An Exhortation to Advance

An Exhortation to Advance

During Worship at church I had a vision of myself standing on top of a mountain. I took a deep breath; the air was crisp, fresh, and clean. I looked straight ahead, smiling. I looked around and there were tall mountains all around the mountain that I was standing on. I had no fear of being that high or standing on top of the mountain peak (Ordinarily I would avoid heights). I could see clearly and felt much joy. I was excited to be there and felt the presence of God with me. I asked the Lord what this means; Lord what should I do with this. How did I get all the way up here? The Holy Spirit said, “I placed you on top of the mountain, Open your mouth and Speak”. I began to speak out to the other mountains. As I spoke, my voice was as if I were speaking into a microphone. The other mountains responded as if coming awake, agreeing, preparing/shifting, moving, and advancing.

Enter His Presence

“The mountain top is a place to be in God’s Presence…. Jesus often went up the mountain to pray. The Bible also mentions times when Jesus went alone to pray……Your life is a life of prayer. That is why you often pray alone. When you start praying, you go up the mountain. When you reach the top of the mountain and enter in His presence, the words flow easier than at the bottom. (Retrieved 9/28/2021 from https://rethagroenewald.com/jesus-mountain-teach-beatitudes/)”

Mountains

A Mountain is a natural elevation of the earth’s surface, but mountains can also represent insurmountable or impossible looking obstacles in our daily life. We all have mountains to contend with and overcome but when we have Jesus we also have the power of the Holy Spirit to get us on top of the mountain. On top of the mountain means Victory.

The Bible talks a lot about mountains. Jesus would often go to the mountains to pray or teach on the mountain top. When Jesus did this, things happened, people changed, miracles occurred, and there was advancement of the Kingdom. I want to talk to you about your mountains or mountain top areas and your prayer life. Mountains -or areas of influence that we have in our daily lives are areas we need to advance in.

Advance

• to move forward in a purposeful way, proceed
• to make or cause to make progress, increase
• a development or improvement
• sent or supplied beforehand
• a forward movement
• to proceed and advancing army

You Advance through Prayer!

Advance the Kingdom of God in every facet of your life. It begins with praying and partnering with the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. We should have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. A Kingdom mindset. Jesus taught the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is the realm where God reigns and Jesus Christ is the King. We are citizens of the Kingdom. Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Matthew 7:21 Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven”.

A Kingdom mindset is a way of thinking where your thoughts, decision, and actions align with Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit. Apostle Paul said, For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 4:17). “So the simplest way to understand the Kingdom of God is the realm where Jesus Christ reigns as King and God’s authority is supreme. This Kingdom exists here and now (in part) in the lives and hearts of the redeemed, as well as in perfection and fullness in the future.” (The Gospel of the Kingdom, George Eldon Ladd./Google.com)

Advance the Kingdom

Advancing requires All Hands on Deck. All Hands on Deck meaning: All available people need to come to help, especially in an emergency. In a storm or other emergency, the captain might yell all hands on deck. This is a command for all the sailors (Believers) to come to the deck of the boat to help navigate the storm. All hands on deck is a command ordering everyone around to join in to accomplish a goal. (Google.com). Back to the basics. Faith in God. God as Sovereign, Supreme, Ultimate, Final Authority. Remember advancing the Kingdom of God starts with the way you think, your mindset. Are you thinking Kingdom? Are you Advancing?

Your Mountain of Influence

Look at the following areas, systems, or mountains of influence and see how can you advance the Kingdom of God in these areas. In the vision as I stood on top of the mountain there was no fear of the tall height of the mountain, no fear of being alone on top of the mountain, no fear of moving around as I looked at the surrounding mountains from all angles. I want you to look at these areas from all angles. No fear, No limitations! Enlarge your view and Expand your Kingdom influence. Open your mouth and Speak over these areas. Maintain Kingdom Agenda as your prayer focus for these systems:

1) Education-Whether formal school system, informal, childhood or adult, professional or nonprofessional, involved or not involved, studying Bible at home or church, learning, and increasing your understanding. Advance the Kingdom of God in Education!

2) Religion-Traditions of Man, or Gospel of Jesus Christ. Tear down false religious man-made traditions and Build up the reality of Relationship with God. Advance the Kingdom of God.

3) Family-Immediate, extended, related, unrelated, biological, nonbiological, adopted, blended, etc. Advance the Kingdom of God in family relationships!

4) Business/Work/Career-In day-to-day practices in the marketplace Advance the Kingdom of God!

5) Government/Military-In politics, economics, law, justice, policies, rules, regulations, standards of conduct. Advance the Kingdom of God!

6) Arts/Entertainment-Advance the Kingdom of God!

7) Media-All types of media. Advance the Kingdom of God!

8) Health and Wellness/Medical/Science/Technology-Advance the Kingdom of God!

The Holy Spirit Within You

You may think, How can I, an ordinary person advance the Kingdom? Throughout the Bible God used common, ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for the Kingdom. Think about the Heroes of Faith in Hebrews and think about the great Cloud of Witnesses. God used their natural abilities and produced the supernatural. When a Believer enters an institution (or mountain of influence), the Kingdom of God is at hand in that system. We Advance the Kingdom through love and the power of the Holy Spirit. We are the answer! The sons and daughters of God use our kingdom mindset in every area of life. When we go to work, the Kingdom of God shows up at that place. When we engage in business activities, the Kingdom of God is present in the marketplace.

You are a valued and participating member of the family of God. All hands on deck—-let’s get souls saved, pray, witness and demonstrate the Kingdom of God in our mountains or areas of influence. Partner with the Holy Spirit to stand. Stand on these mountains and Speak. Pray. Intercede. Speak Life over these mountains: Family, the church, law, politics, economics, education, science, medicine, mass media, military. The world needs your authenticity exactly what you bring to the table. Without your advancement, the puzzle is incomplete.

Your piece is significant and necessary. The Team needs You! Return to your rightful position. All hands on deck, back to basics of Faith in God. Genesis 1 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. ²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.²⁸ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

You have dominion now Multiply. Multiply your reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit. Increase your flow, your flow of faith not fear, your flow of trust, your flow of streams of income, streams of provision, your flow of influence, your flow of praying in the Spirit. A continuous flow of the Holy Spirit in you. A flowing river of life, living waters flowing from you as you advance.

Advance the Kingdom through The Power of the Holy Spirit

In Matthew 6: Jesus said, ⁹ Pray like this: ‘Our Beloved Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms, may the glory of your name be the center on which our lives turn. ¹⁰ Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is in heaven. Matthew 3:11 John the Baptist said this concerning Jesus, ¹¹ “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Pray in the Spirit. Connect on a deeper level of intimacy with God. Minister unto God and Worship Him in spirit and in truth. We operate and advance through the power of the Holy Spirit. Advance the purposes of God.

The Authority of the Believer. When you received Jesus Christ as Savior you also received power (the power of the Holy Spirit), John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name (NKJV) or But as many as received him, to them gave he power (Holy Ghost power) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (KJV).

Demonstrate the Kingdom

Advance the Kingdom of God by peace or by war, but do the Father’s work. Work from victory to victory and from glory to glory. Stand on top of the mountain and Speak. Jesus spoke Deliverance in the Mountains and demonstrated the Kingdom. Mark 16: ¹⁷ And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

A Demon-Possessed Man Healed

Mark chapter 5 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. ² And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, ³ who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, ⁴ because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. ⁵ And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.⁶ When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. ⁷ And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”⁸ For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” ⁹ Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” Jesus cast out the demon and healed the man.Top of Form

As You Advance: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

Acts chapter one, 1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Jesus is the prize!

Closing Exhortation

As you stand on the promises of God, Allow the Holy Spirit to take you to the top of the mountain. Open your mouth and Speak. Speak in faith with your Believers authority. Speak and Rejoice! You will Advance.

Advance the Kingdom of God Within You:

Advance your personal Relationship with Jesus

Advance your understanding of the Holy Spirit

Advance in the fruit of the Spirit

Advance in your spiritual gifts

Advance in Learning the Father’s character and nature

Advance in Praying all kinds of prayers (Ephesians 6)

Advance in Loving others

Advance in spending quality time alone with God

Advance in your ability to hear the voice of God

Advance in seeking God seriously; as a priority; intentionally

Advance in Wisdom from God

Advance your Spiritual Awareness of Jesus Christ (Not your intellect)

Advance in praying in the Spirit

Advance in Worship to Jesus; Worship in spirit and in truth

Advance in studying the Word of GodBottom of Form

Advance in applying the Word to your life

Advance in Speaking the Word over your life

The Great Commission of Jesus Christ

¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷ And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. ¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Advance

God Loves You-Are you Saved? Yes—Great Grow. No—Please Get Saved. Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior Romans 10:9, Romans 10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

____________________________________________________________________________________

THE POWER OF A WORD

Word

The power of a Word

It’s something about the power that is contained in a Word.

In the beginning God said. God spoke and it was so. We are made in the image and likeness of Father God. As a believer/follower of Jesus Christ we need to understand our Identity. Now then we are Ambassador’s for Christ we have been granted Authority. Authority to speak the Word of God. The Authority of the Believer in our Words.

This is where our Authority comes from. It’s because of who were and to whom we belong. Our true Identity Ephesians 1: 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14. who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Be careful and intentional about the things you say. I remember as a child my parents were big on “watch your mouth”. It was all about the “watch your mouth”. My Grandmother was big on watching your mouth. They knew. They knew the power of our words. Yes, watch your mouth your words. Set a watch over your mouth and speak the Word of God over your situation, speak the Word over your family, speak the Word over your health, speak the Word over your mind, speak the Word over your finances, speak the Word over your ministry, speak the Word over your future, and your destiny.

Hebrews 4:12, NIV: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” … It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” The Word is alive, vibrant and active, it’s sharp, think about the tip of a sword, it can penetrate anything, the Word is the discerner of spirits. The Word is alive it has a heartbeat, breath, blood flowing, a pulse, activity, and power.

What did Jesus say? Mark 11:23-24 “Truly^[ I tell you, if anyone says (speaks) to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say (speak) will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask (speak) for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

I love words, reading, speaking, writing. Words are powerful. Yes they are some letters that we string together and speak but they create. String together F.L.O.W.E.R. Each letter has a separate sound. What do you see. What do you hear. You see the word flower and you know what a flower is and you can see flowers and sometimes even smell the scent of flowers. There is revelation in a Word, flowers are planted and they grow, flowers serve purpose. What a sweet smelling fragrance.

God uses words to reveal Himself to us. God loves words. He referred to Himself as Word. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. God listens to words. He honors words. He responds to our words. God’s Word is alive, living, vibrant, progressive, and vital.

Speak a significant word over yourself! You see it’s not just about the words. It’s about the Identity of the speaker. Have they been granted Authority to speak. Speak. Speak. Speak a significant word and watch the Word work.

Word

Are you Saved?

Yes. Good Grow

No. Get Saved

Romans 10:9-10 If you declare (say/speak) with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess (say/speak) your faith and are saved.

Receive Jesus today and speak a word over yourself.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Pursue Pursue Pursue”

https://youtu.be/cfaeXUrZJ0c

• Pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain
• Pursue to follow someone or something in order to catch or attack them
• Pursue to go after, run after, follow after
• Pursue to seek to attain or accomplish
• Pursue to follow a course of activity; try to achieve something
• Pursue to follow with a view to overtake; to follow eagerly, or with haste
• Strong’s Hebrew pursue is dalaq-to burn, hotly pursue; chase, inflame, kindle

Two Dynamics

Throughout 2020 and now into 2021 there have been 2 dynamics existing simultaneously. These dynamics have absolutely nothing to do with politics or safety. While one segment of people were shut down, shut up, locked down and isolated, brakes on and emergency brakes on; another segment of people were advancing, progressing, marching, bulldozing their way through, planting, sprouting, flourishing, building, continuing, pressing. The two dynamics are really interesting because neither one is right or wrong it’s a matter of perspective. The two dynamics have been educational in that they allowed us to see ourselves; the real us. And this is okay because everyone reacts to a battle in their own individual way. Now having looked back and looking forward, which dynamic will you Pursue.

Luke 19:13 Here Jesus tells the parable of the king’s ten servants. The parable of the talents. The story showed Jesus’s followers what we should do during the time between Jesus’s departure and his Second Coming. This applies directly to us. What are you doing while you wait for Jesus’ to return? No one knows when He will return, it could be today it could be 3,000 years from now. The focus is Not on when. The second part of this Scripture is the focus: I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8.

We have all the resources we need to build and expand God’s Kingdom. God has given each of us all kinds of talents and gifts to fulfill our purpose. Jesus wants us to account for what we do with his gifts. Traditionally, many people focus on what they do at church. But this past year has changed the dynamic of the church and you fulfilling your Kingdom purpose.

So here is the story Jesus told and it applies directly to us, here today, now. Luke 19:11-27 While they were listening to this, Jesus went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. Jesus said: A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas (talents). Put this money to work he said until I come back (OCCUPY UNTIL I COME BACK). But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ He was made king, however, and returned home.

Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money (talents and gifts), in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 

Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.

The parable of the talents (minas) can be seen as an exhortation to Jesus’ disciples to use their God-given gifts in the service of God, and to take risks for the sake of the Kingdom of God. These gifts have been seen to include personal abilities (Talents in everyday sense), as well as personal wealth. I would like to challenge you to not limit wealth to finance or money. Wealth is abundance, assets, a great amount of money, property, possessions or ideas. Wealth-goods and resources having value in terms of exchange or use. Are you a wealthy person? Think about it, do you have Faith in God. Faith is a currency. What about your Inheritance? Isn’t your Father the King of Kings.

As I drove the distance to my church one Sunday (Grace Christian Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan), from the west side of Detroit, my heart was heavy. My spirit was grieved as I noticed that the majority of the churches were still closed. I am aware of this and even understand why but for some reason it troubled me this particular day. The few churches (I know, we are the church) that were open were scarce and few cars in their parking lots. It was a bright shiny day but it felt like there was a gray cloud hovering over the areas. I immediately perked up upon seeing a rare church with the doors open and good participation. It was like I was on an emotional roller coaster ride that Sunday morning. Normally I would take the freeway but that day the freeway was closed and I took the street route, the long route. It was during this ride that I got the revelation of these two dynamics. I knew that this was a call to intercession and invitation from the Holy Spirit to intercede in prayer.

I thought, my God the church is under attack! This should not have been a news flash moment because yes the church has always been under attack. But this was different, this was like under attack on steroids to the tenth degree. I began to think about all the Pastors who God had assigned and entrusted that church congregation that territory to. At this point, I’m almost in uncontrollable tears. It was as if I could ‘feel’ the Pastors heart. Then the members of each church congregation, all the helpers of God like choir, worship team, ushers, mothers, deacons, elders, associate ministers, prayer warriors, maintenance, children’s ministry, Sunday school, media ministry, or early morning team members, etc. This is when the magnitude Hit me. This is a PROBLEM!

OCCUPY—-This is the Solution: …………………Jesus said, ……”Occupy until I come”. Are you Occupying, You, not your church, You. But Rhonda, How do I Occupy? I’m so glad you asked. “Hunger and Thirst”. Hunger and Thirst for God. When we hunger and thirst we Pursue. Hunger and Thirst is a signal that it is time to Pursue. To pursue that which satisfies and fills. Occupy—being used by someone (God), to be deeply engaged, having one’s attention or mind or energy engaged, seized and controlled, FILLED. An occupied place is being controlled by an army or group of people that has moved into it. Take over territory. Occupy the regions and Claim them for Jesus.

As I pulled into the parking lot of my church it was like the Sun suddenly brightened, there was gleaming. I had to roll my window down to be sure I was seeing correctly. I was. I looked around at all the cars filling the parking lot. There was such a brightness, as if a beam shined down on the church. I felt like I wanted to jump out of the car and run, yes literally run into the church. Please let’s stop taking the local churches for granted. Stop talking about and belittling the local church as if it’s just a building and nothing more. Which dynamic will you pursue, will you be a part of the problem or the solution. I imagine on That Day when we bow before Jesus, will you have such boldness. This is not about any specific location, this city or that city, this state or that state, this nation or that nation. It is about the Church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and everything that represents here on earth and throughout eternity. There are two dynamics and only You choose which dynamic you belong in. No longer only about a physical building but about the Temples. Do you know that your bodies are Temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own 1Cor. 6:19.

Which church are YOU? Are you the empty church, the church where all the lights are out, the vacant unavailable temple; the unoccupied church. I call you the vibrant, bright shining, fruitful church. You are the blazing Temple. You are temple where God is glorified. You brothers and sisters are the church where love resides. You are the glowing smiling church. You are the courageous church who goes forth even if you are afraid. You are the church who says, Come; be healed, be delivered, be set free. You are the church that will prophesy to the empty church; and command it’s dry bones to live. You are the temple where the sounds are heard, the roar of the trumpet. A sound of triumph a sound of victory and sound of praise. I call you the church who is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus You are advancing in the Spirit, progressing, marching, bulldozing your way through, planting, sprouting, flourishing, building, continuing, pressing into true Worship. I call you a hungry and a thirsty church.

Hunger and Thirst

Thirsting for God

For the Pure and Shining One

King David’s song when he was exiled in the Judean wilderness

Psalm 63 TPT: O God of my life, I’m lovesick for you in this weary wilderness. I thirst with the deepest longings to love you more, with cravings in my heart that can’t be described. Such yearning grips my soul for you, my God! ² I’m energized every time I enter your heavenly sanctuary to seek more of your power and drink in more of your glory. ³ For your tender mercies mean more to me than life itself. How I love and praise you, God! ⁴ Daily I will worship you passionately and with all my heart. My arms will wave to you like banners of praise. ⁵ I overflow with praise when I come before you, for the anointing of your presence satisfies me like nothing else. You are such a rich banquet of pleasure to my soul. ^6–7 I lie awake each night thinking of you and reflecting on how you help me like a father. I sing through the night under your splendor-shadow, offering up to you my songs of delight and joy! ⁸ With passion I pursue and cling to you. Because I feel your grip on my life, I keep my soul close to your heart. ⁹ Those who plot to destroy me shall descend into the darkness of hell. ¹⁰ They will be consumed by their own evil and become nothing more than dust under our feet. ¹¹ These liars will be silenced forever! But with the anointing of a king I will dance and rejoice along with all his devoted lovers who trust in him.

Later, as I began to talk to God in prayer about this I pictured the emptiness on the streets around the Churches that Sunday morning. My attention was drawn to the empty parking lots all the vacant lots surrounding some of the churches. All I saw was space. Large empty spaces. Church property empty, vacant, unoccupied territory. I knew that what I was visualizing in the natural is a picture of the spiritual condition. I began to plead the Blood of Jesus over the Church and all that it represents, I Decreed the Territory for Jesus. I made a prophetic Declaration that the Church would fill those empty spaces. That the Kingdom of God would occupy those areas and that Jesus would be lifted up in those regions. That the Pastors would be strengthened and renewed with a fresh fire. That the congregation (the ordinary people) would rise up like a strong army and occupy those empty spaces. I began to praise God and Thank God for the filling of the empty spaces, for the occupied territories. As I Worshiped God, I began to see people, outdoors, standing and in chairs, worshipping God. The previously empty spaces were filling up with people. Excited people, the people were invigorated about praising God. It looked like outdoor picnics were springing up everywhere, some of the areas people were sitting in lounge chairs, some had long tables of food and drinks. It was like a smorgasborg buffet. The colors of the fruit dishes were strong, deep, and vibrant; the oranges were like a deep rich orange. The yellow of the lemons. The red of the watermelon, the grapes were arranged in large bunches or clusters. Children were running around playing. There was a freedom and a joy.

“Occupy until I Come”:

2 Timothy 2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

Romans 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Breaker is Coming

I Decree BREAKTHROUGH for you. Yes, the Breaker is Coming to Break you through. The Breaker anointing is going to Deliver you. It’s not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of the Living God. I Declare you will break out, break through, break free in the name of Jesus. Be Delivered, Be Healed, Be Set Free.

Repent of any doors (Thoughts, Words, or Actions) that you have opened through disobedience to God. Renounce Satan, shut the door tight and seal it with the Word of God. Draw close to God, Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Fill yourself with God’s Word and watch the living Word work for you. Follow God’s Instructions. You are Graced to overcome.

I call you Victorious, you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, Stand firm in the liberty where you have been set free and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Hunger and thirst for the Living God who will fill you, satisfy you and quench your thirst. Drink from the living well, the rivers of water freely. Welcome the Holy Spirit into every area of your life. Worship God in the beauty of His holiness.

Micah 2:13

New International Version
The One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their King will pass through before them, the LORD at their head.”

New Living Translation
Your leader will break out and lead you out of exile, out through the gates of the enemy cities, back to your own land. Your king will lead you; the LORD himself will guide you.”

English Standard Version
He who opens the breach goes up before them; they break through and pass the gate, going out by it. Their king passes on before them, the LORD at their head.

Berean Study Bible
One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate, and go out by it. Their King will pass through before them, the LORD as their leader.

King James Bible
The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.

New King James Version
The one who breaks open will come up before them; They will break out, Pass through the gate, And go out by it; Their king will pass before them, With the LORD at their head.”

New American Standard Bible
“The one who breaks through goes up before them; They break through, pass through the gate, and go out by it. So their king passes on before them, And the LORD at their head.”

NASB 1995
“The breaker goes up before them; They break out, pass through the gate and go out by it. So their king goes on before them, And the LORD at their head.”

NASB 1977
“The breaker goes up before them; They break out, pass through the gate, and go out by it. So their king goes on before them, And the LORD at their head.”

Amplified Bible
“The breaker [the Messiah, who opens the way] shall go up before them [liberating them]. They will break out, pass through the gate and go out; So their King goes on before them, The LORD at their head.”

Christian Standard Bible
One who breaks open the way will advance before them; they will break out, pass through the city gate, and leave by it. Their King will pass through before them, the LORD as their leader.

Prophesy over yourself:

The One (Jesus) who breaks open will come up before (Your name); I am breaking out and passing through the gate

The Breaker goes before me

He is breaking every limitation, every fear, ever chain, every bondage off of my life

Jesus breaks me through

He breaks open every dark and desolate place and fills it with His light

I confess the Breaker Anointing over my life

I am free, whom the Lord sets free Is free

The Spirit of the Lord lives within me and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty

I have the peace of God, the Joy of the Lord is my strength

I am covered by the Blood of Jesus

I stand on the authority of the Word of God

The Word in my mouth is my weapon of defense

By Jesus stripes I am healed, delivered, and set free from all trauma

________________________________________________________
“IT’S ABOUT THAT TIME”

Time is of the Essence!

What Time Is It!

What Time Is It in Your Life

Have you been doing the same things you were doing five, ten, twenty, thirty….years ago (Same ole same ole)? How is that working out for you? Have you done a little honest self -reflection lately and thought about the outcomes? Are your outcomes positive or negative. I hope you are experiencing positive outcomes. Let’s talk about how you are trending in these six areas of your life. Now, when I say, you, that means me included.

If you Journal this would be a really good topic Self-Reflection in these arears. I probably would need a 5 subject college ruled notebook for Relationships and maybe an index card or sticky note for Social Life. Lol.

The thing about Outcomes is how do you measure the outcome. For example, what are you going to base the outcome on? What will you measure the outcome up against. What determines if the outcome is really good or really bad. Each person’s view on the outcome can be different. In order to get an accurate measurement of the outcome we need a standard. A predetermined, across the board, standard.

If we are going to do this the right way we need a foundation. A measuring tool based on the truth. We wouldn’t want to use a tape measure that measures we need a dress size 8 when we know we’ve been forcing ourselves into a size 18, Right? Right. And brothers, would you want to wear a size 10 shoe when you know you wear a size 12? Right. Exactly. So, let’s all start out on the same page using the same measuring tool, the same standard, same foundation. The Word of God. Now these areas are like a whole 6 week course but we are just going to skim the surface for now.

1. Relationships
2. Career/Business/Finance/Income
3. Health
4. Personal Development
5. Social Life
6. Spiritual Growth and Development ( I saved the best for last)

Have you been consistent? Consistency is a good thing right? I’m referring to consistency as in regularity or steady continuity; free from variation. We all have patterns and cycles if you stop and think about it. Repeating the same cycles. Are you satisfied with your results, with the outcome of your decisions? Have you accomplished the things you wanted to or planned on accomplishing in your life? I know, I do ask a lot of questions.

Does any of this sound familiar: Here are some common phrases (Yes, I am guilty of maybe a few of these). No cheating if you didn’t say it out loud, did you think it. (This is the flesh. Galatians 5:24 tells us to Crucify the flesh, deliberately put it to death, lay it to rest. Gal. 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.). Our prayer and desire is Father your will be done.

“I’m Doing Me Right Now” (Oh, this was my favorite) “Just Let Me Do Me”

“I know what I’m doing” “I like to do things my way…”

“One thing about me, I’m consistent” “People need to stay out of my business”

Now, let’s look at the six areas of self-reflection. We can start with Relationships. Take it slow. Just breathe. Nice slow deep Inhale, pinch your lips like blowing out a birthday candle nice slow Exhale. Repeat as needed. It’s gone be okay. We will get through this together just stay calm. Focus. Lol. RELATIONSHIPS- Relationships include all types of relationships. Of course our most important relationship is with God, our Heavenly Father and all other relationships should spring from that.

Let’s think about our relationship with others such as relationship with family members, friends/neighbors, church family, coworkers, spouse, romantic relationships, leaders and authority, etc. Did you notice how I said, “let’s think about” our relationship in the last sentence. Not talk about, Think about, because sometimes we can talk our way out of dealing with the true outcomes and the things that are really on our heart. You know self-talk can be both good and not so good.

We transform our lives by renewing our mind. We train our thoughts by the things we focus on the most. When we speak, our words carry a lot of power and we will eat the fruit of our words. Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Let me set the stage, create an atmosphere. Put on some nice calming Instrumental Worship music (I like Dappy Keys—YouTube). Take a few minutes of quiet reflection on Jesus, thinking about the absolute love of God, knowing that you are accepted, that God will never leave you or forsake you, He is your very present help when you need Him in a time of trouble or distress, God wants your attention and loves to spend time with you, you are the apple of God’s eye, and He wants to pour his love out on you. God wants to build you up, strengthen you, prepare you for your assignment and use you, your life for His glory. His plans for you are all good.

Prayer: Father in the name of Jesus, we thank you, we praise you and give you all the glory. As we self-reflect, Holy Spirit we ask you to lead us and guide us into all truth. We partner with you Holy Spirit as you shine your glorious light on any areas that we need to change. We thank you God for the wisdom to make the change, to repent, and to Decree Your Word over our lives. We Declare Acts 10:38 over our lives “ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him”. Father we thank you that you are with us and for your perfect love; we ask you to show yourself strong and mighty on our behalf. In the name of Jesus we pray.

Quick recap:

• What time is it in your individual life, how are things progressing for you
• Self-Reflection of Outcomes in 6 areas
• Common Phrases you may have thought or said about the 6 Areas of Self-Reflection

Let’s dive in:

What does the Bible say about Relationships:

• Ephesians 6:1-3 Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. Remember, that you are a child to your elderly parents as well. (As parents, we lead our children by example. We set the stage as we honor God)
• Proverbs 22:16 Parents “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”
• 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (Do not be unequally yoked).

• Proverbs 18:24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
• 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
• Ephesians 5: Instructions for Christian Households. 21- 23 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 25- Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. 28. In the same way, husband’s ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 33. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

• Matthew 22: 36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
• Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you (Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God.)
• Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
• Proverb 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
• Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
• 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’.
• Amos 3:3 How can two walk together unless they are agreed?
• For siblings and all other relationships I would like to use Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Now concerning relationship, you may feel some resistance to think about and self-reflect on some relationships and prefer to focus on others. I want to challenge you to zoom in on the relationships where you feel the tug, the resistance. This takes time. It is not something that you race through. Particularly think of a relationship area where you desire to see God move. Are you ready?

Remember this is self-reflection, thinking it over, kind of rolling it around in your head so to speak. Get the particular relationship area in your mind. It can be a past or current relationship, this is just a learning exercise. Close your eyes and literally picture it.

I’m choosing to self reflect on the marriage relationship as an example but you choose your particular area. Can you picture it? Great.

What was or is the outcome, as of today, how is it progressing (Be honest with yourself, not how you pray it will be one day but how it actually is as of right now, today). You are strong, face it like David faced Goliath. Face it if you are weak and trembling in the knees. Good or not so good, positively or negatively, peaceful or turmoil, safety or fearful, healthy or unhealthy, joyful or sorrowful?

With the Relationship, have you ever spoken any of the common phrases above or similar statements? It’s good to go back to the beginning or foundation of the relationship. Foundation is key.

So, now that we have a particular relationship in mind let’s begin our journey. We are thinking about the foundation of that relationship, how did it begin. What are some of the things we spoke about the relationship in and throughout the duration. This is good, are y’all having fun yet?

With my example of a marriage relationship-the foundation, In the beginning (Let’s Go)

Common Phrases:

• I know what I’m doing
• I’m doing me right now
• People need to stay out of my business
• I don’t need anyone’s advice

Foundation (It’s okay if you have to think back some years. The point is to get to the foundation. Philippians 3:13 says Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Forgetting what’s behind means it’s okay to reflect back but it’s not okay to return to an old way of thinking, it’s not okay to get stuck in the past to the degree that you can’t progress forward. It’s not okay to passively allow yourself to be hindered, oppressed, or bound. Pastor Bertha Girty would say, “Let every experience be a learning experience”.)

What does the Bible say relating to my self-reflection?

• 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’.
• 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (Do not be unequally yoked).
• Amos 3:3 How can two walk together unless they are agreed?
• 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
• Ephesians 5: Instructions for Christian Households. 21- Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Side Bar: Oh my, this is powerful. The Holy Spirit is all over this. Each time I attempt to say, What does the Bible say relating to my self -reflection—I say What does the Bible say relating to my self-deception. This is what happens when you partner with the Holy Spirit, the revealer of deep hidden things. Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows 8. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction, whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

This part was not planned or a part of my intended lesson but Yes Lord. I receive this word. God I thank you. Thank you God! Father I repent of leaning to my own understanding and doing things my way instead of your way. I repent of only seeing the fault of others and of setting aside your precepts during my decision making. Father sanctify us through your word for your word is true. Let God be true and every man a liar. Thank you God. Thank you for your forgiveness. You are a loving Father, full of grace and compassion, Thank you God for your new mercies. Even right now. Thank you God. Thank you for your indwelling Holy Spirit leading and guiding me into all truth. In the name of Jesus, Yes God.

Shift:

If upon this time of self-reflection you recognize that you have a pattern of consistently doing things your way and rejecting the truth of God’s Word, Stop. Do not deceive your own self. Yes, there is a way that may seem right to us, but if that way opposes the Truth of the Word of God, it will not lead to a good outcome. To get the desired Outcomes we must build our lives on the foundation of God’s Word.

It’s Time to Build. So, we have our foundation now we need a Blueprint, to start building from today moving forward. It’s blueprint time. It is Time to build using a blueprint. The Holy Spirit is our blueprint. The Spirit of Truth is our blueprint. Now the foundation of the Foundation that we Build upon is Salvation. You must be born again. Do you believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Romans 10:9 If you say with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead you will be saved.

Prayer of Salvation

“Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and for answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

IT’S THAT TIME

Holy Spirit Time. Time to step out of the old. Step into a fresh Encounter with the Living Jesus. Holy Spirit Time. Time to shift, time to advance, time to accelerate, time to get Lifted, and time to propel. Time to Build. God has so much more for you. He wants to build you up; have your light shining bright, not dim, no flickering, not dull but bright. God wants to give you beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; God calls you trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that he might be glorified. Self-Reflect, “For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them” (Isaiah 61). Build yourself up on your most Holy faith. God has more for you. Build. Build. Build.

Do you believe that where you are now is all there is to your life in Christ? (The totality of your faith). Oh yes! You know, what you know; BUT God always has more.

God has new levels for you, new realms, new dimensions, new realities, new opportunities, new relationships, and fresh new revelations. “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” 1 Cor. 2:10.

Study and renew your mind about the benefits of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit inside of us gives us an advantage. Imagine, you have a great job with an excellent benefit package but you never bother to consider your benefit package. You don’t even open it up. You have all these untapped benefits waiting for you to Build up your life with.

John 16:12-13 Jesus said, ” I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now”. However, when He, the Spirit of Truth (Holy Spirit), has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He (Holy Spirit) will show you things to come.

What time is it……Time to Build with Holy Spirit.

Time to move in the Spirit of God, Spirit of Truth and build yourself on a solid foundation

Acts 7:51 Don’t resist Holy Spirit

1Thess. 5:19 Don’t quench Holy Spirit

Ephesians 4:30 Don’t grieve Holy Spirit

Do Receive the fullness of God.

Do tap in and respect Holy Spirit as Blueprint

Do Receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit

Do Invite & Welcome Holy Spirit

Do listen to Holy Spirit

Do make time for Holy Spirit

Study Study Study the Word

I love you  . Now let’s go and Build. You Build Your life on a firm foundation, take the hammer (Word) and tear down what needs to be torn down. Open your mouth and Build. “Is not my word like fire? declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Is there anything that is too hard for God? No. All things are possible you need only to believe. It is time to Build.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I G N I T E

I Decree and Declare that you are Igniting the gift of God that is in you. You are set free to operate in your gift and you are no longer stuck. You are graced and anointed to move freely in your spiritual gift to the glory of God. You will flow in your spiritual giftings like a fire that cannot be contained nor confined. Your confidence is in Jesus.

Ignite-to set afire, kindle, to cause to burn, to subject to fire or intense heat, to render luminous by heat, to heat up.

2 Timothy 1: 5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

The Greek word translated “stir up” denotes the kindling of a fire.

Stir up the gift. Stir up Your gift. “fan into flames the gift” (ESV, NIV, NLT), “keep ablaze the gift” (HCSB), and “rekindle the gift” (CSB, NRSV).

—————————————————————————

 

Are you Saved?

Yes. Good Grow

No. Get Saved

Romans 10:9-10  If you declare (say/speak) with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess (say/speak) your faith and are saved.

Receive Jesus today and speak a word over yourself.

WE NEED GOD!

Repeat after me: God I Need You.

Mark 8:36 & 37 Jesus is speaking to the people and his disciples. He’s asking us a question

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” KJV

“And how does a man benefit if he gains the whole world and loses his soul in the process? For is anything worth more than his soul?” TLB (The Living Bible) “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” ESV “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” NLT “It is worthless to have the whole world if they lose their souls. They could never pay enough to buy back their souls.” NCV

Nothing is more valuable than your life, including your soul. But think about your soul. Your soul is your mind, will, thoughts, emotions………………………………………………….

Don’t be deceived, we need established boundaries for the good of our souls. Like when you were a child and your parents taught you to use good manners, home training, respect and honor your elders, put on your listening ears and pay attention, think before you speak or react; those were healthy boundaries. Boundaries that came from the Bible. You may not have liked their delivery but they were for a purpose; for your good.

Gain the whole world…..can represent different things to different people but it’s personal to each person. We have individual souls, although we can develop good and bad soul ties. I am responsible for the condition of my soul and you are responsible for the condition of your soul.

Gain the whole world could look like:

• “I do what I want to do”, “I say whatever I want to say”,  “I eat what I want when I want”.
• Fraud to get business loans, scamming and scheming.
• Selfishness, unforgiveness, bitterness and lack of accountability.
• Getting attention no matter what the cost; betrayal; lies if it benefits your agenda.
• Backstabbing people when they no longer benefit you. Denial… that maybe you are the problem.
• A married woman or man cheating on their spouse with multiple people with no remorse.  Robbing, stealing, cheating, manipulating, rebellion.
• Complete lack of Repentance.

The list could go on and on.

GotQuestions.org described ‘to gain the whole world’ as: “To gain the whole world is to receive all the world has to offer—money, fame, pleasure, power, prestige, etc.”.

We all want money, pleasure but at what cost. God has already established blessings for obedience. You gain the whole world, get all your money. Do whatever you want to do, pleasure yourself at what expense at whose expense. In exchange for what.

Is ‘doing you’ worth it? Have you sat down and considered the cost? Are you prepared for the consequences?

Will it benefit you to gain the whole world (do whatever you want to) and then lose your mind. Lose your ability to think sound rational thoughts. Lose your will to live a life that pleases God. Lose your ability to regulate your emotions; lack emotional regulation; acting out every fleeting emotion at any given moment. Then suffering silently through the consequences because ‘you have pride’.

So Jesus is asking the questions! Jesus wants us to choose him; he gave his life so that we could have life. And a more abundant life. What is your answer? What is the answer of your soul? Are you willing to take up your cross and follow Jesus (to die to self daily)? Will you play your part and sacrifice your personal agendas, needs and wants. Are you willing to deny yourself and do things God’s way.

All of our day to day activities are temporary, here on earth. We have eternity to look forward to. Have you really stopped and thought about how God loves you so much that he gave up His Son. How Jesus sacrificed his life for you to have eternal life with him. For you to have unlimited access to God now and forever. To have the forgiveness of sin. To be able to receive all the promises, benefits, and blessings of God. To experience the absolute Love of God.

To really follow Jesus Christ we must be willing to deny ourselves daily, commit to Him, and submit to his leadership and rulership over our lives. We must be willing to live out, Lord not my will but your will be done in my life. Without God we can do nothing; but with God all things are possible if we believe.

We Need God. We Need God-Holy Spirit! Holy Spirit is our Helper, Teacher, Comforter. We Need Holy Spirit’s influence in our lives. I pray that we all think about these questions that Jesus asked and that we accept, acknowledge, and invite Holy Spirit in to help us answer Jesus’ question/s with our life. A life surrendered to God. Holy Spirit, I yield my mind, my will, my thought life, my emotions to you.

Jesus I need you.

******************************************************************************************************

THE MASSES——-MASS EXODUS

The Masses

When the Chief Surgeon removes scales off of His people’s eyes and performs spiritual cataract surgery there will be a Mass Exodus.

A mass exodus is when a large number of people leave a place or situation at the same time.

In a Mass Exodus there is a departure of a large number of people. Exodus is the title of the second book of the Bible’s Old Testament in which the Israelites escape slavery in Egypt, but the term can refer to any sudden departure of a group of people.

The Lord gave me this message July 31, 2024, I can release it now. As Holy Spirit was describing the mass exodus—I thought, God, Where will the people go?.

God is removing the scales from the eyes of his people and many mega facilities which I hesitate to say the word mega facilities in place of saying churches. God is removing the scales in the masses this how I saw it. The masses:  God is removing the scales off of the eyes of his people in the masses in many mega facilities. He’s correcting spiritual cataracts off the people and they’re going to be able to see clearly and it will be a move of God. It will be God. God is going to cause the scales to fall off their eyes. Where people have been blinded and deceived. The reason this is happening is because of sin.

Sin is in the camp and the sin is idolatry. Idolatry of worshiping man, oh my God, instead of worshiping the true and the Living God and God is bringing correction he is bringing correction. God is bringing correction and there’s going to be a mass Exodus out of many ‘mega facilities’. Again I’m reluctant to say the word ‘mega facility’ in place of church but I have to say it. There will be a mass Exodus in many mega facilities. I am weeping as I write this.

The mass exodus out of systems that have maintained ungodly agendas and have devised very wicked and evil plots against God’s people; will result in churches whose pews and seats who have been empty—– being filled.  I’m telling you they’re going to be full they’re going to be full because the people are going to desire the pure word from the Lord oh my God Jesus my God Jesus this is not an easy thing for me to say this is not an easy word. I went a week just thinking about the mass Exodus because people are going to be leaving places that they have worshiped and fellowshipped in for years . Where Generations fellowshipped there but they will exit. There’s going to be a mass Exodus because of the pollution intentional and willful deception of the sheep. The people.

God’s own precious sheep. Leaders in these mega facilities, you have led them astray on purpose. You have twisted the Word of God to please yourself and your selfish motives. My God! The pollution- the pollution is so pervasive and when God begins to take these scales off of his people’s eyes they will see clearly. I can see the scales falling. These scales are falling off of the people’s eyes in the masses. The Scales are Falling and God himself is correcting spiritual cataracts. Where things were cloudy/ fuzzy and unclear for his people; where God’s people couldn’t quite focus; unfocused and compromised. Where they fed on what they were being dispensed and did not eat the pure word of the Lord. When the Spirit of God begins to blow the cataracts and the scales begin to fall off of the people’s eyes in the masses.

God is Not mocked. God is bringing down these idols. They have erected idols like god’s and even established themselves as gods. The Lord God is the Shepherd of his sheep and he will lead them and guide them to the pasture where he wants them to be. The people in masses will begin to look for churches. They will travel from suburbs to urban cities searching for the place God is leading them. There will be many smaller churches whose seats have been unoccupied—the seats will be full.

The people will leave the mega facilities who forgot that it was God’s influence that made them large. It was never their own influence. They forgot to humble themselves and instead operated out of pride. They intentionally led the people out of alignment with God. Yes, they preached a word but it was twisted and not pure. They taught lies and indoctrinated the people. There will be a mass exodus and the people will take there resources with them. They will take the talents, gifts, callings, anointings and resources that the Lord gave them. They will take their financial prowess and acumen with them and they will contribute to the churches who have nurtured God’s people. The churches where the leaders pray for and watch over God’s people. God is not mocked!

What is the solution of this word?

It is a twofold solution:

1. Repent
2. Prepare

Jesus said, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18.

***************************************************************************************************************

“Entitlement”

On June 1, 2024 I woke up to “Entitlement”. I said, okay Holy Spirit-‘entitlement’ and recorded the word ‘entitlement’ on my phone. I wanted to get back to sleep. Four separate times I was awakened to ‘Entitlement’. Each time I recorded. This is how Holy Spirit laid it out.

Entitlement-is the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment.

Be careful about ‘entitlement mentality’. I’m referring to when a person feels they are entitled to a position, place, title or relationship. Believing that you are entitled can land you on a slippery slope; when your sense of entitlement causes you to demand that things happen your way. Don’t allow entitlement to place you in a position where you are opposing the will of God.

• We want our lives to reflect the perfect will of God
• Insisting things happen according to your understanding, opinion, and outlook is demanding control
• God is in control and can do a New Thing; God can do Anything.

Who can stop the Hand of God? No one can and no one will. God raises up people and he sits people down. As Believers we are accustomed to answered prayer. We expect God to answer our prayers. The Lord is always faithful to perform his word. However, God does not have to act the way we expect Him to.

With all of our knowledge, relationship and history with God we are still dependent on His grace, mercy, and timing. And though we exercise our faith—we are ultimately not in full control. God may tell you ‘No’, even when you feel entitled to a ‘yes’. Our prayer position is to proceed with the awareness and caution, to remain on the Lord’s side of the situation.

Remain subject to Holy Spirit’s navigation in our life. Don’t rebel against what you witness God doing. Rather, yield to the Father’s will. When we have done all that we know to do. When we have stood on the Word of God and prayed our effectual and fervent prayers. We conclude—Lord not my will but Your perfect will be done.

When you feel that you should have control in areas, that you refuse to Release to God, you need to reject the ungodly spirit of entitlement. You may in fact be entitled, by the worlds standards, but the outcome is still up to God.

Entitlement can masquerade itself as, ‘what’s in the best interest of the team’. There is a fine balance between entitlement and coming under a controlling spirit where it is all about personal desire. Entitlement is dressed up pride. Pride goes before a fall.

A controlling spirit is not of God. It can lead to unspoken threats, intimidation, manipulation, secret anger, fear tactic, and outright rebellion. Entitlement often shows up in varying close knit relationships. Entitlement occurs when one party demands another party do what they want.

The sense of entitlement can be so strong that the party(s) disregard Holy Spirit in the room-so to speak. One person or party(s) entitlement can cause the other party to have fear of the consequences of not giving in to the spoken or unspoken demand. Power belongs to God! “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongs unto God” Psalm 62:11.

Holy Spirit gave me a picture of a house that appears to be in good condition on the outside. A well maintained house. How he gave this problem of ‘entitlement’ to me is by looking at the outside of this house.

H.S. What do you think?

Me. I think this house looks pretty good, probably energy efficient as well.

H.S. We have to look again and see what the condition of the house is on the inside.

Me. It looks good on the inside also.

H.S. Let’s go throughout the whole house and look.

Me. Okay, I see it needs a little tidying up.

H.S. Did you look in every room?

Me. No, I’ll go and look in all the rooms now.

H.S. How would you clean this house?

Me. I would probably start on the main floor since that’s the first part of the house anyone would see.

H.S. Alright let’s get started.

Me. I’m tidying up the main room (Living room)—light surface cleaning. As I work my way through the main floor I notice a pattern. The inside of the house can look good needing light tidying up. On the surface we may only need to organize and dust a little.

H.S. What do you think about the results of your cleaning?

Me. We can do a surface clean but some areas we need to do a deeper cleaning because of the repeated pattern.

H.S. But if we dig deeper we notice there is disarray throughout the house?

Me. It’s not really all that bad but a little bad in a lot of areas can mean further investigation is needed to fix the problem.

H.S. Dig Deeper. Do a deep clean-then get to the root of the problem.

Entitlement is like looking at the outside of the house. Everything looks great. However, there are issues on the inside of the house. You may assume the inside only needs a little work. When a person operates out of a spirit of entitlement, they appear good on the outside. When you look inside and realize that surface cleaning won’t solve the issue.

But when we dig deeper and further investigate the hidden areas of the heart we get a clearer picture. We may find things that must be deep cleaned and uprooted. Subtle Things like:

• Spiritual pride- “I deserve this” “I earned it”
• Control- Privately praying, “I demand it”
• Manipulation- Thinking, spoken/unspoken, “My way or I’ll stop my resources and my support”

These are ways the enemy comes in and tries to devour or halt the move and plans of God within a family; within a territory, within an entire nation. We all need each other. The entitlement spirit usually flows from the top and works it’s way downward. It is true that there are times we ‘feel’ we deserve a particular thing. Maybe we reflect, but “I earned this”.

The sneaky thing about entitlement is that without recognizing it—it places us in opposition to God and what He desires to do in us and through us. Entitlement tries to latch on to those who are very important and essential to the mission. It is a lying and deceiving spirit to make people feel that without them, the work won’t get done. It’s subtle because it really is an attack against God’s valuable vessels.

Although subtle, entitlement tries to bring in division and silent contention among key figures and decision makers. Entitlement tries to penetrate itself into the ears and hearts of people with levels of authority.

Entitlement is dangerous because it’s much bigger than the one who feels entitled. It’s ugly and it has an underhanded purpose — “Stop the will of God”. The person or parties experiencing entitlement are precious to God; special-the elect of God. Deeply loved of God.

Protect the House

The enemy called entitlement never stops trying to get into our house. He may try the front door, back door, then basement window, kitchen window, crawl space; each window, each door. He often shows up during times of transition or times of refilling, and replenishing.

Entitlement will try to slip in when someone opens the door to unload the car and bring the groceries in. When your hands are full. You manage to unlock the door and take a handful of groceries in (y’all know we need our food). Then you go back to the car to get more groceries out (because you are blessed like that). Entitlement sneaks in as soon as you turn your back and start focusing on the rest of your good groceries; that are still in the car.

Entitlement gets in and goes and hides out inside your house. You put your groceries up and tidy up. You cook your good dinner but can’t shake the feeling that something is off! You look all around your house but don’t notice anything. You ‘decide’, let me go in the basement and look around too (the foundation).

You venture into the basement and ‘something doesn’t feel right’. You glance around and nothing. But you still sense that something is ‘off’. Outside looks good, inside looks good on the surface. You can’t shake the feeling that something is just off.

You proceed to check out every room in the house. You begin to picture this one area in the basement (foundation) that you didn’t actually check out. It’s a tall stack of storage containers and boxes that has been there forever on the right side of the basement.

You continue working around your house but your mind keeps going to the stack of storage containers that’s been there forever. You decide—let me go back to the basement since I can’t shake this thing.

You return to your basement and suddenly rearrange the top 2 containers on the stack, that’s when Entitlement stands up! Entitlement is looking at you and you are looking at Entitlement. You realize-

You: Hey wait a minute. What’s going on-we’re on the same team? I thought you are my close friend. How? Why are you hiding out in my house like this? What’s happening here???

*****You already know Entitlement cares about you and you care about Entitlement.*****

*****Entitlement has good friends*****

You: Entitlement—When did you come in my house?

Entitlement: I’m entitled to come in this house!!! I tried all the windows, and doors but couldn’t get in. So our friend told me that you were going grocery shopping today, so I came in!

*****You know Entitlement can be bold at times.*****

Now, How are we going to handle this situation, as a family, Peacefully because a house divided against itself can’t stand?

• Matthew 12:25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
• Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Since I miss nursing and loving on my patients—I’ll give this analogy. The Nursing Process simplified: ADPIE

Assess-Identify the problem— Entitlement came in here like a thief on assignment but our Entitlement is not really a thief. The thief tricked Entitlement and thereby tricked us as well, and had the audacity to enter our home. Now we have the problem identified.

Diagnose-The diagnosis is Entitlement- the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. A faulty belief system developed.

Plan-Kick the thief out of the house (not the person(s). Holy Spirit instructed us to dig deeper, deep clean, dig up and get to the root, then uproot. Reject the ungodly spirit and dismantle it from the roots. Expose the shredded roots to the Son and they will shrivel up and die.

• “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.” Matthew 18:19-20
• As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4: 1-6
• Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:25-27
• Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Implement the Plan through the following Interventions:

• Prayer
• Honest Reflection and Repentance
• Forgiveness
• Fruit of the Spirit- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
• Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Evaluate the Outcome—

• Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Romans 12:9
• Dissimulation means the fact of trying to hide your real feelings, character, or intentions.

In closing, I pray that we each examine our own houses to make sure that Entitlement is not lurking around.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Jude vs. 24-25

******************************************************************************

When the Dust Clears

When you are standing on the promises of God, you can have days where things are so clear. Maybe God has given you a personal prophetic word or message and you receive such comfort and encouragement. Whereas your situation looked bleak and hopeless one word from God can cause Hope to arise and spring forth.

The most beautiful feeling in the world is the Lord’s assurance. Holy Spirit has a way of providing us with continuous assurance. My grandmother would sing “Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine, oh what a foretaste of glory divine, heir of salvation, purchased of God; born of his Spirit washed in his blood; this is my story this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.” She would sing this song over and over. Big Ma was making a declaration of her faith in Jesus. She was reminding herself of her true identity and plowing her way through by repeating the words in the song.

The Lord gave me the word, “when the dust clears” recently after a very challenging time of my life where the instruction given just didn’t make sense. I thought, Lord this makes absolutely no sense. After my pity party ended, I obeyed God quickly and received the word of the Lord with gladness. I drew strength from a book I read a few years ago titled, “When Obeying God Makes You Look Stupid” by Shavon Sellers (She’s married now and her name is Shavon Smith).

Everything is great when you can see clearly. Clarity allows you to actually see that what the Lord said is coming to pass. However, when the storms of life or the circumstances in day to day living occur your blessed assurance is challenged and your faith is confronted. The message of the Lord will be tried. The word will be tested. Yes you have the victory in whatever it is that God is giving you but the adversary the enemy is in between the promise and the receiving or partaking. You have it but the battle happens between the hearing or seeing and the fulfillment. You may have to go through some stuff in order to get to the fulfillment center to pick up what belongs to you.

You know the saying the devil is in the details. We do wrestle! We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but we do wrestle. When you are placed in the ring in a wrestling match you need to know as much as possible about your opponent. You need to know their character, traits, tactics, weapons of choice, how they move.

What is your enemies mo·dus op·e·ran·di. Mode of operation is a particular way or method of doing something, especially one that is characteristic or well-established. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6).

When Holy Spirit first gives you that promise, the thing you have been waiting expectantly for, your hope and joy is on another level. Your faith is ignited and you’re excited. You are encouraged about your future. You have affirmed and confirmed. Destiny and purpose are about to collide and you’re optimistic. You are prayerful and know the importance of prayer. But when it gets cloudy out and the storm (fear, doubt, intimidation) is coming, what are you going to do?

“And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing.

And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:41-46. Elijah prayed, prophesied and released his faith in the situation.

We have to do the same thing. Just because you pray and have faith in the word of the Lord coming to pass it does not mean that is the end of the story. You will have to continue to pray and seek God because the battle may intensify. The intensity of the fight may be in direct proportion to the magnitude of the assignment. Elijah told his servant look 7 times. Seven is a number of completion and rest. “For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. (Prov. 24:16). I said that to say, Stand on what God gave you until it is complete. There was no sign of Elijah’s prophetic word coming to pass during the first 6 times that his servant looked for the manifestation.

“And he (Elijah) said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel (Repeat 1 Kings 18).

The Heaven Was Black with Clouds and Wind

Now when you are out there and when it’s windy the dust is blowing, you can’t see clearly. You might even have to close your eye to protect them. When it (the promise God gave you) is cloudy and the wind is blowing dust and debris everywhere—it’s an uncomfortable feeling when you cannot see clearly. It can be painful and blinding.

Then Ahab goes and tells Jezebel…Now the news is traveling and it seems like all hell has broken out in you; within your heart, in your mind. Your thinking is acting up and out. You can’t see clearly—you’re distracted by the wind blowing the dust, in your face. What happened to your ‘blessed assurance’, you are a heir of salvation, you’re born of his Spirit and washed in His blood. Where is your song? What happened to your testimony your story? Why are you doubting, now is not the time to shrink back and run, you are in the heat of the battle.

You Can Run But You Can’t Hide

(from God)

Elijah Flees Jezebel 1 Kings 19:

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” (We may feel discouraged, intimated and defeated and say something like, God forget about the promise. The word you gave me is too much-the intensity of the battle is too much for me.)

5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.”

8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God. God knows how to strengthen you for the journey to your promise. You may not see it today but Holy Spirit will navigate you to the fulfillment center. The Lord is with you and you will not fail. You will not give in and fold.

The Lord Speaks to Elijah

9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (Put your name in place of Elijah). 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

When the raging wind stops, you can hear better. When the dust settles the air clears and you can see clearly. Listen, you do not have time to be hiding out in a cave. While the battle is going down, tune in rely on your hearing aid (Holy Spirit). Listen for the low whisper of assurance. Quiet the noise and chatter so that you can catch the low whisper. The still small voice contains your instructions to win the battle. You might hear a soft spoken voice a more sure word of prophecy saying “Put on the whole armor of God”.

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. Eph 6:10-18

Wait on the Lord

I exhort you to focus on the journey, the process……not the outcome. The outcome is already secured. The outcome is victory in the thing that God has promised you, when you obey his instructions. You cannot get distracted or discouraged by the intensity of the battle. You cannot get overwhelmed by the duration of the battle; God has a set time for the fulfillment of His promise. The enemy has a variety of tactics and weapons of choice to use against you. One of his time tested and proven weapons is offense. Replace your urge to get offended with Proverbs 3:5-6. Another tactic is the battlefield of your mind where your thoughts and reasoning are attacked.

We must guard the high risk areas like our heart. Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. Guard your heart above anything else you have, because it determines the kind of life you will live. Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. Our heart is a main target because it consists of our soul, mind, emotion, will and our conscience.

We have to position ourselves to Wait. I know it is not the easiest thing in the world to do. We have to wait until the dust settles and we have clarity.

• “When the dust settles” means “after things calm down”
• The dust stirred up by some activity is no longer in the air
• After or once the dust settles -When matters have calmed down, as in The merger is complete, and when the dust has settled we can start on new projects. (Google.com)
• Think of the dust as turmoil, noise, doubt, or commotion
• “When the dust clears” is a way to say when everything’s finished and the results are seen

When I prayed about ‘when the dust clears’–“Wait until the dust clears”. When opposition to the promise comes we must wait on the Lord and be of good courage and He will strengthen our hearts (Psalm 27). Keep things in their proper perspective! What is dust? Dust is made of fine particles of solid matter. On Earth, it generally consists of particles in the atmosphere that come from various sources such as soil lifted by wind, volcanic eruptions, and pollution. On a dusty road when wind blows, a cloud of dust is created that obscures the view. One has to wait for dust to settle for a clear view. (google.com)

As I thought more about waiting for the dust to settle for things to become clearer. Holy Spirit reminded me of the importance of being rooted and grounded; firmly planted on the Word and promises of God. I was reminded how the process and outcome is based on how I choose to respond to the word and promises of God. I am gleaning from Jesus parable of the four soils.

Mark4

[1] And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

[2] And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

[3] Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

[4] And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

[5] And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

[6] But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

[7] And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

[8] And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

[9] And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Jesus Explains the Parable of the Four Soils

[10] And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

[11] And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

[12] That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

[13] And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

[14] The sower soweth the word.

[15] And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

[16] And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

[17] And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

[18] And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

[19] And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

[20] And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

When the Dust Settles

When the Dust Clears!

***************************************************************************************************

WATERMELON 3/21/2024

Pray

This is an exhortation regarding a recent vision. Watermelon-a vision of a big seeded watermelon sitting on my kitchen table (I had the same vision on two different occasions but on the same date. When I walked into the kitchen I saw a large seeded watermelon sitting on my kitchen table). I had this vision while working on “Life in the Spirit Romans 8 Bible Engagement”. It was recently, within the past week but I do not have the exact date. The watermelon was large and oval shaped; I knew it was seeded.

We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: Numbers 11:5

Three Takeaways:

1. The Blessing of Abraham-Obedience
2. Don’t Complain
3. Arrive at the destination—Your Promised Land

Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible. It tells the story of how Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, how they sinned and were punished, and how they prepared to try again.

Let’s start the conversation off right

Father, I’m sorry. I have thought about things and I repent. I realize that I was thinking the wrong way and that I disobeyed your instructions regarding how to think about a certain situation. I thank you forgiveness of sin in the name of Jesus. Father we thank you for grace and new mercies each day.

Father we honor, worship and adore you. God we thank you in the name of Jesus. Precious Holy Spirit we ask you to lead us in this message. Help us to understand, clearly what you are saying. We thank you for your guidance, for your instruction, for your constant help, thank you for reminding us when we forget, thank you helping us to obey. Thank you for your comfort.  We give you all the glory, honor and praise in the mighty name of Jesus we pray.

Amen

Sometimes we may receive a message from God that is for us only. At other times the message is to be shared; Holy Spirit will let you know. This particular message is to be shared and very much for me; it’s funny how God works. We often say, God knows my heart. And this is true—which leads to Him speaking to us through a vision of something we love. God knows how to get our attention. I love a good juicy watermelon. I actually prefer seeded because they seem sweeter. I usually prefer the oval shaped watermelons.

The watermelon vision was out of the blue. I wasn’t thinking about or planning to get a watermelon. Both times I went in the kitchen and saw the watermelon; I couldn’t remember why I went in the kitchen in the first place. So knowing how the Lord does, I made a note of it. I pray Holy Spirit clearly reveals to you how this message applies to you.

It’s Better to Obey God

God always gives us the grace to obey Him. He usually will prepare you in advance by giving instructions. Don’t ignore or take the directions lightly. The instructions can come from someone else, from the Bible, from a dream, from a song, from whatever—–you will know it’s a message for you.

I encourage you to study the book of Numbers. I will share briefly here. “As Numbers begins, the nation of Israel (God’s chosen people) was camped at the foot of Mount Sinai. The people had received God’s laws and were preparing to move. Next the people were set apart for God. God was making the people both spiritually and physically, ready to receive their inheritance.

But then the complaining began. First the people complained about the food. Next they complained over Moses’ authority. God punished some but spared the nation because of Moses’ prayers”. Numbers is outlined into four sections:

• Preparing for the Journey
• First approach to the Promised Land
• Wandering in the Wilderness
• Second approach to the Promised Land

I’ve had to say, ‘ouch and amen’. Imagine that God is preparing you to enter into the thing you have been praying for. When I say the Israelites, you say, she’s talking about me. The Israelites were prevented from entering the Promised Land because of their unbelief.

We have to stand firm in our faith and refuse to be swayed. If God said it-believe it. The Bible says it’s impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6a). We have to keep our faith rooted in the Lord; not in our circumstances, our attitudes, or emotions. So the Lord was preparing the Israelites to enter into their destiny; to the place where God wanted them to be.

But y’all know how we act when things don’t go as planned; especially with matters of the heart. We can throw a hissy fit in a minute and have to be tapped on the shoulder by God and reminded, “Excuse me-Ma’am?”. God will get all up in your face, in your business which is His business. He will check and correct you—just like that—in love.

Now typically the vision will bring confirmation to what the Lord has already told you. However, if you refuse to accept it or respond timely—God will send reinforcement because of His great love for us. The Lord will look past our faults to meet our needs according to his plans, his will for us.

Through this vision of a watermelon, Holy Spirit led me to the Book of Numbers specifically to 11:5. But we have to look at it within context. God had delivered His people out of bondage in Egypt; set them free from slavery; and was preparing them to enter the Promised Land. The place he provided for them was a land “flowing with milk and honey”.

Milk and honey symbolize abundance, prosperity, and blessings; a land that was fertile, overflowing with blessings, a place where God’s people would thrive and be provided for. Do you think they would be very happy and satisfied in such a place?

This journey was much deeper than what I’m briefly mentioning; because of all that it involved. To get the weight of this message you really need to prayerfully study, in depth (the whole Bible-laughter is good like a medicine). Here I briefly touch on for the purpose of  explaining ‘watermelon vision’.

Preparing for the Journey

(Numbers 1:1 – 10:10)

At Mount Sinai, the Israelites received specific directions for their life-style in the new land God would give them. A census was taken and the second Passover was celebrated, marking one year of freedom from slavery in Egypt. The people were now prepared to continue their journey to the Promised Land. Just as the Lord prepared the Israelites, he prepares us for our journey through life.

Preparing for the journey: (in the wilderness of Sinai)

The Lord orders a census-the first numbering of the nation. God instructed Moses to organize His people according to the 12 Tribes of Jacob.

But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. For the Lord had spoken unto Moses, saying, Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts.

But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony. And the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so did they Numbers 1: 47-54.

• The very organization of the Israelite camp was ordered by God! By obeying God’s commands for organization, even when the reason for them was not apparent, the people became more effective.
• When a group disintegrates into a collection of individuals each going his or her own way, its ability to be used by God is diminished.
• But if the group unites and looks to God for direction and organization, its effectiveness will be enhanced.

I’m including these pictures because a picture is worth more than a thousand words and God said include them. Many times we are challenged to obey and respect God’s order because we don’t understand the significance or the reason why.

The Tabernacle

(Arrangement of the Tribes around the Tabernacle in the Wilderness)

The Tabernacle represented the presence of God in the midst of them. This sanctuary is the Tabernacle, which is the moveable tent that houses the Ark of the Covenant while the Israelites moved from place to place. The Ark of the Covenant is placed in the central part of the Tabernacle, called the Holy of Holies, after it is built (google.com).

Retrieved: biblicalscholarship.wordpress.com/2016

Numbers chapter 3 talks about the role of the Levites.

• At the time of the first Passover (Exodus 13:2), God instructed every Israelite family to dedicate its firstborn son to him. They were set apart to assist Moses and Aaron in ministering to the people. This was only a temporary measure. Here God chooses all the men from the tribe of Levi to replace the firstborn sons from every Israelite tribe.
• These men, called Levites, were required to go into “full-time service”. They assumed the responsibilities of ministering to the people.
• Once the Tabernacle was built, it was their job to maintain it and assist with the sacrifices.
• All the priests had to belong to the tribe of Levi, but not all Levites were priests. The Levites were to be 25 years old before entering service.
• They probably? Received five years of on-the-job training before being admitted to full service at age 30. Aaron and his descendants were the only ones who could carry out the duties of the priests and approach God’s dwelling place

Now that Christ is our High Priest anyone who follows him is also called a priest (1 Peter 2: 5,9). All Christians may come into God’s presence without fear, for God’s own Son encourages his followers to do so. We can put guilt behind us when we have a special relationship with God based on what Jesus has done for us. (This is not the same as being called into a fivefold grace of ministry).

• The lines of authority were clearly communicated to all. As you function with others in service to God, make sure all the lines of authority between you and those you work with are clearly understood. Good communication builds good relationships.

Numbers chapter 4 goes into the Tabernacle duties of the groups of Levites (Kohath, Gershon, Merari). And the census of men eligible for Tabernacle service.

Setup: I had no idea Holy Spirit was going to take me into all of this. He knows what we need to

Chapter five goes into maintaining purity in the camp. Chapter six goes into the rules for the Nazarite vow. The Nazarite vow was for people who wanted to devote some time exclusively to serving God. This vow could be taken for as little as 30 days or as long as a lifetime. The purpose of the Nazarite vow was to raise up a group of leaders devoted completely to God.

Chapter 6 also goes into ‘How to bless the people’: 22 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 23 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, 24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 27 And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.

• A blessing was one way of asking for God’s divine favor to rest upon others. The ancient blessing in these verses helps us understand what a blessing was supposed to do. It’s five parts conveyed hope that God would
• Favor and protect
• Be pleased
• Be gracious (merciful and compassionate)
• Give his approval
• Give peace

When you ask God to bless others or yourself, you are asking him to do these five things. The blessing you offer will not only help the one receiving it, but it will also demonstrate love, encourage others, and provide a model of caring for others.

Numbers chapter 7 goes into Gifts for the dedication of the Tabernacle:

• “7:88 b.…… This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed.
• 89 And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.

Imagine hearing the very voice of God! Moses must have trembled at the sound. Yet we have God’s words recorded for us in the Bible, and we should have no less reverence and awe for them. God sometimes spoke directly to his people to tell them the proper way to live. The Bible records these conversations to give us insights into God’s character. How tragic when we take these very words of God lightly.

Numbers chapter 8 deals with setting up the lamps and the Levites are dedicated. The candlestick provided light for the priests as they carried out their duties. The light was also an expression of God’s presence. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

• 8: 23 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 24 This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: 25 And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more: 26 But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.

Why were the Levites supposed to retire at age 50? The reasons were probably more practical than theological.

1. Moving the Tabernacle and its furniture through the wilderness required strength. The younger men were more suited for the work of lifting the heavy articles.
2. The Levites over 50 did not stop working altogether. They were allowed to assist with various light duties in the Tabernacle. This helped the younger men assume more responsibilities, and it allowed the older men to be in a position to advise and counsel them.

Numbers chapter 9 deals with the second Passover and receiving guidance for the journey. We sometimes face predicaments where the most obvious solution might cause us to compromise God’s standards. Like Moses, we must use wisdom and prayer to reach a workable solution.

• Sometimes we are tempted to excuse non-Christians from following God’s guidelines for living. Foreigners at this time were expected to follow the same laws and ordinances as the Israelites.
• God did not have a separate set of standards for unbelievers and he still does not today.
• God singled out Israel for a special purpose-to be an example of how one nation could, and should, follow him. His aim, however was to have all people obey and worship him.

Chapter 9 continued: Receiving guidance for the journey—the pillars of cloud and fire.

• 15 And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. 16 So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. 17 And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. 18 At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.

The cloud is used in Scripture to describe the majestic, awe-inspiring presence of God. He spoke from it when he gave the Ten Commandments at Sinai (Exodus 19:9).

• Christ was covered with a cloud at his transfiguration (Luke 9:34)
• Jesus disappeared into a cloud at the Ascension (Acts 1:9)

A pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night guided and protected the Israelites as they traveled across the wilderness. The cloud and fire moved in accordance with the will of God.

• The cloud and the fire were not merely natural phenomena; they were the vehicle of God’s presence and the visible evidence of his moving and directing his people.
• The Hebrews traveled and camped as God guided.
• When you follow God’s guidance, you know you are where God wants you, whether you’re moving or staying in one place.
• You are physically somewhere right now. Instead of praying, “God, what do you want me to do next?” ask, “God, what do you want me to do while I’m right here?”
• Direction from God is not just for your next big move:
  • He has a purpose in placing you where you are right now.
  • Begin to understand God’s purpose for your life by discovering what he wants you to do now!

Numbers chapter 10 deal with the silver trumpets. The two silver trumpets were used to coordinate the tribes as they moved through the wilderness.

• To keep so many people in tight formations required clear communication and control.
• Trumpet blasts also reminded Israel of God’s protection over them.

Israel’s departure form Sinai: It has been two years since Israel left Egypt.

• Having received God’s instructions through Moses, Israel set out from Mount Sinai into the wilderness of Paran on their way toward the Promised Land

Those who travel, move, or face new challenges know what it is to be uprooted. Life is full of changes, and few things remain stable/static. The Israelites were constantly moving through the wilderness.

• They were able to handle change only because God’s presence in the Tabernacle was always with them.
• The portable Tabernacle was always with them.
• The portable Tabernacle signified God and his people moving together.
• For us, stability does not mean lack of change, but moving with God in every circumstance.

Numbers chapter 10 continued verses 29-35. 29 And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses’ father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel. 30 And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred. 31 And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes. 32 And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.

33 And they departed from the mount of the Lord three days’ journey: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them. 34 And the cloud of the Lord was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp. 35 And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.

By complimenting Hobab’s wilderness skills, Moses let him know he was needed.

• People cannot know you appreciate them if you do not tell them they are important to you.
• Complimenting those who deserve it builds lasting relationships and helps people know they are valued.
• Think about those who have helped you this month.
• What can you do to let them know how much you need and appreciate them?

I am very grateful to God for the leaders he has used to pour into me. When you secretly feel as if you can’t go on; and someone comes along and prays for you. Literally speaks life into you. They are always there. Always available and committed in spite of their own life challenges. Fully dedicated and invested in the will of God. Interceding powerfully on our behalf.

Recently my heart was so full looking at the leaders and servers at my church. I was so moved. I thought, they may never know how much their service means to us the recipients of their sacrifices. God, will they ever know, on this side of eternity, the full impact of their ministry. A thank you and a hug does not adequately describe the weight of their service and how much it means. How it represents the love of God for his people. They lay their lives down at the altar faithfully as the Lords Builders.  

One Sunday I went up during Altar Call for prayer. My heart was heavy thinking, Lord I’m not doing the work you called me to do. I was saying, Yes Lord but I was not moving. I didn’t specifically ask her to pray for this. But the Elder began to impart to me. It’s hilarious thinking back. As she was telling me—“You’ve got to get in the Word, read your Bible, study the Word. The Word The Word The Word. You’ve got to eat the Word, Drink the Word……It was as if she was calling me back to myself. As she was praying I was seeing it as if she had grabbed me by the shoulders and was shaking me vigorously with my head rocking back and forth. This is too funny.

Elder wasn’t actually physically shaking me but she was most definitely shaking me up spiritually and Activating. It was very effective to state it mildly. This has happened numerous times. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Lord. On another Altar Call, I was being prayed for and Bishop began to say the ‘Walls Are Coming Down’. I returned to my seat thinking, I need to get home and process because this is bothering me. I don’t have walls. What walls? Later that night I’m home settled in relaxing and Holy Spirit—The Walls Are Coming Down!.

Lord I’m sorry I don’t know why this is bothering me like it is, but I do Not have walls—I have boundaries and barriers in place to keep safe. These help keep my guards up. I can’t be out here vulnerable. People take advantage of vulnerabilities and  I have to be strong. After being thoroughly confronted by God, over and over again, the walls did come down. God is amazing and humorous. The fact that I am actually sharing all of this is proof-evidence: The Walls came Down. The old Rhonda would Not share like this. Thank you Jesus for your vessels and thank you Lord for Inner Healing—to be continued.

Numbers chapter 11-Don’t complain-Don’t look back

“And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire was quenched. And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the Lord burnt among them. And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.”

This is an exhortation regarding a recent vision of a Watermelon. As a result of this vision, I was directed to Numbers 11:5. However, I need to put it within context. As I sought the Lord about this watermelon-this is the Scripture (s) I was directed to; with emphasis on 11:5. I feel like Holy Spirit called me up on the phone and was like, Yeah-we need to talk!. When you ask Him to lead you, He will lead you into Truth. Truth about yourself and those around you. If you need to take time to reflect and repent please do. I know this message has hit home for me in many ways and it is loaded. A major theme here is that we remain in God’s will.

Stop Complaining

Complain-to express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something.

•        To express grief, pain, or discontent

•        To say that something is wrong or not satisfactory

•        To express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness

•        Complaint- a written or spoken statement in which someone says that somebody has done something wrong

•        To lament

We remember the fish we ate freely and without cost in Egypt, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. AMP

• The Israelites complained, then Moses complained. (don’t let them rub off on you with all that complaining). But God responded positively to Moses and negatively to the rest of the people.

Pow-er-ful

• Why? The people complained to one another, and nothing was accomplished. Moses took his complaint to God, who can solve any problem.
• We need to learn to take our problems to the One who can do something about them.

Dissatisfaction comes when our attention shifts from what we have to what we don’t have.

• The people of Israel didn’t seem to notice what God was doing for them—setting them free, making them a nation, giving them a new land—because they were so wrapped up in what God wasn’t doing for them. (Ouch)
• They could think of nothing but the delicious Egyptian food they had left behind.
• Somehow they forgot that the brutal whip of Egyptian slavery was the cost of eating that food. (Count up the cost—don’t complain—Pray)
• Before we judge the Israelites too harshly, it’s helpful to think about what occupies our attention most of the time. (Ouch—instead of thinking so much about the future focus on what you should be doing right now. Focus on your attitude and thinking when you are expressing your annoyance.) Ouch & Amen Amen Amen

Are we grateful for what God has given us, or are we always thinking about what we would like to have? Or longing for what we had in the past (titles, relationships, finances, status, etc.) We have to take honest evaluations of ourselves and not be complacent in our levels of thinking. As I was typing this, I was directed to read Philipians chapter 3 and I did not want to read it but I did.

• We should not allow our unfilled desires to cause us to forget God’s gifts of life, food, health, work, friends. Unfilled desires can be good things you are hoping for. You may desire marriage, a career change, a better relationship with family members, to lose weight, workout consistently, to start your own business, to be more effective in ministry. Unfilled desires could be anything that you desire but it has not manisfested in it’s entirety yet.

Out of all God did for them, miraculous provision, they craved the food they had when enslaved in bondage. They had the nerve to start grumbling and complaining, We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick. We can have the same attitude without realizing it. All it takes is slight discomfort or a change in lifestyle to shift our frame of mind.

• Yes, they longed for the same food they had in bondage; under harsh conditions. Food is essential. We need to eat. But they were not starving God provided the food He wanted them to have.
• God was preparing them for a Land flowing with milk and honey but they were dissatisfied, ungrateful, and impatient. Be careful who you connect with and join in with (they were in a mixed multitude) who fell into lust. Lust is an intense craving. They had an intense craving for the past!  Do you think God was giving them that intense craving for the past? No. Absolutely not. The same spirit that had them in bondage was trying to derail their freedom and fulfillment of what God had for them.
• Lust is dangerous and can be anything; you can lust after the money you used to have when you put God on the sidelines. Lust can result in death….death of your destiny, death of your ministry, death of important relationships, death of your assignment, the death of your joy, good health and peace.
• (Guard your eye and ear gates-be careful who you take advice from). Do like Moses and take your concerns to God.

The Lord hears us. The people’s complaining displeased the Lord and the Lord heard it. Thank God for grace but don’t stop your own blessings. I wonder who were the people located in the uttermost parts of the camp that were consumed by the fire of the Lord?

Use caution when discussing your leaders. The power of life and death is in the tongue; for you. You can speak life or death over yourself by the words that come out of your mouth; even in casual conversation. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses interceded in prayer unto the Lord, the fire was quenched. One minute they were complaining and the next Moses was saving their life; again. I feel like Holy Spirit is admonishing us right now.

We have to watch our thoughts. For example, we may know better than to say or voice complaint but we can still be thinking it. As a man thinks in his heart so is he. You are what you think. When I am saying ‘you’ it means me also. I’m typing as it comes to mind.

As I mentioned earlier the vision of the watermelon was very personal to me because it is connected to a word the Lord gave me. There are times when an intense desire (a pure desire) can actually be the leading of the Lord. The desire of your heart can be connected to your purpose or what God wants you to do. The enemy does not want us to fulfill the purposes and promises of God.

Now just as God was preparing His people for the journey. He will prepare us for our journey by the leading and guiding of Holy Spirit. This is where the Fruit of the Spirit is required. Where obedience to all that you know to do is required; obedience to the voice of the Lord; obedience. This is where love is required. Concerning preparation, Holy Spirit may give you instructions and it is vital that we follow the instructions.

For example, “Don’t get jealous” And then we begin to reason within ourselves. Oh that’s not a problem because I’m not a jealous person. Word of advice: when Holy Spirit gives you a word—you need to take it to God in prayer because that word will be tried. You will have to war in the Spirit over that word and be honest with yourself. Ephesians 6:10-18.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. We have to be humble because part of preparation for the journey involves God revealing areas in us that we need to work on like pride and lack of dedication. Avoiding accountability.

Holy Spirit wants to prepare us for the promised land but we have to be humble enough to receive. Humble enough to do the work of changing our Mindset/Thinking process.

When you are being challenged and stretched by God, you have to be honest with yourself and you have to yield to Holy Spirit. Yielding may be uncomfortable because of the preparation for the journey. The Israelites were good for a while but the level of commitment required made them uncomfortable; it challenged them.

Yeah, they wanted to get to the promised land flowing with milk and honey but  going through the wilderness like this; your mind can start playing tricks on you. You start remembering, now before this journey I had lots of money, new cars, I had this and that; I had very limited time for you God but I remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely, the cucumbers, and melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic.

Holy Spirit used a vision of a watermelon to bring me to a place of repentance and dealing with heart issues.

• As a result of a recent personal occurrence, I was saying to the Lord, “Now you see that right. It’s not me. I am committed. I’m not the problem. I’m good on this end Lord”.
• Holy Spirit will use something you like (Watermelon) to reveal you; to bring you to a place of acknowledging that yes I do miss my comfortable zone, the zone of independence—self-sufficiency–I need no one. I’m not tolerating -no foolishness. I don’t have time for this. I’m done. I’m out. The wrong mindset. Heart issues. The need for continued inner healing; refusal to self sabotage.
• Holy Spirit can reveal you, to you, when He reveals; you must now deal. “You remember the old—the old mindset. The old way of thinking and doing. The old way of running and hiding.“ It’s nothing wrong with thinking back remembering. However think with the mindset of God is doing a new thing in me. The old has passed away, I Press, I’m pressing forward with the correct mindset; the right way of thinking about the journey to the Promised Land.
• “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14).

Do Everything Without Grumbling

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky (Philipians 2: 12-15).

Trust God, Obey His Instructions, Be Grateful

Every morning the Israelites drew back their tent doors and witnessed a miracle. Covering the ground was pale yellow, fluffy manna—food from heaven. But soon that wasn’t enough.

• Invite Holy Spirit to all areas of your life. Ask, Is there any areas I need to get right?
• Feeling it was their right to have more, they forgot what they already had. They didn’t ask God to fill their need
• Instead they demanded meat, and they stopped trusting God to care for them. “Who shall give us flesh to eat?’
• They complained to Moses as they reminisced about the good food they had in Egypt. (The ‘food’ can be good that does not mean it is the best food for you to eat!)
• Lord keep us from ourselves and give us what you want us to have, help us to humble ourselves, obey, and surrender in the name of Jesus.

And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:29

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Luke 18:1

I have to mention that I am writing this one year to the date of when my daughter was murdered. I have worked on it literally all day, for hours. God is so amazing. I would have thought that I would be very sad today; especially given that I have court for the murder case two days this week.

The joy of the Lord truly is my strength. Holy Spirit has rested on me all day and no overwhelming sadness. I woke this morning saying, This is the day that the Lord has made I Will rejoice and be glad in it. I’m in awe of God. I have been laughing and smiling all day. Completely free to flow with Holy Spirit.

It can only be God!

I feel a strong urge to delete many things in this message that are personal. However, I lay those feelings at the altar and make a sacrifice. To arrive at the appointed destination, the Promised Land, we have to make the sacrifice. Similar to making a sacrifice of Praise and Worship unto God; when you would rather be in your (fleeting) emotions. The ‘new’ requires introspection and sacrifice. Forget about Egypt the old place, the past, the fish, the cucumbers, the melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. Let your soul be renewed:  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV

Reference-Notes: All of the Scripture content is taken from the Notes Life Application Study Bible—even where not referenced in this message.

***************************************************************************************************************

THIS

“This”
A Poetic Expression

When you have no frame of reference for what God is doing in you
When He’s doing a new thing; and He’s doing it through and through
When you thought you had seen it all
Been there done that; winter spring autumn fall
When God Himself begins to stretch, convict, and reassure

When God invades every area of your personal space
Comes right in disrupts, rearranges your comfort zone
Lifts your head up, eyes wide open, you Feel it! You’re thinking/reflecting—
What is This? Something! I can’t explain
It’s deep, it’s special, it’s real, it not just a feel

It’s More; Holy Spirit help me Explore
My mind, heart, eyes, ears; let’s be honest even tears.
What is This? Gasping—–My heart!!! What. Is. This
I’m exposed and vulnerable I cannot explain
How when where what is This thing?

Can’t qualify it, can’t quite quantify it, it’s immeasurable I know
Wait. It’s slow and it’s steady—God, Am I ready
What is this? It’s like peace, goodness, joy, faith as a fluid that’s flowing
Blowing blown by a strong rushing wind; it’s like a refreshing rain after a long hot summer day
It’s like my ripe garden: yellow squash, tomatoes, corn, peppers, onions, broccoli, watermelon, collards galore.

My flowers and on and on and on, it’s like Harvest and time to Restore
It’s like giving thanks, preparing, sharing, caring, daring, glaring ahead into the unknown
Eyes shut tight but vision so clear and so bright
Oh God! What is This? My heart wide open, no really—-I’m not joking
I’ve never been here before, God what is This? How did this happen?

This thing bypassed my tall walls, removed all locks security system disarmed; combined defenses could not stop, This.
Jesus——-Jesus—–Jesus—What is This?
This thing opened my doors, I had them shut tight. Walked right in and the dark night became a bright light.
This thing came right into my home. It has a voice, sound, wisdom and It’s strong.
How did it reach so deep within….It can find you, make you smile and cause you to look again.

How did This happen
It was while worshipping God that you did this new thing
Yes, it was praise, it was worship. Lord, I felt your Glory and it was more.
I had this desire that grew and grew; it was unquenchable, My God is this You?
I cried, I prayed, I prayed, and I prayed…. Now I need the answer, so I studied and read Your Word.

I fasted and prayed, yes it helped but This thing stayed
It did not stop it. It only made it grow….
What do you do, when you know what you know
I was trained to critical think, on my toes, under pressure…..who knows
I must analyze this and trace the genesis…regain composure. Accept the exposure
But still acknowledge that it abides in my heart. What is this and when again did it start.

Singing out of tune but to my own rhythm of ‘This’….
”Spirit Lead Me Where My Trust is Without Borders” (Oceans/ Hillsong United).

Lord—to what does This compare?
I have no frame of reference, just an occasional glance a brief stare.
My head was saying, No! No! Stop! And Don’t!
Go! Go! Go!. Come Out! Up & Out! Oh No.
I tried and I tried but it would not budge. Finally came surrender
God you are in Control
I said Yes to your will Jesus, with my mind body spirit and soul.


To what can I compare This thing that has found me. It makes me cry out:
Our Father which art in heaven….
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want…Oh taste and see that the Lord is good…
For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son…..
As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life.

Proclaiming…….My soul says Yesssss. Yesssss.
My soul says Yes. Lord my soul says Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes Lord! Yes Lord! My soul says yes………………….
Then I hear the angels singing Amen in Crescendo.….
This!

*************************************************************************************************************************

THE BIRTHING PROCESS

The Birthing Process

This is an exhortation for you to Trust God’s Process and His Timing

You know those moments in life where God is clearly doing something new in you. You are aware that something different is occurring. You have entered a new dimension of your relationship with God; and it’s evident. You perceive that the new thing you are experiencing is good, even great. You enjoy your normal routine, the comfort zone, the predictability but now you are being challenged, stretched, and expanded. Pushed-thrust forward-propelled through the Birthing Process.

You Cannot Hide

You cannot hide your true feelings no matter how you try. You may think that you can hide but the Spirit of Truth will expose you. You cannot hide who you are. There is no hiding. The real you will come out. Who God created you to be and what you carry will be revealed.

The same way you can’t hide when you’re pregnant; eventually the baby will begin to grow and show. What you are carrying for God will begin to show. The thing that you have been ordained by God to carry, and deliver will grow and grow and grow. Your pregnancy will be undeniable. You will experience all the signs and symptoms of being pregnant. When you are pregnant with Purpose you cannot hide it. God’s plan for you will prevail in the fullness of time via the birthing process.

Process

Process can be defined as ‘a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end.’ (Google.com). Merriam-Webster.com describes Process as something going on: proceeding, progress/advance. Dictionary.com says Process is a continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner. Cambridge Dictionary describes Process as a series of actions or events performed to make something or achieve a particular result, or a series of changes that happen naturally.

The process is necessary to carry out the intricate plans of God for your life. The plan will produce the perfect will of God for you. There is a permissive will where God will allow certain things that we ask for. It’s like when we refuse to wait on the Lord, we want what we want, and we want it right now.

Sometimes God will allow us to learn the hard way but He gives us new mercies every day. God will not shove us against a wall and twist our arm behind our back and demand. No. He’s such a loving Father. Full of compassion, grace, long suffering and patient. The Lord is so kind and tender hearted toward us. He remembers his covenant even though we can be hard headed, rebellious, and stubborn. His mercy endures! But there will be consequences.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV.

Process, Purpose, Plan

God has plans for you. God knows the process needed for your life and the Holy Spirit will orchestrate it, step by step. The process will be carried out so that the plan of God for His people will happen. Our role is to fully surrender, submit to God, and yield to God’s process, purpose, and plan. The beauty behind process, purpose, and God’s plan is in Romans 8:28. (Look it up and memorize it—you’ll be glad you did).

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29: 10-14 NIV

On G.O.D.

(God Ordained Destiny)

We are all predestined. Each person has a God ordained destiny and is blessed to fulfill it. God has given us dominion, power, authority and instructions to accomplish what we are destined to do on the earth. The process, purpose, and plan are apart of our God ordained destiny or destination. You must remain faithful to the process and to the people/relationships that build you.

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Genesis 1:26-28

God’s purpose, process, and plans from the beginning was what my Pastor always says, We work better together. God designed us to have destiny helpers and work together. God’s instructions reveal that teamwork does make the dream work. You need to be connected to a community and be an active team member. We need one another. And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him (Genesis 2:18).

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:21-25.

God Has a Set Time for You

What you’re carrying, what is destined it will come forth through the Birthing Process. You become naked and exposed through this birthing process. The birthing happens in the fullness of God’s time. God’s time, not your own. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. Eccl.3:11 KJV. God reveals it through the birthing process.

God Can Do a New Thing

Although you have past birthing experiences, this new thing cannot be compared to anything that you’ve experienced. You wonder, God What is this? I have gone through all kinds of different experiences in life but there is something unique about this. There is no frame of reference for it.

This new thing you’re experiencing is your Birthing Process. When you begin to acknowledge your complete love, there’s no holding back. God through His birthing process has opened your heart wide. He has exposed you. There are God things you can’t quite explain, you can’t rationalize it, and you cannot deny it. Here you stand, Naked before God. Do not be ashamed of this process. You did not go looking for this. You didn’t plan or expect this so of course it’s unsettling and uncomfortable but in a good way. I woke up one morning and the baby was Stirring. If you were to try and explain it would go something like this:

Listen, all I know is that It happened. I was minding my own business, Worshipping God and It happened. Period. That’s all I got for you.

Preparation through Prayer

The birthing process requires your consistent discipline. It’s not just about you. The Lord has chosen and ordained you for this. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God (Psalm 62:11). Don’t be afraid. Fear not. But if you are afraid—- Confess the Word. Stand on the Word and do it anyway. Having faith and confessing the living Word of God prepares you to Trust the preparation process. Pray the Word and have faith in God. The enemy may tempt you to want to run from the process. Don’t run. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and he will strengthen your heart.

This thing that God is doing is like John the Baptist crying out, “I’m just a voice of one crying in the wilderness prepare…”. You must approach this birthing a certain way. What you are carrying requires another level of care; a multidisciplinary approach is necessary for you to fully understand what you are about to deliver. Your birthing process will cross interdisciplinary boundaries and converge into what God has created it to be.

The magnitude of what you are birthing requires that you pray. Prayer and intercession will clear the path and pave the way for the mission to be accomplished. Prayer will sustain the pregnancy, the birth, and the future. You will Build through prayer. God is sending you forth like His missionaries to Build. This thing you are carrying is Big. You are going to have to Build accordingly. Despite the warfare, the birthing process is preparing you to build. Purpose is growing, expanding inside of you and you must prepare yourself through prayer. A life of prayer is needed because you don’t have a specific due date. You may have to deliver, Suddenly. Prayer will get you and keep you ready, alert. You’re working, watching and praying while you’re pushing it out.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19 KJV). Jehovah Jireh God who provides will meet all of your needs during this process. You are in a season and a time when you have to be still and know…. Although you are praying, you might feel like: Lord, I need help. You got help! God is a very present help in a time of need. Remain focused and don’t get distracted.

Lord I Need You: Help Me!

There is an Ancient component to this new thing that will supersede your imaginations and surpass your thoughts. What you are about to birth represents Building onto the foundation established before time existed. It represents Kingdom and legacy. It represents eternity. Building—Not with hammers, drills, cement, or wood. God is speaking today….You cannot go through the birthing process alone. The Holy Spirit is your Helper. The Spirit of God is hovering and moving.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Gen.1:2 KJV). And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come (John 16:13 ESV). Now, we have the Helpings of the Holy Spirit: in us, for us, with us, and through us. You’ve got Help.

When We Cry Out to God

My father was Louisiana style country and he had this saying, ”Ain’t no telling what he liable to do”. I can testify to this saying. When we cry out to God He will hear and answer our cry for help. You may not want or be able to receive what the Holy Spirit is saying to you. However, God may show up in your dreams in such as a way that you will get the message loud and clear. When you pray, fast and pray, seek first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness. When you give God that ‘Yes’ Yes. When you say with your mouth and believe in your heart: Lord I’m committed to You; Your will be done in my life. I want what you want for me. Show me your Purpose for my life. What do you want me to do. Here is my Yes Lord. When you really need to hear from God—pay attention to your dreams. The Holy Spirit will lead and guide you into all truth even if it happens in your dreams.

In the Dream God Speaks

As a child, me and God had this thing about dreams. God has always used dreams to speak to me. Sometimes He will give me a dream about a particular Bible story and I have to search it out. Other times the dream will be literal it will be exactly as in the dream. I want to encourage you to pay attention to your dreams. Hold your dreams to the light of the Word. Google is not the place to go to understand your dreams. Run straight to Holy Spirit and the Bible, and steward your dreams well. This is an advantage that God will use to bless and help us. It’s not so much about the dream but about our relationship with God.

Understand the ways that God speaks to you on a personal level. You need Biblical Dream Interpretation, I am currently praying for this. We are created to grow. We grow naturally and we should be growing spiritually. When I say spiritually, I am referring to growing in God, growing in relationship with Jesus, growing in prayer, growing in studying and applying God’s Word, growing in awareness of the Holy Spirit in you.

Now that I have established that God does speak to us through our dreams I want to share a recent dream I had (about 4 months ago). I am not revealing everything in this because some of it has already occurred to two relatives and God was simply preparing me for how to pray for them ahead of time.

I will talk about the main context of the dream because I believe this is where the Holy Spirit was answering my cries. This dream comes from a place of prayer and intercession where I was seeking answers to some things the Holy Spirit had been dealing with me on. My heart at the time was not able to handle the revelation of what the Lord was giving me. The dream is the answer to my prayer and insight into my need for more.

The Process to Birthing Purpose

I had a dream that I was called to work at this particular hospital. (I’m an unofficially retired nurse). When I arrived at the hospital, they gave me my assignment and I was happy thinking oh yes I’m going to get back on my feet financially on this job. I’m working the Long Term Care/Rehab unit during the midnight shift and I’m going to rake in some serious hours. I know LTC/Rehab like the back of my hand; very comfortable in that setting.

As I approached the assigned unit, I heard “CODE BLUE…CODE BLUE”. I took off running directly to the Code (I didn’t hear room number or location) but I flew there. The location was like an Observation room in a hospital. There was an older black man in the bed coding and his wife of many years was in the bed next to him. It was as if they had both come out of surgery. I initiated chest compressions; other team members were arriving to assist. As I did compressions, I was calling out things we needed to do. O2 Sat, oxygen, vitals, blood gases, a lady was standing to the side watching all of us work and she was the recorder recording the code. As I performed compressions I began to declare life over the man. It was all hands on deck to save him. I told the wife through our eyes he was good. We all started thanking God he was stable and doing great.

Suddenly, his wife started to Code. She kept looking at me. Again I ran over to her bed, started compressions, deep compressions with excellent recoil. I was so happy about her recoil because I knew she was getting good oxygenated blood supply. I just knew she would be fine also. The team worked on her and I again began to speak life, I said you will live and not die in the name of Jesus as we worked on her. I was so connected with this lady as if she was my mother or grandmother; the connection and love between was so strong.

The Unexpected

The couple was stable and doing well. I wanted to hurry back to the unit I was initially assigned to but as I was rushing down the hall; the person who hired me stopped me and said; we need you on this unit. I said, I’m working on the Long Term Care/Rehab unit. She said, oh no there must have been a misunderstanding I hired you to work this unit. I thought to myself. Is she crazy. Is she crazy. She was so calm and peaceful I couldn’t argue with her. She pointed me back to the unit where the couple coded but were doing well.

I began to talk to God. God do you see this, I’m supposed to be working in LTC behind the scenes on the midnight shift. Did this woman just tell me to work day shift. Day shift with all these people. As I looked up I saw a sign saying ‘Surgery’. God help me! Lord I’m not qualified to work in that capacity. I thought I was hired to work in the Rehab unit, and now they have called me to this surgical unit. Now, I’m desperate for God to help me.

As I went into this office area for new hirees to the surgical unit, all these surgeons were in there talking. About me! They said you’re the nurse who ran that Code. Then the surgeons all stood up as if they were about to prepare for their next procedure. Some were interns and others were seasoned. They all wore the whitest, most professional looking lab jackets. Crisp white lab coats. The lady in the office said, you can go with them across the hall. As we all approached the door, they said he wants to meet you. I said who please. I’m new here? The Chief of Surgery they replied. My heart started racing.

They directed me to sit down in this hall that had chairs lined against the wall next to a specialist surgical suite. As I sat there, I began to talk to God. How did I get here? Who put me on this unit. This is the critical care surgical unit. Lord, you know I’m not qualified to work here. I need special training. I’m not prepared please God deliver me help me.

I’m about to run out of here, I thought. No, I can’t run I’m assigned to be here. If I leave it will be abandonment. Help me Jesus!. The surgeons were looking excited and happy, they were supportive but I was still very nervous because I usually overly prepare and now here I am with no advance notice. Holy Spirit please speak to me now.

“Ask them about the Chief of Surgery”. I said to one in particular (Surgery Department head or supervisor), tell me about the Chief of Surgery. He smiled and said Oh yeah he’s the real deal. Top shelf. He’s the Chief of Surgery not only at this specialty hospital but at other affiliate hospitals as well. Surgeon of surgeons. Highly honored in the profession. He wants you to work directly with him as his assistant.

Heart racing/pounding. God help me right now I’m not qualified this is out of my league. I need to be refreshed on proper surgical technique and protocol. Lord I haven’t worked in five years.

The Comforter to me: you are qualified. You heard the Code and ran to help. You quickly initiated all that you have been trained to do. You worked to save that couple. They have been married happily for so many years loving God. Side by side in the same room. You did not stabilize the husband, I stabilized the husband through you. As you looked in the wife’s eyes, you took a deep breath then Code Blue….Code Blue. The husband was good Now the wife was Coding. You told the team, we will not loose them. You worked on her (deep compressions with good recoil), you worked and you prayed. You watched and you prayed and you worked. I stabilized her through you and the team.

Chief of Surgery

The surgeons were happy and excited and speaking quietly among themselves but I could hear their conversations. The Chief of Surgery had asked them, who ran the Code Blue’s and saved that husband and wife? They all looked at me, expectantly, with eyes full of wisdom. The Chief of Surgery looked, no stared, directly-intently at me. I felt the Look. I turned my head to the left where he stood at the door. I Looked up, cautiously into his eyes.

Something Leaped on the inside of me. I wondered if the jolt was visible on the outside. Did they see me jump? Our eyes locked! He said, “I want you on my team working side by side with me”. When he spoke it was with Authority, I heard a ranking in the spirit. It was as if an auditorium of 10,000 people were all looking right at me. (My immediate thought was Yes—Gladly. Hallelujah. Singing and Dancing).

I stood and began to walk down the hall, I needed to collect my thoughts. I need training, I need to be equipped. I’m not acclimated, I’m not qualified Certified or Prepared. Lord I’m just being honest with you. I need you. I wanted to run to God and throw my arms around Him and hold on tight.

I know this man, the Chief of Surgery. I’m sure of it—don’t I know him? Lord, I’m undone. I must regain composure. I need my professional decorum. Oh God, I’m trembling. Holy Spirit. The other surgeons are all still watching me walk down the hall.

Yet I’m thinking, they must stay focused on their individual assignments. Holy Spirit help them they are distracted, patients are depending on them to maintain their positions no matter what comes. Their job is too important to get distracted. There are more patients coming in, we must prepare. They must remain focused.

As Holy Spirit and I dialogued, it was as if they could hear our conversation and they responded. That was a relief. I knew the chief of surgery was in an active and complex surgery and needed the team to remain in position. I sensed a strong urge to turn my head to the left and look up, in remembrance, just as I had previously did in the dream. I wanted to but I needed more courage.

Holy Spirit, I’m so sorry but if I do, If I turn my head to the left and slowly look up I’m going to see it again. And I might faint right here walking down this hallway. I must assess this situation, what made me so undone? Trembling under the power of God, Shaken but full of peace. Joy. An inner witness. Oh God! I must get to a quiet place, the spiritual weight of this encounter cannot be dismissed or denied.

My heart, am I in surgery right now? Something is happening to my heart. I must pray. God we need to talk. My heart is wide open. Repent, Repent, Repent. I Repent. Something new is happening to me. I can’t explain it. I know it is you God. I need to get home quickly at the end of this shift so I can began to process all of this. My mind is racing. As soon as I get home I will get a bottle of water, my anointing oil to anoint my head and my heart, my Bible, journal, and pen.

Holy Spirit only You can help me with this. Please what is this. I’m aware of rambling and sounding like a complete nut job. The intensity is embarrassing but I don’t know why. Okay Lord, I know we talked about me allowing myself to be vulnerable and kicking the walls down. But this is a bit much. I was thinking we could do baby steps. Instead, you show up with bulldozers and forklifts. Tearing my walls down and removing all the bolders so that I cannot re-erect them.

Still in the dream: Finally, I’m home. I can relax and unwind. Now I can pray like I want and need to and reign this thing in. I got this. I’m going in and cancel this assignment because this is too much. The devil is coming after my mind. I’m rebuking, binding and loosing. I’m decreeing, declaring, and pleading. I’m confessing with boldness and sweating.

Wait a minute. I need to cover the Chief of Surgery as well. Now I’m closing every ungodly door, taking keys and slamming the door shut. I’m standing on the Believers authority. I know my Identity. I know to whom I belong. Is not my word like fire, like a hammer that breaks the rocks in pieces (Jeremiah 23:29).

Now, I’m calling Holy Ghost Fire. Burn up everything and anything that is not of you God. Tongues all over the place. Here comes a litany of Jesus. Jesus Jesus Jesus. In the name of Jesus. I’m appropriating the Blood. The Blood the Blood The Blood. The Blood of Jesus prevails. Break in pieces Oh God, grind it to dust, let the wind of the Spirit come and blow it away. Purify, with your Refiners fire. Create in me a clean heart O God and renew the right spirit within me.

Now I’m standing in the gap for the entire surgical team, the whole hospital and the affiliate hospitals. I’m ascending in prayer and I won’t come down until the work is finished. After an extended period of This.

I hear myself saying, God am I still in this dream? I had a dream that I was hired to work at this hospital…….then I came home to pray about it…….?

I collect myself, drink water. I’m feeling good, hey I handled that. Now let me sit back and listen to worship music and relax. While worshipping God, it all resurfaces.

Okay, here we go I remind every Ephesians 6 principality vs 10-18 that I have annihilated that thing down to the root. Baby I took that garden hoe in the spirit and tore those roots up, I ripped them to shreads. Then I picked up the spade shovel, brand new shovel with sharp blade. I dug up and uprooted and you shall Not return!!! I reiterated Isaiah 54:17. Okay, now I’m done with this thing. This was just a dream! I thought.

Back to Worship. I don’t need words right now I need Instrumental worship music only. I’m in a fight. I need a certain sound. Where is my boxing gloves. I settle in to the worship but feel a Stirring. Oh Lord, I’m exhausted I’m at the end of myself. I’ve done all that I know to do here. Help me! What is this?

After settling into the quiet, I hear Holy Spirit:

Now are you ready to deal with your

• fear of the future
• fear of failure
• self sabotage
• lack of discipline
• lack of truly trusting me
• inconsistency
• constantly running when you have been identified
• refusing to commit to my Purpose for your life
• delayed obedience aka Disobedience and rebellion
• questioning my Voice when you Know my voice

Holy Spirit, speaking to me. You cannot rebuke the dream it’s about your Birthing Process and Purpose. The Surgeon dream, helped me to understand the importance of remaining in position for God’s Purpose. The dream of the Lord flowed out of prayer and seeking God for clarification, and instruction. God should always get the glory through your birthing process. The prophetic process; the birthing process is founded on the Bible. Scripture is the final authority. God will allow us to Ascend through the birthing process. Holy Spirit reminded me that when I cried out to God and said I only want Your will for my life; the dream is a response to that cry.

You are Getting Closer

“The third trimester is the last phase of your pregnancy. It lasts from weeks 29 to 40, or months 7, 8, and 9. During this trimester, your baby grows, develops, and starts to change position to get ready for birth. Now that you’ve reached the third trimester, you’re in the home stretch of your pregnancy.” (www.webmd.com March 22,2023). You are uncomfortable.

Holy Spirit: “Rhonda! Instead of you rejoicing. With joy unspeakable and joy full of the glory of the Lord. You are operating in fear. You are well able and it is your Set Time” you have to trust me”. “Yes indeed, it won’t be long now.” God’s Decree. “Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills. I’ll make everything right again for my people Israel:……Amos 9:13—The Message Translation

The Birthing Process is challenging you to humble yourself to get through it. “During pregnancy your brain goes though changes to help you get ready to be a parent to love and nurture. This can cause increased levels of anxiety. It can come from feeling unsure about what’s going to happen, and the feeling that you want to protect your baby and yourself. Many people also feel anxious about giving birth” (Google.com). You want to succeed at it.

We are instructed, Don’t be anxious for nothing Philippians 4:6-7. This practical application of God’s Word is comforting. However, there is a spiritual reality to being a yielded vessel. Like Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, nevertheless Father, no my will, your will be done. Your Perfect will be done in my life. When you surrender and God begins to shake you and sift you so that He may purify and prepare you. It’s a new thing, new territory. It’s the unfamiliar, the unknown, the taking a huge leap, a monumental leap of faith. Lean into it. It’s the Birthing Process.

Discernment

All the emotions can feel so real. Like, my heart has actually been opened up and love poured in, like fresh oil. I’m just out here wide open, vulnerable, exposed. And I didn’t ask for this, I didn’t go looking for it. It happened. It just happened. One day while worshipping God, it happened. Strong Emotions can be divine intel from God as a point of intercession a prayer point. God is doing a new thing. God has a purpose, a plan and a process to bring it to pass.

There is peace, an assurance you can’t quite explain. Own the unsettling feelings associated with coming face to face with Purpose, Future, Destiny, and Love. Like a sudden attack, you think it’s physical but it’s spiritual. Fast heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, feeling tired may occur (Google.com/anxiety). Like grief these signs may occur in your life as intrusive, at inconvenient times. It can even be embarrassing. Why am I crying like this. But God! It’s relevant to the Birthing Process as you are being healed.

On the continuum of the birthing process: Confrontation, Repentance, Deliverance, Inner Healing, Spiritual trauma care, Honesty, ownership, accountability, Humility, transparency—Process.

When confronted with the truth a response is required. Often God will ask a question. Not for the answer but for your awareness, to provoke conviction, to teach you, to help you be honest with yourself and to confront you. So that you can be accountable. When God reveals, we need to deal.

Holy Spirit will come in and wash you with the Word concerning these things and show you how to stand on the Word. Stand with your feet firmly planted. You cannot yield to every emotion and become easily upset. You must stand as An Overcomer. Each of these exposed areas become a confession of the Word of God. Here is where you release the Word of the Lord and work your faith. Faith and works. Not merely saying Scripture but believing it, obeying it, doing it. Praying the Word and having faith in God; while assessing yourself. Remain humble, mindful and truthful. For example, when Holy Spirit gives you instruction—-Self assess: Did I obey quickly, Am I disciplined in this or that, Did I stick to the commitment no matter the emotion, Am I delivered in that area or do I still have work to do.

The Lord will perfect that which concerns you (See Psalm 138). You have a responsibility to remain humble and trust God’s process and God’s timing. You are not in control. Who can stop the hand of God? No one can and no one will. “This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:23).

You cannot uproot what I the Lord have planted. When opposition comes, Stand. When discouragement comes, Stand. When frustration comes, Stand. During conflict, Stand. When you are afraid, Stand. I have planted you, and this birthing process is like a tree that has been planted by the rivers of water that will bring forth fruit in its season. It’s leaf also will not wither and whatsoever it does shall prosper. The Birthing Process.

The Birthing process is a reward, an honor, and a privilege. It’s confirmation of the promise of Restoration Joel 2:25.

What is the point of all this?

This is a true story sent by God to awaken you to the sound and the voice of Almighty God. The Ministry and Work of the Holy Spirit in your life. Hebrews 3:15 While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Holy Spirit wants us to hear His voice and align with His sound. To Advance the Kingdom and Build, we must hear and heed the clarion call; the Voice of Heaven and the Sound of heaven. Humility and obedience will produce a peaceable fruit in us.

We can no longer continue in rebellion. Our ears must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit so that we can obey quickly and carry out. One day last week the Holy Spirit woke me up around 4am to read Revelation. I was instructed to put emphasis on Revelation chapters 2 and 3. After reading, the Holy Spirit told me to sum it all up in one word. The Word of the Lord to me was Repent. Remember and Repent, Repent Repent Repent. Wake up and Repent. Be honest and Repent. I knew there was More. I began to pray and intercede; to Repent.

Obedience is Key

God wants you to know that He desires to speak to you. He has more for you, and He is speaking to you. God may be speaking to you right now as you read this. God loves you. You are God’s very own love. He wants a closer relationship with you. He doesn’t want you separated away from him. When He calls your name He wants you to immediately recognize His void.

Check Yourself

Maybe God has you in the birthing process. What is that thing you’ve been longing for? The thing you have been praying for. The thing you need. Maybe it’s healing, provision, ministry, purpose, assignment, your soon coming husband or wife. Maybe it’s a strong, healthy and loving marriage that you need. Maybe you need to be delivered and set free. Maybe you’ve been married to the same person and feel like same ole same ole. But let me tell you—God is doing a new thing and He wants to do it in you. Is there anything too hard for our God. Holy Spirit can ignite a fire. A flame. He can perform a supernatural surgery on your heart. It all starts with your response; your motivation; your agenda. What pushes you. It must be God. It must be to the glory of God.

God has more for you. God wants to Pour out on you. You need to hear Holy Spirit so that you can position yourself for the pouring.

People are searching, seeking, desperate. Looking for love and satisfaction in all the wrong places. Shhhh! God still speaks! You must choose to Listen. Holy Spirit wants you to have that intimate close relationship with him. He may speak to you in a dream, in a vision, from another person, from His Word, from a child from a cloud, from a random phone call. God still speaks and wants you to Know His voice. And Obey.

When you really love somebody have you noticed how you can recognize the sound of their voice anywhere. You can be in a crowded room. But you recognize that voice. You love that voice. Hey, that’s my baby’s voice.

You may be in the birthing process today where you are birthing out what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you. Be encouraged; it won’t be long now. You will be holding and hugging your baby. When you look into your baby’s eyes. When you look at his smile. That smile. My God that smile. You look, Oh that’s My baby’s smile. Look at him. He’s so beautiful. When you behold what the Lord has done. What the Spirit of God has birthed. All because you heard, you listened, you trusted and Obeyed His voice.

Trust God’s process. Trust God’s timing. People may have hurt you and damaged your ability to trust, but not God. You can Trust Jesus. Put all your Trust in Him. Rejoice in the birthing process. Again, I say Rejoice. Be encouraged, the birthing process might not always feel good but it’s good for you, it’s God for you.

**********************************************************************************************

TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS

Transferrable Skills

“TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS”

From Spiritual to Natural,

Natural realm to Spiritual Realm.

Transferrable Skills.

Transferrable-capable of being taken from one place to another, able to be used in different situations.

Skill-A talent or ability that comes from training or practice, Capacity to do something well; technique.

Transferable skills, also known as “portable skills,” are qualities that can be transferred from one job or life circumstance to another.

Transferable skills are skills and abilities that are relevant and helpful across different areas of life. This is a specific set of skills that don’t belong to a particular niche, they are general skills that can be transferred. Transferable skills develop as you progress through life.

You can take skills that you acquired throughout your life and continue to build on them and also reinvent yourself using the skills.

For example, you can take the skills you have learned in your career or job and use those same skills in your personal life.

Say you worked as a customer service rep. You can still use your customer service rep skills in your prison ministry or in your family life or a hobby.

Transferrable Skills from Spiritual to Natural and Natural to Spiritual

Have you ever thought about why? Why did you work in this particular industry or that certain place? Or that business or this. Or stay at home and raise your family. Have you ever stopped and thought about all the different skills that you’ve acquired during your life. Did you ever look around, I mean really look; and think everything I see started somewhere.

Spiritual to Natural.

Genesis.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

The Holy Spirit will hover over your life when you yield to Him. God will shape and mold your life into His beautiful work of art.

In the Beginning, it started in the Spirit in the thoughts of God and then God said…..and it was so. (God is a Spirit) And now we see it, we experience it, and we exist and survive because of it.

Invite the Spirit of the living God in to your skill set.

So, here we are. We have these accumulated skills. Now what? Full Circle.

I want to encourage you to enjoy your life. Never stop inventing you. You be the person who brings joys and fulfillment to your life.

Natural to Spiritual.

Use your skills to let your great light shine bright.

What skills did you acquire when you worked as a security guard or nursing assistant or customer service rep. Security may have taught you to pay close attention, be prepared for the unexpected, take inventory, secure entrance and exit points, discern countenance, know what key works for what door, who has authorized access, what do you do when intruder comes, protect, defend, keep a sharp eye, extra attention to the most valuable resources, what are the weak and strong points…………………

TRANSFERRABLE Skills…Full Circle….Work for and in the Kingdom of God. Training Manual the Word of God. Teacher Holy Spirit. Purpose— Do the work You’ve been trained to do. Put the Word of God in your mouth and do it. Say it. Pray it. Decree it. You have been Authorized. Do it in the Spirit. Do it in the name of Jesus Christ.

Now the Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. 2 Cor.3:17

You are now free to use your TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

Use what you got. Use your skills to be a blessing to others. For every person that rejects you, there are many many more who will gladly accept and receive you.

Use your skill and abilities to share the love of God in your personal and professional life. Use your talents, skills, and abilities to glorify Jesus.

Use your skills. Your life is valuable, you matter, your life has meaning. You are not limited to your past. You have skills. Use your skill to develop your life and bring God glory.

The world needs you. That’s why you are here at this particular time in history. You got skills! Know use what you got. Use your transferrable skills to advance the Kingdom of God.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24.

Transferrable Skills

Photo Credits: Unsplash.com

*********************************************************************************************************

FOLKS

Folks

Zerubbabel”

Our lives are living testimonies and we are living epistles. Apostle Paul talks about this in Second Corinthians chapter three. Each of our lives is a living testimony to our walk with God. Through scripture you can look at another person’s life and gain insight and revelation that you can take and apply to your own life. As we look at other folks in the bible let’s remember 2 Timothy 3:16-17. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷ God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work (New Living Translation). About 3 weeks ago I had received the thought to look at Zerubbabel’s life as part of my “Folks” series. As I read and studied I kept feeling like what is wrong, what’s missing, why am I feeling like this, what is it that you want me to focus on Lord.

I prayed and invited the Holy Spirit into this message, and I was instructed to table it for now. This was a few weeks ago. So today at church, Grace Christian Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan my Pastor Jerry Weinzierl delivered a powerful message and immediately upon hearing it; I knew—Zerubbabel. Now my Pastor’s message was not about Zerubbabel (it was a powerful message about depression) but the Spirit highlighted a focal point about Zerubbabel’s life that I want to talk about. (You can listen to my Pastors message on gracesterling.com/messages aired on 11/14/21 11Am service).

Discouragement

I want to share an article I found online that speaks to the heart of this message. The Holy Spirit led me to google Zerubbabel and here is an article that stood out. It was as if the Holy Spirit did the job for me in a sense because this article speaks to the heart of the message. I was having a challenging time preparing this and was feeling strong resistance and opposition. Each time I would decide to complete it, I would come under strong attack. It was as if I was living this message out. The attack was grueling and relentless. The accuser was bombarding me trying to prevent this word from going forth. There was distraction after distraction, but I knew this had to be released.

The thing about friendship and intimacy with God its that we can be open and honest. I said, Lord I’m having a really hard time, what is going on. He said, “What is going on is that you, your life is the message”. It was a time of vulnerability for me. An exposing my weakness and insecurity. The attacks that were coming were so vicious and gruel, lies of the enemy sent to defeat me and thwart the plans and instructions of God. I could not rely on my own strength but had to rely completely on Jesus. I felt the sting of past hurts and railing accusations try to resurface. I am accustomed to spiritual battles, but this was on another level. The Holy Spirit had told me previously don’t be moved by increased attacks that were coming and that I was protected, and God is delivering me out of them all. I was forewarned, God allowed me to see and hear in the Spirit the plots, plans, discussions and conversations. I experienced an overwhelming sense of betrayal.

However, the Spirit of intercession rose up in me and as I prayed for my accusers, I found myself praying the Father’s heart toward them. I felt the love of God for them, and I declared the plans and purposes of God over their lives. I decreed a strong hedge of protection around them, prayed for tender hearts toward God and that they would come to a place of surrender to God, and yield to the Holy Spirit. I decreed they would develop the fruits of the Spirit. What God showed me through this experience, well He showed me several things, is that when you fix your gaze on Jesus you will not fall, you will not sink, you will not drown, you will not stop, you will not shrink back, you will not withdraw. You will maintain your focus. You will focus on the Assignment, focus on the task you have been given by God to do.

Your Position in the face of Opposition

Opposition comes with its first cousin discouragement knocking on your door. You will focus so intently on Jesus that you will be aware of the opposition, but the opposition will not shake you. You will hear the faint sound of the knock, but the knock will hear your high praises to God. As you fix your gaze on Jesus, His radiant love will surround you, engulf you and fill you. You will see yourself through His eyes. You will hear his voice of assurance, reassurance, and encouragement. You will be so aware of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in you, that opposition will be small in your eyes. Discouragement will shrivel at your awareness that you carry the glory of God, a glory carrier.

“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:1-3). When God commissions you and gives you Assignment to Build. Then you set your gaze and Build.

*************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Here is insight from the article Zerubbabel written by Brett Burrowes. Retrieved from The Intercessor Vol.19 No. 3. “Zerubbabel was the descendant of David who was appointed to be leader of the Jews who returned to Jerusalem (1 Chr. 3:19; Ezra 2:2). He had been commissioned by God to rebuild the temple (Ezra 3-6,Haggai,Zech. 4:6-10). This was no small task, since the temple was no ordinary building, but the place in which God’s glory came down and dwelt among the people. The temple was the place where heaven came down and touched the earth, where God communed with human beings, the place to which prayers were directed and from which they were answered. Under the old covenant, the temple was the place God’s Spirit dwelt; it was the visible sign that the Jews were the chosen people of God.

So to build a house suitable for God to dwell in was no small task. It must have felt overwhelming, especially since the other nations dwelling in the land around them far outnumbered them, and they opposed the rebuilding of the temple. In fact the Scripture says that they felt a dread of the peoples around them (Ezra 3:3). Dread is not simply a passing fear or anxiety, but an intense paralyzing fear of what will happen, combined with the sense that you are powerless to prevent it. When you dread something, you just want to put it out of your mind and not think about it and pretend it’s not there. There’s a gnawing in your stomach, a tension in your shoulders, and a feeling of impending doom that doesn’t go away. This is how Zerubbabel and the Israelites felt about their neighbors around them”.

Zerubbabel was a person like us. He was given a commission by God, but he became discouraged by all the obstacles and opposition he encountered. How many times have we thought we were pursuing God’s will in our lives only to experience frustration after frustration? We start to think: What’s the point? If God were really behind this, why aren’t things working out? Why does God allow this? Doesn’t He hear my prayers? The temptation is to give up in the face of obstacles and just to try and live out a comfortable life without getting too many people around us upset. After all, isn’t living at peace with our neighbors an admirable goal? Just let nothing disturb our comfort, least of all some commission from God. But God has a way of making things uncomfortable for us if we disobey.

But it is precisely in these situations that God calls us to trust Him. Facing the fact that these nations (and as we shall find out, enemies) were far more numerous and powerful than they were, Zerubbabel nevertheless chose to put his trust in God, and he built an altar to the Lord and began to lead the people to worship Him (Ezra 3:2-3). He feared the Lord more than He feared the nations around them. He moved from mere soul feelings to spirit, from a feeling of dread and panic to an attitude of trust and obedience toward God. Of course his feelings probably did not change, but his actions did: he chose to obey God, build the altar, and begin work on the foundation of the temple.

When the foundation of the temple was built (Ezra 3:8-13), however, Zerubbabel and the people became discouraged. Although many rejoiced at the completion of the foundation, those who had been alive when the first temple was still standing wept openly (3:12) because it was obvious that this second temple would not even approach the splendor and beauty of the first. They were deceived by what their own hands had produced, impressed not by what God was accomplishing through them, but by the outward appearance of the temple. Had they been concerned with the things of the Spirit, they would have realized that no matter how beautiful the first temple had been, it had been filled with the sin and idolatry of the people, which had driven God’s presence from it in the first place (Ezek. 8-10).

This new temple, as unimpressive as it may have appeared, would be the new place of God’s dwelling, which is the true and only glory of any temple. In fact, speaking through the prophet Haggai, the Lord agreed with the people that the second temple was unimpressive outwardly: Does it not seem to you to be nothing? (Hag. 2:1-3). Instead God promises that His presence will be in their midst, which is what He had promised in the first place when they had left Egypt almost a thousand years before (2:4-5). It is God’s presence, not the outward trappings, that makes the temple glorious.

But the people also became discouraged because the peoples around them began to oppose the rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 4). At first they offered to help, but the offer was not entirely genuine. These peoples around them had been moved by the king of Assyria to the land of Israel several hundred years before and it was customary for people to begin worshipping the gods of that land in addition to one’s own when moving into a new land. So they were not lying when they said they worshipped and sacrificed to the God of Israel (Ezra 4:2). More likely, however, is that by joining in with the Jews in the building of the temple they would overwhelm the Jews by their sheer numbers and the Jews would loose their distinctiveness as a people. In other words, remove the threat that the Jews posed to them by absorbing them.

In our culture, it is not so much the threat of persecution and torture that threatens Christians, but the temptation to allow oneself to be absorbed into the world and accept its standards. Instead of seeking to have our moral standards transformed and renewed by God’s Word, we passively accept the standards of society around us, because everyone else is doing it. But once we choose Satan’s way, we don’t know where he will take us. If we give ourselves over to him, he will begin operating us and we will begin doing things we didn’t dream we could do. By giving ourselves over to Satan and his ways, we become vessels unfit for God’s use and become weapons in the enemy’s hands (Rom. 6:12-13).

Fortunately, Zerubbabel and the people refused the help of the nations around them, telling them that they have nothing in common (Ezra 4:3), obeying God’s command to come out and be a separate and holy nation (Exod. 19:6; Isa. 52:11; Ezek 20:34, 41). Zerubbabel perceived that God and Satan have nothing in common, and that there can be no agreement with the temple of God and the temple of idols (2 Cor. 6:15-16). Fortunately Zerubbabel and the Jews were not deceived and did not allow the purity of God’s people to be mixed with the idolatrous Satan-operated peoples around them. If Zerubbabel had allowed them to help, then the temple would have been just another building, for God will not dwell in the midst of a nation of idolaters.

Had these people been true worshipers of the God of Israel, Zerubbabel would have welcomed them, but he knew their real motives, which were exposed when they tried to discourage and frighten the people into discontinuing work on the temple and when they bribed the Persian officials to hinder the work (Ezra 4:4-5). As long as you don’t cross Satan in a nice person, you won’t see how nasty he can be. Once you do, however, the nicest person will pour out all sorts of venom that comes from the evil spirit which operates from within. These people revealed the true spirit of their hearts when they falsely accused the Jews of being rebellious and seditious in a letter to the Persian rulers (Ezra 4:6-16). That this was Satanically motivated cannot be doubted, since it is Satan who is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10; Job 1-2; Zech. 3:1-2).

But if this mistreatment comes from Satan manifesting himself through people, why does God allow it? Isn’t God more powerful than Satan? Hasn’t God promised to crush Satan under out feet (Rom. 16:20)? Why do we have to go through such troubles at all? Why doesn’t God just take care of these sinful people? Of course we are such basically good people that we wouldn’t want God to take their lives, just remove them to a safe distance so they don’t bother us anymore. We need to remember that apart from the blood of Christ and His Spirit, we would be just as sinful as they are. Maybe we were the difficult people once that others had to put up with patiently and trust God in spite of us.

Zerubbabel and the Jews did not press on rebuilding the temple. Rather than trust God and oppose the opposition, work on the temple stopped for ten years (4:24). One could say they stopped because of a decree from the king, but then a few years earlier Daniel defied the king of Babylon rather than disobey God, a fact that many of these Jews may have witnessed personally. But this time they allowed the dread they had felt earlier to overpower them. Although they began with the desire to obey God, they allowed themselves to be mastered by a fear of what men could do to them. They were willing to obey God to a point, but they were not yet willing to risk the wrath of the Persian rulers. They knew what kind of response they would get, but they weren’t yet willing to trust God completely. As the old hymn goes: Those who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true. By not trusting Him wholly, they did not experience the faithfulness of God to deliver them out of their troubles.

But despite their lack of faith, God was faithful, and He sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to call them back to obedience (Ezra 5:1). Haggai rebuked the people for living in luxurious paneled houses while God’s house remained in ruins (Hag. 1:3). Because of the opposition they had experienced, the people had given up hope and were saying to themselves: it is not yet time for the temple of the Lord to be rebuilt, despite God’s command to the contrary (Hag. 1:2). They focused on making their own lives comfortable with paneled houses instead of doing the hard thing and obeying God. Their own comfort became more important than rebuilding God’s temple. Deep down I’m sure many of us have thought that doing God’s will was too hard: I’ll do what I can but if I run into difficulty, it is obviously not yet time to do whatever it is that God has commissioned us to do. But that is just a spiritual excuse to cover up our unbelief and disobedience.

What Zerubbabel and the Israelites failed to realize, however, is that these difficulties were really God’s opportunities to manifest His power and strength. Driven to the end of their own abilities and strengths, they ought to have looked to God to be their strength instead of  wallowing in self-pity, self-comfort, and despair. The frustrations and the obstacles are no obstacles to God, after all. He is the Lord of the universe; He can get a tiny little building in Jerusalem built in no time. The real obstacle was never the enemies outside them but rather their unbelief, their failure to believe that all the resources they ever needed were in God Himself and not in themselves and their puny little efforts to build the temple. The opposition of Satan through the peoples around them was God’s calling card to faith, God’s opportunity to reveal His glory in a way that exceeded anything in the first temple. So the Lord tells the people through Haggai: I am with you, and stirs up the spirit of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest and the spirit of the people and gets the job done (Hag. 1:13-15). Through the prophet Zechariah, the Lord tells Zerubbabel that it is not by might nor by force, but by My Spirit, says the Lord that the temple will be rebuilt and completed by Zerubbabel’s own hands (Zech. 4:6, 8), no matter how impossible the task might seem.

After all, greater is the spirit within Zerubbabel than the spirit which is in the peoples opposing him (see 1 John 4:4). The obstacles and opposition which appeared like a mountain before Zerubbabel will become like a level ground (Zech. 4:7). So when we step out in faith and obey in what God has commissioned us to do, trusting that His Spirit in us is the real Doer in us and through us, we can believe that every obstacle we encounter is simply His opportunity to manifest His glory in overcoming it. The obstacles are simply there to get us to despair of trusting in our own (Satan’s) puny efforts, and to trust that the power of God is in us to accomplish the task He has set out for us.

So Zerubbabel really was a person like us. He struggled with the same ‘doubts and fears as the rest of us, even if he was the royal descendant of David. He endured the same temptations, obstacles and opposition from others, as we do. And just like us, he needed to depend upon the supernatural power of God to rebuild the temple, the task which God had commissioned him to accomplish. But today God has commissioned us in an even greater task than that of Zerubbabel. That task is to build the temple of God’s people: In Christ the whole building is joined together to become a holy temple in the Lord, and in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit (Eph. 2:21-22).

The new temple is the body of Christ in today’s world. God now dwells not in a building made by the hands of men (Acts 7:48) but in the hearts and lives of His people (1 Cor. 6:17, 19). But like the temple in biblical times, our temple can be defiled by disobedience, unbelief and compromise with the world. When we disobey, we allow Satan to contaminate us and misuse us, not only as individuals, but as whole communities. So God commands us: “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” (2 Cor. 7:1). In such an evil and sin-obsessed world, the task of rebuilding and purifying Gods temple from Satanic misuse might seem hopeless, but we must remember the words of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty (Zech. 4:6). [Brett has an M.A. in New Testament and a Th. M. in Biblical Theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is finishing his doctorate at the University of Durham in England. He is also teaching at Nyack College in Nyack, New York, and is a Teacher-Sharer.] The above shared article was retrieved from The Intercessor website.

******************************************************************************************************************************************

The Temple foundation was then quickly completed, and another round of celebration followed. But soon, two problems arose. A few old men remembered Solomon’s glorious Temple and were saddened at how much smaller and less glorious this one was. Also, some enemies of the Jews tried to infiltrate the workforce and stop the building with political pressure. Fear caused the work to grind to a halt. The people went to their homes, and 16 years passed.

We do not know what Zerubbabel did during this time. His discouragement, following those first months of excitement and accomplishment, must have been deep. Those feelings eventually hardened into hopelessness. So, God sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to be Zerubbabel’s encouraging companions. They confronted the people’s reluctance and comforted their fears. The work began once again with renewed energy and was completed in four years.

God is in Control

Zerubbabel, like many of us, knew how to start well but found it hard to keep going. His successes depended on the quality of encouragement he received. Zerubbabel let discouragement get the better of him. But when he let God take control, the work was finished. God is always in control. We must not let circumstances or lack of encouragement slow us from doing the tasks God has given us. This is a personal lesson I received from looking at Zerubbbabel’s life. When God gives you an Assignment to Build, Build. Build despite the opposition. Build a dwelling place or habitation for God within you. Build despite frustration, depression, fear, opposition. This does not mean ignore the frustration, depression, fear, opposition, or anxiety—look it straight in the eyes so to speak and deal with it. Bring it into the light, take it out of the dark, secret place.

Zerubbabel’s Strengths and Accomplishments:

• He led the first group of about 50,000 Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem from Babylon
• Completed the rebuilding of God’s Temple
• Demonstrated wisdom in the help he accepted and refused
• Started his building project with worship as the focal point

Zerubbabel’s Weaknesses and Mistakes:

• Needed constant encouragement
• Allowed problems and resistance to stop the rebuilding work

Lesson from Zerubbabel’s Life:

• A leader needs to provide not only the initial motivation for a project, but the continued encouragement necessary to keep the project going
• A leader must find his/her own dependable source of encouragement
• God’s faithfulness is shown in the way he preserved David’s line

Notes from Tyndale Life Application Study Bible.

************************************************************************************************************************************************

In closing I want to add that while we all need each other and this is by God’s design, we also must be able to pull ourselves up and encourage ourselves in the Lord. There may be times when there is no one else to encourage you at that moment. However, our most gracious and loving God has given us a remedy for this. Our greatest encourager is the One within. En—-Courage. The Holy Spirit gives us courage and reminds us that we are not alone. The Holy Spirit will send someone along side of us to provide encourage and then we will in turn—-pour our encouragement on the next person. It’s like a childhood game we used to play called, ‘Tag’. When you get tagged the friend would say, You’re it. Meaning it’s your turn now.

Lay the Foundation and Carry On

We build encouragement by laying a good foundation. Almost immediately after arriving in the new land, the returning exiles built an altar. The people began worshiping God even before the Temple foundations were laid. After many years in captivity, they had learned their lesson—they knew that God does not offer special protection to people who ignore him. They had been carried away captive by the Babylonians when they were relatively strong; now they were few, weak, and surrounded by enemies. If ever they needed to rely on God’s power, it was at this time. They realized the importance of obeying God from the heart, and not merely out of habit. If we want God’s help, we are undertaking a task, we must make staying close to God our top priority. (Ezra Chapter 3).

You might think that when they returned from exile the first thing they would do is build up the military system and wall for protection. But instead they started to build the Temple even before the city wall of protection. The Temple was used for spiritual purposes while the wall was used for military and political purposes. God had always been the nation’s protector, and the Jews knew that the strongest stone wall would not protect them if God was not with them. They knew that putting their spiritual lives in order was the priority. (All of this information was retrieved from Zerubbabel’s Profile- and Zechariah chapter Notes in Tyndale Life Application Study Bible, KJV).

Key Verses

Key Verses:

• ⁴ Then I asked the Messenger-Angel, “What does this mean, sir?” ^5-7 The Messenger-Angel said, “Can’t you tell?” “No, sir,” I said. Then he said, “This is God’s Message to Zerubbabel: ‘You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ says God-of-the-Angel-Armies. ‘So, big mountain, who do you think you are? Next to Zerubbabel you’re nothing but a molehill. He’ll proceed to set the Cornerstone in place, accompanied by cheers: Yes! Yes! Do it!’” Zechariah Chapter 4 (The Message Paraphrase).
• “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring for the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it” Zechariah 4:6,7 KJV
• Zechariah Chapter 4:⁶ So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. ⁷ “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”

Takeaway from Zerubbabel

What is Your Project? What are You Working On? What are You Building?

1. Put God first when you are building, dealing with a task, planning, working on a project, etc.
2. Remember God is in control—–Worship Him.
3. When it’s time to build or rebuild, don’t expect everyone to be on board (If it’s just you and Jesus go forth and build). Some people may not be attached to your Assignment, just do the work.
4. Exile in Babylon represented a place of captivity, a defeated place, a place of rebellion toward God. Many of the people wanted to stay, even when they could be set free. You tell them “Bye” ….and keep it moving.
5. Your gift will make room for you. Zerubbabel’s life and his leadership skills positioned him.
6. Make sure you lay a spiritual foundation; they worshipped God, First.
7. When problems arise, and the enemy brings opposition do not let fear discourage or stop you, remember that God is still in control.
8. If the opposition causes you short term-temporary delay, Cancel it, take authority over it (Jesus said…Matthew 18:18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.), and do what God instructed you to do; make the enemy pay you back seven fold (Proverbs 6:31) and declare Zechariah 10:6 “I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God, and I will answer them.
9. When God sends His prophets to encourage you, Receive them. (He sent his prophets Haggai and Zechariah to encourage Zerubbabel and the people, and the work was completed).
10. God will put a word in the prophet’s mouth for you, “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring for the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it” Zechariah 4:6,7 KJV

You are Graced for the Assignment—Build!

God Loves You

Jesus said, “You Must Be Born Again”!

Are You Saved/Eternal Life?

Yes———————————————————————–Good, Great, Hallelujah——-Grow—Grow—Grow

No————————————————————————God loves You, Jesus secured your Salvation on the Cross—Get Saved Today-

Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9 and Romans 10:13: ⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Go! Walk the Talk

***********************************************************************************

Psalm 18 Exhortation

Psalm 18 Exhortation

“To the God Who Delivers”

God is a very present help in a time of trouble. I have a personal testimony that I also called upon the Lord in distress and he heard me and answered my cry. The Lord delivered me and set me free. He will do the same thing for you. The Bible tells us to pray all kinds of prayers. God trains our hands to war. We are not called to stand by twiddling our thumbs while the enemy ravages our families, churches, lives, bodies, minds, finances. God is loving, kind, and full of compassion with new mercies every day But He is also a man of War.

Born Again Christians, Believers, Citizens of the Kingdom of God are not called to stand around and get a beat down where the enemy is destroying churches, ministries, families. The Church is to be effective in compassion, teaching, preaching, worshipping, witnessing Also, War.

Jesus said, ‘upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it’. What comes to mind when you think about the ‘gates of hell’. Does it sound like the devil, yes the devil, the devil that many don’t want to talk about! Does the ‘gates of hell’ sound like the devil is just going to come and lightly tap on your front door, softly ring the door bell, and politely ask can I come in and kill, steal and destroy everything from the Kingdom of God, please and thank you.?

God has given us highly effective weapons and we must use them. Do not be afraid of the tactics of the enemy, God is with you and will help you to use the double edged razor sharp sword as a weapon to fight.

Our Faith in the Word of God is a weapon, that’s why our faith is attacked in various ways. It is time to let all of heaven know that we will fight back against the wiles of the enemy and quench every fiery dart. Every citizen of the Kingdom of God is called to the Battlefield. Where is the battlefield located? The mind is the battlefield. Your mind, my mind, the mind of the Fivefold, the mind of our loved ones, the mind of our friends, community, nation, nations. But thanks and praise to God who is our Deliverer.

I want to look at Psalms 18 as a story of Deliverance. How God delivered David from all of his enemies and remind you that God will do for you just what He did for David. God is our Deliverer and we should not fear, we have power. The power of life and death in our tongue. We have the power of the Decree and we can Declare the Word of God and win every battle. We are active warrior participants, not lazy spectators: I’m just going to eat popcorn and lemonade while God fights my battles. No.

In Exodus 14 when Moses comforted the people: Vs. ¹³ And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. ¹⁴ The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Amen, Hallelujah, Thank you Jesus. But, what did the LORD say in reply to Moses? Vs. 15-16: ¹⁵ And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: ¹⁶ But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. (Please read the entire chapter 14—it is a treat and picture it as you read it—God is Amazing). Just like the Lord was with Moses and the children of Israel in that battle, leading them, guiding them, directing them—fighting the battle; He will be with you, you to whom He gave authority, dominion, power through Jesus Christ.

Kingdom Citizens must contend for the souls and lives of those who are weaker and don’t know how to fight back for themselves, yet. We are called to War, although our battle is not with flesh and blood; person to person combat we still must battle. We must stand our position and fight back, we are fighting from Victory. We already have victory and we still must fight. It’s a spiritual battle, it’s battle for the souls/minds of people.

We are returning to a time when the ‘Fear of the Lord’ will come upon people. Respect and reverence for God. God still has a Remnant who will remain faithful. People who have hardened their heart, persecute the church fearlessly, deny the true and living God, criticize God’s Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelist, Teachers will experience the Sovereignty of Almighty God. Accusers, Talk about the church relentlessly and deny the faith. Citizens of the Kingdom of God, believers defend the Faith; the key word here is Defend.

God has not left us comfortless. We have a great Comforter who will lead us and guide us into all truth. The Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to know how to fight, what exactly we are fighting, what weapons to use in the battle for the Victory. Love propels us to fight. Love never fails it doesn’t shrink back and abandon ship.

God delivered David from all his enemies, even Saul and God will deliver you. Have faith in God. Be encouraged. Open your mouth, open your mind, fight in the spirit and win. God is with you, you are not alone. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes so that you can see there are more with you than against you, you have heaven backing you up because you are Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is within you and you do not need to fear what man can do.

The words in this Psalm 18 are spirit and they are life. I am sharing three different versions, which one do you prefer? Which of the three speak to you most effectively? Which of the three versions do you think will stand out for you? Which do you understand better? Which of the three versions of Psalm 18 will you recall when you are in the heat of the battle? Let the Word of the Lord bless you richly and hide this word in your heart. (Look at other translations and versions of Psalm 18 as well). It’s 50 verses long——-Enjoy the adventure!!!

The King James Version Or The Passion Translation Or The Message Bible

Psalm 18 The Passion Translation

Praises sung to the Pure and Shining One, by King David, his servant, composed when the Lord rescued David from all his many enemies, including from the brutality of Saul. I Love You, Lord. A song^[b] to the Pure and Shining One by King David, his servant, composed when the Lord rescued David from all his many enemies, including from the brutality of Saul.^[c] He said:

18 I love you, Yahweh, and I’m bonded to you, my strength! ² Yahweh, you’re the bedrock beneath my feet, my faith-fortress, my wonderful deliverer, my God, my rock of rescue where none can reach me. You’re the shield around me, the mighty power^[e] that saves me, and my high place. ³ All I need to do is to call on you, Yahweh, the praiseworthy God. When I do, I’m safe and sound in you— delivered from my foes!

^4–5 For when the cords of death wrapped around me and torrents of destruction overwhelmed me,^[f] taking me to death’s door, ⁶ in my distress I cried out to you, the delivering God, and from your temple-throne you heard my troubled cry,  and my sobs went right into your heart.^{[g] 7}The earth itself shivered and shook. It reeled and rocked before him. As the mountains trembled, they melted away, for his anger was kindled on my behalf! ⁸ Fierce flames leapt from his mouth, erupting with blazing, burning coals as smoke and fire encircled him.

^9–10 He stretched heaven’s curtain open and came to my defense. Swiftly he rode to earth as the stormy sky was lowered. He rode a chariot of thunderclouds amidst thick darkness; his steed was a cherub, soaring on outstretched wings of Spirit-Wind. ¹¹ Wrapped in the thick-cloud darkness, his thunder-tabernacle surrounded him. He hid himself in mystery-darkness; the dense rain clouds were his garments. ¹² Suddenly the brilliance of his presence broke through with lightning bolts and hail—a tempest dropping coals of fire. ¹³ The Lord thundered; the great God above every god spoke with his thunder-voice from the sky. The Most High uttered his voice!

¹⁴ He released his lightning-arrows, and routed my foes. See how they ran and scattered in fear! ¹⁵ Then with his mighty roar he laid bare the foundations of the earth, uncovering the secret source of the sea. The hidden depths of land and sea were exposed by the blast of his hot breath. ⁶ He rescued me from the mighty waters and drew me to himself! ¹⁷ Even though I was helpless in the hands of my hateful, strong enemy, you were good to deliver me. ¹⁸ When I was at my weakest,^[j] my enemies attacked—but the Lord held on to me. ¹⁹ His love broke open the way, and he brought me into a beautiful, broad place.^[k] He rescued me—because his delight is in me!^[l]

²⁰ He rewarded me for doing what’s right and staying pure.

²¹ I will follow his commands and I’ll not sin by ceasing to follow him, no matter what. ²² For I’ve kept my eyes focused on his righteous words, and I’ve obeyed everything that he’s told me to do. ²³ I’ve been blameless before him and followed all his ways, keeping my heart pure. ²⁴ And so Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness, because I kept my heart clean before his eyes. ²⁵ Good people will taste your goodness. And to those who are loyal to you, you love to prove that you are loyal and true. ²⁶ And for those who are purified, they find you always pure. But you’ll outwit the crooked and cunning with your craftiness. ²⁷ To the humble you bring heaven’s deliverance, but the proud and haughty you disregard. ²⁸ God, all at once you turned on a floodlight for me! You are the revelation-light in my darkness, and in your brightness I can see the path ahead. ²⁹ With you as my strength I can crush an enemy horde, advancing through every stronghold that stands in front of me.^[m]

³⁰Yahweh, what a perfect God you are!  All Yahweh’s promises have proven true. What a secure shelter for all those who turn to hide themselves in you, the wraparound God. ³¹ Could there be any other god like Yahweh? For there is not a more secure foundation^[o] than you. ³² God, you have wrapped me in power and made my way perfect. ³³ Through you I ascend to the highest peaks to stand strong and secure in you.^[p]34 You’ve trained me with the weapons of warfare-worship; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. ³⁵ You empower me for victory with your wraparound presence. Your power within makes me strong to subdue. By stooping down in gentleness, you made me great! ³⁶ You’ve set me free, and now I’m standing complete, ready to fight some more! ³⁷ I caught up with my enemies and conquered them and didn’t turn back until the war was won! ³⁸ I smashed them to pieces and I finished them once and for all; they’re as good as dead. ³⁹ You’ve placed your armor upon me and made my enemies bow low at my feet.

⁴⁰ You’ve made them all turn tail and run, for through you I’ve destroyed them all! ⁴¹ They shouted for help, but no one dared to rescue them. They cried out to Yahweh, but he refused to answer them. ⁴² So I pulverized them to powder and cast them to the wind. I swept them away like dirt on the floor. ⁴³ You gave me victory on every side, for you make me a leader of nations. Even those I’ve never heard of come and bow at my feet. ⁴⁴ As soon as they heard of me they submitted to me. Even the rebel foreigners obey my every word. ⁴⁵ Their rebellion fades away as they come near; trembling in their strongholds, they come crawling out of their hideouts, cringing in fear before me. ⁴⁶ Yahweh lives! Praise is lifted high to the unshakable God! Towering over all, my Savior-God is worthy to be praised! ⁴⁷ Look how he pays back harm to all who harm me, subduing all who come against me. ⁴⁸ He rescues me from my enemies; he lifts me up high and keeps me out of reach, far from the grasp of my violent foe. ⁴⁹ So I thank you, Yahweh, with my praises!  I will sing my song to the highest God, so all among the nations will hear me. ⁵⁰ You have given me, your king, great victories. You’ve always been tender and kind to me, your anointed one, your loving servant, David, and to all my descendants!

(Retrieved from Biblegateway.com. The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018, 2020 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. thePassionTranslation.com)

Psalm 18 KJV

Theme: Gratitude for deliverance and victory. The only sure way to be delivered from surrounding evil is to call upon God for help and strength. To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said,

18 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.² The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. ³ I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. ⁴ The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. ⁵ The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. ⁶ In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. ⁷ Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. ⁸ There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. ⁹ He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.

¹⁰ And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

¹¹ He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. ¹² At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. ¹³ The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. ¹⁴ Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. ¹⁵ Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. ¹⁶ He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. ¹⁷ He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. ¹⁸ They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. ¹⁹ He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

²⁰ The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. ²¹ For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. ²² For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. ²³ I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. ²⁴ Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. ²⁵ With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; ²⁶ With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. ²⁷ For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. ²⁸ For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. ²⁹ For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. ³¹ For who is God save the Lord? Or who is a rock save our God? ³² It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. ³³ He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places. ³⁴ He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. ³⁵ Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. ³⁶ Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. ³⁷ I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. ³⁸ I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. ³⁹ For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

⁴⁰ Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. ⁴¹ They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the Lord, but he answered them not. ⁴² Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets. ⁴³ Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me. ⁴⁴ As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. ⁴⁵ The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. ⁴⁶ The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. ⁴⁷ It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.

⁴⁸ He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. ⁴⁹ Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. ⁵⁰ Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

Notes—From Life Application Study Bible

Here are some notes you can refer to while studying this song of Deliverance:

• This Psalm is almost a duplicate of 2 Samuel 22. It may have been written toward the end of David’s life when there was peace. God is praised for his glorious works and blessings through the years.
• Vs.2-3 God’s protection of his people is limitless and can take many forms. David characterized God’s care with five military symbols. God is like
  • 1. A rock that can’t be moved by any who would harm us
  • 2. A fortress or place of safety where the enemy can’t follow
  • 3. A buckler, or shield, that comes between us and harm
  • 4. A horn of salvation, a symbol of might and power
  • 5. A tower high above our enemies. If you need protection, look to God
• Vs. 10 A cherub is a divine being that may belong to one of the ranks of angels. One of the functions of the cherubim was to serve as guardians. These mighty angels guarded the entrances to both the tree of life (Genesis 3:24) and the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:31-33). Two cherubim of beaten gold were part of the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:18-22). The living creatures carrying God’s throne in Ezekiel 1 may have been cherubim.
• Vs.13 “The Highest” was an important designation for David to make. Heathen idol worship was deeply rooted in the land, and each region had its own deity. But these images of wood and stone were powerless. David was placing the Lord alone in a superior category: He is by far the Highest.
• Vs. 16 Troubles, like “many waters”, can threaten to drown us. David, helpless and weak, knew that God alone had rescued him from his enemies when he was defenseless. How often we wish God would quickly rescue us out of our troubles. Remember that God can either deliver us or help us remain steady as we go through troubles (18:18). Either way, his protection is best for us. When you feel like you are drowning in troubles, ask God to help you, hold you steady, and protect you. In his care, you are never helpless.
• Vs. 30 Some people think that belief in God is a crutch for weak people who cannot make it on their own. God is indeed a buckler (shield) to protect us when we are too weak to face certain trials by ourselves, but he does not want us to remain weak. He strengthens, protects, and guides us in order to send us back into an evil world to fight for him. And then he continues to work with us, because the strongest person on earth is infinitely weaker than God and needs his help. David was not a coward; he was a might warrior who, with all his armies and weapons, knew that only God could ultimately protect and save him.
• Vs. 32-34 God promises to give us strength to meet challenges, but he doesn’t promise to eliminate them. If he gave us no rough roads to walk, no mountains to climb, and no battles to fight, we would not grow. He does not leave us alone with our challenges, however. Instead he stands beside us, teaches us, and strengthens us to face them.
• Vs. 35 David offers an interesting twist to the concept of greatness, saying that God’s gentleness had made him great. Our society believes that greatness is attained through a combination of opportunity, talent, and aggressiveness. But true greatness comes from living according to God’s laws and standards and recognizing that all we have comes not from our own ability and effort, but from the gentleness of God’s mercy. Are you seeking his kind of greatness?
• Vs. 40-42 David was a merciful man. He spared the lives of
  • Saul (1 Samuel 24:1-8)
  • Nabal (1 Samuel 25:21-35)
  • Shimei (2Samuel 16:5-12)
  • Showed great kindness to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9)
• In asking God to destroy his enemies, David was simply asking him to give the wicked the punishment they deserved.
• Vs. 43-45 David’s great power had become legendary. God gave him victory in every battle.
• The book of 2 Samuel records victories over the
  • Jebusites (5:6-10)
  • Philistines 5:17-25; 8:1
  • Hadadezer of Zobah 8:3,4
  • The Syrians 8:5,6,10
  • The Edomites 8:13,14 and
  • The Ammonites 12:26-31
• In addition, the king of Tyre sent supplies and workmen to help David build his palace (5:11). But David did not attribute his victories to himself. He fully realized that the purpose of his position was to bless God’s people (1 Chronicles 14:2)

The Message Bible

18 ^1-2 I love you, God—you make me strong. God is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. My God—the high crag where I run for dear life, hiding behind the boulders, safe in the granite hideout. ³ I sing to God, the Praise-Lofty, and find myself safe and saved. ^4-5 The hangman’s noose was tight at my throat; devil waters rushed over me. Hell’s ropes cinched me tight; death traps barred every exit. ⁶ A hostile world! I call to God, I cry to God to help me. From his palace he hears my call; my cry brings me right into his presence—a private audience!

^7-15 Earth wobbles and lurches; huge mountains shake like leaves, Quake like aspen leaves because of his rage. His nostrils flare, bellowing smoke; his mouth spits fire. Tongues of fire dart in and out; he lowers the sky. He steps down; under his feet an abyss opens up. He’s riding a winged creature, swift on wind-wings. Now he’s wrapped himself in a trenchcoat of black-cloud darkness. But his cloud-brightness bursts through, spraying hailstones and fireballs. Then God thundered out of heaven; the High God gave a great shout, spraying hailstones and fireballs. God shoots his arrows—pandemonium! He hurls his lightnings—a rout! The secret sources of ocean are exposed, the hidden depths of earth lie uncovered The moment you roar in protest, let loose your hurricane anger.

^16-19 But me he caught—reached all the way from sky to sea; he pulled me out Of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning. They hit me when I was down, but God stuck by me. He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved—surprised to be loved! ^20-24 God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start. Now I’m alert to God’s ways; I don’t take God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I’m watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.

^25-27 The good people taste your goodness, The whole people taste your health, The true people taste your truth, The bad ones can’t figure you out. You take the side of the down-and-out, But the stuck-up you take down a notch. ^28-29 Suddenly, God, you floodlight my life; I’m blazing with glory, God’s glory! I smash the bands of marauders, I vault the highest fences. ³⁰ What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him Makes it. ^31-42 Is there any god like God? Are we not at bedrock? Is not this the God who armed me, then aimed me in the right direction? Now I run like a deer; I’m king of the mountain. He shows me how to fight; I can bend a bronze bow! You protect me with salvation-armor; you hold me up with a firm hand, caress me with your gentle ways. You cleared the ground under me so my footing was firm. When I chased my enemies I caught them; I didn’t let go till they were dead men. I nailed them; they were down for good; then I walked all over them. You armed me well for this fight, you smashed the upstarts. You made my enemies turn tail, and I wiped out the haters. They cried “uncle” but Uncle didn’t come; They yelled for God and got no for an answer. I ground them to dust; they gusted in the wind. I threw them out, like garbage in the gutter.

^43-45 You rescued me from a squabbling people; you made me a leader of nations. People I’d never heard of served me; the moment they got wind of me they listened. The foreign devils gave up; they came on their bellies, crawling from their hideouts. ^46-48 Live, God! Blessings from my Rock, my free and freeing God, towering! This God set things right for me and shut up the people who talked back. He rescued me from enemy anger, he pulled me from the grip of upstarts, He saved me from the bullies. ^49-50 That’s why I’m thanking you, God, all over the world. That’s why I’m singing songs that rhyme your name. God’s king takes the trophy; God’s chosen is beloved. I mean David and all his children—always.

I Pray that you receive the Word of the Lord, Gladly. Be encouraged! You must be born again. Receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life. Romans 10: 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (ESV).

Oh, Homework: please please please share with me 3 things that you takeaway from this Psalm 18 exhortation. I am excited to see your takeaways…………….

Email: rhondascottministries@yahoo.com

I pray that you grow in your love and hunger for God. That you hunger and thirst for righteousness. That you feel the love of the Father. That you be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. That you feel the Fire of God burning in your heart. That you build up your most holy faith and pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit and that you trust God completely. That you experience God as your healer, deliverer, provider and protector in the name of Jesus. I pray that you share your faith and be a strong bold witness for Jesus Christ. I pray that you represent the Kingdom of God with love and grace, that your are quick to forgive, and eager to pursue peace. I pray in agreement with Isaiah 54:17 that No weapon that is formed against you will prosper and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is your heritage in the Lord and your righteousness is of me, says the Lord. I appropriate the Blood of Jesus to your mind and every area of your life. “Now unto him that is able to keep your from falling and to present you fautless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen

If you would like to sow into this: My CashApp is    $RhondaScottt   (Scottt with 3 t’s)  Or click the Donate button. Thank you. Thank you so much God is Blessing you. Your support in any form is appreciated. Thank you for your prayers, thank you for reading the Blogs, thank you. I love people, I love to see you grow and receive the blessings of the Lord. I love to see you encouraged and full of faith. God loves you! Be encouraged.

*******************************************************************************************************

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS

Prayer Changes Things

Let me Encourage You

A part of my assignment is to strengthen and encourage the Body of Christ. I want to see people come to Jesus and receive the gift of Salvation. Once you are Saved you need to Grow in the Faith. I want to see you operate in your Kingdom assignments and use the gifts of the Holy Spirit both in and outside of the ‘four walls’ of the church. I want you to grow. The local church is essential and there is absolutely nothing like corporate worship and coming together to fellowship. However, our coming together should be to equip for the work of the ministry outside of the church. Every Believer is called to minister and serve. God has given gifts, spiritual gifts. Every Believer needs to understand the ministry and working of the Holy Spirit within you. What does God want to do through you, through your life. There is Greatness inside of you, and the Greatness wants to come out to be expressed. Stir up the gift of God that is inside of YOU.

Prayer is needed in order to do this. God is looking at your heart as you come to him in prayer. Prayer is you talking to God and agreeing with what His Word says. I believe that as you learn in school and in life you should take what you have learned and apply it. The Bible discusses all kinds of prayers and that we should always pray and not loose hope. I enjoy reading and studying and sharing the goodness of God. Many people are blind to the freedom of God and living in religious bondage because all they know is what they have learned in ‘church’ or their denomination. God is not limited by your man-made traditions or the lies, misunderstandings, or false knowledge that you have been taught. Don’t you want to know God? I mean really know Him on a personal intimate level. A level beyond what you can attain on a Sunday morning for a couple hours per week. It is time to go deeper, to draw closer, to look into the eyes of God and experience His deep love for you.

It is time for many in the Body of Christ to stand up, grow up, and do as Scripture tells us in 2 Timothy 2:15 to study the Word of God to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman who needs not be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Not just for the purpose of acquiring knowledge about God but for the sole purpose of Knowing God. Knowing His Will (His Word) and His plan for you.

Your life is limited to the information that you have been exposed to. Could this be why you are discouraged, why you are not experiencing the victory and promises of God. I believe that when you step into your kingdom assignment and purpose, you will experience the true Joy of the Lord. When I come across good news and the revelation of the Word I like to share it. In fact, I consider it my privilege and responsibility to share it. Don’t you like to share when you find out about a good deal or sale, or free giveaway? We don’t have to reinvent any wheel God wants us to pick up the baton and run the race that is before us.

Do you believe that God has more for you, that He’s calling you to come up higher. That He has an assignment that only you can complete. An assignment that He placed in you before He put you in your mother’s womb. A calling and a purpose for you. Stop Running! It’s time for you to embrace the call, to say Yes. Once you give God your yes, the Holy Spirit gets to work. This is why you are reading this right now. The Holy Spirit wants to lead and guide you. Receive it. Do you feel that God has More for you?

Are you a Jonah? On the Run. On the Run from your call, your God assignment! “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry out against it, because their wickedness has come up before Me”. But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshis from the presence of the Lord. Jonah 1:1-3

I want to share this ‘Prayer of Repentance for Jonah’s’ from the book titled, “Prophet, Arise by Apostle John Eckhardt” Page 157. I strongly encourage you to read this book. There is no affiliation or any such thing. I read this book and it has blessed my life tremendously and I want to share it with you. Whether you believe that you are called into a prophetic office, ministry, or gift of prophecy I encourage you to pray this prayer of repentance to the Lord from your heart. First Corinthians 14:1 says “Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”. The Bible says you should desire to prophesy. We should always prophesy the Word of the Lord.

Also, if you are currently operating in a Fivefold ministry grace (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher) or gifts of the spirit I want to encourage you to pray this prayer as well. As you release your faith in agreement with this prayer, I prophesy a refreshing for you. You will no longer be weary but will have a renewed strength and a renewed joy. A fresh fire and a fresh move of the Holy Spirit for you. Be encouraged. God still has More for You.

First read over the Prayer and think about it then determine if you agree with it. This is what Repentance is, thinking and having a change of mind. A mind of agreement with the Word of God. If you agree, then pray it or say it from your heart, from you to God. God wants you free, out of bondage and confinement. Jesus has come to set you free and free indeed. As a Believer, what you say has power. The power of life and death is in your words; speak life. Open your mouth and speak the prayer out aloud also, it’s good to hear your voice, your thought, your mind, your heart speaking. God is listening. When you are done spend some quiet time with Jesus, sit quiet and now it’s your turn to listen.

Prayer of Repentance to Jonah’s

Lord, I repent for running from my calling.

I will turn around and obey the call.

I will not be rebellious anymore.

I will not allow fear or rebellion to cause me to run from the prophet’s call.

I submit my life to You, Lord.

I submit y tongue to speak Your word.

I submit my eyes to see Your vision.

I submit my life and time to being a prophetic voice.

I accept my assignment and the grace I need to fulfill it.

I will not be a Jonah.

I will go to my Nineveh.

I will speak your Word.

Let any trouble I have experienced in running from the call leave my life.

Let Your peace return to my life.

Let Your you return to my life.

I renounce and turn away from any behavior that is contrary to the prophet’s call.

I turn away from any religious tradition that would keep me from obeying this call.

I will not be afraid to do what I have been sent to do.

In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

*******************************************************************************

AN EXHORTATION TO ADVANCE

An Exhortation to Advance

During Worship at church I had a vision of myself standing on top of a mountain. I took a deep breath; the air was crisp, fresh, and clean. I looked straight ahead, smiling. I looked around and there were tall mountains all around the mountain that I was standing on. I had no fear of being that high or standing on top of the mountain peak (Ordinarily I would avoid heights). I could see clearly and felt much joy. I was excited to be there and felt the presence of God with me. I asked the Lord what this means; Lord what should I do with this. How did I get all the way up here? The Holy Spirit said, “I placed you on top of the mountain, Open your mouth and Speak”. I began to speak out to the other mountains. As I spoke, my voice was as if I were speaking into a microphone. The other mountains responded as if coming awake, agreeing, preparing/shifting, moving, and advancing.

Enter His Presence

“The mountain top is a place to be in God’s Presence…. Jesus often went up the mountain to pray. The Bible also mentions times when Jesus went alone to pray……Your life is a life of prayer. That is why you often pray alone. When you start praying, you go up the mountain. When you reach the top of the mountain and enter in His presence, the words flow easier than at the bottom. (Retrieved 9/28/2021 from https://rethagroenewald.com/jesus-mountain-teach-beatitudes/)”

Mountains

A Mountain is a natural elevation of the earth’s surface, but mountains can also represent insurmountable or impossible looking obstacles in our daily life. We all have mountains to contend with and overcome but when we have Jesus we also have the power of the Holy Spirit to get us on top of the mountain. On top of the mountain means Victory.

The Bible talks a lot about mountains. Jesus would often go to the mountains to pray or teach on the mountain top. When Jesus did this, things happened, people changed, miracles occurred, and there was advancement of the Kingdom. I want to talk to you about your mountains or mountain top areas and your prayer life. Mountains -or areas of influence that we have in our daily lives are areas we need to advance in.

Advance

• to move forward in a purposeful way, proceed
• to make or cause to make progress, increase
• a development or improvement
• sent or supplied beforehand
• a forward movement
• to proceed and advancing army

You Advance through Prayer!

Advance the Kingdom of God in every facet of your life. It begins with praying and partnering with the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. We should have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. A Kingdom mindset. Jesus taught the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is the realm where God reigns and Jesus Christ is the King. We are citizens of the Kingdom. Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Matthew 7:21 Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven”.

A Kingdom mindset is a way of thinking where your thoughts, decision, and actions align with Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit. Apostle Paul said, For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 4:17). “So the simplest way to understand the Kingdom of God is the realm where Jesus Christ reigns as King and God’s authority is supreme. This Kingdom exists here and now (in part) in the lives and hearts of the redeemed, as well as in perfection and fullness in the future.” (The Gospel of the Kingdom, George Eldon Ladd./Google.com)

Advance the Kingdom

Advancing requires All Hands on Deck. All Hands on Deck meaning: All available people need to come to help, especially in an emergency. In a storm or other emergency, the captain might yell all hands on deck. This is a command for all the sailors (Believers) to come to the deck of the boat to help navigate the storm. All hands on deck is a command ordering everyone around to join in to accomplish a goal. (Google.com). Back to the basics. Faith in God. God as Sovereign, Supreme, Ultimate, Final Authority. Remember advancing the Kingdom of God starts with the way you think, your mindset. Are you thinking Kingdom? Are you Advancing?

Your Mountain of Influence

Look at the following areas, systems, or mountains of influence and see how can you advance the Kingdom of God in these areas. In the vision as I stood on top of the mountain there was no fear of the tall height of the mountain, no fear of being alone on top of the mountain, no fear of moving around as I looked at the surrounding mountains from all angles. I want you to look at these areas from all angles. No fear, No limitations! Enlarge your view and Expand your Kingdom influence. Open your mouth and Speak over these areas. Maintain Kingdom Agenda as your prayer focus for these systems:

1) Education-Whether formal school system, informal, childhood or adult, professional or nonprofessional, involved or not involved, studying Bible at home or church, learning, and increasing your understanding. Advance the Kingdom of God in Education!

2) Religion-Traditions of Man, or Gospel of Jesus Christ. Tear down false religious man-made traditions and Build up the reality of Relationship with God. Advance the Kingdom of God.

3) Family-Immediate, extended, related, unrelated, biological, nonbiological, adopted, blended, etc. Advance the Kingdom of God in family relationships!

4) Business/Work/Career-In day-to-day practices in the marketplace Advance the Kingdom of God!

5) Government/Military-In politics, economics, law, justice, policies, rules, regulations, standards of conduct. Advance the Kingdom of God!

6) Arts/Entertainment-Advance the Kingdom of God!

7) Media-All types of media. Advance the Kingdom of God!

8) Health and Wellness/Medical/Science/Technology-Advance the Kingdom of God!

The Holy Spirit Within You

You may think, How can I, an ordinary person advance the Kingdom? Throughout the Bible God used common, ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for the Kingdom. Think about the Heroes of Faith in Hebrews and think about the great Cloud of Witnesses. God used their natural abilities and produced the supernatural. When a Believer enters an institution (or mountain of influence), the Kingdom of God is at hand in that system. We Advance the Kingdom through love and the power of the Holy Spirit. We are the answer! The sons and daughters of God use our kingdom mindset in every area of life. When we go to work, the Kingdom of God shows up at that place. When we engage in business activities, the Kingdom of God is present in the marketplace.

You are a valued and participating member of the family of God. All hands on deck—-let’s get souls saved, pray, witness and demonstrate the Kingdom of God in our mountains or areas of influence. Partner with the Holy Spirit to stand. Stand on these mountains and Speak. Pray. Intercede. Speak Life over these mountains: Family, the church, law, politics, economics, education, science, medicine, mass media, military. The world needs your authenticity exactly what you bring to the table. Without your advancement, the puzzle is incomplete.

Your piece is significant and necessary. The Team needs You! Return to your rightful position. All hands on deck, back to basics of Faith in God. Genesis 1 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. ²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.²⁸ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

You have dominion now Multiply. Multiply your reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit. Increase your flow, your flow of faith not fear, your flow of trust, your flow of streams of income, streams of provision, your flow of influence, your flow of praying in the Spirit. A continuous flow of the Holy Spirit in you. A flowing river of life, living waters flowing from you as you advance.

Advance the Kingdom through The Power of the Holy Spirit

In Matthew 6: Jesus said, ⁹ Pray like this: ‘Our Beloved Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms, may the glory of your name be the center on which our lives turn. ¹⁰ Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is in heaven. Matthew 3:11 John the Baptist said this concerning Jesus, ¹¹ “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Pray in the Spirit. Connect on a deeper level of intimacy with God. Minister unto God and Worship Him in spirit and in truth. We operate and advance through the power of the Holy Spirit. Advance the purposes of God.

The Authority of the Believer. When you received Jesus Christ as Savior you also received power (the power of the Holy Spirit), John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name (NKJV) or But as many as received him, to them gave he power (Holy Ghost power) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (KJV).

Demonstrate the Kingdom

Advance the Kingdom of God by peace or by war, but do the Father’s work. Work from victory to victory and from glory to glory. Stand on top of the mountain and Speak. Jesus spoke Deliverance in the Mountains and demonstrated the Kingdom. Mark 16: ¹⁷ And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

A Demon-Possessed Man Healed

Mark chapter 5 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. ² And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, ³ who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, ⁴ because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. ⁵ And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.⁶ When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. ⁷ And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”⁸ For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” ⁹ Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” Jesus cast out the demon and healed the man.Top of Form

As You Advance: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

Acts chapter one, 1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Jesus is the prize!

Closing Exhortation

As you stand on the promises of God, Allow the Holy Spirit to take you to the top of the mountain. Open your mouth and Speak. Speak in faith with your Believers authority. Speak and Rejoice! You will Advance.

Advance the Kingdom of God Within You:

Advance your personal Relationship with Jesus

Advance your understanding of the Holy Spirit

Advance in the fruit of the Spirit

Advance in your spiritual gifts

Advance in Learning the Father’s character and nature

Advance in Praying all kinds of prayers (Ephesians 6)

Advance in Loving others

Advance in spending quality time alone with God

Advance in your ability to hear the voice of God

Advance in seeking God seriously; as a priority; intentionally

Advance in Wisdom from God

Advance your Spiritual Awareness of Jesus Christ (Not your intellect)

Advance in praying in the Spirit

Advance in Worship to Jesus; Worship in spirit and in truth

Advance in studying the Word of GodBottom of Form

Advance in applying the Word to your life

Advance in Speaking the Word over your life

The Great Commission of Jesus Christ

¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷ And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. ¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Advance

God Loves You-Are you Saved? Yes—Great Grow. No—Please Get Saved. Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior Romans 10:9, Romans 10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

**************************************************************************************

Prophetic Decrees———–After This

To God Be the Glory

What! What is it?

What are you believing God for?

What do you need?

What is it that is troubling you?

What are you afraid of?

Let’s give it a name “After This”

Whatever it is, Let’s give it a name “After This”. We are naming Your it ‘After This’ as a prophetic declaration by our faith in Jesus, that your ‘After This’ will pass. “Your ‘After This’ is Right Now”. Receive it.

I want to share with you some living power words that I received at “Glory After This” Gathering Hosted by Ambassador Prophetess Sophia Ruffin. It is a list of Decrees that was given out to the attendees and it continues to bless me tremendously. I want to share it with you. The back story to how God ordained and called for this Glory Gathering is an absolute Testimony to the power of God and how He deals with His Prophets to help His people. God gave Sophia a mandate at what could be described as the most difficult time of her life, the day before her Mother transitioned to be with the Lord. She carried out the mandate with a grace that Only God could give at such a time. I am so proud of her and her obedience to the Holy Spirit. The Glory Gathering was truly established and conducted by God and on the last day when Jesus Literally Entered the Room and Took Over!!! The Glory of God———– I felt the Weight of His Glory.

Romans 8:18

Romans 8:18 I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. (GNB)

For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us! (AMP)

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. (NLT)

Before I list these powerful words, I want to honor my Pastors. I was like that child who goes on vacation and has soooooo much fun. But, can’t wait to get back home. I thank God for Pastors Jerry Weinzierl and Joy Weinzierl, I thank God for the exponential spiritual growth I have experienced at home: Grace Christian Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

“After This Decrees”

No matter the suffering I am experiencing in my life, it can’t be compared to the Glory that shall be revealed in, and through me After This.

For with an unveiled face, I shall behold the glory of the LORD After This.

I shall be transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another After This.

I declare I shall see the Glory of the Lord in my life After This.

I declare I will arise, and shine for my light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon me After This.

I declare that because I love GOD all things will work together for my good After This.

I declare I will receive supernatural strength to complete my assignment After This.

I declare I will live, and not die After This.

I declare I will receive a second wind After This.

I declare every Angel assigned to my life will minister and assist me After This.

I declare Holy Spirit will give me courage, and strength to continue After This.

I declare I will bounce back After This.

I declare I will continue, and stay mentally sane After This.

I declare I will praise, worship, and be even more committed to my destiny After This.

I declare I shall prosper, and excel After This.

I declare a new song, and a new sound After This.

I declare fresh oil After This.

I declare new revelation, and insight After This.

I declare new joy After This.

I declare financial increase in my life, and my bloodline After This.

I declare new ministries will emerge and come forth After This.

I declare new doors, new opportunities; new miracles, signs, and wonders After This.

I declare favor After This.

I declare a new mantle After This.

I declare an outpouring of God’s goodness After This.

I declare everything I need to accomplish my assignment is released to me After This.

I declare the old passed and the new has come forth After This.

I declare new relationships After This.

I declare greater glory After This

I declare no matter what this season has been for me, it’s not worthy to be compared to what GOD has given me After This.

I declare After This is now!!!

For truly there shall be glory After This!

I feel strongly that this Glory Gathering needs to be chronicled, documented, remembered, shared, and referred to as “The Glory”. A defining moment in the realm of the Spirit. I am truly grateful to God for the great privilege of ‘Being There’.

Jesus, I thank you. Thank you God. Thank you Holy Spirit.

Jude 1:24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, ²⁵ to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

***************************************************************************************************

FOLKS PART 2

Folks Part 2

Sometimes you just need to talk about folks and get stuff off your mind, Right?

Folks can really be something else!

Smh Just look at them?

Bath-Sheba

Bath-Sheba was the unlikely link between Israel’s two most famous kings-David and Solomon. She was David’s lover/later wife and Solomon’s mother. Her adultery with David almost brought an end to the family through which God planned to physically enter his world. Out of the ashes of that sin, God brought good (Jesus). Eventually, Jesus Christ, the salvation of mankind was born to a descendant of David and Bath-Sheba.

David and Bath-Sheba’s story shows that the little wrong decisions we make often lead to big mistakes with big consequences. It is likely that neither David or Bath-Sheba was where they should have been when this temptation occurred. Why was Bath-Sheba bathing where she might be seen? I wonder what was she really thinking about? Why was David not on his assignment? Both of their decisions contributed to a very sad series of events.

David Set-Up Bath-Sheba’s Husband to Cover His Own Sin

Bath-Sheba must have been devastated by the chain of events-unfaithfulness to her husband, discovering that she was pregnant, the death of her husband, the death of her child. God being God in all of His faithfulness allowed Bath-Sheba to live and see another son, Solomon, sit on the throne. Read 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12.

But God—There is Always a But God

But the Lord sent his prophet Nathan to talk to David. (It pays to listen). Nathan Rebukes David 2 Samuel 12

12 The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. ² The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, ³ but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.

⁴ “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.”

⁵ David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! ⁶ He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”

⁷ Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! 

⁷ Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. ⁸ I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more.

⁹ Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. ¹⁰ Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb. 13:8)

¹¹ “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. ¹² You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”¹³ Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin.

You are not going to die. ¹⁴ But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.”¹⁵ After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. ¹⁶ David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground. ¹⁷ The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.

¹⁸ On the seventh day the child died.

David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.”¹⁹ David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”

Then David Got Up!

²⁰ Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.²¹ His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!”²² He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ ²³ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

Our Comforter: The Holy Spirit

Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him; ²⁵ and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah (In Hebrew Jedidiah means ‘beloved of the Lord’).

From looking at Bath-Sheba’s life we see that our day to day decisions are important. Our day to day practices and ways of thinking prepare us to make the right decision when it’s time to make the big choices that have the potential to impact our lives (both good or bad, both life or death, both victory or defeat). Pray for wisdom from God to make the right decisions in all matters, the little matters and the big matters. Include God, first, in your decision making process.

Romans 8:28

Yes, Bath-Sheba committed adultery but that was not the end of her story. Bath-Sheba was called according to God’s purpose, just like you and I are. Her life was used to the glory of God. Romans 8:28 was fulfilled in her life as God turned what was meant for her destruction, defeat, hurt, and devastation God turned it into good for her and for the entire world. ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Lessons from Bath-Sheba’s Life

Although we may feel caught up in a chain of events, we are still responsible for the way we participate in those events. A sin may seem like one small seed, but the harvest of consequences is beyond measure. In the worst possible situations, God is still able to bring about good when people truly turn to him. While we must live with the natural consequences of our sins, God’s forgiveness of sin is total.

I J S

I’m just saying that I have personally found it helpful to remember that when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we enter into the Grace of God. A grace that forgives, a grace that looks beyond (does not approve of) our short comings and a grace that gives us help in times of need. So yes as a believer we have grace and we also have accountability. Just like in the natural there are consequences for our choices; in the spiritual there are consequences for our choices. God is a loving Father. And as with father’s they tend to correct and protect who they love. Fathers allow consequences, not to punish us but to help us learn what is good for us.

If your child (whom you love dearly) willingly goes and puts their hand on top of a hot burner out of frustration, they will get burned. As a parent of course you will forgive them, comfort them, and get them the needed help, but the child will experience the painful consequences of that decision. The child will learn that putting your hand on top of a hot burner has consequences and it does not feel good; this will (should) cause the child to stop and think about their options and choose the option with the best consequence.

Jesus is Our Example

This is not complicated, children just know they should obey their parents. We are made in the image and likeness of God. Jesus is our example. Jesus only did what the Father told him to do and said what the Father told him to say. When Jesus was here on earth as a man, fulfilling his Kingdom assignment; it was not by his manly might, nor by power but it was by the Spirit of God. Jesus was obedient even unto death. Let’s choose wisely, choose from your heart to obey God. Make a decision: choose Jesus, choose life, choose blessing, choose obedience.

Folks can really be something else (when the Holy Spirt gets inside of them and Jesus Stands Up on the inside of them). Folks Can really be something else. Something different, something better, something great, something wonderful, something stronger, something wiser, something victorious, something that excels, something very significant, something so so lovely.

Folks really Can be something else! Smh just look at them. Look at God in them. Look at His power, and His glory in them. Just Look At Them!

Folks Obey God

Bath-Sheba’s profile notes taken from Life Application Study Bible 9/23/21.

********************************************************************************************************

FOLKS

“Folks”

How the Message Began

I will define Folk or Folks here as people in general. The way this message came about is quite funny. The Holy Spirit led me to intercede in prayer for a particular person. I had spent time in prayer as the Lord unfolded what to pray for. Sometime later, while talking with the person and listening I was so excited because I knew that God was moving and prayers were being answered swiftly. Listening I grew more excited just about ready to jump up and shout unto the Lord about their victories, until the conversation shifted. The more I encouraged them in the Lord, the more they would boast about their willful sin and ungodly decisions.

The air of rejoicing in my balloon began to slowly deflate. At this point, I’m really feeling ‘some kind of way’ like this conversation is over; But the Holy Spirit is saying keep listening quietly. As they went on and on I became concerned that my silence would be taken as agreement or approval or dissent. I didn’t realize it at the time but me continuing to listen was actually gaining intel or prayer points. The conversation ended politely and turning to God, I just began to laugh. I could not stop laughing, then the Lord began to laugh with me and as if we were both shaking our heads in laughter (This is the type of friendship I have with Jesus). I heard “FOLKS”. After hearing the word Folks I really began to laugh. While laughing in the Presence of God I got the revelation of ‘Folks’.

God Loves in Spite of our Flaws

We are all Folk, extraordinary people that God loves in spite of our flaws, quirks, issues, and hang-ups. We all have unique personalities and are wonderfully created by God. He knows every detail of our lives and the number of our days. The Holy Spirit showed me how God takes ‘Folk’ and turns us into His precious Jewels. Jesus came for Folks with all kinds of filth, disgust, mess, and short comings and He transforms us like diamonds and pearls. The Lord our God is not intimidated or frustrated by our ‘todayness’. Some of us take an honest look at ourselves and know, “I am not up to par”. “I need to get it together”. “I am better than this”. “I can do more than this”. “I am stuck in this”. “I can’t seem to break free from this”. “Will I ever get over this”. “I am disappointed in myself”. “Is this all there is to my life”. By ‘todayness’ I mean Folk who look at yourself your life through the lens of how you are right now, today; the natural you.

Folk will sometimes say the familiar phrase ‘I’m not what I should be, but I’m not what I used to be either”. So today in your ‘todayness’ mindset I want to challenge you to take the shades off so that you can see your flawed self clearly. Yes, we are all ‘Folk’ with shortcomings and imperfections that is true. However, my challenge for you is to “Put on the mind of Christ” concerning yourself and others. When the mind changes, everything else changes. You are who God says that you are and you can do what God says that you can do.

Get Your Mind Right

Romans 12: 1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (NIV).

Rom. 12:1-2 (NJKV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (or spiritual worship). ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed (changed) by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Rom. 12:1-2 (TPT) Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.² Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.

A Challenge

Can I Challenge you to ‘Put on the mind of Christ.’? What does it mean to put on the mind of Christ. I believe that putting on the mind of Christ is thinking about ourselves like God thinks about us. Philippians 2:5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Isaiah 55: ⁸ “For my thoughts about mercy are not like your thoughts, and my ways are different from yours. ⁹ As high as the heavens are above the earth, so my ways and my thoughts are higher than yours. ¹¹ So also will be the word that I speak; it does not return to me unfulfilled. My word performs my purpose and fulfills the mission I sent it out to accomplish.”

Isaiah 55:8-13 New Living Translation ⁸ “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. ⁹ For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. ¹¹ It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. ¹² You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! ¹³ Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

Let’s Talk About Love

Folk in order for us to put on another’s mindset, we would have to consider who they are and their nature. We all have a nature and personality. We are all made in the image and likeness of our Creator, God. And God is Love. First Corinthians chapter 13 talks about love. ⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.¹³ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (NKJV)

First Corinthian 13: ⁴ Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. ⁵ Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. ⁶ Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. ⁷ Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. Perfect Love ⁸ Love never stops loving. It extends beyond the gift of prophecy, which eventually fades away. It is more enduring than tongues, which will one day fall silent. Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten. ⁹ Our present knowledge and our prophecies are but partial, ¹⁰ but when love’s perfection arrives, the partial will fade away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke about childish matters, for I saw things like a child and reasoned like a child. But the day came when I matured, and I set aside my childish ways.¹² For now we see but a faint reflection of riddles and mysteries as though reflected in a mirror, but one day we will see face-to-face. My understanding is incomplete now, but one day I will understand everything, just as everything about me has been fully understood. ¹³ Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run (TPT).

The Mind of Christ

I am still talking about putting on the mind of Christ and viewing yourself through the correct perspective as a Christian Believer. Seeing yourselves clearly truly understanding who you are. To have this mindset you have to understand God. To understand God we have to understand the dynamic of His love. This is how God sees us, through His love, the mind of Christ:

• “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
• Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will… Ephesians 1:4-5
• For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
• Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people, for all the earth is Mine Exodus 19:5
• But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life Romans 6:22

The mind of Christ about Folks:

• I created you in my own image Genesis 1:27
• My eyes saw your unformed substance Psalm 139:16
• I knit you together in your mother’s womb Psalm 139:13
• I know the number of hairs on your head Matthew 10:30
• Before a word is on your tongue I know it Psalm 139:4
• While you were still sinners Christ died for you
• God’s Grace gets the last word, not sin.

We, Folk, that have received Jesus Christ as Savior are the righteousness of God. Second Corinthians 5:21 ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. NIV. ²¹ For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (NLT) ²¹ For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God through our union with him. (TPT)

The Power of the Holy Ghost

First Corinthians 2: 14-16 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. ¹⁵ The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, ¹⁶ for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Since we have the mind of Christ, why not put it on. Like having your favorite outfit hanging in the closest waiting for a special occasion to wear it. Just put it on, why not, you have it. To put on the mind of Christ we need to become more acquainted with the Holy Spirit. God is a spirit John 4:24 says, God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The Holy Spirit is God’s Spirit that lives within us. Our goal is to become more aware of the Presence of the Spirit of the Living God within us.

The Holy Spirit of the Living God within us. Can you imagine having someone who loves you dearly living inside your house. A person living in your house who absolutely cherishes you, wants to spend lots of time with you, where you are the priority. The Person is right there in your house, but you never even acknowledge their presence. Growing up in Detroit my parents would remind us, always be aware of your surroundings. Folk I would like to remind you of this today, be aware of your surroundings, the presence of God within you: The Holy Spirit.

Put on the mind of Christ through your world view of every aspect of your life. Having a Biblical worldview is putting on the mind of Christ, Jesus makes this possible. Your worldview is the lens through which you see the world. The mind of Christ is the Word of God. John 1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 

These things cannot be understood with your natural mind, you need the mind of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit who will lead and guide you into all truth. To sum up, see yourself and others through the mind of Christ, through the lens of love with an eternal Kingdom of God view point. To do this you need to be aware of the Holy Spirit within you and to acknowledge His presence like you would a Wanted guest in your home. The more aware you are of the Holy Spirit in you, the more you are able to put on the mind of Christ. You need the Holy Spirit in order to see yourself as God sees you, to renew your mind and be transformed.

Folks, partner with the Holy Spirit to put on the mind of Christ:

1. You have the mind of Christ by Grace through your faith in Jesus Christ
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you put on the mind of Christ
3. Give God your time and attention meditating, studying, rehearsing, pondering, considering, thinking, and confessing the Word of God daily a priority
4. Choose your thoughts on purpose, choose to think with the mind of Christ as you are led by the Holy Spirit

The mind of Christ concerning His Folks: Isaiah 62:3 You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

If you are already Saved, you have the mind of Christ. Just put it on.

If you are not Saved this is an Invitation just for you to Receive the Free Gift of Salvation. Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Invite Jesus Christ into your heart right now today. Say Lord Jesus I am a sinner. Forgive me of all my sins and come into my heart right now. I receive you as Lord of my life forever, Amen.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved Romans 10:9.

Welcome to Salvation. Welcome to Eternal Life with God. Welcome to Abundant Life. You are now welcome to Put on the Mind of Christ. You are being celebrated and rejoiced over in heaven. In Luke 15:7, Jesus continued, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents.

Folks, put on the mind of Christ and be led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus, after His Resurrection promised His Apostles that He would send them the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. “For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5). John the Baptist also foretold this: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11). On the 50th day, Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles as tongues of fire. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4).

*************************************************************************************

REPENT

Psalm  51 David’s plea for mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing. This should be our hearts cry to God, we want to live clean pure lives. We all have sinned and come short or  missed the mark. We thank God for his grace, we thank God for his love, compassion, and faithfulness toward us. However, we should not practice sin. It is one thing to fall short, make a wrong move, bad decision—-God is faithful and just to forgive us for our sins. We are not condemned but this does not mean that we choose to violate God’s instructions for our lives. We cannot say with our mouth we choose God, we desire God, we worship God and yet live according to our own desires. Willful sin and disobedience to God is still wrong. It’s not okay regardless to who is doing it, irrespective of who approves of it.

Our Salvation through Jesus and God’s grace is not a license to sin. Grace is what enables us to obey God through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. God has so graciously given us free will, the freedom to choose. Choose who we partner with. Do you choose to partner with light/good/pure/God or do you choose to partner with dark/evil/unclean/wicked/devil? Make day to day decisions based on your choice. The thing about choices is that there are consequences so as you live your life make decisions based on your choice and the consequences.

When you choose to obey God the consequence is the blessings of God. Our Father is so merciful that He rains (blesses) the just and the unjust. The thing about blessings is that there are right now blessings  and there are eternal blessings. So you may see people live wicked lives and have tremendous blessings, this is the grace, goodness, and patience of God. We have to train our minds to think in terms of not only now what we experience today, but to think in terms of eternity.

The ultimate blessing is where you spend eternity. You can decide to live reckless and disregard God, while enjoying your ‘blessings’ now. But then, what about eternity. The choices and decisions you make today, will determine your future—-your future is eternity. Choose wisely, decide to partner with Jesus, enjoy the blessings of today and your future throughout eternity. Search your heart, think about your choices, decisions. God loves you and wants you to partner with him not with evil.

Repent-to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about your wrong doing/thinking or sin; to turn from sin and change your mind. I like to think of repent as a Godly sorrow, recognizing your wrong and making up your mind to correct that to change it, to agree to do right out of love and respect for God.

Read and study Psalm 51 and apply it to your life. I want you to make it personal as you study it. Really dig down deep, search your heart, search your thoughts and let this Word of God cleanse and strengthen you. I pray that you have a desire to study the Bible for yourself. I pray that you invite the Holy Spirit to lead you, and guide you as you choose to search the scripture. You do not need to be spoon fed and passively read what someone else has shared. This is great and helps us to grow however, it should not replace your personal time and attention seeking God. I pray that you develop a hunger and thirst for the things of God and an intimacy where you know Jesus as your Friend; that you become a friend of God. I pray that as you study Biblical scripture you will experience the transforming power of the Word of God, that you see the deep love of God for you, that you receive the Word with gladness and apply it to every area of your life. I pray that as you grow in the knowledge of God that you become a strong bold witness for Jesus. That you grow in the faith of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That you remain mindful of the presence of the Holy Spirit, within you. I pray that the Father give you wisdom in the name of Jesus I pray.

Psalm 51 (NIV)

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

¹ Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
² Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.

³ For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
⁴ Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.
⁵ Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
⁶ Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

⁷ Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
⁹ Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

¹³ Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
¹⁴ Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
¹⁵ Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
¹⁷ My sacrifice, O God, is^[b] a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

¹⁸ May it please you to prosper Zion,
    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
¹⁹ Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
    in burnt offerings offered whole;
    then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Psalm 51 KJV

51 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

² Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

³ For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

⁴ Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

⁵ Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

⁶ Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

⁷ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

⁸ Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

⁹ Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

¹¹ Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

¹² Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

¹³ Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

¹⁴ Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

¹⁵ O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

¹⁶ For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

¹⁸ Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

¹⁹ Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Notes:

Here are some notes on Psalm 51 from Life Application Study Bible

51:1-7 David was truly sorry for his adultery with Bath-sheba and for murdering her husband to cover it up. David knew his action had hurt many people. But because David repented of those sins, God mercifully forgave him. No sin is too great to be forgiven. Do you feel that you could never come close to God because you have done something terrible? God can and will forgive you of any sin. While God forgives us, however, he does not always erase the natural consequences of our sin—David’s life and family were never the same as a result of his sin (see 2 Samuel 12:1-23).

51:4 Although David sinned with Bath-sheba, he said he had sinned against God. When someone steals, murders, or slanders, it is against someone else—-a victim. According to the world’s standards, extra-marital sex between two consenting adults is acceptable if nobody gets hurt. But people do get hurt in David’s case, a man was murdered and a baby died. All sin hurts us and others, but ultimately it offends God because sin in any form is a rebellion against God’s way of living. When you are tempted to do wrong, remember that you will be sinning against God. That may help you stay on the right track.

51:7 Hyssop branches were used by the Israelites (God’s people) to place the blood of the lamb on the doorposts of their homes to keep them safe from death (Exodus 12:22). By this act (God’s instructions) the Israelites showed their faith and secured their release from slavery in Egypt. This verse calls for cleansing from sin and readiness to serve the Lord.

51:10 Because we are born as sinners (vs.5), our natural inclination is to please ourselves rather than God. David followed that inclination when he took another man’s wife. We also follow it when we sin in any way. Like David, we must ask God to cleanse us from within (v.7), filling our hearts and spirits with new thoughts and desires. Right conduct can come only from a clean heart and spirit. Ask God to create in you’re a clean heart and a right spirit.

51:12 Do you ever feel stagnant in your faith, as if you are just going through the motions? Has sin driven a wedge between your and God, making him seem distant? David felt this way. He had sinned with Bath-sheba and had just been confronted by Nathan the prophet. In his prayer to God he cried, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.” God wants us to be close to him and to experience his full and complete life. But sin that remains unconfessed makes such intimacy impossible. Confess your sin to God. You may still have to face some earthly consequences as David did, but God will give back the joy of your relationship with him.

51:13 When god forgives our sin and restores us to a relationship with him, we want to reach out ot others who need this forgiveness and reconciliation. The more you have felt God’s forgiveness, the more you desire to tell others about it.

51:17 God want a broken and contrite heart. You can never please God by outward actions—no matter how good—if your inward heart attitude is not right. Are you sorry for your sin? Do you genuinely intend to stop? God is pleased by this kind of humility.

Side bar note: As I type this out these notes from my Bible which was in a blazing car fire where all I could see were orange flames. The large body Dodge Durango was totally destroyed and everything in it but God got me out of the vehicle and away from it within seconds of it being consumed into flames. Seconds. When they asked me if I had anything valuable in the vehicle I replied, “Yes. My Bible is on the front seat”. The fire chief apologized and said “Everything in that vehicle is destroyed. You see the flames all the way thru it” and I did see the blazing flames. When they extinguished the fire and invited me to look inside, all the doors were open and sitting there on my charred, melted front seat was this Bible, wet and smelled like smoke but Glory to God not a page was singed, undamaged. This was a few years ago in Maumee, Ohio. As I picked up my Bible and starred at it in awe of God, the crowd around me felt the ‘Glory’, just like I did. Thank you Lord Jesus! All hail King Jesus!  

**********************************************************************************

Excuse Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

Who do you think you are?

I know you not talking about my Bride!

**************************

Who Are You, to Talk About My Bride

Do not talk about my Bride

She may not be perfect, yet, But she is Mine

She belongs to me and I love her.

***********

You have no idea how very much I love her

I will hurt somebody over my Bride

You don’t want to talk about her.

**********

If you have a problem with her,

Then you have a problem with me

If you have a problem with me,

You have a real problem.

************

You have no idea what I went through for my Bride

I love my beautiful Bride

I watch over her with a ferocious love.

***********

Don’t you dare think,

you can, Disgrace her. She is Mine

I will not share my Bride.

*************

I slayed giants for her,

I devoured entire kingdoms

that come against her

I Am kind and compassionate,

********

But don’t get it twisted

I will release an all consuming fire

And burn up anyone or anything

That tries to destroy her.

***********

I have literally gave up my life, bled,

died was buried and came back to life for Mine

I Live for Mine!

************

Don’t let yo mouth get you in trouble

Back Up off of my Bride

Don’t come against her

If you come against her,

Then you come against me.

********

I love my Bride…..She is called, The Church

That Church you talking about is

My Bride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The Bride of Christ

I love her so much,

I have given her the Keys to my Kingdom

********

Jesus said: I give you the name Peter, a stone. And this rock will be the bedrock foundation on which I will build my church—my legislative assembly, and the power of death will not be able to overpower it! 19 I will give you the keys of heaven’s kingdom realm to forbid on earth that which is forbidden in heaven, and to release on earth that which is released in heaven.” (Matthew 16: 18).

This is an exhortation to take your mouth off of God’s church. The church of the Living God. The Bride of Christ. And Yes the Local assembly. The local church. The church you used to go to. The church up the street. The church on this street or that street. The worldwide church the Body and the Building.

Get back to church. Get. Back. To. Church

Stop being deceived. Yes, she is imperfect. Yet God chose her. Yes. We are the Church but God wants us to come together in the church. The church where one can chase a thousand and two can put ten thousand to flight.

Where would you be without the church? The people who come to the buildings. Oh yes, you don’t need that ole church now. Now that you can walk and talk and change your own diaper. Now that you can hold your own head up and You can say more than Da da or Ma ma or ba ba..bottle………….

The people who come to the building. The ones who pray for you when don’t even know it. The ones you call when you get overwhelmed. The ones who laid hands on you when you were dying. The ones God directed to learn how to help, comfort, care for, watch over you. Yes, those people. Where would you be without those Flawed people who are yielded to God. Who follow the urging of the Holy Spirit concerning You.

Those people who wrote and sing the God inspired songs that strengthen your faith. The ones who come to the local church and worship God and pray for every branch of society.

Let me help you today. You do Need the church one way or the other. Catch the revelation that Jesus loves the church the whole Body of Christ and the local church.

Jesus loves the ‘Church, church’ so much that He closed the doors of corrupt churches and padlocked them. Jesus is uprooting the infection and debriding the infected wound removing necrotic dead tissues. Just like we need times of repentance. The local church needs times of repentance and refreshing. Where does the lost soul go for help? Where does the religious blind go for help. Where does the half dead go to be revived. Where does the rich lady go who has everything, yet has nothing. Where do the people go to linger in His presence. The ones who need urgent care, “Get me to the Altar, get the Oil and Help”. Where is the encouragement line, please. The crippled, listless, lifeless, wounded, bruised, confused, bereaved? The Local church where the sounds of the prayers of the righteous avail. Where spiritual gifts emerge, where equipping for the work occurs. Community planning and Kingdom agendas established. Activation, Impartation, Remembrance, Rejuvenation, Invigoration, Stirring, Healing, Deliverance, Comforting, Empowering, Feeding, Hungering, Thirsting, Refreshing, Loving, Giving, Receiving, Growing, Knowing, Anointing, Appointing, Helping and Changing—the church—the local church. Where it’s all about you-Christ in you—you—you be the change you want to see! Get back to church where you are needed and wanted. Wanted—Wanted—Wanted—-Wanted by God!

Open Up the Doors of the church. Let the Light flash and shine bright at the Entrance of the spiritual trauma care centers—the local church.

What are you saying, what’s your point? My point is:

Jesus loves His Bride. He enjoys visiting Her home (including the church building). Don’t throw the Baby out with the bathwater.

Jesus Loves You

Get back to church, Church.

Get Back to Church