I have got to stop doing this.  Almost half of the month of August has passed by with no new post!!  LOL.   These blogs are as encouraging for me to write as I pray they are for you to read.  So, in saying that...I do pray you are encouraged in the latest revelation that God showed me...and He will show you, too; if you take the time to ask and stop and look and listen. 

I am really amazed at all of God's creations, even creepy, nasty spiders and yucky bugs...especially when their actions teach a spiritual lesson.  I was watching several nights ago from a great vantage point - a rocking chair on the front porch.  On the front door into the house, there is a large, decorative basket with artificial flowers, and attached to said basket was a fairly large spider web with its occupant (a fairly large spider) awaiting some prey.  As I sat and watched, captivated, I noticed a good-sized bug become trapped in the spider's web.  Now, if you have never found yourself face-first in the mess of a spider's web, you may not relate immediately to this story.  Spider's webs are surprisingly sticky.  Just take an early morning walk into one draped across your path, or try and pick some web off the end of a broom...you'll find yourself in a pasty mess.  You can't shake that stuff off your fingers, or pull it off your face quickly enough - it gets stuck in your hair, in your lashes; it clings to your fingers, etc.    

Like I said, I sat and watched as the bug became trapped in the web.  Let me tell you - that spider wasted not one moment...it went to task.  I saw 8 spider limbs begin to attack this bug by paralyzing it, and then wrapping it up for use later. (I am NOT sure exactly of the feeding cycles of a spider, and how they eat bugs, but...)  Now, I am really intrigued.  I stood up to get a better view.  I am standing nearly nose-to-wreath watching, breathless, so I won't miss anything, when I hear the Lord speak to my spirit about a spiritual side to this story.  I begin to think about how ANY of us could be like that bug <<helpless--fearful--struggling--beaten down--paralyzed--CAUGHT >>that was the final word that came into my spirit.  CAUGHT...and who could one attribute the actions of the spider to...none other than the enemy of our very soul - Satan; or most likely, an underling from the dark kingdom.

The Lord reminded me of how, at some point, I had been each of these things >>helpless--fearful--struggling--beaten down--paralyzed--CAUGHT>> in my own oppressive "web", being jabbed mercilessly by the enemy; by circumstances, by bad or wrong decisions, by poor attitudes, by distrust and unbelief; trying to disable me completely, until I was so numbed by the attack that I could no longer see that God, as always, was right in the midst, a prayer away, a cry out to waiting, open arms, to receive me back, rejoicing over me, casting sins from east to west, remembering them no more, with lasting promises of being right by my side, as always, clothing me with His righteousness.   

I recognized this was just like the enemy, prowling around all sneaky;  punching, hitting, blind siding, tripping up, reminding, persuading, condemning, counterfeiting...making me forget (conveniently!) how gracious and merciful my God is.  The Holy Spirit is there, speaking to my heart and my spirit, affirming me and encouraging me.  Then it hit me - how effortlessly we make a choice, and not a smart one.  It is a very convenient move, one that doesn't require much thought.  The choice to do just as the bug caught in the web does... surrender to the enemy.

And here is where God, in His infinite mercy, separates us from the creatures.  He gives us free will, and He gives us choice.  We can serve God, and be set free from the "tangled webs" of life <<guilt-shame-discouragement-discontentment-distrust-unbelief-fear-poverty-etc,>> or we can wallow in the webs, and bow to these things.  God has made it very plain - you cannot serve two masters.  Your allegiance cannot be compromised.  Choose YOU this day.  Choose to allow Jesus to transform you.  Choose to walk in His righteousness.  Choose to be less, so He can be greater.  Choose...be impacted by HIM who is greater in you.

Be blessed,

Velvet