Coming Home Counseling

After reading through the bible a few times I start to notice a common theme among the kings in the Old Testament. They would bring in reform but some of them never tore down the high places. A couple of them actually did tear them down. I started to question God about these high places. In the Old Testament you can see mostly that it is Baal worship in the high places but I couldn’t see the connection for today in the here and now. So I kept looking and struggling with the concept of high places today and where is it in the New Testament. I think we are so deep in cultural deceptions that we cannot see the obvious. It is there all the time if we will take a look. So let’s take a look at the high places or the altars of worship that as Americans we face daily.

What really helped me make this shift was a book by Dale M. Sides called “Mending the cracks of your soul.” I would advise reading this book because it gives sense to inner healing and how it happens. He also has a web site which has many good articles pertaining to iniquities and how they are different than transgressions and sins. We won’t go there today as my focus is on the high places and why they need to be torn down and what happens if you don’t tear them down.

Several years ago a Christian man of high reputation wrote a book regarding the dangers of praying against high places which in the New Testament are the principalities and rulers of wickedness. What the book indicated was the needless causalities of spiritual warfare. I bought into his thoughts hook line and sinker. It is totally opposed to scripture and what God wants us to do.

In counseling, especially in marriage problems, the hardest concept to get across to a couple that is having marriage difficulties is Paul’s statement in Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Focus on this for a moment and then see what marriage counseling even in the Christian setting looks like. How about how to communicate better and say “do I understand what you are saying is this and so and so”? Or why don’t you express your deeper feeling to me more often. What we are really saying is I can see the problem with my own eyes and its setting right across the table from me. Fix him and we wouldn’t have a problem. But what if I really believed the scripture that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but these other folks in the high places.

In Colossians 2:15 “When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.” These are the high places that He disarmed. So it is a done deal right? Not quite. According to the scriptures we play a very important role in this whole matter. Luke 10:19 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.” So here is the great deception. There is a great difference between demons and serpents and scorpions. I thought they were all the same. No they are not. For the sake of our blog today “demons” are terrestrial beings only. They are only on the earth, walking around in the waste places looking for a body to carry out their work. They are spirits without bodies. They have to have bodies to carry out evil. Paul did not say our struggle is against demons but principalities, rulers of the air not the terrestrial boys. We simply cast these boys out. We don’t have a problem with that, but what do you do with rulers and principalities of the air. You do not cast them out because they don’t have a physical body to operate in, they are angelic being that are the third that were cast out of God’s presence. These are the fallen angels. The demons are not fallen angels. So if we are fighting warfare against the demons we are off base.

A great example is World War 2 which showed the power of Air Power in Warfare. Whoever controlled the Air Waves really won the battle. Satan would love to have us believe that we can do nothing against the Principalities and rulers of the Air. There is lots of teaching going on that Jesus already gained the victory for us and that the war is over. That is true but the other part is listed in Psalm 149:7 “To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishment on the peoples, To bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.” (Who do you suppose these kings and nobles are?) And who is to do the binding? Verse 9 says “To execute on them the judgment written for this is an honor for all His Godly ones.” Praise the Lord. Look at Malachi 4:3 “You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing.” Now here is one thing I know. You don’t tread on a demon but you are commanded to tread on the high places.

Let’s look at a couple of other scriptures that will bring light on the subject. Mark 16:18 “They will pick up serpents and if they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them.” Serpents are not demons. They are rulers of wickedness and the principalities. Another version says you will take them up. Demons are cast out, Principalities are displaced or removed. Ps 91:13 “You will tread on the Lion and Cobra the young lion and the serpent you will trample down.” Remember what Joshua did in verse 10:24 “Come near and put your feet on the necks of these kings. So they came near and put their feet on their necks.”

So what happens if I just ignore these Principalities and rulers of darkness. Probably things will stay the same and things might even get worse. Psalm 44:4 is the one of many scriptures that David wrote because he understood that the battle was in the high places or in the heavenlies . “You are My King O God. Command victories for Jacob. Through you we will push back our adversaries. Through your name we will trample down those who rise up against me.” Deuteronomy 33:17 “As the first born of his ox, majesty is his. And his horns are the horns of the wild ox. With them he will push the peoples. All at once to the ends of the earth.” Guess who the peoples are that he is pushing.

2 Corinthians 10:4 sheds some light on high places and principalities and rulers or wickedness. “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh” (just as our struggle is not against flesh and blood so are our weapons not of the flesh, you ever notice that reason doesn’t work in marriage issues or conflicts) but our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing (high places) that are raised up against the knowledge of God, we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience. Similar to Psalm 149:7 “To execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples.”

So let’s put this together so we can use it in our life. Cast out demons as they are terrestrial. No problem. Displace the rulers, trample on the high places. Bring them down. How does this happen. We have the word of God. It is a two edged sword. Psalm 149:6 “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth and a two edged sword in their hand.” The word of God in our mouth and spoken is a two edged sword in the spiritual realm. When it goes forth from our mouth it does not return void but accomplishes what we send it out to do. It is a weapon of warfare mighty for the pulling down of strongholds and fortresses. Angels watch over God’s word when it is spoken. Devils hearts melt when the word is spoken. Ezekiel 21:15 “that their hearts may melt, and many fall at their gates. I have given the glittering sword. “

So the Psalms of David are mostly warfare psalms. Look at Psalm 35.1-10. Let’s say you have a marriage problem. My wife and I just aren’t making it. We are not getting along, just arguing, fighting, and bickering, in total disagreement with everything. We aren’t even near harmony or unity. If I say black she says white. If I say this she says just the opposite. We are divided. So we start with the Psalm. We speak it out, we memorize it, we take the work into our innermost being so I don’t need to read it but it is there when I need it. When the thoughts come from the powers of darkness. And they will come I will guarantee it. “Contend O Lord, with those who contend with me.” (Ever run into contention) Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of buckler and shield and rise to my help. Now what happens when I pray or declare God’s word back to him. Devils hear it. Oh believe me they hear and obey and come trembling out of their fortresses. According to Psalm 19:44 “As soon as they hear, they obey me, foreigners submit to me Foreigners fade away and come trembling out of their fortresses. “Who are the foreigners? The aliens? They are not terrestrial beings. They are the principalities. We can leave them alone but life on this earth with them ruling the high places will not be pleasant. Let’s finish the Psalm 35:3 “Draw also the spear and the battle axe to meet those who pursue me. Say to my soul “I am your salvation.’ Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life ( Oh My there are some of those rulers who are seeking to kill me and get me to divorce) Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me. Let them be like chaff before the wind with the angel of the Lord driving them on . Let their way be dark and slippery with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. 7 For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my soul. 8 Let destruction come upon him unawares and let the net which he hid catch himself; Into that very destruction let him fall.” Now what happens when you pray this over from your heart which means you have memorized it? How often do I have to pray and proclaim this? Until the enemy leaves and then he will probably come back. But I have this two edged sword which works and displaces him, removes him from my high places. Try it.

Why journal? What good does it do? How do I know I am hearing from God? Some of the questions people ask about journaling. Journaling is an interesting exercise. It is really more than an exercise, it is an art, more than an art it is effective and there is lots of healing in it. It took me several tries to journal. I would read books on it and make an effort to do it but it never was very long lasting. I finally read three books in a row that really impacted me and lead me to the technique if you could call it that. One of the books was by Paul Norcross on “the Secret Place of God” which finally convinced me of its validation. There are a couple of key scriptures which can lead you into journaling and it is not just for women, David in the Psalms was a great journalist as all of the Psalms is David journaling to the Lord and hearing back the answer.

Psalm 45:1 “My heart overflows with a good theme, I address my verses to the King. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” What happens when you write with your right hand if you are right handed, your left side of your brain or skill side is activated and your right side of your brain or creative side is open to listen. A mistake most people make is they go before the presence of God, with pen in hand and they say God speak your servant is listening. Not a bad idea but that doesn’t seem to work for most people. Mark Virkler talks about tuning to the flow and I had some difficulty with this until I related to the flow of living water or water and a pump that brings up water. It’s like priming a pump so the water starts flowing. In the natural the way you prime a pump is to pour water into the spout of the pump and then the water starts to flow.

Matthew 11:28 “ Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” So you are writing this out, slowly and nicely, to the end of the scripture and at the same time you are listening and then following with a thought. Don’t analyze just stay with the flow. So if you don’t get a response you go to the next pump primer. Matthew 6:6 “But when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” So you are using the word to drop you into the kingdom of God. For the Kingdom of God is within you, in your inner room or your secret place.

This takes some practice and some resolve. You can become discouraged when the words don’t start flowing as quickly as you want. But keep with it and you will see results. It is cheaper than your therapist and is actually better because you are tapping into the true Counselor who is the King of Kings. Below is an example of journaling from a morning spent with the Lord. I purchase the small composition books from Fred Meyer for 1.00 apiece and find them very valuable as it is a written record of what I am doing. As soon as you can, introduce your name into the journaling. I.e., “Come away by yourselves” Mark 6:31 “ to a secluded place and rest a while. They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.” So you insert your name here – this is God’s word and He is speaking to you and calling you by name. Come away David (or insert your name) with me by yourself to a secluded place and rest a while. So I am going away in the boat to a secluded place. Selah. Which by the way means, pause, or your turn to speak, Lord.

So, most mornings I will start with “Good Morning Lord”. This is addressing my verses to the King. So if I am journaling to the Holy Spirit I address Him as the Third Person of the Trinity. If I am addressing the Father I will address the Father as the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ. If it is Jesus I address Him as Jesus the Son of God, The Son of Jesse, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. So on this morning I am addressing my verses to the Holy Spirit of God.

Good morning Holy Spirit, third person of the Trinity, Breath of Heaven, fragrance of the Living God the sweet smell and sweet aroma of Christ. The Holy One of Israel the flame and fire of the Living God. The God of my presence the Blessed one. The One who hovers and broods. Yes the Brooding One who settles. The Dew of Heaven and the dew of the morning. Freshness of the day, sunshine after the rain, The First Light of the morning, The day break, even the Morning Star. Breath of life and Living God. Active God, the God of my presence.

Now I am addressing Jesus. Good Morning Jesus, Son of God, Son of Man, Son of David, Root and offspring of Jesse. Fairest of 10,000, ruddy and dazzling like a wild apple tree in the middle of a forest. Whose head is like pure gold and has hair like as black as a raven. Whose mouth is altogether lovely. Who is like you? You have no equal. None compares to you, you are mighty in power working wonders, and majestic in holiness.

Now I go to the Father of our lord Jesus Christ, the ancient of Days, The King of Glory, the Ruler of all.

The Great and awesome God, The Alpha and Omega, The Father of lights in who there is no turning of shadows. To thee Lord I come. To thee I come, I will bless the Lord who has counseled me the One who instructs me in the night seasons. (So I am off and flowing with the words, not analyzing, but keeping scriptures flowing and looking for direction and change in thought.) Your will be surprised where you end up. Every day will be different. Try it out.

Some more study on the human brain. There seems to be a joy center in the
human brain that stimulates us to be joyful. If you were Satan you would
want to attack this place at an early age because it is very true that “The
joy of the Lord is my strength.” No joy or little joy, no strength or little
strength or energy. So joy and endurance or strength are interrelated. Here
is how it works. Neglect and disgust are two prime joy killers. Remember the
words, “You are disgusting”, “Shame on you”, “You should know better”,
“Don’t come to me with your problems,” “Don’t bother me now, I’m busy”, all
tend to speak of neglect and disgust. The message is that you have little
value, your worth is not of importance, you are not welcome, you are
unacceptable if you don’t have it together.

By the age of two if neglect was prevalent in the home a child will have
started to lose the return to joy circuit that goes on in their brain. The
bible states that there will be problems, each day has its own difficulties,
but that is not the issue, and the issue is how quick we can return to joy.
The brain is actually hardwired to be able to return to joy if someone takes
delight in you or says I am glad to see you. We take great delight in your
presence and it is good to be with you. Now what happens when the wiring is
off and we didn’t get this? Here is the good news. The brain is ever
developing and can be rewired by the word of God. That is why it is so
important to memorize scripture because you are forming neural pathways to
restore the joy that is lost. So we have designed some scriptures to restore
your joy and to bring back the joy that is so hard to realize. Many of us
can’t receive the scripture that says the “Lord delights in us” Or” The Lord
waits for us to come to Him that He may be gracious to us”, Or he rejoices
over His people”. Many really believe that God is waiting to punish us or
smack us on the head or send us some disease for being bad.

Here are some joy builders that will began to rebuild the ancient ruins and
restore foundations that have been broken down.

1. Psalm 18:19 “He brought me forth also into a broad place. He rescued me,
because He delighted in me.

2.Psalm 41:11 “By this I know that You are pleased with me, Because my enemy
does not shout in triumph over me.

3. Psalm 147:11″The Lord favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His
loving kindness.

4. Psalm 149:4 “For the Lord takes pleasure in His people, He will beautify
the afflicted ones with salvation.

5.Isaiah 62:5 “So your God rejoices over you as the bridegroom rejoices over
the bride.

6. Isaiah 30:18 “The Lord longs and waits for you to be gracious to you and
He waits on high to have compassion on you.

7.Isaiah 62:4 “It will no longer be said of you “forsaken” nor will you be
desolate. But you will be called, My delight is in her.

8. Song of Solomon 4:7 “You are altogether beautiful my darling and there is
no blemish in you.

9. Song of Solomon 2: 14 “Let me see your form or appearance Let me hear
your voice, For your voice is sweet and your form is lovely.

10. Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is in your midst, He exults over you
with joy, He rejoices over you with shouts of joy.

To sum up what the Lord is saying is:

He delights in you,
He is glad to see you.
He wants to bless you and do you good.
He waits for you to come to Him so He can bless you.
He will never leave you or forsake you.

You are always welcome to come to Him at anytime whether you are good or
bad.
He waits for you to return to Him and He puts a robe on you and kills the
fatted calf.
You are his joy and His delight.
He takes pleasure in His people.

He rejoices over you with singing.
He says this is my daughter and my son in whom I am well pleased, you are a
crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord and a royal diadem in the hand of
your God.
The Lord gives you favor, for He favors His people.