How are we "in Ephesians"?

This question was a challenge put forth by the speaker (& leader of the women's group) at a Ladies Prayer Breakfast that I attended this past Saturday. (Not at my own church, but a similar denomination). Sitting in a room of what seemed to be maybe 25 ladies who were believers, including one being a 'Pastor' I was in awe of the revelation of God as the words were spoken. I may have been one of the youngest there, but I was also in awe of the lack of knowledge and wisdom in the 'church' people. She had a dream, and in it the speaker (another woman) was saying "We are in Ephesians" (seeming like the speaker's topic had them reading in the book of Ephesians), but because she kept emphatically saying it, then our speaker woke and knew she had to study Ephesians. The speaker meant "We are in Ephesians" meaning the world right now and the Christians of today are actually supposed to be like the ones in Ephesians. Right away in my mind came "well you better have your armour on in this battle of today". 

The message went on from there, and it was nice that a few of the ladies in the crowd spoke up to give thoughts of their own. We discussed that Chapter 1 revolved around redemption and wisdom. We need to take our authority that Christ has given to us, and we need to walk in it. What kind of shocked me is that it was a 'new revelation' given to the "Pastor" in the room. She seemed amazed that she had the power and authority and that she was seated in Heavenly places. I was amazed that she was just getting this revelation. I saw it as more of a reminder. Something that I knew, but that we all need to be reminded of sometimes as we don't always walk in the wisdom. It reminded me that there are people (and believers) that don't know this truth. Others even commented on this and that it was a 'new' thing that they were shown, or some were just learning it that morning as she said it. It saddened my heart a little to think that these people were just learning this truth. But then the verse came into mind, 'how will they know unless we tell them?' and it reminded me to pray for all people young and older to come to the knowledge and salvation of Jesus. Most of my teaching is focused on children and youth, but I have a love for teaching and training all people. 

Another woman in the crowd shared that she had a revelation that although evil or sickness/disease, demonic possession, etc may come our way, we are ALWAYS God's property. Our bodies are the temples of Holy Spirit. The enemy has NO PLACE in us. This was a super cool revelation and reminder that Holy Spirit now owns us. We are God's! The enemy may try to get a foothold, or even find his way in, but there should be no place for him to lie as we are God's. Get him out of you. Take the authority you have in Jesus to remove him or sickness. We are seated in Heavenly places... everything is under Jesus' feet and under our feet. God has shown me a revelation reminder of this many times in that the devil only has the power that we give Him. Jesus is still the ruler of this world. The devil does NOT have the power. The devil/enemy may have power over certain people/areas but he is NOT the ruler. Jesus is Lord of this world (whether you choose to believe it or not). (Ephesians 6:12)

We went off on a few tangents, and talked about President Trump, and Mr. Pence, Prime Minister Trudeau and Mrs. Wynne. Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against the evil and unseen powers of the dark world and evil spirits. We have to keep these leaders in our prayers. Whether we agree with them, or like them is not the case. They are our Leaders and they need Godly wisdom and understanding to do their job well. We need to stop bashing them and allow God to get a hold of their hearts and spirits and to lead them in the way they should go to lead our countries wisely. May God bless USA and CANADA and our leadership. There have been many positive prophesies given by true men and women of God and we need to stand on these words.

The one lady at the table in front of us, clearly had an 'evangelistic' heart or call on her heart, as she was broken for the darkness in the world. She wanted to get out on the streets and 'do'. Our talk had led us to speaking about being 'ambassadors' for Christ, and she said we need to be out there doing and speaking. She wanted to 'be the light' in the darkness.

Funny thing was the speaker never got to finish her message, and said she would continue another time, and that she would seek more into the challenge of 'how are we IN Ephesians'... but the ladies were in deed answering the question as they spoke. Holy Spirit revealed these tidbits to help each lady in the their own walk where they were. It wasn't NEW information, but it was revealed in new ways for them to understand. The Bible is living and each time it is read, new revelations and old revelations come to pass. We should be reminded of our place in God's heart, our place in the world, and our place in the body of Christ.

This challenge brought out also studying the word 'Ambassador', and I will delve deeper into that as well. But for now, this is a study on "How are we 'in Ephesians'?"  I have listened to a few studies on Ephesians, and it is indeed an amazing book full of so many truths. We need to know and walk in these truths.

~ Let's Begin ~ Chapter One of Ephesians starts out telling us that it is a letter from Paul (clearly to the Ephesians). He is an apostle for Christ. He is reminding the 'faithful followers' (v. 1 NLT) that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing because we belong to Christ and are united with Him. Even before the world was made, before He spoke it to be, God loved us and chose us. (v. 4) How amazing is that? God decided in advance to adopt us and bring us all into His family. This gave Him great pleasure (v. 5) God sent His Son for us to forgive us because of His grace and kindness, so we should praise Him. (v. 6-8) God's promise is not just for Jews but for Gentiles as well. When we hear the Good News and believe, He will give us Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is God's guarantee that we will get the inheritance that He has promised us. We can now praise and glorify Him. (v. 9-14) Therefore we know that ALL people have the opportunity to be saved. Jews and Gentiles alike. If we are in God's family and have Holy Spirit, we will receive many blessings and an inheritance to God's Kingdom.

Starting in v. 15 of Chapter 1, Paul prays for Spiritual Wisdom. The women in the Ladies Prayer Breakfast (and all of us) need to continue to pray for spiritual wisdom. We need to pray for each other, and pray that we will continue to grow in the knowledge of God. We have to pray though that it will not just be head knowledge but heart knowledge as well. We need to be filled so that we can understand the confident hope He has given to those He has called. (v. 18)
Paul also prayed (and we must pray) that we will understand the greatness of God's power, and that this power that raised Christ from the dead also LIVES INSIDE OF US. That 'victory over death' power lives inside of me! WOW! Seriously, if you are a believer say that sentence right now, say it as many times as you need, until you truly believe it! In Chapter 1, verse 21, it states that He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else -- not only in this world, but also in the world to come. God put ALL things under the authority of Christ, for our benefit. (v. 22) The church is the body of Christ, and we are only made complete through Him. He fills all things everywhere with Himself. (v. 23) This spiritual wisdom and fullness can only come from God. Our hope can only remain in God. We need to stop seeking to 'fill the voids' with worldly things. That is where the world has gone wrong. I am so sick of hearing "seeker sensitive", and of complacency. We get comfortable where we are at, because we do not seek the 'fullness' of Christ. We need to pray for each other, for those who lack wisdom, knowledge and understanding. We are blinded to who we really are in Christ, which of course is what the devil/enemy wants. We need to step out of that darkness into the Light of Jesus!

We are no longer 'dead' because of our sins, but we are made 'alive' through Christ. The headline in my NLT Bible for Chapter 2 is that we are "MADE ALIVE WITH CHRIST". We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We were all sinners, and were dying in our sin. The devil/enemy was the commander of us in our sin. Sin cannot live in God's presence. It is the devil/enemy who is at work in the hearts of the evil of this world, those who refuse to obey God or even declare there is a God. (Chapter 2, v.2) We all used to live that way (in sin). God is so rich in grace and mercy that He loved us so much that God came and gave His Son Jesus as a ransom to pay for our sin. So now we can have life through Him (and Him alone). He raised us from the dead, and we are seated along with Christ in the Heavenly realms with Him because we are united with Christ. (We can never leave JESUS out of the equation, we need Him to get to God). (v.4-6) It is not by anything I can say or do that I am saved. It is only by the grace of God. It is a gift from God. Salvation can not be given by man, or by anything that man can do, lest he will boast. (v. 8-9) God created each of us as masterpieces created to do good works that He had planned out. Remember, this is for all Jews and Gentiles. We can now be united in Christ, and have peace with Him. God brings true hope & peace. (v 11-14) His act of love on the cross brought an end to 'law', but it also made peace between Jews and Gentiles (which there still should be today). All of us can come to the Father, through Holy Spirit and Jesus. (v. 15-18)

We are God's temples. He can live inside of us. We no longer have to go to the "holy of Holies" (where only priests could see God), but we have God in us. Our lives are built on the rock, and the cornerstone is Jesus (v. 19-22). God's Spirit lives in us, and we are now God's property. (As was stated by one of the women in her testimony/story she shared). See it's all connected through Christ.

This takes us to chapter three, where 'GOD'S MYSTERIOUS PLAN is REVEALED'. WOW! It does say in the Bible that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) but we can have revelation through God's word and prayer into His plans. WOW! Isn't that amazing? God wants to reveal Himself to us, so that we in our feeble human minds can understand His ways. Paul was sent to tell the Gentiles that all of this is for them too. Not just for 'God's people' (the Jews). You and I belong in that category, we are the 'Gentiles'. Because of this, we all can receive these blessings and inheritances that we have been talking about. This isn't just an old story, this is truth being revealed for even us in 2017. Verse 10 of chapter 3 says (NLT), "God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." Verse 11 continues, "This was His eternal plan, which He carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord." As I said above, we no longer have to wait for the priests to go into the Holy of Holies, we can now BOLDLY and confidently go right into God's throne-room or His presence. (v. 12) Even though Paul is writing this letter to them from prison (where he was captured because of his faith), he doesn't want the Ephesians (nor us) to lose heart. There will be suffering for the Kingdom. But suffering lasts only a night, joy will come in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) 

Starting in verse 14 of chapter 3, Paul PRAYS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH in the believers. (Yes he is writing it to the Ephesians, but this is for ALL believers, including you and me.) He prays for us to be empowered with inner strength (As we know that all our power and strength comes from God - Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.) through God's Spirit. He prayed that Christ will make His home in our hearts as we trust in Him. He prayed that our roots will grow down DEEP into God's love to make us strong. (v. 14-18) Paul also prayed that we would experience the full love of God. We would know and understand how deep, how wide, how high, how long, etc is the love of Christ. (That in itself is unfathomable). We can be made complete through the love, life and power of God. (v. 19) He reminds us that God is able to work all things, even more than we can think or imagine. All glory goes to God. (v. 20-21)

I am so thankful that God reveals His plan and His great love to us. It is all unfathomable, but He shares bits and pieces that we can put together, and know that God is even greater than we are thinking or imagining. What seems big to us, is indeed like a grain of sand to God (and He even knows how many grains are on the shores). WOW! God is so good, and we need to remember to give all glory to Him. It is nothing that we do in our own strength, but it is the strength of God living inside of us. We can grow deeper in God and in His knowledge, grace, wisdom and now love! 

This is an amazing journey we are taking through Ephesians, and even more is being revealed to me as I read and write. I thank God for His wisdom, knowledge and most importantly understanding. If we just had wisdom and knowledge, it would be great, but we wouldn't know what to do with it. Therefore, we need understanding. A greater understanding of what He says, what we read in the Word, or hear from our Pastors and teachers.

As was stated above, Paul an apostle of Christ, was writing this letter from prison. He continued to serve the Lord to the point of being arrested for his faith. Being in prison would give him a lot of time to pray and contemplate the wisdom, grace and love of God. He was an encourager as well and wanted to let all believers know that God is real, and that He is still in control even though Paul sits in a prison cell. He wanted the people to know how to act and behave as Christians (or Christ followers). In the beginning of Chapter 4, he is reminding them (and us) of the way to live. We need to be humble and gentle, patient and loving. We need to be united with the Spirit, and bound together in peace. There is only one God, one Spirit, one body, one Father, one faith, one who is living over all, in all and through all. (v. 1-6) He descended to earth to be like us, but He ascended again and gave us all the special gift of His Holy Spirit. He also gave us gifts, which are special offices that one can hold (not everyone will hold an 'office', but we all receive these gifts). As a body, we have been given Apostles (like Paul), Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. These will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith & knowledge of God's Son that we will mature in the Lord measuring up to His complete standard. ( v. 7-13). We will no longer be like waves tossed and blown about. We will no longer be like immature children believing everything that we hear. We will NOT be tricked or deceived by people who try to make lies sound like the truth. (Very evident in today's world). We will however speak the truth in love, growing more each day to be like Christ. He is the head of the church, and He makes us all fit perfectly together in a body. Each part is specific to it's own job, and we are able to grow healthy in love if we all do our part. (v.14-16)

Because we are new creations, and under God's control, and full of His grace, goodness, peace and love, we should walk in the Light because He indeed is the Light. This world around us is getting darker by the minute, but it is also getting brighter. God's love is shining bright in this dark world. We need to shine that light (as was stated by the other woman, who clearly had an evangelistic call on her life). The world has closed their minds and hearts to God and His Truth, but unfortunately they are listening to the lies out there and believing them as truth. Even more unfortunate is that some are seeking 'God' in churches with false prophets and believing that as the truth as well, which makes their hearts and minds even more closed to the Truth. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The world is getting darker, and seeking pleasures that are not of God. Gifts that were given by the enemy are more enticing unfortunately than the gifts of God. (v 17-19) This is NOT what we learned of Christ. Thankfully I have grown up in the grace and knowledge of God. As a young child I heard the stories of God's faithfulness and truth, and then experienced Him for myself, and still continue to believe in this. We come to a NEW LIFE in Him, and can throw off our old self and our old sinful nature (that the world seems to thrive on). Now when I say 'the world' I clearly don't mean all of it, I mean those who are seeking after worldly pleasures instead of Godly pleasures. God has given us a new way of living, thinking and acting. (v 20-22) God sent His Spirit as a gift, and He can renew our thoughts and attitudes. We can put on our new nature... not like a worldly mask, but like a new being created to be like God. (v. 23 and 24) So, we as TRUE believers need to stop falling for lies, but we also need to stop telling lies and we need to tell the truth. We are all part of the same body, and one lie makes us all 'sick'. We also do not walk in anger but in love. Do not let anger overtake you, as that will give that foothold to the enemy. (v. 25-27) If you are in sin right now, it's ok. You CAN get out. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead use your hands for good works, and giving, instead of taking. (v 28). Don't use the abusive, negative, foul language of the world. Let your words be sweet and helpful, encouraging and full of love. Instead, encourage others around you, and let the words of your mouth be helpful and edifying to the body. (v 29). Most of all, do NOT bring sorrow to Holy Spirit. He has identified you as His own, and if you talk or act like the world, no one will know you belong to God. We need to get rid of all the evil spirits that are around us, but alot of them are rooted in anger and bitterness. We need to get rid of those things that are NOT of God, and walk with Him in love and be tenderhearted, forgiving each other as Christ forgave us. (v. 30-32)

Yes, all that are great words written so long ago... and it is much easier to read and say than to do. But bit by bit, God will help you if you make the effort to change. We also have to remember that 'sinners' are entering into our churches and lives, and God isn't going to change it all at once in one big boom. There still may be the odd 'foul language' that pops out, but instead of condemning we need to be there to encourage them in their walk and encourage them, maybe giving them new words to use instead of those that so quickly flow off of their tongue. They may still wear those 'questionable' t-shirts but we must remember not to condemn, but to open our arms in love and remember that "God has to change a heart before He changes their shirt" (Casting Crowns song, 'What This World Needs'). We need to remember where we came from. Yes, not all of us had that dark testimony background, but those of us who were raised in the church need to be that love that they are looking for. Christ forgives us, so we must forgive others.

As new believers, and as old believers, we need to always walk in the Light. Sometimes are lights may get dulled by the darkness in the world, but if we keep our oil full (Holy Spirit inside), we will shine brightly. Ephesians chapter five starts out with Paul reminding us to live in the light. To do so we must imitate Christ. We need to live a life of love, just like Jesus did. He descended to the earth so He could be like us, and experience life as a human. He also loved us enough to offer Himself as a sacrifice for us, knowing all that we can experience as a human, but in His Godly nature of no sin, and love He offered Himself as a sacrifice for us. Christ became one of us, but did not get involved in the worldliness around Him. He was in this world, but not of it. Therefore, if we are living as Christ, we should have no sexual immorality, greed, obscenities (in our talk, in what we watch, in what we do, etc), and we should not involve ourselves in rude or coarse jokes. Instead we should be thankful and full of love. We should be full of moral goodness, and purity. We should be happy with what we have and not greedy for more. Those kinds of immoral, impure, coarse, greedy people will not inherit the Kingdom (v. 1-5) 

We can see all of these immoral behaviours daily if we look around the world. We can be dragged in and enticed to maybe not 'doing' the behaviours, but in believing that it is ok. We hear 'love is love', and you are 'homophobic' if you don't believe it, or things like if we don't believe in the multi pronouns for gender (that there are more than just boys and girls/men and women), we will be arrested/fined, etc... and that a 'baby' isn't a 'baby' when it's in the womb, although God knew us in our mother's womb... and that prayer is not right in schools, but of course prayers to Mecca are definitely ok... and the Bible isn't real, and that it can be considered 'hate literature'... etc and etc. This isn't tolerance... it's believing something to be true that really isn't. Just because something is made into a law, doesn't make it right or true. If it doesn't match the Bible's standards, then it isn't Truth. We are NOT to be fooled by this excuse for sin. We are not to be fooled by this so called 'tolerance'. We are to LOVE and ACCEPT these people who live this way, or believe these things, but we are not to believe in their actions and what they choose to do that is wrong. I have a few people whom I love and respect, have associations with, and they are in the LGYBT community. I do not HATE them. I love them and continue to respect them as people, but I do not love their behaviour or lifestyle. Do I walk around telling them this? NO... because I have a respect for them as a person. I continue to pray for them and that God will reveal Himself to them in a real way. God is the only one who can judge, and God is the only one who can show them the Truth. We just need to walk in love and be the example of Christ in their lives. Christ sat and ate with tax collectors, prostitutes and sinners. Did he have close personal relations with them and be a part of their sin? NO. He reached out to them in love. He forgave them of their sin and loved them. Then the close personal relationships could form, and they could be a part of His family. Yes, I know sin is sin. When I steal a dollar from Grandma's wallet without asking, it is sin. When a woman looks on another woman with lust, it is sin. When a rape victim chooses to end the life of a baby conceived inside of her, it is sin. Yes the rape is sin too (on the man's part). No sin is greater than the other. But when we choose to live in our sin, that is a different story. When prayer is made to be an evil thing of hate, that is sin too. Prayer gets us to the heart of God. It brings us closer to God's presence. This is why the enemy wants prayer out... wants hate in... everyone is being offended by something now a days, and it's sickening that it can just be written in as a hate crime if you speak against the stupidity. Being a Christian isn't just a name to me. A Christian is someone who follows Christ. Going to a Catholic or United church on Christmas and Easter doesn't make one a Christian. Because your Mom is Catholic and you were raised Catholic (but no longer attend church) doesn't make you a Christian. You can go to whatever church you desire, but if you don't have a personal REAL relationship with God, His Son Jesus and Holy Spirit you are just fooling yourselves. (See Chapter 5 v. 6-14)

We need to be careful how we live. We need to walk in God's wisdom, not the world's foolishness. We need to make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. (v. 15 and 16) Even back in Paul's time the world was in evil days. There is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Do not act recklessly as the world does, and don't get drunk on wine (or other alcohol or drug). Remain wise in your thinking (not ruled by alcohol or other drug) because they will ruin your life. Instead be full of Holy Spirit. He will guard your mind and guide you into all Truth. (v. 17-18) Be joyful and full of worship to the Lord. Sing songs and hymns to yourself. Give thanks to God for everything in Jesus' name. (v.19-20)

We also need to be wise in who we associate with: as I said above, I have friends and acquaintances in all walks of life. But our close relationships are what are important. Who you surround yourself with in close proximity is what will make or break you. We need to have Spirit-Guided Relationships. In Chapter 5, verse 21- 33 it talks of the special relationship between man and wife. This is of course an area attacked by the world. The 'family' is no longer a 'family'. A man is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. We are the bride of Christ. A woman is to love her husband and respect him in the same way he is to love and respect her. They are united as one, and need to work together in that way. The woman still loves her family, but now her interests are to her relationship with her husband. Starting in chapter 6, Paul also warns about the relationship between parent and child. Children are to obey their parents in the Lord, for this is right. They will live a long life on the earth. We need to give honour where honour is due. We may have bad relations with our parents... some don't even have a Dad at home. Some have had rough relations due to alcohol, drugs or other addiction... some may have had a Mom who had many lovers, and now there is a step-dad or boyfriend in the picture... whatever it may be, again 'family' has been attacked by the world. The picture of the 'American family' with Mom, Dad, a boy and a girl is not the same in 2017. Now it's Mom and Mom and children, or Dad and Dad and children, or Mom and Step-Dad, or Dad and Step-Mom, or maybe no Mom and Dad, and the children live with Grandma or Grandpa. Some live with just Mom. Some live with just Dad. Whatever it is, it is an attack on the 'family' system. Obedience, respect and honour are a thing of the past in some homes. Fathers are provoking their children in anger. Mothers and Fathers are no longer able to discipline their child, but to give them "time out". The children no longer care about "grounding" because they can just call CAS and make up a story about neglect or wrongful abuse. Parents and children today are different. But thankfully we have some parents (and some not even Christian yet) who still teach and train their children good morals and manners, etc. Unfortunately verse 5 to 9 was written about Slaves and their masters. Looking at Canada today you would think slavery was a thing of the past. Something that only happens in the deep south of the USA. But we have a thing called human trafficking, and people are enslaved and sold on the market. That is NOT acceptable. Paul was not accepting of slaves and their masters, but was reminding us all to have servant hearts. Working for the Lord and not for man. Whatever we put our hands to, we should do with enthusiasm. Paul entrusted the slaves and their masters with this, "Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don't threaten them; remember you both have the same Master in Heaven, and He has no favourites." (Ephesians 6:9 NLT)

Now we come to the good part... even with all that is wrong with the world, God can make it right and we can be protected.  Paul charges us, "Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." (Eph. 6:10) He then tells us to 'Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against the strategies of the devil. For we are NOT fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." (v. 11 & 12)

Then we are charged with the words to PUT ON EVERY PIECE OF GOD'S ARMOUR. Why? So we will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. When? Now... and daily. Stand your ground, putting on:

BELT of TRUTH
BREASTPLATE/CHESTPLATE/BODY ARMOUR of RIGHTEOUSNESS
SHOES FITTED WITH The GOSPEL OF PEACE to be fully prepared.
SHIELD OF FAITH to stop the fiery arrows of the devil
HELMET OF SALVATION
SWORD OF THE SPIRIT which is the Word of God
PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

Once we have all that, we must STAY ALERT and be persistent in our prayers.

Paul then asks for prayer for himself (but we can pray it for ourselves) for BOLDNESS and the RIGHT words to explain God's plan. Although he was in chains, he is still preaching as an Ambassador for God. He closed his greetings to the Ephesians reminding them that Tychicus would be with them to give them a full report and to encourage them to be about God's work. He closes with peace and love, faithfulness and grace. 

I have always loved learning about the armour of God and our spiritual warfare, but I also love teaching it too. I have to remember to spiritually put each piece on when I start my day (& to 'readjust' pieces if necessary throughout the day). I sometimes think I know it's there, because God gives it to us, but just as we put our clothes on, we can put on our armour.

Our spiritual armour and God are the only things that can help us in this war against the world. The world will get darker and worse as we know the Bible tells us so. But it also tells us that we will have the victory if we do not lose heart or give up. Christ has given us the victory and we will overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our Testimony.

Sometimes as Christians who were raised in the church we think our 'personal testimony' isn't that exciting. We don't have that "I was saved from the pit" story... but our story is still good. It's one of God's faithfulness through the years. His love and never ending grace and mercy, that He saved even me.

So... How are we 'in Ephesians'... quite simple. The world of then, is still the world of now. We need to be encouraged and uplifted and reminded that we have the victory in all of this. Here's a re-cap of the themes...

SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS
SPIRITUAL WISDOM
MADE ALIVE WITH CHRIST
ONENESS AND PEACE WITH CHRIST
WE ARE A TEMPLE FOR THE LORD
GOD'S MYSTERIOUS PLAN REVEALED
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
UNITY IN THE BODY
LIVING AS CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT
LIVING IN THE LIGHT
LIVING BY THE SPIRIT'S POWER
SPIRIT-GUIDED RELATIONSHIPS:
        WIVES AND HUSBANDS; CHILDREN AND PARENTS; SLAVES AND MASTERS
THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD
BE ENCOURAGED AND FULL OF GRACE

I don't know about you, but I am sure fired up as a Christian. Knowing all these things and being reminded of them certainly encourages me as a believer. It makes me want everyone in my family and friends (and acquaintances and enemies) to be a part of God's family. I don't want to see anyone left behind. I don't want to be with God on that day, and see all the things I could have done or said, and to see the people who are on the 'lost' path because I never said or did anything... That is one reason I share these blogs on my Facebook. YOU have the choice to click and read, or to delete or ignore. I am doing my part in sharing the Word and the Good News and the Truth. Whether you choose to beieve it or not isn't up to me. I can spread the seeds, and maybe later down the road someone else will water them, and you will come to the saving grace of Jesus before your deathbed. Maybe these words you read watered a seed that was sitting dormant inside of you... maybe someone else shared Jesus with you, but you were one of those people with the hardened heart or mind. I pray that God opens your heart and mind, and that he opens that hard seed and it begins to germinate... maybe you have the seed and it has started to grow, but you have let weeds, rocks or birds get in there, maybe you just need to be weeded and harvested... maybe you are one of the ones right on the edge of believing, and you just needed to hear that 'one more thing' that might make you believe. That one more thing that shows you that 'God is in fact real'! I pray right now for you as well, that God will help you in this journey you are starting out on. He will help you change your heart, before your mouth or your t-shirt. What this world needs isn't church, or another great motivational book... it needs a Saviour, and it needs those to step up and lead others to Him. When we lift Him up, He will draw all men unto Him.

May you be blessed and encouraged as you read these words, and maybe God is giving you your own revelation right now. Please feel free to leave comments and let me know where you are in your walk with God and I will pray for you by name. IF you have comments where you don't agree with me, or comments of concern or question, feel free to leave those as well. I will answer to the best of my ability (or I will find the answer for you), and I will bless you as well. Thank you for your time! BE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!!

God Takes Hold of Us... We Gain Confidence!

As a childcare worker (a Registered Early Childhood Educator, not a babysitter) & someone involved in Children's Ministry (KidMin), I find myself in the presence of young children frequently. I am a Toddler teacher in my M-F job, and there I teach little minds more about themselves and the world around them. Thankfully, it is also based in my church, so we teach them spiritual truths too!

We are blessed to have our childcare in our church building, as the presence of God follows us up to the 2nd floor where the main part of the childcare is. There are a couple sets of stairs that we have to take daily, either to get outside, or to get to the 'gym'. Some of the Toddlers can do the stairs with ease, some still hesitate and take them slow, whereas some have difficulty & like to hold hands with the educator. On one occasion, last week, a thought came to me inspired by Holy Spirit. The Toddlers can do it on their own, and like to use autonomy and say "I do it!" So we let them hold the railing and walk down the stairs without assistance. But on this day, a little boy was going slow and taking small steps, so I offered him my hand, and he confidently took off down the stairs with a spring in his step and he even jumped from the bottom step to the landing. I reached for the hand of a child behind him, and the same thing transpired. A confidence was built. They put their trust in me, and when they took my hand, they had no fear. They trusted that I would help them down the stairs and not let go. Holy Spirit showed me this is the same with our walk with God. God allows us to 'walk unassisted', but He is still right there with us. But when we allow Him to hold our hand, we can go forth confidently with no fear! 

This led me on a verse search, and I came across one found in Isaiah 41:13 "For I hold you by your right hand -- I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, 'Don't be afraid. I am here to help you'."

Such a simple but true promise that removes fear and brings confidence! If God is holding our hand, nothing can snatch us from His grip.

That leads to the story that I have shared here before... except earlier the lesson had a father and daughter/son, this one has a mom and son.

If we hold onto God, challenges come and we might let go, but if God holds onto us, there will be nothing that can separate us.

Are YOU letting God hold onto your hand? No one is too far out of His grasp. Just reach out today and call on Him, and He will hold you.

No God - Know Fear
Know God - No Fear


Be blessed to be a blessing,

"The Path He Walked"

DAY #39 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him." Colossians 2:6 HCSB

NIV (v.6-10) "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. "

MSG (v.6-10) "My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving. Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything."

This moment begins yet another day in our journey of life... but are we living that life with Jesus? Today has as much potential as you do, there again is a choice to make how we choose to live it. Will we choose to walk in thanksgiving, forgiveness, love, mercy, joy, humbleness, peace, praise, worship, spiritual abundance, faith & with authority (as Jesus walked)? Or will we choose to conform to the world and walk in pride, bitterness, hate, greed, anger, sadness, battles raging, spiritual poverty, listening to the voices of the world, looking at circumstances around us?

Today is a FRESH, new slate... a new page in your notebook of life, or as the author in today's devotional put it, "a new canvas upon which you can compose a beautiful work of art if you choose to do so." (Day 39) Will we let the world throw it's negative graffiti all over our canvas, or will we allow the Master to 'finger-paint' and create a beautiful masterpiece. When we choose to walk how Jesus walked, we are truly representing the King as His ambassadors. We become His hands and His feet to this dark, dying world. If and when they see our thanksgiving, love, mercy, joy, humbleness, peace, praise, worship, spiritual abundance, faith, authority and more -- they will see the love of Jesus reflected through us, and want what we have. They will desire the way that we overcome our circumstances through our faith, and the joy that overflows to them will be the joy of the Lord.

But, this all may sound beautiful, walking as Jesus walked, but Jesus also received temptation, by which He used to Word of God mightily to defend against the wiles of the devil. We too need to have head and heart knowledge of God's Word, so that it may be ready on our lips. ("Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you." Proverbs 22:17-19 NIV) Jesus also denied himself, and took up the cross. "...Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it." (Mark 8:34-35 NIV)

...so the next step is yours, and yours alone (and mine too - I am speaking to myself as well) Will you walk the path that Jesus walked? Or will you take the easy, wide road? (To learn more about the 2 roads, read Matthew 7:13-14) Remember, you won't be alone on the road... and that God is always with you & His Spirit is here on the earth to help lead, guide, direct and comfort you.

"Let us never suppose that ovedience is impossible or that holiness is meant only for a select few. Our Shepherd leads us in paths of righteousness -- not for our name's sake but for His." ~Elisabeth Elliot

So as our verse in the MESSAGE translation said above, '...quit studying it, and start living it!'

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!

"God First"

DAY #33 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "Honour God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over." Proverbs 3:9-10

This verse excites and challenges me all at the same time. Honouring God, by giving Him your first and your best will allow us to receive great blessings that will burst and brim over. Doesn't that excite you too? Yet it is a challenging task to keep God #1. Giving Him all you have, because well it is all His in the first place anyway. He just loans it to us to see what we will do with it. Will we use it to His glory, or our own? Where do we place our emphasis each day, on our relationship with Him, or on other relationships?

Are we truly willing to place Him first in our lives? We need to, as told to us in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." If we seek Him first, keep Him first, and give Him our first-fruits and our best, then all other things will be given to us as well. WOW! What a challenge... seek, keep & give!

There is a quote by Doris Greig regarding this topic found in my devotional book today; "If choosing to spend time alone with God is a real struggle -- a heavy-handed demand that only adds more guilt and stress to your already overblown schedule-- it's time to change the way you approach His presence." Another WOW! statement, eh? How do YOU approach His presence? Is he a force who is there when you desperately call out to Him in times of trouble, and then you feel guilt for not talking to Him at other times? Or is he your Daddy, your Papa God who is there whenever you need to talk to Him throughout the day.

We as a church are at the beginning of a 21-Day Corporate Fast, as we want to SEEK GOD FIRST as a church body. We need to know His direction and will that He desires for us as a church. We want to hear from Him, and know that we will be blessed DOUBLE for the things that we are petitioning for throughout these 21 days. Each of us are fasting something different, some are fasting every meal, some are fasting certain foods, some are fasting different activities or hobbies. Something we are giving up, so that we can put off distractions to come face to face with God. I believe that fasting will bring us closer to God, and to know the visions He has for us corporately and also individually, and He will show us how to live those visions out as well. We cannot help others live out their untapped potential, until we can do it in our own lives as well. We cannot all be the teachers, the pastors, the apostles, the shepherds, the prophets, and the evangelists. Some of us need to fulfill our calling utilizing our own gifts and talents for the best of the church body, and the community around us. I believe that doing this in February is not just because it's the first month that came after the fasting call, yet because our church is called to be a church of LOVE, and February is the month of LOVE. God will inhabit our praises, and will teach us how to love each other, love ourselves, and most importantly love Him with a pure and passionate love. He is going to re-kindle the fires of our first love, so that we may in turn love those 'unloveables' (so named by the world) out in our community.

I am excited about drawing closer to God, and also giving Him the first and best! It's going be a long and challenging road, but with corporate prayers, and with Holy Spirit we can tackle anything that comes our way. The devil is ticked off that we are moving forward in the things of God, trying to become the M.E. (Maximum Effectiveness) that God has called each of us to be. God is going to do a great work in the church, and in each of the ministries of the church, including the Childcare Centre (in the staff, the children and their families as well). PRAISE THE LORD... and OPEN THE FLOOD GATES OF HEAVEN, and LET IT RAIN... may our hearts, barns, lives, cups burst forth the blessings of the Lord! :)

We are getting so much snow, as God is trying to RAIN DOWN, but the world has grown so cold, that all we get is SNOW... :) God is reminding us that He washes us pure as freshly fallen snow. His blood cleanses and covers us, and He removes our iniquities and transgressions!

THANK YOU LORD!

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!

BE ALERT & KEEP YOUR LIGHTS FILLED!

An interesting lesson has transpired from Sunday School. We were discussing Matthew 25: 1-13 (well I think we only did a few of those verses) and we were intriqued by the new revelations from Holy Spirit. The parable of the ten virgins has been researched and made into many sermons and messages worldwide. It is used widely regarding the last days, and the return of Christ.


However, as we were studying it, it became more revealed to me that this is basically part of my own testimony in a sense. The foolish virgins vs. the wise virgins... I became a Christian at a young age of 5, after my Mom and Dad had taken me to church, and I learned about Jesus from them, and from the church. However, I did not become a "wise" Christian until late in my teens. I went to church, did most of the things I was supposed to. According to my Mom, I was the 'closest thing to Mary', and only did a few things that weren't good. I was never the alcoholic or the druggie, nor was I the promiscuous teenager sleeping around. Thankfully, I had good parents (as I've said), and a BIG brother (who unfortunately got involved with all the stuff that I didn't) who still protected me. I also had pretty good friends, who understood my beliefs in God, and that I didn't want to be involved with any of that 'garbage'. I had a great extended family as well, who also believed in God (or tried to). We moved a bit when I was younger, so we left the church that I went to as a young girl. We ended up going to a couple of different churches with my Grandpa and extended family, and were involved in the busyness of 'church life'. Somehow I knew that Church and God would be a part of my life forever. I loved children, and being a child, and learning more about Jesus. I knew the Bible stories, and a lot of Scripture verses that I memorized. We were involved with different mid-week groups, and I enjoyed them all. I loved to learn, and still do. Groups like AWANA, and other mid-week groups for children (sorry I can't think of the other names. I do remember the theme song, 'This is my Father's World' though) were an important part in my childhood. Walking to the church for AWANA with my Mom or Dad, especially in the winter when we watched snowflakes behind the telephone poles was a favourite memory of mine. But with all this, I had all the 'tools' and Jesus, and knowledge like the virgins did... but something was missing.

As I said above, I didn't become a "wise" Christian until my teens. (Not wisdom in the sense of knowing it all, but wise as in the sense of the 'wise vs. foolish virgins'.) When my Grandpa had died, we no longer felt we needed to attend the church we were attending. We felt the Spirit leading us elsewhere. We were invited back to the church of my childhood, and it was there I 'experienced' God. In my youth group I was introduced to the God whom I thought I knew. I experienced His Holy Spirit in ways that I obviously only read about in the Bible. There is a great difference as I have said before, between knowing about God, and knowing God. What a revelation it is to truly 'know' God... or at least be in the process of 'knowing Him'. The 5 foolish virgins, and the 5 wise virgins had the tools and the knowledge of a relationship with the Bridegroom. However, the 5 wise virgins went beyond that and had the Spirit (and an excess of it), and also had the intimate relationship with the Bridegroom so that they were allowed in.

With the parable of the virgins, the 5 'foolish' virgins tried to get oil from the 5 'wise' virgins, yet they didn't want to give any of theirs up, or else they would not have enough. They were sent to a store to 'buy' more oil. We as Christians and Spirit-filled believers need to stop doing just that. We cannot give the 'oil' or the Spirit or annointing from ourselves. We cannot just go to conference after conference to get filled by man. We need to stop following men and the annointing, and we need to seek it from the Supplier Himself. We cannot 'buy' salvation, or more of the Spirit. We need to seek it from the source... and we need to seek it for ourselves. I cannot seek God for you, nor can you seek God for your children, etc. God does not have grand-children. Now don't get me wrong in what I just wrote, You can seek God in prayer and ask God to move in your lives, your friends/family's lives, and those unbelievers around you, but you cannot save them yourself. But WE NEED TO TELL OTHERS what they need. We can't just leave them to suffer in their own fate. Most people who read this parable judge or put shame upon the 'foolish' virgins, however, when you look deeper, we can also say 'tsk tsk tsk' and look down upon the 'wise'. We will look deeper at this, and the Scripture itself below...

In our parable in Matthew 25, Jesus states "1At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 9 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' 12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (I have left the verse numbers in for reference)

In verse 1, the virgins took their lamps and went out to meet the Bridegroom. (No where does it say he is right there.) These virgins according to history customs used to carry 'wedding torches' (you can Google for yourself) not 'lamps' as is translated in some versions of the Bible. They would lead the way or prepare the way of the Bridegroom's arrival. They would spend a lot of time together preparing, and waiting for the Bridegroom.  Verse 2 says right away that 5 of them were foolish and 5 of them were wise. Right away we know there is a problem, the art of foreshadowing is telling you there will be a problem upcoming. Verse 3 explains the beginning of the problem, the foolish virgins took their lamps, but did not take any oil with them. Verse 4 says that the wise took along oil in jars as well as their lamps. Up to this point the lamps were just being held with remnants of past lightings, they had not needed to be lit yet for their intended purpose of greeting the Bridegroom.

Verse 5 states "The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep." Now using my imagination, and picturing this event, I am assuming that the girls did not light their torches and fall asleep, or else there would have been a bigger problem. They waited with their unlit torches, and after a long time of waiting, they fell asleep. Verse 6 says that they were woken to the shouts that the Bridegroom was coming. Verse 7 says that they (all 10) awoke and began to prepare their lamps. It says in NIV above, "Then ALL the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps." It doesn't say they lit their lamps, but we assume that they will light them after they trim and prepare them. Then in verse 8, the foolish cry out for help, "Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out." Therefore they are trying to light their lamps or torches with 'old oil remnants', and they burn briefly, but they are going out. (According to history, their 'wedding torches' would be made of rags that would need to be trimmed before being re-lit, and that they need to be re-lit every 15 minutes.) This is reminding us that we need to receive an infilling of the Spirit, and not just once. We need to 'trim off the old' and be refilled and refuelled again and again. We can not be happy with the 'remnants' of the past. We need fresh new oil and new oilskins. "Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." ~Matthew 9:17 NIV Verse 9 continues, "No...there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves." Like I said above, we cannot seek God for others. We cannot hold the Spirit in us for others around us. BUT, we as 'wise' have to stop sending the 'foolish' to seek oil on their own from someone who is none-the-less selling the oil. The oil is the HOLY SPIRIT, and His annointing. We cannot buy, or even sell the Spirit or His annointing. The true Spirit and annointing can only come from one place, the Source of the supply or the Supplier (who is the Bridegroom Himself). Unfortunately we send others to seek elsewhere, and as verse 10 reads, "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Verse 11 continues, "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' Verse 12 continues, "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'" Because the 'wise' sent the 'foolish' away, they missed out on the 'Wedding'! This is what they had waited for, what they had tried to prepare for. But they didn't prepare enough... SHAME on them.... 'tsk tsk' !

However, I said earlier that, "Most people who read this parable judge or put shame upon the 'foolish' virgins, however, when you look deeper, we can also say 'tsk tsk tsk' and look down upon the 'wise'. All ten virgins were sent with a mission, they were to light the way or prepare the way for the Bridegroom to come. Easy enough said than done obviously as we learned when the story continued. I said earlier that "the 5 foolish virgins, and the 5 wise virgins had the tools and the knowledge of a relationship with the Bridegroom." However, the virgins in fact did NOT have the full knowledge of their own lives and their true mission. The 'foolish' didn't bring enough oil, or in our case Spirit or annointing of God. If the torches had to be re-lit every 15 minutes, why didn't all of the virgins bring extra oil? The 'foolish' didn't have the knowledge regarding their torches and the oil. They had the tools, and they knew that they were to prepare the way for the Bridegroom, but they weren't totally prepared to actually complete the mission. They didn't know the TRUTH. The 'wise' however brought extra oil in jars along with their lamps. But, why did the 'wise' not tell the 'foolish' they need more?? These young virgins would have spent a lot of time together before the actual coming of the Bridegroom. Did the 'wise' not see the 'foolish' didn't have any extra oil? Wouldn't the 'wise' have been more wise to share this knowledge with the 'foolish' before it was too late?

So as we see, the 'wise' in the story are actually 'foolish' too... and it reminds us, those who see themselves as 'wise' that we need to share the truth and knowledge of the Bridegroom before He comes, so that it's not too late.

What would have happened in our parable, IF the 'wise' had actually been 'wise'? If in verse 8 when "The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' then in verse 9 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. What if they went on to say, "You have to make your lamps right, repent & seek oil for yourselves from the Bridegroom"? Verse 10, may have then stated, "While they were making their lamps right, and waiting, the 5 'foolish' virgins repented and sought after the Bridegroom's heart, and the bridegroom arrived. The 10 virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut." Then Verse 11 may have continued, "You need to be ready for the return of the Bridegroom, so as verse 13 actually states, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." If this actually transpired, then ALL 10 of the virgins would have went in and feasted with the Bridegroom at the Wedding banquet. This last paragraph is obviously only a 'what if' scenario, but as verse 13 firmly states, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour" should be a motivator to help us get out there and tell others they need to have 'their lamps prepared and have extra oil'. YOU need to have made your life right with Jesus, and have the annointing of the Spirit so that you can have that intimate relationship with Him now, and when He returns for His bride.

In this passage, we are like the 'virgins', but we ourselves are not 'virgins'. We have given ourselves over to fleshly desires, and are no longer pure and innocent as a virgin. We need to stop allowing our flesh take over. We need to use more of our 'spirit-man' and change our mindset and allow God to move once again. We need to daily repent to him, and ask Him to once again re-light our fire. He can make us pure once again. BUT, we cannot buy the 'fire of the Lord' elsewhere. That's why it's the 'OF THE LORD' not the 'of men'. Too long we have sought after the 'fire of men'. However, when we seek the fire, we forget what a fire does. We need to stop putting limits on God and His works. If we call down for God to have His manifest presence fall in our midst, we cannot expect God to work on our terms. Too many times in church (or even in our home worship), we cry out to God and then when He wants to fully come to those who are hungry and thirsty, we stop seeking, and we quench the Holy Spirit from moving fully, by moving on to another "tradition" in our order of service.

God is not a God of conferences and guest speakers alone. He wants to move in every church, and every heart of every believer YOUNG and OLD. My spirit-man is grieving now, because I know that I myself am in this category too. I am not where I should be either, so don't think I am just speaking to you. I know that the Spirit reveals things to me to share, but to also live out in my own life. I cannot write these Scriptures and revelations down, and not use them in my own life. I would be a hypocrite, and that is not the example I want to leave those who are watching me.

Too many times you and I settle for the 'ordinary' when God wants to let out the 'extraordinary'. We get jealous, or seek after the "Azuza Street Revival" or the "Brownsville Revival", but don't want to fully commit to His Will and desires. We spend time seeking the annointing only, and not the glory of His manifest presence. As I said, "Too long we have sought after the 'fire of men'. However, when we seek the fire, we forget what a fire does." A fire is designed to burn. The 'fire of the Lord' is designed to burn and consume, and also to refine & purify us into what He has designed us to be. That causes our 'flesh-man' some pain, so we don't allow Him to fully 'burn' us. We cannot truly sing songs like "Fire Fall Down" or "Consuming Fire" if we don't mean what we sing. Our bodies, souls AND spirits were made to worship God. Because of sin, our bodies and souls have other desires. Our lives are broken without Him, and we need Him to fix that which is broken. But we need to do exactly that, come to him 'broken'.

"Cause I know that You're alive. You came to fix my broken life,

and I sing to glorify Your Holy Name, Jesus Christ!"

I pray that all we do from this moment on will be done to glorify the Holy Name of Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Pray to God in YOUR OWN WORDS regarding your lamps [your heart & spirit], the need of His Holy Oil [His Holy Spirit & annointing], and repent of the things in your life that you have done in thought, word and deed, intentionally and unintentionally. Repent also of the things you have done that have quenched His Spirit. You (like me) may not have done too many 'bad' things like alcohol, sex, drugs etc... but you would have most likely done something to quench the Spirit, intentionally or unintentionally, consciously or subconsciously. I am praying these prayers along with you, and know that any words I can write here in a prayer for you to read and pray are less powerful than the ones you can pray from your own heart! If you desire help in your prayer life, check out your local SPIRIT-FILLED church, and get into the Scriptures and SEEK the SOURCE for yourself! He will give you immeasurably more than you ask or imagine. I pray as Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:14-21, "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Be blessed and BE ALERT & KEEP YOUR LIGHTS FILLED!

TAG! You're it! ~~ The CHASE is on!

I have been reading "The God Chasers" by Tommy Tenney, and through new revelation (as I had started reading it before, but put it aside and never finished it), I am sooooo excited to know that God is making a move in the world again today. If only we are found faithful in our pursuit of Him, it is Him who actually pursues and gets a hold of us.

Because I work with children, and love children I know that one of the games we love to play, especially now that Spring is coming is TAG. The children love to run and be chased. However, when it comes to them being the 'chaser' or in this case, "It", some don't seem to like it as much. They love when I (or other teachers) are "It", as we chase them we grab them and tickle them, and love them. When they are "it", they love to pursue us, and the game continues. It is the same with God. We are called to pursue Him and to love Him with our whole body, soul and spirit. (The tri-parts of man are another lesson altogether - coming soon). When we pursue Him, and 'chase' after Him (as the book says, become "God-chasers"), He in fact becomes the pursuer, and we are the ones being caught. He grabs hold of us, and we have an intimate relationship with Him.

The last days are approaching us, whether you believe in God, or not. I am not one to believe in the 2012 end of the World thing, but the last days are coming... and we have to be ready. We need Him and Holy Spirit more now than ever. We cannot just be satisfied knowing 'about Him', we need to fully 'know Him', and to know Him intimately. There is a scripture in the Bible (Hebrews 8:11) that says that we are to stop telling people to 'know God', and others are using this verse unwisely. The verse itself says, "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear." (Hebrews 8:10-13 NIV)

 For ALL the world needs to hear about God before we can STOP telling people about Him. There is a verse in the Bible that also says, "But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it?" Romans 10:14-15. Continuing the Scripture also says, "But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: 'Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?' The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ's Word is preached, there's nothing to listen to." Romans 10:16-17 (The Message)

There are people (even Christians) in the world today, who are blaming God for all the trouble. If you want to blame someone, and let it be truly fair, blame the devil. (Or even Adam and Eve) The devil is in control of our troubles, diseases and sicknesses. Too many people (I have even said it in the past), are quick to say "God doesn't care, or else He would be helping and preventing this..." However some of our troubles are because of choices we have made, or that others have made, and we are involved in the consequences. WOW... what an eye-opener this is when you allow Holy Spirit to reveal this to you.

Speaking of which, Holy Spirit is able to reveal more to you when you have that intimate relationship we spoke of earlier. We want His power and annointing in our lives, so that we can live as Jesus did. But it isn't just the annointing we are aiming for. Too many people are following after signs and wonders and the annointing. We need to become annointed through the annointing so that our flesh can truly enter into an intimate relationship with the manifest presence of God!

I pray that as I write these words not only for YOU, but for myself as well, we will truly become GOD-CHASERS along with so many others in the past and present (and in the future). We will become the people spoke of in 2 Chronicles 7:14-16, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there."

Have faith to birth new things, and make room for God, His presence, His Holy Spirit and all the things He wants to do in, for and through you. "satan cannot steal what God has birthed, but God will only birth things to PEOPLE WHO MAKE ROOM FOR THE MIRACULOUS by faith!" (T. Tenney- God Chasers)

Be blessed as you CHASE and get caught in the process!

Check out some more books by Tommy Tenney that you might be interested in... (I read the "Prayers of a God Chaser" before reading "The God Chasers", it's really good!)

Check out TOMMY TENNEY'S AMAZON PAGE

*The God Catchers
*Prayers of a God Chaser
*How to Be a God Chaser and a Kid Chaser
...and more!

Day 14: October 14th, 2009 - - Psalm 23 pt2 "The Lord is my Shepherd"

“POINTS TO PONDER” – Day 14
Written by M. Hall
Please feel free to agree or disagree with points made, and feel free to comment if so desired. If you would like, you could write your own thoughts on the verse of the day, and include that in your own comments below. Thank you and may you be blessed!! =)

(Continuation from DAY 13)
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water.He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of his name. Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because you are with me. Your rod and your shepherd's staff comfort me. You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies. You pour oil of blessing on my head; you fill my cup to overflowing. Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm 23:1-6

The next part of the verse says, “You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies.”YAY! I don’t know about you, but this excites me. Actually I was being sarcastic at first, but somehow I am also serious at the same time. God has created me to love challenges, I don’t know how, and I don’t know why for certain, but I have realized the fact and have accepted the challenge. ‘Enemies’ are not always just the devil or his demons, although we are wrestling against spiritual forces, and not things of the flesh. A sheep’s enemy is usually a predator, another animal which thinks it is more powerful than it is. (which in most case is true, as the sheep is pretty weak) However, as we have discovered we are not flying under the radar with our own strength. We have the strength of the King! We have the Shepherd on our side. This is why the Shepherd can usually defeat the predator such as a bear or a lion. These animals (or other people in our lives) try to make the sheep feel inferior or stupid. They want the sheep to feel unworthy, and helpless, so that they will be weak enough to attack. There are people like that in this world unfortunately, and you need to take a stand in the power & authority that you have through Jesus Christ, You need to plead the blood of Jesus over yourself, and your family EACH day. His blood covers and cleanses, and changes us.

The Father gave His Son, and His shed blood has cleansing power. However He also gave us the power through the Holy Spirit. The oil represents anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8, it says “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you - -.” This leads us to the last part of the verse in Psalm 23, “You pour oil of blessing on my head; you fill my cup to overflowing. Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” I thank the Lord for His goodness and love daily, or at least I try to. I try to be an example for the children that I teach, that they will see the love I have for the Lord, and want to have that same relationship. I am so happy that I have the promise to live in the house of the Lord forever, if I obey His commands and live according to His will. Praise the Lord our Shepherd! I wanna’ be a sheep, how about you???

It reminds me of a kids song we sing usually at Christmas, “I just wanna’ be a sheep” I wonder if that song is on YOU TUBE somewhere - - - I guess I can add it if I find it, because here in Ontario we got some snow tonight… so that makes me think of Christmas! LOL!



PRAYER: Oh God, our Shepherd thank you for calling us to be sheep. We love being a part of your ‘flock’. Help us to take this Psalm to heart, and to truly hear what You are saying to us. Thank You most of all, for giving of Your sacrificial lamb, Your Son Jesus. He paid a price He did not owe, and we owed a price we could not pay. Lord I pray that you will help us live by the power of Your Holy Spirit, and stop trying to do things in our own power. I praise you Lord that I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Bless my brothers and sisters in the faith, and bless those who have yet to make that decision to take You as their Shepherd and follow you throughout their lives. Continue to keep us safe in your loving and disciplining arms. Help us to not be afraid of troubles that come, nor to be afraid of those times in the valley or the times where You must use Your rod to refine us. We praise you and honour You Lord, and we pray all these things in the powerful name of Your Son Jesus, AMEN!