the Upgrade!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. - James 1:2-4

In other words, a test, a trial, a "problem" is just an opportunity for God to upgrade something in you; he wants to perfect somethi

ng In you! Go to Him and ask Him what He has to impart to you that could only happen through this situation, this event, this "problem". Talk to God about the solution to the problem, (the upgrade!*) don't focus and meditate on the problem. Refocus! See the difference? Listen to YOUR words and you will know what you are focused on - God's provision and upgrade or your issues and "problems". You are about to get an upgrade - rejoice! New tools, new wisdoms, new understanding!

When we get this, then we can live these verses of James with PURE JOY! God is for you and WITH you. GO to HIM for the wisdom of the ages! God wants you to go THROUGH. He hasn't left you but He needs to tell you/impart to you or upgrade you with something new!! Amen!

*The upgrade is a term used by Graham Cooke.

Holy...What does that look like?

So what is Holy and what does it look like?

So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."

You call out to God for help and he helps—he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.

Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God. - I Peter 1:13-21 (the message).

I did some quick searches to find out a definition of what it is to be holy.  Here are a few of what I found out there on the Internet:

Holiness means to be set apart. God says in the Bible that he is a holy God. Therefore, he is like no other because there are no other real gods, just gods that people create. 

Since God is holy then anything he touches is also holy. Remember when God met Moses with the burning bush, God told him to take off his sandals because where he was standing was holy. 

This idea also transfers to us. If God has touched our lives through Jesus Christ then we are holy also. God said so in the Bible, "Be holy as I am holy." That means we should live a lifestyle that is irreproachable, one that shows we have God in our lives, not just mere religion. God expects a lifestyle from us if we are sincere. 

== My own interpretation == 

Absence of greed, jealousy, covetousness, avarice, pride, ego, anger, lying, slander, hatred, attachment, shamelessness, etc.

Then I found this:

The New Testament uses the word "holiness" in different ways, and it doesn't always mean exactly the same thing. In fact, different Greek word forms were used in the original texts, though they're all translated to "holiness" in English. The following verses (NKJV) provide examples of the various shades of meaning:

Luke 1:74b-75 - Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

Here, "holiness" (Greek hosiotes) means "piety towards God; fidelity in observing the obligations of piety; demonstrating proper reverence and obedience."

Romans 6:19 - I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

In this verse, the Greek word is hagiasmos, meaning "purification; consecration." It's in this sense that it includes being "set apart."

2 Corinthians 7:1 - Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

The Greek word this time is hagiosune, meaning "moral purity."

Hebrews 12:10 - For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

This verse, speaking of the holiness of God Himself, uses the Greek form hagiotes, meaning "sanctity;" the idea being that God is completely "set apart," but that He gives man the chance to become a "partaker," or "have a share in," His holiness.

So why does this matter?

Being a mother of grown children now, my borders have expanded.  I used to only have close fellowship with the mothers of my young children's friends and now I am having fellowship with a larger group of people, with a more diverse age group, mainly adults and what I am observing, at times is a bit startling.

See I am a product of the "Jesus People" even though I was just a child when my life was radically changed and what I observed then in "Christianity" was that when people were "changed" by the touch of the Holy Spirit, they were CHANGED.  They received Christ and SUDDENLY they felt conviction over things they had previously embraced.  Their mindset changed overnight by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Their choices changed - radically.  Their behavior changed - immediately, NOT because someone was "preaching" at them, but because the Holy Spirit had invaded their soul and they were convicted.  They STOPPED doing a lot of "stuff" because of "conviction" and the world watched and scratched their heads as these "radicals" became transformed by the presence of a Holy God.

Conviction....hmmmm - that's a word that seems to have fallen by the wayside in this new environment of "grace", "tolerance" and "acceptance".  Conviction - when the Holy Spirit "arrests" you and says, "What are you doing?  Why are you doing that?  Do you love me?  'Cause if you love me, you will ride yourself of 'this or that'." And suddenly your heart MELTS and you fall to your face in repentance!  Yes, REPENTANCE!  Another word that seems to have been trampled in this "seeker friendly" Christianity.

A friend posted recently that they had observed that MANY churches built in the 1980's and '90's built their foundation on sand and the people (the congregations) finally are "waking up" and getting their heads OUT of the sand.  I don't know when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit slowed but I know the churches I saw built in the 1980's had a different emphasis on them than those that sprung up in the 1970's.  John Bevere said, "A true leader will see his vision as a way to serve people, a false leader will see people as a way to serve his vision."  This is EXACTLY the difference that we are seeing in many modern churches.  They have become "businesses" building a vision the pastor/leader "sees" rather than a place to serve people.

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?  And who may stand in His holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart.  Psalm 24:3-4a (NASB).  Bill Johnson said, "The church gathers weekly around a sermon, but Israel encamped continually around the Presence.  Perhaps when we return to that priority, we, the church, will learn what it means to be a holy nation."  THAT'S IT!  WE must DESIRE the PRESENCE of the Lord CONTINUALLY... not just on Sundays during a 45 minute service.

See, I WANT to ascend into the places where the Lord is.  I WANT to stand in His HOLY place!  I WANT all that God has to offer and I NEED Him to change me, to purify me, to cleanse me and I need to choose to walk UPRIGHT and HOLY!  See God does His part, but we too have a part to play in this romance.  WE have to separate ourselves from participating in EVERYTHING that is NOT part of the Kingdom of God.  When we dabble in "things", we are choosing which Kingdom we will serve.  We are using "tools" and "devises" that either belong to the Kingdom of Light or the kingdom of darkness.  Everything comes down to TWO Kingdoms....EVERYTHING!

Joshua knew this and he declared it to the people when he said, "Now therefore fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness.  Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.  And if it is evil in our eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. - Joshua 24:14-15.

In closing I want to share a link that I have shared before.  It is called "Revival on the Isle of Lewis" by Evangelist Dr. Duncan Campbell (Edinburgh, Scotland) and was given in Wisconsin in May of 1968.

A Mother's Joy...

Today I enjoyed a surprise lunch for a special friend with many of her friends; all arranged by her husband.  One of the coolest things that happened was when we all shared blessings over the birthday girl while her  80+ year-old mother listened.  It was such a joy to see these friends speak goodness and kindness over this dear sister while her mother got to hear every word.

As a mother, wouldn't that make your heart skip to hear people publicly esteeming YOUR child in your presence?  It was precious!  The mother finally closed out this time of sharing with a brief comment.  Her only words (while choking back tears of her own) were like a final cherry on top of a delicious dessert.  She simply said, "I adore her!"

Geeze, not a dry eye in the place after that statement as we all swallowed hard and brushed the tears from our cheeks.

This reminds me of 3 John 4 which says: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are serving the King."  I saw this verse manifest today as a mother listened to the blessings about her daughter by her friends.  What a rich mother she is and what a fabulous friend.

I will not be able to be the daughter in this scenario as my own mother has passed forward to Glory, but I so desire to be this mother!  O to hear others testifying of the treasure my child(ren) have been.  What a GREAT Joy that would be!

Be strengthened my friends and train your children well!

Miracles bring REVELATION

Sunday, a week ago, there was a testimony at my church of a woman who was baptized about 2 weeks before at church.  She came forward (during a time of testimonies) to share what God had done.  The Sunday was FULL of testimonies...I will post the link below if you are interested in hearing them all.

During the service I KNEW God was moving mightily and I began writing notes as fast a possible and even still I couldn't keep up with the REVELATION that God was POURING into my Spirit, my mind, my heart, my life!  I KNEW I had to share it here, in the least, as I know many of us get weary at times - LOOKING FOR GOD and that's why we have this page because HE IS MOVING; we just have to find the "draft".  Like in sailing or in currents of water, you have to get into the "current", the "flow", the "draft", the "sweet-spot".

With my very busy month I have now entered, I haven't had much time to sit here and post of ALL THE GREAT THINGS GOD IS DOING but I felt I HAD to now because I see so many I love literally engaging in the very battle for their loved one's lives!  Again, this prompting by the Holy Spirit to post here was before I knew of the calamity's coming against some of you, your lives, your livelihood but GOD knew what the evil one was about to unleash and He sent "COUNTER MEASURES" to destroy the onslaught by the evil one!

FIRST, we have to come to a place where we are UNMOVABLE on ONE KEY POINT...and that point is what God gave me today to meditate on:   "Everyone knows that everything reproduces after it's kind. You plant corn and get corn, tomatoes yield tomatoes well this is because the creator is a God of order. God is good and EVERYTHING good comes from God. If something is "GOOD" (think about it - TRULY good!) you know it had to originate in God because God is ONLY Good. If it isn't good, then it isn't God. Simple math. Have a "GOOD" day! :-D"

Once you are TOTALLY SURE you know what God does and what is HIS DNA, His Modus Operandi is, you can easily move forward in your battle.  (And yes, once we declare our allegiance to HIM, HIS enemy is out to destroy our very lives).  The FIRST step in any "conflict", "problem", "issue" is to IDENTIFY it.  We can't battle effectively if we are "unstable", "unsure", "questioning", "wondering".  See GOD IS FOR YOU and satan is against you.  END OF STORY.  Left or RIGHT.  They don't mix, like water and oil...they are polar opposites, as far as the east is from the west from each other; NOTHING IN COMMON PURPOSE!  NOTHING!

So back to the testimony...This woman comes forward and says during her baptism she saw a vision.  The water became BLACK and she saw the letters "A-I-D-E-S" floating on the water.  She KNEW that when she went into the water that AIDES would fall off her there.  A week later, she went to the doctor (hard to hear on the video because she sat down - away from the mic but answered a question) and she is NOW MEDICALLY healed of HIV/AIDES.  The doctor confirmed there is NO trace of it in her blood.  NONE.  She asked the doctor how often does this happen and the doctor said, "it doesn't....this is miraculous". WOO HOO - THIS IS OUR DADDY at work!  These are HIS FINGERPRINTS all over this woman's life!  THIS is HIS handiwork!

There was then another DEATH defying testimony of a young child who fell in a pool and Jesus "waited" with her until the "people" came to save her.  AMAZING!

Another testimony was of a five year old boy who saw heaven and his parents, independently heard angel "bells" during the time of his "vision".  The mother (based on the child's description of his vision of heaven) went to the galleries of Akiane Kramarik (if you don't know who she is - Google her and find out!).  On this page: http://www.akiane.com/store   under the galleries of AGE 11 - you will find a white castle image (the 10th one over on the right).  This boy described this image to his mother as well.  She went to Akiane's web-site, pulled up the image, showed it to her son and the boy's mouth dropped open as he said, "Mommy, where did you get this?", STUNNED!  It was what he had seen in his vision.

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord....THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS MOVING...FIND THE CURRENT - FIND THE JET STREAM.  POSITION YOURSELF, ask the Lord to TEACH YOU TO "walk in His TRUTH".  My heart is BURSTING with the incredible things God is doing.  Dark may be getting darker (I hear the news, I see the reports), but honestly, I am so blinded by the light (in my quiet times, my worship places, my walk with HIM), I really don't focus on it, because He is CAPTURING ME and pulling me to a higher place.  I want to go higher, deeper, more intimate with Him and I find myself in DEEP INTERCESSION for OTHERS to come to this place too!  It's NOT JUST FOR A SELECT FEW - it's for ALL OF US! He has provided a place of victory and rest for all of us in midst of our "storms".

Be encouraged prayer warriors and FIND that place of REST that ONLY COMES FROM BEING IN HIS PRESENCE!  It's in HIS PRESENCE that we find newness and life!

"Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too MIGHT (some will some won't) walk in NEWNESS OF LIFE. . . . Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him" - Romans 6:4, 8

"having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead"  - Colossians 2:12

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep SEEKING THE THINGS ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST IS, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory" - Colossians 3:1-4

Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live" – John 5:25

Then He went on to speak of our future resurrection: “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice" John 5:28

One final thought...IF you have not been baptized (I am not talking about sprinkled.  I was sprinkled and my denomination called it baptism -  but later, as a 22 year old, I was baptized in full water...there is a difference in the SPIRITUAL REALM.  EVEN Jesus was FULLY IMMERSED and then the Spirit came UPON Him in the form of a dove) I would ENCOURAGE you to do so and be BAPTIZED!

REVELATION is springing forth and GOD IS MOVING!  Miracles are not just about the "event"  - they should be about the REVELATION we gain in seeing God's fingerprints, His DNA, His hands at work in our lives.  It's about us gaining and understand of just WHO OUR DADDY IS!  When we see the UNBELIEVABLE things of God (Miracles), it should move us to a place of being FULLY PERSUADED, UNCHANGEABLE, UNMOVING, UNSHAKEABLE...because the enemy is the father of ALL lies and we have to KNOW that what is FROM God is GOOD and what isn't good is NOT FROM GOD!

Praying for you my dear friends in the Lord.  RISE UP PEOPLE OF THE LORD RISE UP!  WOW!

LINK: the "Presence Driven Church" on 4-29-12

Holy Spirit by Bryan & Katie Torwalt

Back in November I posted this song, Holy Spirit, but today I another encounter with it and had to chronicle it here for you as well.


Here is the post I had to share on Facebook today:
Heard one of my children whistling this song in the other room just now. I had to go find the whole song on the internet. I started singing along, closing my eyes, raising my hands and before you knew it, I was DECLARING in full voice the words of the song along with the writer. In 5 minutes His presence invaded my life again, my heart, my soul, my mind, my attitude, my hope, my future, my thoughts...He instantaneously grabbed me and transported me away from all this STUFF and into His presence. It was incredible!

Take a minute, right now and get to a private place and listen. Heed the offer of getting to a private place because you too will want to declare with the writer the words that he penned here, loudly! It will transport you to HIS perspective, His goodness, His mercy, His arms!

Your Presence.

Holy Spirit you are welcome here.
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere.
Your Glory God is what our hearts long for.
To be overcome by your presence Lord!

His presence changes EVERYTHING! Take a minute to find Him while it is still called today! GET INTO HIS PRESENCE - it changes EVERYTHING!

Here is your personal invitation to crank the volume and dance before HIM!  Get up and worship as you listen.  Listen twice, three times, a dozen - get it in your spirit!  HE IS ABLE!  WOW - I Love you, Lord!

101 Healing Scriptures to Declare over Yourself!

SCRIPTURES TO DECLARE FOR HEALING!!

These statements are taken directly from the Bible with little or no variation. The verbs and construction have been changed to apply to you personally and to sum up the thoughts in some instances. Also, many of these statements are prefaced by phrases like, “If you walk in My commandments”, “If you believe…obey…” etc.

What did Yah say? 101 THINGS GOD SAID: 

OLD TESTAMENT

God said…

1) I am the Lord that healeth thee (Ex. 15:26).

2) Your days shall be one hundred and twenty years (Gen. 6:3).

3) You shall be buried in a good old age (Gen. 15:15).

4) You shall come to your grave in a full age like as a shock of corn cometh in his season (Job 5:26).

5) When I see the blood, I will pass over you and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you (Ex. 12:13).

6) I will take sickness away from the midst of you and the number of your days I will fulfill (Ex. 23: 25, 26).

7) I will not put any of the diseases you are afraid of on you, but I will take all sickness away from you (Deut. 7:15). 

8) It will be well with you and your days shall be multiplied and prolonged as the days of heaven upon the earth (Deut. 11:9,21).

9) I turned the curse into a blessing unto you, because I loved you (Deut. 23:5 and Neh. 13:2).

10) I have redeemed you from every sickness and every plague (Deut. 28:61 and Gal. 3:13).

11) As your days, so shall your strength be (Deut. 33:25).

12) I have found a ransom for you, your flesh shall be fresher than a child’s and you shall return to the days of your youth (Job 33:24, 25). 

13) I have healed you and brought up your soul from the grave; I have kept you alive from going down into the pit (Ps. 30:1, 2). 

14) I will give you strength and bless you with peace (Ps. 29:11).

15) I will preserve you and keep you alive (Ps. 41:2). God’s Will to Heal.

16) I will strengthen you upon the bed of languishing; I will turn all your bed in your sickness (Ps. 41:3).

17) I am the health of your countenance and your God (Ps.43: 5).

18) No plague shall come near your dwelling (Ps. 91:10).

19) I will satisfy you with long life (Ps. 91:16).

20) I heal all your diseases (Ps. 103:3).

21) I sent My word and healed you and delivered you from your destructions (Ps.107:20).

22) You shall not die, but live, and declare My works (Ps. 118:17). 

23) I heal your broken heart and bind up your wounds (Ps. 147:3).

24) The years of your life shall be many (Pr. 4:10).

25) Trusting Me brings health to your navel and marrow to your bones (Pr. 3:8).

26) My words are life to you, and health/medicine to all your flesh (Pr. 4:22).

27) (My) good report makes your bones fat (Pr. 15:30).

28) (My) pleasant words are sweet to your soul and health to your bones (Pr. 16:24).

29) My joy is your strength. A merry heart does good like a medicine (Neh. 8:10; Pr. 17:22).

30) The eyes of the blind shall be opened. The eyes of them that see shall not be dim (Isa. 32:3; 35:5).

31) The ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. The ears of them that hear shall hearken (Isa. 32:3; 35:5).

32) The tongue of the dumb shall sing. The tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly (Isa. 35:6; 32:4).

33) The lame man shall leap as a hart (Isa. 35:6).

34) I will recover you and make you to live. I am ready to save you (Isa. 38:16, 20).

35) I give power to the faint. I increase strength to them that have no might (Isa. 40:29). 

36) I will renew your strength. I will strengthen and help you (Isa. 40:31; 41:10).

37) To your old age and gray hairs I will carry you and I will deliver you (Isa. 46:4).

38) I bore your sickness (Isa. 53:4).

39) I carried your pains (Isa. 53:4).

40) I was put to sickness for you (Isa. 53:10).

41) With My stripes you are healed (Isa. 53:5).

42) I will heal you (Isa. 57:19).

43) Your light shall break forth as the morning and your health shall spring forth speedily (Isa. 58:8).

44) I will restore health unto you, and I will heal you of your wounds saith the Lord (Jer. 30:17). 

45) Behold I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure you, and will reveal unto you the abundance of peace and truth (Jer. 33:6).

46) I will bind up that which was broken and will strengthen that which was sick (Eze. 34:16).

47) Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you and you shall live. And I shall put My Spirit in you and you shall live (Eze. 37:5,14).

48) Whithersoever the rivers shall come shall live. They shall be healed and every thing shall live where the river comes (Eze. 47:9).

49) Seek Me and you shall live (Amos 5:4, 6).

50) I have arisen with healing in My wings (beams) (Mal. 4:2).

 

NEW TESTAMENT

51) I will, be thou clean (Mt. 8:3).

52) I took your infirmities (Mt. 8:17).

53) I bore your sicknesses (Mt. 8:17).

54) If you’re sick you need a physician. (I am the Lord your physician) (Mt. 9:12 & Ex.15:26).

55) I am moved with compassion toward the sick and I heal them (Mt. 14:14).

56) I heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease (Mt. 4:23).

57) According to your faith, be it unto you (Mt. 9:29).

58) I give you power and authority over all unclean spirits to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease (Mt. 10:1 & Lk. 9:1).

59) I heal them all (Mt. 12:15 & Heb. 13:8).

60) As many as touch Me are made perfectly whole (Mt. 14:36). 

61) Healing is the children’s bread (Mt. 15:26).

62) I do all things well. I make the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak (Mk. 7:37).

63) If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mk. 9:23; 11:23, 24).

64) When hands are laid on you, you shall recover (Mk. 16:18).

65) My anointing heals the brokenhearted, and delivers the captives, recovers sight to the blind, and sets at liberty those that are bruised (Lk. 4:18; Isa. 10:27; 61:1).

66) I heal all those who have need of healing (Lk. 9:11).

67) I am not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them (Lk. 9:56).

68) Behold, I give you authority over all the enemy’s power and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Lk. 10:19).

69) Sickness is satanic bondage and you ought to be loosed today (Lk. 13:16 & II Cor. 6:2).

70) In Me is life (Jn. 1:4).

71) I am the bread of life. I give you life (Jn. 6:33, 35).

72) The words I speak unto you are spirit and life (Jn. 6:63).

73) I am come that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly (Jn. 10:10).

74) I am the resurrection and the life (Jn. 11:25).

75) If you ask anything in My name, I will do it (Jn. 14:14).

76) Faith in My name makes you strong and gives you perfect soundness (Acts 3:16).

77) I stretch forth My hand to heal (Acts 4:30).

78) I, Jesus Christ, make you whole (Acts 9:34).

79) I do good and heal all that are oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38).

80) My power causes diseases to depart from you (Acts 19:12).

81) The law of the Spirit of life in Me has made you free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2).

82) The same Spirit that raised Me from the dead now lives in you and that Spirit will quicken your mortal body (Rom. 8:11). 

83) Your body is a member of Me (I Cor. 6:15).

84) Your body is the temple of My Spirit and you’re to glorify Me in your body (I Cor. 6:19, 20).

85) If you’ll rightly discern My body which was broken for you, and judge yourself, you’ll not be judged and you’ll not be weak, sickly or die prematurely (I Cor. 11:29-31).

86) I have set gifts of healing in My body (I Cor. 12:9).

87) My life may be made manifest in your mortal flesh (II Cor. 4:10, 11).

88) I have delivered you from death, I do deliver you, and if you trust Me I will yet deliver you (II Cor. 1:10).

89) I have given you My name and have put all things under your feet (Eph. 1:21, 22).

90) I want it to be well with you and I want you to live long on the earth. (Eph. 6:3).

91) I have delivered you from the authority of darkness (Col. 1:13).

92) I will deliver you from every evil work (II Tim. 4:18).

93) I tasted death for you. I destroyed the devil who had the power of death. I’ve delivered you from the fear of death and bondage (Heb. 2:9, 14, 15).

94) I wash your body with pure water (Heb. 10:22; Eph. 5:26).

95) Lift up the weak hands and the feeble knees. Don’t let that which is lame be turned aside but rather let Me heal it (Heb. 12:12, 13).

96) Let the elders anoint you and pray for you in My name and I will raise you up (Jas. 5:14, 15).

97) Pray for one another and I will heal you (Jas. 5:16).

98) By My stripes you were healed (I Pet. 2:24).

99) My Divine power has given unto you all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Me (II Pet. 1:3).

100) Whosoever will let him come and take of the water of life freely (Rev. 22:17).

101) Beloved, I wish above all things that you may…be in health (III Jn. 2).

From Unforgiveness to FREEDOM!

I was talking to a women today who at 5 was responsible for her three younger siblings, 4, 2.5 and 12 months while her mother was living an alcoholic life and bringing male" companions home throughout the week.  By the time this woman was 17, there were 8 children and she reported her mother to authorities.  She is haunted by her then six-year-old brother chasing her down the street screaming at her, "You did this!  You took my mother!  It's your fault!"

NO child should have to endure such pain and suffering as ANY of these children did, but unfortunately we live in a depraved and fallen world.  I was so moved by her story that I had to encourage her in truth; not just for her brokenness but for healing from unforgiveness (like who wouldn't have issues there after a life like this) and ultimately for her FREEDOM!

With that, it lead to a discussion for her to explore the "open door" of unforgiveness.  With all the accusations and pressures she endured, I can't help but think that she would have had to make some "vows" to herself just to comfort her situation and to bring herself hope.  Vows are promises we make in conversation to ourselves.  Things like, "I will never let this or that happen to him or her or me again."  We are NOT God so we don't have the authority to "promise" such things even though we are trying to be good-intentioned.  Make sense?

When we make these vows we open up doors to demonic access.  The devil waltzes into our life because of our "judgements" through these "open doors" because we don't have authority to judge.  ONLY God has this authority; even though it is totally understandable how a child would process through this situation to make such conclusions.  These conclusions or judgements will bring about MUCH pain and suffering later in our life, even bringing torment because none of us have been given the right to "judge" another; even when that person is WRONG!  It doesn't matter if you were in Christ at the time or not, devils gain permission wherever they can.  They are the ultimate legalistic operators in creation and when we judge, they RUN and shove to get in that "open door" to our soul!

One thing I have noticed is that when dealing with adult Christians, they "think" they are in forgiveness because everything is "under the blood" - right?  Well, unforgiveness can look differently than you are thinking as well.  To be in unforgiveness we usually think about us with others.  Things like, "They hurt me and I choose to forgive them".  But there is another side to unforgiveness many don't think about, explore or even are aware of.

One side of this situation is that you could be dealing with forgiving yourself for "causing" a problem, a situation, an issue  Like in the cause of the woman above; the issues with this brother and his trauma (even though it was NOT HER FAULT (the mother caused this consequence), she was being blamed for trying to save these kiddos because NO ONE was properly protecting their family!)  So she could be dealing with having to "forgive" herself.

Unforgiveness can even be directed at God.  It looks like this, "Why would a loving God let me suffer?"  Or "Where were you God?" And even "If God really loved me..." These type of thoughts can plant the seeds of unforgiveness as we are "mad" at God for His role in the situation.

Again, I want to make clear that Satan is the MASTER deceiver and he KNOWS the ways to trip us up.  This woman was just as much a victim as her siblings were and just as she had to deal with understanding her brothers "reaction" because he didn't "understand" the BIG picture, she also had the same experience with God.  She didn't like her brother's response and yet she may have done the same thing in her heart toward God as he did.  Do you see that?   It is again TOTALLY UNDERSTANDING and I am not judging peoples reactions here but I want you to see that we need to explore this area in our hearts if we want to get totally free from ANY open door the devil may have had in our lives.

When I lived in Minnesota growing up, I constantly heard my dad say, "shut the door" when I came in during the winter (to keep the heat in and the cold out) and in the summer (to keep the air conditioning in and the heat out).  It's the same principal.  When we are in unforgiveness, the door is open and things that should be in, slip out (forgiveness, love, grace) and things that should be out, come in (bitterness, anger, unforgiveness).

What helps me with dealing with unforgiveness in my life (because we ALL have to deal with it at some level) is this:  "With the measure YOU use, it will be measured back to you."  Luke 6:38.  People usually think of this verse when it comes to the giving of money but the Word here just says "GIVE"  it doesn't say WHAT we are giving.  Read it, start a few lines before and think about forgiveness as you read it.

To whom MUCH is given (salvation is a MUCH), MUCH is required (the extending of much grace).  There is a standard set here and many don't like to see the personal responsibility that has been given to us by the Lord. There are several other verses that prompts me to forgive too like John 20:23 but the REAL kicker is Matthew 6:14 - here it is in The Message (MSG):

 14-15"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part. 

Yeah, that one pretty much changed my approach with me dealing with MY own unforgiveness.  There is a correlation between our sowing and our reaping that many "believers" don't want to believe because we focus on the "gift" of salvation and we think it is "free AND easy".  Oh it is FREE - it has been given to us without question but we have to do ALL that the Word says too and that is NOT always EASY - but SO WORTH IT!

There is nothing like FREEDOM!  I ask myself this question, "How many of MY sins do I want forgiven?"  Well of course I want ALL my sins washed away - right!  So that is the number that I have to extend to others...ALL!  Lord Jesus, help me to WALK in your truth; to DO the Word and not just be a hearer only!  AMEN!

Draw Me Nearer

Yesterday the Lord gave the me the song, Love Came Down...starting stanzas:
(If my heart is overwhelmed and I cannot hear Your voice
I’ll hold on to what is true though I cannot see
If the storms of life they come and the road ahead gets steep
I will lift these hands in faith
I will believe

I remind myself of all that You’ve done
And the life I have because Your Son

Love came down and rescued me
Love came down and set me free
I am Yours I am forever Yours
Mountain high or valley low
I sing out remind my soul
That I am Yours I am forever Yours...)

I really wasn't feeling stressed or strapped or even pressure.  I was just resting in that place of rest and thanking the Lord that He was my place of safety in the GOOD times as well as the bad.

Then at 5PM the ramparts began...I was informed of my uncle's failing health (greatly concerning as he still clings to his humanist, agnostic, socialistic worldviews as he is racked in pain and dying.  This is SO beyond my ability to understand... so I pray!)

Within the same time of me reading this message about my uncle 5 other events happened that were HIGH priority events.  I felt overwhelmed with THINGS TO DO, PEOPLE to minister too, needs were arising that were beyond my reach, ability, scope....so again, I prayed.

It was as if the enemy was setting up an ambush but then I remembered where the Lord had started my day....with those words that really didn't FEEL necessary for me at the moment but were true none-the-less:  "If my heart is overwhelmed...."

What an amazing God we serve!  Take time to HEAR Him, my friends.  You may not "feel" like what you hear is relevant to you for that moment, but take note anyway because He is providing ALL that you need for life and Godliness.  He is FAITHFUL and true, the beginning and the end, the Lord God Almighty!  "To Him who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches."  This is stated over and over in Revelation.  "TO HIM WHO HAS AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT IS SAYING TO THE CHURCHES!"  Are you LISTENING?  TUNE your ear to HEAR Him.  He is calling.  He is speaking.  He is present in time of trouble.  He is near!  Yes, HE IS NEAR!

So this morning, I woke up hearing this song, Draw Me Nearer:

Draw me nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

This is where I run when life is overwhelming...to my precious Lord's side.  He is preparing me by providing what I need.  I NEED Him NEAR!  He is my strength, my shield, my buckler, my guide, my comfort, my rest, my all-in-all, my savior, my LORD, my GOD and very present help in time of need!

Praying that you too find comfort, rest, security, love and acceptance by drawing near to Him today.  He is faithful!

Love Came Down by Bryan Johnson

AMAZING.  Simply Amazing.  Be prepared to be ministered to, set free, captivated, loved, saturated, filled, raptured and overtaken.  This song will CHANGE you!

We are FOREVER His.  We have been spared, saved, delivered, set-free, REDEEMED.  WOW - enjoy the ministry straight from the throne-room into your room where you are right now.  The windows of heaven are open above you as you get enveloped into His presence in this song.

Love Came Down by Bryan Johnson of Bethal Church is simply amazing.  ENJOY my friend.  Totally bask in His presence here.

Forever we are HIS!  Really.  Truly.  AMAZING!!!

The Same Love - Paul Baloche

God is calling; will you answer?

Love this new song by Paul Baloche called The Same Love.  What a great concept he has here in this video but more important than the concept is the fact that God is CALLING you.  He is calling all of us, His children - but will we answer the call?

I have the notion now to go and hang "telephones" around town with the simple message written on the cup,

"Calling You.  Will you answer? - God"

On this Valentines day may you feel the LOVE that God has for you as He is calling for a relationship WITH you!  He is NOT some far off God who is out-of-touch and uncaring.  He loves you and desires for you to talk with Him.  Go ahead and answer the call!  It just takes a minute and you will never be the same when you talk to the Master!  Answer the call!