Lifted Life, LLC

Earlier this month, my husband, son and I welcomed our newest member to the family. I look at him and he is, of course, perfect – as any Mom would say about their newborn child! But not any Mom would say the birth itself was perfect. In fact, we often hear quite the opposite.

Don’t be alarmed – I’m not going into the uncomfortable details about my birth experience. The purpose of this blog post is to testify that God’s Word doesn’t fail! Declaring the truth in Scripture allowed me to have the exact birth experience that I expected, and it was completely in God’s will. It begs the question how many more of my life experiences could be so perfect, if only I would work to apply such diligent study, prayer, application and faith to those other things as well?

For the birth of my son, my husband and I decided we would prefer a comfortable home birth instead of what we consider the hassle of a hospital birth. While many people were excited for us to have such an intimate experience at home, many people also expressed concern for us in the event that something would go wrong.

Let’s take a moment to put the contrast between these viewpoints in perspective for all those reading: When I was pregnant with my first son, I was back-and-forth – one moment basking in the joy and peace of the Lord, the next moment losing myself in fearful fantasies of what could go wrong and worries about my current circumstances.

My fears were mostly focused in two areas: a fear of physical safety and a fear of financial failure. When my husband left the house in the evenings, I was terrified someone might break into my home and hurt me and my baby. Every creak in the house made my hair stand on end. I didn’t go out alone and would imagine scenarios where I’d have to physically defend myself. I was also crippled by financial fear – even though we had plenty of savings, generous help from our family and friends, and my husband had began working his most lucrative job yet, I was still obsessively pinching our pennies and restricting our spending. I don’t mean I was simply being diligent to keep us within our budget; I mean we weren’t allowed a budget. I wanted us to spend on the bills and must-haves, and forget about anything else! I didn’t only object to restaurant eating, but I wouldn’t allow my husband to buy a coffee when his work appointments got extended; down to the details, I would leave the lights off in the house even when it became uncomfortable to see, would only run large loads of laundry, and would buy cruddy off-brand household products instead of quality items: not to be prudent with what I had, but because I was unreasonably terrified of lacking. It was a miracle that I was able to enjoy a “babymoon” vacation with my husband – but even then, I couldn’t bear to do anything extravagant. We went to some shows and bought a few treats and gifts, but truly it was a camping trip to a cabin without running water, and we cooked most of our own meals. That was a trip I could rationalize wouldn’t put us in the poorhouse. We still enjoyed our time together very much, but God wants the best for His children! And here I was, actively working against the life of enjoyment God desired for my family, all in the name of fear. But what about the name of Jesus?

Shortly after my first son was born – which was not an ideal birth, going contrary to the desires I had set beforehand – I began to have revelations about the truth of God’s Word. Truths were exposed to me over and over by way of joyful worship, powerful preaching and in reading the Bible for myself. Again and again, I found myself renewed by the Word of God as doubts, fears and insecurities fell right off of me. I was living differently. I was believing differently! Time and time over, my daily experiences were lining up with the desires I had within the good will of God. One day, I knew that the chains of fear that kept me bound in a certain kind of hell-on-earth had been broken off me forever! How did this transformation take place? Listen, I’m telling you how simple it is: I heard the living Word of God, and I listened. I listened, and I put the living Word into my heart. I let the Word live in my heart, and began to faithfully confess it all over my life. And that’s all it was, reader – it was that book, the Bible, becoming actual power and truth in my everyday life! And if you’re seeking transformation or just favor in any way, my only advice to you is to do the same thing and press into God’s Word through joyful worship, powerful preaching and – most importantly – opening your Bible and reading for yourself what God has to say to you.

Since I’ve learned more of the Word and applied it to my life in faith, I’ve come to love certain Scriptures all through the Bible. As it got closer to the little baby’s due date, certain Scripture stood out to me more than others. I thank God for the Bible to keep us level-headed, because at this time the concerned voices started getting louder as other people shamelessly shared their own opinions, fears and predictions. People said something would go wrong. People said we would need interventions. People said the birth would be too difficult for me. People wondered how I was going to intervene, because my son was past his due date. Someone even inferred that our son would die if he was born at home, and that it was likely I would need to get a C-section. I didn’t agree with any of them: there was only One I was going to agree with!

There are competing wills: God’s will, Satan’s will, others’ wills, and your will. Who are you going to align your will with? I’m going to align my will with my Father in heaven. I’m going to use the authority given to me in the name of Lord Jesus Christ to fulfill my Father’s will for my life!

These Scriptures enabled me to make God’s will come to pass in my circumstance. I can testify that everything we petitioned for and declared came to pass, down to the details. I wanted a natural birth, short labor, to be free from increased pains in childbirth, for baby to be perfectly healthy, to have no injury or complications myself, to have a supernaturally quick recovery, and when I decided I wanted to give birth on Monday, he came on Monday! The birth was quick, natural, contractions bearable, pain manageable, no injury, with a completely perfect baby boy who was not, in fact, born late – there was every indication that he was born right on time; then in the following days, he regained his birth weight and I had a supernaturally fast and comfortable recovery. With faith in that powerful name of Jesus, I dictated my circumstances by using the authority of Jesus’ name: the same authority that is afforded to every Christian in the family of God! Praise God, you can use it too! Hallelujah! Below I’m giving you many of the scriptures that guided every word that came out of my mouth, every vision I had for my life, and helped me maintain stubborn, certain faith, especially in times of opposition.

My husband and I were especially focused on the Word during this time in our life, believing for God to make us a road in the wilderness of life – and it showed! What else could be possible if we put in the same time and attention toward the Word regarding all our circumstances in life?

ONLY THINK & MEDITATE ON THE WORD OF GOD AND IN THE REVELATION OF WHO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS!

God’s Word is the final authority. Unbelief in His Word is unbelief in God Himself. When you believe God’s Word, you will gladly confess it! Use the sword of truth and shield of faith!
1 Timothy 2:4
“…who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

2 Timothy 3:16-18
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

John 17:17
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

God does not will to do us any harm. He only wills to do good and perfect works in our lives, and has even granted us authority to overcome every attack of the devil so His will may be done.
James 1:17
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

Jeremiah 42:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Deuteronomy 7:9
“God is faithful and keeps his covenant of love to a thousand generations.”

Hebrews 8:6
“Christ mediates a better covenant enacted on better promises.”

Philippians 4:19
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Luke 10:19
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Exodus 23:26
“No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.”

Genesis 28:14
“And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”

John 14:2
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”

Ask for wisdom in all your circumstances, and you can trust that what He reveals to you through His Word and in the Spirit is the way!
James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

No matter what the world says in way of statistics, evidence, declaration, or how we feel, we remind ourselves that we aren’t citizens of this world, but citizens of heaven: we don’t conform to the patterns of this world because we have died to ourselves and Christ lives in us; our sin is removed from us, and we are free from the consequences of the curse! We have the same blessing of Abraham. We have a better covenant with God through Christ!
Romans 12:2
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Ephesians 5:30
“For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.”

Galatians 3:13-18
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

1 John 4:4
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

His Word is the best medicine. When you confess your sickness, your confession keeps you sick. When you confess God’s Word, your confession makes you healed! Confession of the Word is God’s way of declaring our faith and receiving the promises of His covenant with each and every believer.
Psalm 107:20
“He sent His Word and healed them.”

Ephesians 6:17-18
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”

Jesus defeated Satan with one weapon: the Word of God. That’s all it takes! Use the sword of truth!
Matthew 4:10-11
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”

Ephesians 6:19-20
“and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

God’s Word teaches us to approach our Father with praise and thanksgiving before making our petitions. We come to Him with expectation to receive His good and perfect gifts, so we come with joy and gratitude even as we make our prayers known!
Psalm 100:4
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.”

Philippians 4:6-7
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 37:4
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

Faith isn’t just knowing God is real to us, but knowing He is a rewarder in this life.
Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

James 1:6-8
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

We are covered in the blood of Christ in which sin, sickness and anything fallible can’t survive. Christ has redeemed us from the curse which Adam and Eve brought upon us.
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Galatians 3:13
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)

Isaiah 53:4-6
“Surely, He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But, He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”

Ask the Lord, and believe you have received it. Get other Christians to stand in agreement with you. Then, go and act in response to the promises of the Lord, and you will bear the fruit of your confession in faith. Speak to the mountain in your life, and it will move!
Hebrews 4:16
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Matthew 18:19-20
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

John 14:13-14
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

John 15:16
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

John 16:24
“Ask and you shall receive.”

Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

James 5:16-18
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”

Believe.
Mark 9:23
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’”

Mark 11:24
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

John 7:38
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water.”

Matthew 17:19-20
“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So, Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 8:26
“But He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’ Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”

Ephesians 6:16
“above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

Pray the perfect will of God in the spirit, letting the Holy Spirit intercede for you.
1 Corinthians 14:2
“For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.”

The Lord promises you strength and blessings.
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”

Psalm 105:37
“He also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among His tribes.”

Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Deuteronomy 28:1-14
“Now it shall come 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: Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. 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. The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways. Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you. And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.”

Psalm 128:1-6
“Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the LORD. May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you live to see your children’s children- peace be on Israel.”

Romans 8:28
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Isaiah 43:19
“Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Speak goodness, healing, protection and life over my family. Testify what God has done and proclaim what He is yet to do according to His Word.
Revelation 12:11
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

Proverbs 18:21
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

2 Corinthians 10:5
“casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”

James 3:11-12
“Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.”

2 Kings 4:26
“Please run now to meet her, and say to her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’ And she answered, ‘It is well.’”

The word ‘salvation’ is translated from the Greek word ‘salvo,’ which means to be healed completely, both in your spirit and in your body.
Romans 10:8-10
“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Matthew 9:5-7
“For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house.”

Be obedient and stay in the will of God to receive the blessings that are available to you. Your words and actions can’t work contrary to your salvation and position as a child of God.
Philippians 2:12-13
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;”

1 John 5:3
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”