all of us. 

GOD'S WAYS = TRUE PURPOSE

"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day." Gen. 32:24 

I.) JACOB first had to be ALONE!  --- OUCHA! Nobody really likes loneliness... we can't even keep our phones far from us cause we long for some kind of human contact. 

BUT... this is where we will HEAR AND FIND OUR GOD;  we are NEVER ALONE ANYWAYS!

II.) Jacob had to wrestle God...ONE WHO WAS STRONGER THAN HE WAS! This is where we travail in prayer, it's where we (self) wrestle not against God but truly longing for our flesh to be placed under His subjection: His power for HIS BLESSING!

Is this where the 'CROSS' ROADS MEET? 

WHERE MANY STOP AND NOT GO ON?

✞

Think about it; look what has happened to the alter in our churches and our prayer meetings? 

What about  praying through there and even in the alters of our homes?

III.) He Persevered All Night Long ("...till the break of day.")  --- Finding our purpose takes time, it takes fighting, it takes waiting and never giving up.

Gen. 32:26 "But Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless You declare a blessing on me.” 

It takes:

IV.) ONE TOUCH FROM THE KING OF KINGS...ONE BECKON CALL! 

To be labelled: 

*MY CHOSEN

*MY CALLED ONE

*ENTER INTO THE PLACE OF YOUR CALLING

“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth." Deuteronomy 7:6-8

WHERE HAS GOD CALLED YOU?

WHAT AND TO WHO ARE YOU TO SPEAK  HIS LOVE AND WORD INTO?

Is this difficult to truly answer?

Has the path taken an abrupt change down another road of purpose? [It happens.]

This is definitely a road where we don't walk BY looking in the mirror of 'self!' Truly, where would that lead?

It's a path where GOD IS... where we clearly see and hear Him!

Where we will see the FRUIT of FAITHFULNESS living an obedient surrendered life in Him!

I know the ministry is HARD and 

it is very lonely!  

But, if we WALK IN THE PURPOSE God has ...NOT MAN'S, NOT OURS...BUT GOD'S --- the rewards are priceless!

Are you at a CROSSROADS right now? 

Take time out....sometimes that means a lot of time. 😃⏲

Wait in God's Presence! 

Wrestling will happen if you continue forward --- it's a good thing. Don't stop...for the 

BLESSING IS AROUND THE CORNER! 

The CALL OF OUR GOD /  HIS LEADING TO WHERE - TO WHOM -  & THE WHEN... indeed will come!

SEE THE PURPOSE HE HAS FOR YOU! IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
 
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts higher than your thoughts."

Is. 55:8-9

POWERFUL STORY OF GOD TOUCHING LIVES THROUGH OUR PAIN

copyright(c)2017 Daneille Gray Snowden

2017

POWERFUL STORY OF GOD TOUCHING

LIVES THROUGH OUR PAIN

As told to me by Sheila Hester

   This is a story about one of the godliest, loving ladies I know. Her life literally has been a Faith Walk.
Sheila Hester is a Pastor's Wife; who is an amazing support to her husband and church.
If you see her little frame from afar; (as she is walking with her cane and sometimes a little walker for years); you will notice HER SMILE THAT LIGHTS UP THE ROOM! Even when she is hurting!  When in a crowd, one can hear her laughter and joy as well.
At the same time; she cries and laments over souls, as well as for those who are suffering. She hugs tight and loves big.
She is well acquainted with suffering through the years battling one health issue after another, as well facing trials in normal life; especially in the ministry.
She shared with me recently what the Lord did through her and for her as she underwent serious surgery.
Most people are put to sleep but with her health issues she had to stay awake and 'feel' this procedure.

__________________

     "I had to stay awake for the surgery, it was awfully painful!  Facing a problem during surgery; I prayed out loud for the doctors to have super-duper natural wisdom to know what to do.

[The doc told me later he had never had anyone pray for him...surprising I had the presence of mind to do so.]

This was a God-thing thing for sure!  After about an hour and a half; I told the doctors I had reached the end of my coping skills & they said they couldn't give me anything yet, and said I had to lay perfectly still. 

  I prayed to God for courage and for his help. Immediately, the Heavenly Father gave me the idea to sing to get my mind off the pain. 

I asked my surgeon if it was ok to do so; he said "Anything that could keep me from moving!"   So I sang every spiritual song I could think of, and  when I got breathless;

I quoted scriptures out loud to drown out satans words to cause me fear.

It all worked!!! 

   At one point, I cried out to the doctor; "PAIN!!"    Pain was in my chest, arm and jaw!  There was no response; so, I kinda screamed-out the second time.

 [They had told me to tell them if I had any chest pain.]

About 5 people appeared, but still no response.  

YET, God suddenly gave me peace. 

  They kept asking me; 'if the pain was subsiding?' I responded with a "no."

But finally it did lessen;  and they went on with surgery as they gave me benedryl to relax me.

I wasn't sleepy, but it helped.   Isn't our Father protective of his children?!?!

  When I was in recovery;  they pulled out 5 of "tubes" and then put pressure on my arteries.  One clotted and did well.

So, the  extra nurses left because an emergency came and they rushed off to help. 

When the nurse pulled out the artery tube, my blood wouldn't stop and I was bleeding out.

I was crying and screaming from the pain and from seeing all the blood!

  She was up on the bed with me putting pressure on my artery. Very calmly telling me to breath.  I had stopped crying and was holding my breath. I became calm plus the pain was tolerable.

  I looked at the nurse on top of me and saw she was sobbing. 

I told her I was okay; and this is when she opened her heart and shared with me.

She told me that she was raised Jehovah Witness.  And exclaimed that she wanted to hear about this Jesus ( I guess I was screaming for Jesus to help).

  I started telling her all about my Father-God and answered her questions, when another nurse came in; so I stopped talking & she said, "No...go on!

I want to hear about your Jesus. And that speaking in tongues thing!"

So, for 45 minutes;  I got to talk about my Sweet Savior. I told them to get a Holy Bible, go to the New Testament (I had to explain what the New & Old Testament was).

I told them all I could at that moment; that they could read for themselves and to ask the Holy Spirit (which I explained) would  teach them truth and told them how to receive  salvation. 

Out of the horror, God blessed (used) me to get to witness to the surgical team and two nurses!!! 

When they were getting ready to roll me away, I hugged the nurse and thanked them for saving my life. The nurse said I was bleeding out,  we both started crying.

I thanked God for using my sweet nurse to save my life!

In addition, God had told my older sister I was in trouble and she prayed for me.

God is such a hoot!I am home, VERY LITTLE pain.

My blood pressure and  heart rate is fine and I feel GREAT! 

Oh, Daneille;  remember my story of help & deliverance when y'all get on the mission field!!!   When you can't go on....God takes over! And no matter how weak you may feel; 

God will always honor your 'will' to witness of His great Love!" 💗

Sheila Hester

Pastor's Wife at Assembly of God

Odin, IL

James 1:2-4             "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Would you like to send Sheila a note?
Write her at:
To Sheila Hester
C/O:  Odin Assembly of God Church

PO Box 309

Odin, IL 62870-0309