Kids are always in a hurry to "grow up", I don't think they realize the sign of a grown up is a person that does their own laundry, buys and/or fixes their own food, washes their own dishes, buys their own clothes, pays for their own electricity and water and roof over their head, pays for the gas in their car, not to mention paying for their own car......and the insurance and tag for it.......maybe they think "grown up" means the freedom to use the things their parents are providing? Stop and think, that's not a grown up!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Pain, Medication and Life
The world of someone with chronic pain is totally different from the one inhabited by people with healthy happy bodies. Each day is an adventure, will it be a good day or a painful day? Unfortunately you no longer enjoy the freedom that you once took for granted. Your body, that you may have neglected or overused previously is now demanding attention!
The freedom to be able to get in a car and drive to the store, shop and bring your purchases home becomes a mission of endurance that takes your complete focus. You have to marshal your resources, know your store and be prepared for the disabling pain to rear it's head at any moment.
While you may have been a bright person, strong and independent previously, pain brings you to levels of being dependent on the generosity of other's characters and actions. Most people are too busy in their lives to be too generous with anyone that requires anything extra of their time or attention. Pain is not easily detectable from person to person, so it is even a challenge for the healthy person to recognize or understand the existence or the limitations brought about by pain.
Then, add the complication of medication, while it is a godsend for dealing with the pain, it becomes the "Forest of Mists" that you now live in. The Mists of medication may snatch the very word you're searching for away from your lips or it may keep you from ever finding it to begin with, or it may capriciously put it's hands over your ears while someone is giving you "important" instructions and details or asking questions that need a response . You may have no energy or strength to do the basic things in life, showering may become the big event of your day! It limits important things like your driving abilities and even small things like your spelling. When you are trying to have a serious conversation and share what you have thought(yes, you can still think!sometimes!) the words may be there, or maybe not, causing people to give you looks of sympathy at the very best, annoyance and impatience at the worst.
Pain is very misunderstood and I believe even abused. Even being someone that has pain, I'm still suspicious of people claiming pain. When I know the person, it is easy to see the pain in their life(you can normally see it in their face), but it takes "knowing" the person to understand it. Therefore it's a challenge to understand the pain of strangers. I know my pain, but I don't know their pain!
If I'm a person living with pain and I question other peoples pain then how much more so the person that has no pain? So it's easier for me to stay home where the birds don't question my inability to find the right word, or my forgetfulness of things that I should of remembered. They are happy as long as I feed them~(**added note here, we now have dogs that don't seem to mind my long silences when all conversation is non existent, or I'm planted on the couch with no energy to do.)
**(and my husband must be a saint to tolerate the cycles of pain and medication, the repetition of questions when I forgot to listen to the answer, the forgotten chores(even dinner or what to fix for dinner), the lost items, the depression of dependence, the tears and anger of loss of independence)**
The freedom to be able to get in a car and drive to the store, shop and bring your purchases home becomes a mission of endurance that takes your complete focus. You have to marshal your resources, know your store and be prepared for the disabling pain to rear it's head at any moment.
While you may have been a bright person, strong and independent previously, pain brings you to levels of being dependent on the generosity of other's characters and actions. Most people are too busy in their lives to be too generous with anyone that requires anything extra of their time or attention. Pain is not easily detectable from person to person, so it is even a challenge for the healthy person to recognize or understand the existence or the limitations brought about by pain.
Then, add the complication of medication, while it is a godsend for dealing with the pain, it becomes the "Forest of Mists" that you now live in. The Mists of medication may snatch the very word you're searching for away from your lips or it may keep you from ever finding it to begin with, or it may capriciously put it's hands over your ears while someone is giving you "important" instructions and details or asking questions that need a response . You may have no energy or strength to do the basic things in life, showering may become the big event of your day! It limits important things like your driving abilities and even small things like your spelling. When you are trying to have a serious conversation and share what you have thought(yes, you can still think!sometimes!) the words may be there, or maybe not, causing people to give you looks of sympathy at the very best, annoyance and impatience at the worst.
Pain is very misunderstood and I believe even abused. Even being someone that has pain, I'm still suspicious of people claiming pain. When I know the person, it is easy to see the pain in their life(you can normally see it in their face), but it takes "knowing" the person to understand it. Therefore it's a challenge to understand the pain of strangers. I know my pain, but I don't know their pain!
If I'm a person living with pain and I question other peoples pain then how much more so the person that has no pain? So it's easier for me to stay home where the birds don't question my inability to find the right word, or my forgetfulness of things that I should of remembered. They are happy as long as I feed them~(**added note here, we now have dogs that don't seem to mind my long silences when all conversation is non existent, or I'm planted on the couch with no energy to do.)
**(and my husband must be a saint to tolerate the cycles of pain and medication, the repetition of questions when I forgot to listen to the answer, the forgotten chores(even dinner or what to fix for dinner), the lost items, the depression of dependence, the tears and anger of loss of independence)**
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Asking God
I recently spoke to an elderly woman of God. We were talking about things in life, family, government, etc. We agreed that we need to pray for family but when I asked her if she prayed for our country and government, she said "No, I believe God knows what He's going to do". I disagreed and told her I thought God waited for us to pray and ask Him to move. I told her I felt it was the same as when we want to hear from our children. She agreed, but I think her thinking reflects a lot of confusion that people allow to creep into their way of thinking. It sounds like a tactic of the enemy to prevent us from reaching out to our Heavenly Father. If the enemy stops us from asking of God, he also stops God from answering our prayers. Let's not fall for that trick! ~Pray without ceasing~
See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18
See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18
Friday, January 20, 2012
Garden
Today found my study time started with Psalm 88, then I read Psalm 30 and then was directed to a song that was playing by Misty Edwards, the title is "Garden". I realized that the separation from people and things that I'm experiencing now is to make me the Garden of His resting place that I am supposed to be. I have filled the Garden with things that need to be released and cleared out, because what is more important than His presence? Empty thoughts, warring thoughts, needless wants,~ out with those! In with His presence~ it's kind of like "weeding" in the garden~ =}
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Prophetic Word 1-17-2012
We recently went to the International House of Prayer Prophetic Ministry, January 17th. We have it recorded and I'll type that up as soon as I have it available to myself. but in the mean time I can tell the part I remember. The process of the ministry has you sign up ahead of time for a scheduled appointment if possible, if not possible then you can wait in line and see if there are any available vacancies. The evening we went we heard them say they would take 25, I'm not sure if that was 25 extra, or the 25 that had signed up. After receiving a number then you go and wait in a numbered chair(we were numbers 4 and 5), as they come to you, they have you go into a small room with 3(sometimes 4) volunteers that are gifted and acting in the prophetic ministry. Their prophetic ministry focuses on the 1 Corinthians form. That Prophecy is for the building up and edification of God's body.
As we were in the small room with the three, there was Lane and myself and a young woman from Korea. After introducing themselves and asking our names, we started with prayer. We prayed to usher in God's presence. I could hear the musicians in the prayer room playing Shekinah Glory, one of my favorite worship songs.
Then the first prophetic speaker started with me, she said that she believed God was showing her that I like to work with my hands, like crafts and things. She said that God was also showing her that He wanted to show me that His hands that are large enough for the creation to rest in are large enough to trust. She said she felt that things were just bombarding me, clamoring for my attention. There was more but I don't want to change the words and it's hard to remember it exactly without hearing the recording. She did say it was like I was in a Mary-Martha situation and that God wants me to stay in the Mary position of focusing on Him, not to give into the onslaught that was clamoring. This did give me confirmation, I have felt under attack on every front. I'm not sure why? but I did hear a sermon today that said that when we've been tried and remain true to God, then our faith is of even more value than faith that is untried. This persons words to me confirmed to me that I have been under an onslaught of trials and it isn't my imagination or that I had been overly emotional.
The second person told me that they had Psalms 30:5 for me(there is actually a first part, but he didn't speak that part, he spoke the last half of the verse) Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning. He said that God is weeping with me and feels my pain, but that it is only for the night and there will be joy in the morning. This really comforted me because lately I seem to be crying all of the time. I told Lane it was like there is no place my mind can find to rest. Every area of my life is in emotional stress and pain. I am truly thankful for the promise of 'Joy" in the morning!
The third person gave me Psalm 1:3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. He said that God was showing me that a tree doesn't have to try to grow fruit, that a tree simply sends it's roots down to the water in the ground and grows firm and as a natural process produces fruit. This spoke to me because I have been concerned that I don't measure up to the people in our church. Our church is very active and makes me feel like a slacker. The last time I had been for a prophetic word I had been told that I was to be sitting on God's lap and learning peace. I did believe that and have tried, but when you're being hammered at by others, it's difficult to hold onto what you're being led to do by your Heavenly Father.
After the third speaker the second speaker took the recorder back and said I forgot the most important part, I was suppose to emphasize that Joy is coming! That made me smile and I told him I'll take that!
I'll add Lane's when I have the recorder available.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ok, here it is, word for word, and mine was first so I typed it up in this order~
Lane introduced us
Jeanne spoke to me first
I feel the Lord speaking to me about hands, I asked Him about hands, I kind of get the feeling that maybe you like to work with your hands a little bit, crafts and things, I don't know if that's true. What I felt like the Lord was speaking actually was about His own hands. That His hands are not so short that it cannot save and that His hand that He holds the universe in the span of His hand. And I felt like the Lord was showing me was that ...I get the sense that there's been some things going on maybe some negative attacks, just different things that have been happening in your life that have been unpleasant or challenging or trials or difficulties of life. And I feel like they are screaming for your attention, and I feel like that there's this moment of decision "Martha or Mary?", Just that all of these things are clamoring, I just feel like there's these Challenges that are clamoring for your attention. And Jesus said of Martha that she was worried and distracted and I feel that there is this kind of temptation that there are all of these things coming in and they're pretty much coming against you in this "be worried, be distracted". But I feel the Lord bringing you and holding you in that place like Mary, where she fixed her eyes on Jesus and stayed in that place, I feel the Lord just His encouragement to stay in that place, fixing your eyes again, I sense His reassurance that He is the Genesis 1:1 God, He is the Creator God, the God who holds the Universe, the whole Universe in just the span of His hand, He measures it with the span of His hand, I just feel the Lord really bringing you to that place again of where you are in awe of how big your God is, and I feel like He's going to open up more revelation of how huge He is and how capable and He is just so in control, and all of these things that are clamoring and just coming against you He's going to take care of them, but even more I feel like He's going to be like "Big God, little devil", all of these things are going to look so small in comparison to how big He's going to show Himself to you.and it's going to be more grace for you to stay in that place just sitting at His feet and listening to His word, so bless you~
Patrick spoke~
Lorna the verse I got is Psalm 30:5 Weeping may remain for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. I get the sense that there is some loss or pain that you've been experiencing and I feel like the encouragement from the Lord is to say it's very real and He cares very much about your pain. He weeps with those who weep, He shares your pain and weeps with you. and He wants you to know that this is temporary. It will not last forever, there will be a night but it will not last forever there will be joy in the morning He will hold you and weep with you through the night. and there will be a morning where joy will come. The Lord bless you with joy in the morning, give her grace, give her grace to remain clinging to You through the night, Lord, in Your name.
Andy spoke~
Lorna, Psalm 1:3 I feel like the Lord is saying bearing fruit is a natural outcome of being rooted in a place, tree doesn't try to bear fruit in itself, the tree is trying to plant itself and go deep in it's root, to find water, to get to the source of life, as the tree does that the natural outcome is for the tree to bear fruit, I just feel like the Lord is inviting you into a season of going deeper into His word and getting roots deeply grounded and rooted in His word Psalm 1:3 He shall be like a tree planted by the river of water that brings forth it's fruit in it's season. I just feel like again that the Lord is inviting you into the season of getting deeper in His words, bless you
Patrick added~ I forgot the most important part, I was supposed to emphasize to you that Joy is coming. That's the promise, that joy is coming! Thank you
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jeanne spoke to Lane~ I actually felt the Lord highlighting this for both of you, I feel that you have journeyed long and that you've been faithful. The Lord has gratitude in His heart for your demonstration of faithfulness, just in the day in and day out, just gratitude in His heart. I really sense that you are faithful, that you are solid, I felt the Lord comparing you to Boaz, a pillar of strength, and I also felt the Lord highlighting from Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept the word of my perseverance I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth, I'm coming quickly, hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. And especially verse 12, He say he who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the Temple of my God and he will not go out from it anymore. And I felt the Lord just calling you out as this pillar of strength, as one who is destined to overcome, I just sense this spirit inside of you that is so solid, faithful and grounded, that is destined to overcome. I just see this overcoming warrior, this overcoming spirit, this unrelentless hope, just on the inside of you, just this hope fixed on the Lord. I really feel the Lord just calling you out as a beacon of hope, a beacon of light, just as people are experiencing different difficulties and trials in their lives, even as things have been a little rocky in this country, rocky in North America with the economy and everything, But I feel the Lord settling you and establishing you as this pillar. You know the faithfulness of God and you've allowed Him to work faithfulness on the inside of you and I really see that being a refuge and a beacon of light and a beacon of hope for many in a dark hour. And I feel the Lord wanting to highlight again that there is reward, I feel like you would do it, just because you love the Lord but I feel that He wants to remind you just because His heart is generous toward you and there is significant and great reward for the faithfulness that you've demonstrated. Bless you.
Patrick spoke to Lane~ Lane I got Luke 1, the story of the birth of Jesus being foretold, and Mary's part in it, when the Lord spoke to her He made this great promise and it says she was greatly troubled and then the promise was given and she said how can this be? And the Lord said to her, nothing is impossible with God, and her response was "I'm the Lord's servant, may it be to me as You said. I feel like the Lord is saying, you're like Mary. He makes great promises, some that seem impossible but He says nothing is impossible with me and that you're attentive and receptive. You're testimony is "Your word stands, Lord, I trust You, I believe You" and the words that resonate is that nothing is impossible with Me. So Lord, let it be according to Your word as You've said.
Andy spoke to Lane~ The picture I got was you moving your hand very quickly, almost like a martial art move, and something simple and basic, but you keep doing it, it's like you keep moving your hand in the back and it's moving very quickly and I feel like the Lord is talking about discernment and how He wants to sharpen your ability to discern, what's good and what's not good. and I.....feel......like.......the ability to discern comes from knowing the basics and from "knowing" that you do it so naturally and so I just feel that the Lord wants to increase your ability to discern what's good and what's not good and it's a very quick wisdom, very quick discernment that you're able to do and that's what I feel that the Lord is inviting you to do that, so ..bless you.
As we were in the small room with the three, there was Lane and myself and a young woman from Korea. After introducing themselves and asking our names, we started with prayer. We prayed to usher in God's presence. I could hear the musicians in the prayer room playing Shekinah Glory, one of my favorite worship songs.
Then the first prophetic speaker started with me, she said that she believed God was showing her that I like to work with my hands, like crafts and things. She said that God was also showing her that He wanted to show me that His hands that are large enough for the creation to rest in are large enough to trust. She said she felt that things were just bombarding me, clamoring for my attention. There was more but I don't want to change the words and it's hard to remember it exactly without hearing the recording. She did say it was like I was in a Mary-Martha situation and that God wants me to stay in the Mary position of focusing on Him, not to give into the onslaught that was clamoring. This did give me confirmation, I have felt under attack on every front. I'm not sure why? but I did hear a sermon today that said that when we've been tried and remain true to God, then our faith is of even more value than faith that is untried. This persons words to me confirmed to me that I have been under an onslaught of trials and it isn't my imagination or that I had been overly emotional.
The second person told me that they had Psalms 30:5 for me(there is actually a first part, but he didn't speak that part, he spoke the last half of the verse) Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning. He said that God is weeping with me and feels my pain, but that it is only for the night and there will be joy in the morning. This really comforted me because lately I seem to be crying all of the time. I told Lane it was like there is no place my mind can find to rest. Every area of my life is in emotional stress and pain. I am truly thankful for the promise of 'Joy" in the morning!
The third person gave me Psalm 1:3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. He said that God was showing me that a tree doesn't have to try to grow fruit, that a tree simply sends it's roots down to the water in the ground and grows firm and as a natural process produces fruit. This spoke to me because I have been concerned that I don't measure up to the people in our church. Our church is very active and makes me feel like a slacker. The last time I had been for a prophetic word I had been told that I was to be sitting on God's lap and learning peace. I did believe that and have tried, but when you're being hammered at by others, it's difficult to hold onto what you're being led to do by your Heavenly Father.
After the third speaker the second speaker took the recorder back and said I forgot the most important part, I was suppose to emphasize that Joy is coming! That made me smile and I told him I'll take that!
I'll add Lane's when I have the recorder available.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ok, here it is, word for word, and mine was first so I typed it up in this order~
Lane introduced us
Jeanne spoke to me first
I feel the Lord speaking to me about hands, I asked Him about hands, I kind of get the feeling that maybe you like to work with your hands a little bit, crafts and things, I don't know if that's true. What I felt like the Lord was speaking actually was about His own hands. That His hands are not so short that it cannot save and that His hand that He holds the universe in the span of His hand. And I felt like the Lord was showing me was that ...I get the sense that there's been some things going on maybe some negative attacks, just different things that have been happening in your life that have been unpleasant or challenging or trials or difficulties of life. And I feel like they are screaming for your attention, and I feel like that there's this moment of decision "Martha or Mary?", Just that all of these things are clamoring, I just feel like there's these Challenges that are clamoring for your attention. And Jesus said of Martha that she was worried and distracted and I feel that there is this kind of temptation that there are all of these things coming in and they're pretty much coming against you in this "be worried, be distracted". But I feel the Lord bringing you and holding you in that place like Mary, where she fixed her eyes on Jesus and stayed in that place, I feel the Lord just His encouragement to stay in that place, fixing your eyes again, I sense His reassurance that He is the Genesis 1:1 God, He is the Creator God, the God who holds the Universe, the whole Universe in just the span of His hand, He measures it with the span of His hand, I just feel the Lord really bringing you to that place again of where you are in awe of how big your God is, and I feel like He's going to open up more revelation of how huge He is and how capable and He is just so in control, and all of these things that are clamoring and just coming against you He's going to take care of them, but even more I feel like He's going to be like "Big God, little devil", all of these things are going to look so small in comparison to how big He's going to show Himself to you.and it's going to be more grace for you to stay in that place just sitting at His feet and listening to His word, so bless you~
Patrick spoke~
Lorna the verse I got is Psalm 30:5 Weeping may remain for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. I get the sense that there is some loss or pain that you've been experiencing and I feel like the encouragement from the Lord is to say it's very real and He cares very much about your pain. He weeps with those who weep, He shares your pain and weeps with you. and He wants you to know that this is temporary. It will not last forever, there will be a night but it will not last forever there will be joy in the morning He will hold you and weep with you through the night. and there will be a morning where joy will come. The Lord bless you with joy in the morning, give her grace, give her grace to remain clinging to You through the night, Lord, in Your name.
Andy spoke~
Lorna, Psalm 1:3 I feel like the Lord is saying bearing fruit is a natural outcome of being rooted in a place, tree doesn't try to bear fruit in itself, the tree is trying to plant itself and go deep in it's root, to find water, to get to the source of life, as the tree does that the natural outcome is for the tree to bear fruit, I just feel like the Lord is inviting you into a season of going deeper into His word and getting roots deeply grounded and rooted in His word Psalm 1:3 He shall be like a tree planted by the river of water that brings forth it's fruit in it's season. I just feel like again that the Lord is inviting you into the season of getting deeper in His words, bless you
Patrick added~ I forgot the most important part, I was supposed to emphasize to you that Joy is coming. That's the promise, that joy is coming! Thank you
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jeanne spoke to Lane~ I actually felt the Lord highlighting this for both of you, I feel that you have journeyed long and that you've been faithful. The Lord has gratitude in His heart for your demonstration of faithfulness, just in the day in and day out, just gratitude in His heart. I really sense that you are faithful, that you are solid, I felt the Lord comparing you to Boaz, a pillar of strength, and I also felt the Lord highlighting from Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept the word of my perseverance I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth, I'm coming quickly, hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. And especially verse 12, He say he who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the Temple of my God and he will not go out from it anymore. And I felt the Lord just calling you out as this pillar of strength, as one who is destined to overcome, I just sense this spirit inside of you that is so solid, faithful and grounded, that is destined to overcome. I just see this overcoming warrior, this overcoming spirit, this unrelentless hope, just on the inside of you, just this hope fixed on the Lord. I really feel the Lord just calling you out as a beacon of hope, a beacon of light, just as people are experiencing different difficulties and trials in their lives, even as things have been a little rocky in this country, rocky in North America with the economy and everything, But I feel the Lord settling you and establishing you as this pillar. You know the faithfulness of God and you've allowed Him to work faithfulness on the inside of you and I really see that being a refuge and a beacon of light and a beacon of hope for many in a dark hour. And I feel the Lord wanting to highlight again that there is reward, I feel like you would do it, just because you love the Lord but I feel that He wants to remind you just because His heart is generous toward you and there is significant and great reward for the faithfulness that you've demonstrated. Bless you.
Patrick spoke to Lane~ Lane I got Luke 1, the story of the birth of Jesus being foretold, and Mary's part in it, when the Lord spoke to her He made this great promise and it says she was greatly troubled and then the promise was given and she said how can this be? And the Lord said to her, nothing is impossible with God, and her response was "I'm the Lord's servant, may it be to me as You said. I feel like the Lord is saying, you're like Mary. He makes great promises, some that seem impossible but He says nothing is impossible with me and that you're attentive and receptive. You're testimony is "Your word stands, Lord, I trust You, I believe You" and the words that resonate is that nothing is impossible with Me. So Lord, let it be according to Your word as You've said.
Andy spoke to Lane~ The picture I got was you moving your hand very quickly, almost like a martial art move, and something simple and basic, but you keep doing it, it's like you keep moving your hand in the back and it's moving very quickly and I feel like the Lord is talking about discernment and how He wants to sharpen your ability to discern, what's good and what's not good. and I.....feel......like.......the ability to discern comes from knowing the basics and from "knowing" that you do it so naturally and so I just feel that the Lord wants to increase your ability to discern what's good and what's not good and it's a very quick wisdom, very quick discernment that you're able to do and that's what I feel that the Lord is inviting you to do that, so ..bless you.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Fight Against the Devil, The Message Version, Eph 6:10-12
Wow, The Message Version sometimes says it in a whole new way to me that really refreshes the meaning of the scriptures that I already know by heart!
Eph 6:10-12And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
Eph 6:10-12And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
Managing Evil, Ephesians 6:12
This weekend we had such a powerful time with the messages delivered by our pastors! I'm going to share Sunday's first when Pastor Steve Gray spoke on Managing Evil. The scripture that Pastor Gray started with was
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. Ephesians 6:12
The history that started this struggle was when Lucifer rebelled against God in Heaven, then he and his colleagues were kicked out of Heaven. They ended up on Earth and Lucifer established his kingdom. Jesus came to Earth and planted His Kingdom (not as an immediate overthrow of Lucifer, that won't happen completely, of course, until Jesus' return. But He did defeat Lucifer's claim to Earth). Now we are Jesus' seeds that have been planted, we are to grow and take control over our area of the world. In Luke 11:14 Jesus delivered the man from a demon of muteness, but did not destroy the demon. It is not yet time for the demons to be destroyed, but as Jesus managed them so we are also able. The demons can be herded out of our lives or we can manage them, but we are not in a position to destroy them.
Pastor Steve shared some of the beliefs of the Jewish people, some things that we as American Christians have not all been exposed to, their culture, their traditions. He also shared some of the teachings from the Book of Enoch. (Pastor Steve is well taught in Hebrew tradition, history and culture.) Pastor also gave some history of the flood of Noah's time and God's purpose in it. He taught about the Naphilim that had been on the Earth, that they had come from the intermingling of the beings of the fallen angels(Watchers, Familiar Spirits) and of women. The fallen angels were "fallen", which gave the offspring spirits that were not like that of the normal person. They were giants, they were violent, oppressive and even cannibalistic, their nature was evil. This is what caused the need for the flood, to cleanse the land, these creatures grieved God. Noah and his sons were the only ones that had not had their blood lines contaminated by these beings.
As Jesus has planted His spirit here in His followers, we are given the authority to manage evil and not only are we given the authority, we are expected to bring honor to God through our endeavours. We are equipped and given the power to "manage evil" as we walk and live in Jesus. We are given authority through Jesus' blood and name, but Pastor Steve cautioned that "you can't use His name if you don't lose your name".
When we don't manage evil(demons, dark spirits, familiars, unclean spirits, troubling spirits, etc.), they manage us. So for the sake of your families, your community, your work place, your neighborhoods, your very lives, learn to manage the evil that tries to invade your life. You are empowered to run off these spirits that bring depression, sickness, divorce, disease, conflicts, arguing and various other afflictions with them. We need to take up this responsibility, the spirits are already aware of their impending doom and are in a submissive spirit. Scripture tells us that if we resist the devil, he will "flee"! If you think you are being troubled by an outside spirit, you CAN run it away! Be aware of the power that Jesus has endowed you with and use it. Be sure that the words are integrated in you, don't just use a rote memorized phrase. When you say "through Jesus name", know that you are living in Jesus. Know who you are, know who Jesus is and clean up your world, run the evil spirits out of your home, your work environment, you neighborhood, your life, your realm. Let your life bring honor to God~(The message that Pastor Steve brought was very full of teaching and information, I'm not able to post the full message here, word for word, this is my condensation of it! I would like to add a caution here, if you send the evil spirits fleeing, you have to clean up your area and secure it with the Holy Spirit or they will want to return and bring other ones with them(Matthew 12:43-45). I would encourage you to go to the archives of the World Revival Church to hear his full message if you have any questions.)
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. Ephesians 6:12
The history that started this struggle was when Lucifer rebelled against God in Heaven, then he and his colleagues were kicked out of Heaven. They ended up on Earth and Lucifer established his kingdom. Jesus came to Earth and planted His Kingdom (not as an immediate overthrow of Lucifer, that won't happen completely, of course, until Jesus' return. But He did defeat Lucifer's claim to Earth). Now we are Jesus' seeds that have been planted, we are to grow and take control over our area of the world. In Luke 11:14 Jesus delivered the man from a demon of muteness, but did not destroy the demon. It is not yet time for the demons to be destroyed, but as Jesus managed them so we are also able. The demons can be herded out of our lives or we can manage them, but we are not in a position to destroy them.
Pastor Steve shared some of the beliefs of the Jewish people, some things that we as American Christians have not all been exposed to, their culture, their traditions. He also shared some of the teachings from the Book of Enoch. (Pastor Steve is well taught in Hebrew tradition, history and culture.) Pastor also gave some history of the flood of Noah's time and God's purpose in it. He taught about the Naphilim that had been on the Earth, that they had come from the intermingling of the beings of the fallen angels(Watchers, Familiar Spirits) and of women. The fallen angels were "fallen", which gave the offspring spirits that were not like that of the normal person. They were giants, they were violent, oppressive and even cannibalistic, their nature was evil. This is what caused the need for the flood, to cleanse the land, these creatures grieved God. Noah and his sons were the only ones that had not had their blood lines contaminated by these beings.
As Jesus has planted His spirit here in His followers, we are given the authority to manage evil and not only are we given the authority, we are expected to bring honor to God through our endeavours. We are equipped and given the power to "manage evil" as we walk and live in Jesus. We are given authority through Jesus' blood and name, but Pastor Steve cautioned that "you can't use His name if you don't lose your name".
When we don't manage evil(demons, dark spirits, familiars, unclean spirits, troubling spirits, etc.), they manage us. So for the sake of your families, your community, your work place, your neighborhoods, your very lives, learn to manage the evil that tries to invade your life. You are empowered to run off these spirits that bring depression, sickness, divorce, disease, conflicts, arguing and various other afflictions with them. We need to take up this responsibility, the spirits are already aware of their impending doom and are in a submissive spirit. Scripture tells us that if we resist the devil, he will "flee"! If you think you are being troubled by an outside spirit, you CAN run it away! Be aware of the power that Jesus has endowed you with and use it. Be sure that the words are integrated in you, don't just use a rote memorized phrase. When you say "through Jesus name", know that you are living in Jesus. Know who you are, know who Jesus is and clean up your world, run the evil spirits out of your home, your work environment, you neighborhood, your life, your realm. Let your life bring honor to God~(The message that Pastor Steve brought was very full of teaching and information, I'm not able to post the full message here, word for word, this is my condensation of it! I would like to add a caution here, if you send the evil spirits fleeing, you have to clean up your area and secure it with the Holy Spirit or they will want to return and bring other ones with them(Matthew 12:43-45). I would encourage you to go to the archives of the World Revival Church to hear his full message if you have any questions.)
Friday, January 6, 2012
Confusion
Ok, this is an article written from the heart, not something to consider and not an observation. I find myself at a loss in the modern Christian life, it's like trying to choose a resteraunt and being overrun with choices and styles. For over 20 years I was pastored and taught by a dedicated man of God. He tended his congregation carefully and even with sacrifices by his family. Every Sunday we could count on a Spirit led teaching, not only in the Sermon delivered but if you were a die hard and wanted more, he was there an hour early to teach a Sunday School class also.
Now there are churches that specialize in Prayer, or Revival, or Healing, or Praise and/or Prophecy to name a few. Where are the churches that just want to grow closer to God and follow His path? Churches that want to live His word out? I long for a simple church where you can go in, love one another, love God, praise God, learn His word, grow deeper. The churches that are popular always have elements of these things, but leave me hungry. While one of the things that upsets me in our churches is the way they point fingers at each other and say "they don't have the truth, we do!", I also want to point my finger and say, "this isn't the way it's supposed to be!".
At our church if you're not strong, healthy and vigorous, you are left feeling as if you've been measured and found "wanting", yet as I read God's word, it says that He will use the weak of this world to confound the strong?
"1 Corinthians 1:26-28 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are"
One of our experiences at this church was when we went to the meeting for New Members we had a question and after the class was dismissed we approached the minister giving the class, he appeared affronted that we would inconvenience him with our question or conversation, even our presence seemed to offend him! The minister had the title "Pastor", meaning one who cares for the congregation, yet caring to answer our question was the least thing he appeared to desire. I see this church(even though the establishing ministers are sincere in their pursuit of God, and I do respect them a great deal. I have no desire to slander any of the leaders in any of the churches, I believe they are doing the best they know how.) as a machine that draws people in and either bends them down to serve their purpose or chews them up and spits them out.
At another church that is an option (which disagrees with the first church's end time beliefs), they are strong in prayer and even have a 24 hour area with constant praise sang to God available to anyone that wants to sing, and people come from all over the world to attend and be involved here also, yet they seldom greet each other?
Both of these churches are sincere in their pursuit of God, but they leave me hungry...where is the fellowship? The early church sold everything and cared for one another. These churches are so large, the members don't even know one another? But, we are all to be united in Christ, if we are successful in that uniting, how do we avoid becoming so large we don't know one another? Christ said to "Love the Lord your God" and "to love one another". I think we need to not focus on one part of that at the loss of the other. I have more to add later, but my time of writing is over for now.
Now there are churches that specialize in Prayer, or Revival, or Healing, or Praise and/or Prophecy to name a few. Where are the churches that just want to grow closer to God and follow His path? Churches that want to live His word out? I long for a simple church where you can go in, love one another, love God, praise God, learn His word, grow deeper. The churches that are popular always have elements of these things, but leave me hungry. While one of the things that upsets me in our churches is the way they point fingers at each other and say "they don't have the truth, we do!", I also want to point my finger and say, "this isn't the way it's supposed to be!".
At our church if you're not strong, healthy and vigorous, you are left feeling as if you've been measured and found "wanting", yet as I read God's word, it says that He will use the weak of this world to confound the strong?
"1 Corinthians 1:26-28 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are"
One of our experiences at this church was when we went to the meeting for New Members we had a question and after the class was dismissed we approached the minister giving the class, he appeared affronted that we would inconvenience him with our question or conversation, even our presence seemed to offend him! The minister had the title "Pastor", meaning one who cares for the congregation, yet caring to answer our question was the least thing he appeared to desire. I see this church(even though the establishing ministers are sincere in their pursuit of God, and I do respect them a great deal. I have no desire to slander any of the leaders in any of the churches, I believe they are doing the best they know how.) as a machine that draws people in and either bends them down to serve their purpose or chews them up and spits them out.
At another church that is an option (which disagrees with the first church's end time beliefs), they are strong in prayer and even have a 24 hour area with constant praise sang to God available to anyone that wants to sing, and people come from all over the world to attend and be involved here also, yet they seldom greet each other?
Both of these churches are sincere in their pursuit of God, but they leave me hungry...where is the fellowship? The early church sold everything and cared for one another. These churches are so large, the members don't even know one another? But, we are all to be united in Christ, if we are successful in that uniting, how do we avoid becoming so large we don't know one another? Christ said to "Love the Lord your God" and "to love one another". I think we need to not focus on one part of that at the loss of the other. I have more to add later, but my time of writing is over for now.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
He came to get messy
Lane liked this and wanted to share it.
Shared from
So needless to say that very first Christmas was dirty…it was grimy…it
Shared from
“And while they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. And
she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. And she wrapped him in cloths
and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the
inn.”
(Luke 2:6-7)
God had this messy plan…a plan to save the world, and to do that he
was going to send his son. Where does the God of the universe send his
son? Where does the King of Kings and Lord of Lords come? To a
barn…a stable…a manger of all places! Certainly no place fit for a king.
But then again, this wasn’t any ordinary king.
When I say it was messy, I mean it was messy. It was a barn, a stable. So
you’ve got animals and animal…stuff, manure and mud. A pitiful place
for people, much less the King of Kings, to be born. Why would God do
that? Well, I can’t tell you for sure, because the prophet Isaiah tells us
that his thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways are not our ways.
But that same prophet, 400 years before, said “All we like sheep have
gone astray, each of us to our own way and that the Lord has laid our
iniquities on him.”
(Isaiah 53:6) You see, Jesus came to a messy place. A
barn, well, yes that’s messy. But he came to a messy world. Why?
Because the shepherd was coming to take care of his sheep and to
prepare a way for his sheep to go home. That’s what a shepherd does.
He lives where the sheep are, he sleeps where they sleep and he eats
where they eat. That got Jesus in trouble. Why did Jesus eat with the
sinners? Because that’s what a shepherd does...
in!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2012's Prophetic Word from Pastor Steve Gray
Our message from Pastor Steve Gray this morning was "to increase our faith, to increase our activity to increase our influence" so that in the future we will be strong and prepared to lead people as the "world is turned inside out". Pastor Gray repeatedly warned not to try to put this on a calendar, it could be immediate or it could be 10 years, but the prophetic word that he was given was that "the world is going to be turned inside out", that "we have seen the end of an era and we are in the gray area before the beginning of the new era". He said we should position ourselves to be the "go to guy" that will be able to lead and guide people in the days to come. He said we should spend our time becoming stronger, and getting in better shape and better financial shape. A cataclysmic event will change the world as we know it. He also said that he believes we are at this stage because the Christian leaders have sold out, they are not leading the people to God, they are being self serving. They are not teaching Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, they are simply leading people to the door of understanding and not taking them through it.
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