Gifts of the Spirit/part 8/The Utterance Gifts

The utterance gifts being Tongues, Interpretation of tongues and Prophecy. Thus the gift of Prophecy seems to trump the utterances gifts. I say this because ... it takes both Tongues with interpretation to equal prophecy. How do we know this? I Cor. 14:5 says: " ... greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret..."

Prophecy is a supernatural utterance in a known tongue. Where tongues and interpretations is when a person speaks in an unknown tongue ... which can be the tongue of men (other language or the tongue of angels).

Now this is not a practiced or learned tongue such as someone who spoke English being taught Spanish speaks, or someone who is Chinese being taught Arabic speaks. No ... it is supernatural from a person who has not be taught the language. If not how then do you speak with Angel tongue? I have never heard of anyone give a class in the language of angels, have you? When divers tongues are spoken it is by the Spirit from which all things come and are known. Then by a supernatural understanding of that tongue a person then interprets what was spoken.

Either way ... to prophecy in a known tongue or through divers tongues with interpretations prophesy is a flow of words that bubble forth like a fountain, that drop out to lift up another. And although the utterance gifts speak out the heart of God ... the Gifts in any degree are to edify the body of Christ.

An error that people often get into is to confuse the gift of prophecy with the office of the profit. The Gift of prophecy is to be coveted by any/all believers as we can read at the end of I Corinthians Chapter fourteen.

The simple gift of prophesy is to speak to men for edification, exhortation and comfort. It has not revelation connected to it. Whereas the office of the profit when speaking will move in line toward revelation knowledge and/or foretelling.

If one stands in the office of a profit, they will prophesy, but also operate in at least two of revelation gifts, and possible at times all three. In Acts Chapter twenty-one we find Paul with Phillip and his daughters and each of the daughters prophesied, yet there is no reference to them standing in the office of a profit. Prophecy again is to be coveted by any/all believers for the edification, exhortation and comfort of others.

This is this brief series of nugget teaching on the Gifts of the Spirit. I trust they have blessed you and that you will seek God and covet the gifts ... especially to prophesy.

Gifts of the Spirit/Part 7 The Gift of Healings

I Cor. 12:28-30

The gifts of healing are given by God as a means of supernatural healing of sickness and or disease without natural medicinal or surgical means.

In the gospels we find that Jesus healed the sick. According to Luke 4:18 that was even partial reason for the anointing on his life. In Matthew 10:8 we find that Jesus also gave authority over to the disciples to also heal the sick. Matter of fact we find in the gospels that not only would the disciples do the works that Jesus was doing here on earth, but they would actually do more.

Luke himself was a physician who followed Jesus. He also was with Paul on many missionary journeys. Now even though Luke was a physician it does not say that Luke acted in that profession on these journeys, rather he penned the accounts of what was happening medically among the people. In Acts we find that while Paul was shipwrecked on the Isle of Melita that Luke wrote that Paul laid hands on a sick man and he was healed. Then people brought the sick to Paul and they too were healed in the same manner.

We are not opposed to medical science and are thankful that God has given men and women wisdom in these areas. However, the Gift of Healings is not of the medical science arena, it is beyond it, above it, over it ... it is not natural, it is SUPER-natural.

Supernatural healing is not from medicine nor mere man alone. It is not a diagnosis or by prescribing treatment; it is by the laying on of hands, anointing with oil, by speaking God's Word and obeying the direction of the Holy Ghost that aligns with the Written Word of God.

Any time someone is healed it is wonderful, but when God supernaturally heals a person it remains amazing. It is a sign and wonder to the earth, to men and women of God's wonderful working power and love.

Acts 10:38 ... tells us that Jesus healed those oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
And although many would like to disclose supernatural gifts of healings as well as the other gifts of the Spirit, it just can not be Biblical sealed. Peter and John went about healing and yes, they were of the twelve original disciples, however, Paul was not and he too healed with Jesus working with him. I Cor. 12:28-30 we find that the gifts were set in the Church (The Body of Christ is the Earth), and the church has not passed away, therefore, the gifts are still available to the Body of Christ (Church), and according to the Word should be coveted.

Now we must understand that there is a difference in the manifestations of the gifts of healings and in receiving healing by simple faith in God's Word. When supernatural gifts are flowing, a person may come to the believe who is operating in the gifts and receiving healing without even knowing anything about the Word of God concerning healing, but healing that comes from simple faith is different, it comes as one believes God and what He has promised through his written Word.

The Word of God speaks of how Jesus healed us. The Word can be sent to heal by prayer, and the Word that we put in front of our eyes ... reading and speaking is also healing. The Word is health to all of our flesh. When we receive health through our faith which comes by the Word it would be considered healing simply through our faith in God.

No matter the means, God wants people healed. We thank God for medical science, we receive God's Word which is truth of how by the stripes on Jesus back we were healed, and we thank him for the wonderful supernatural gifts of the Spirit.

The Gifts of the Spirit / Part 6 The Working of Miralces

I Cor. 12:8, 10

A Miracle in the sense of Working of miracles is defined as: A supernatural intervention in the ordinary course of nature; a temporary suspension of the accustomed order through the Spirit of God.

Many people use the word miracle loosely, as in a figure of speech. Haven't you ever heard someone call a medication a miracle drug? You can hear people talk about miracle fabrics, or cleaning products. This is using the word miracle loosely.

Then you have people speak of a miracle when a baby is born. Many times people speak of sunsets or sunrises as miraculous. And in a general sense these are miracles, but not specifically speaking. A child is born according to the natural laws of reproduction. And a sun rises and sets according to the laws of nature as we understand it. None of these thing actually require no extra ordinary supernatural intervention in a natural course, as would be required for something to be considered as a miracle according to the Gift of the Spirit of The Working of Miracles.

In II Kings 2:9-14 we read the story of Elijah and Elisha and the sweeping back of waters by the dashing of a mantle. Now that is not a natural course of nature ... for water to be swept back and held as it was for Moses and the Red Sea and how it was here in II Kings for Elisha required supernatural intervention. This sweeping back of waters and them being held, would be considered a working of miracles ... but not only the working of miracles, but also a secondary gift would be involved, that being the gift of faith, for it would take special faith to keep the waters held back once they were parted.

II Kings 17: 12-16 is the story of the Widow whom Elijah was sent. This Widow had only a small bit of oil and meal left in her home ... oil and meal which she used to make Elijah a cake to eat. Even though she used the oil and meal ... the oil vat and meal barrel did not run dry. That was supernatural intervention.

John 6:5-14 ... Here Jesus takes a little boys lunch and feeds multitudes. That is naturally impossible, but with supernatural intervention it is possible. Gift of the Working of Miracles in action! Some may say, well they all had food to eat and shared it once the little boy gave up his food. But if that was the case, Jesus would never had said, these people are hungry, we need to feed them. He would have knew that they had food to eat. This was the supernatural hand of God in action!

The Gifts of the Spirit / Part 5 The Gift of Faith

I Cor. 12:9 ... to another faith by the same spirit...

The Gift of Faith works along side The Gifts of Healing and The Working of Miracles. These are the three power gifts that do something. When a person is operating with The Gift of Faith normally they are doing so in order to receive a manifestation of Healing or a Miracle that otherwise would not be obtained.

The Gift of Faith is a special faith ~ a supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit, which is imparted after the baptism of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit wills. It is not the general faith that each person has been dealt in a measure.

The Gift of Faith does not cause a healing or miracle, but aides us in the ability to receive. It will cause you to stand when it seems you should fold. It is a supernatural endowment by the Spirit which when in operations will assure the thing that God has said will come to pass.

The Gift of Faith is valuable in other areas as well as the receiving of healing or miracles. It can be in operation for Supernatural blessing (provision), protection, aiding in casting out of evil spirits, and of the raising the dead to life.

The Gifts of the Spirit part 4 / Discerning of Spirits

Discerning of Spirits is one of the three revelation gifts (revealing something). It gives us insights into the Spirit realm. Some people believe this gift to work like a devil radar. But to believe that discerning of spirits has to do only with devils is an error.

Discerning of spirits has to do with both good and evil. Moses was allowed a glimpse into the spirit realm as he was hidden in the cleft of the rock [Ex.33]. Here Moses was allowed to see into the spirit realm and see the likeness of God.

Isaiah also had a glimpse into the spirit realm as he saw the Lord high and lifted up in Isaiah 6:1. While John was on the Isle of Patmos, he was caught up in the Spirit realm discerning the Spirit World, and spirits therein, angels and aspects of the church.

The gift of discerning of spirits also allow us to know what spirit is behind a matter brought before us. In Acts 16:16-18 Paul through a gift of the spirit / discerning of spirits recognized the evil spirit of divination involved in the damsel who walked about chanting out "These men are the servants of the most high God..."

Just because someone is saying, Praise the Lord or commending us, does not mean that they are of God or a right spirit. But through the gift of discerning of spirits one knows whether of good or evil. Let me give you an example from my own life.

I was doing street Ministry some years ago, and a lady that walked among us was constantly on my heels. Although she would Praise the Lord in the Morning, Noon and Night. She was hindering the spreading of the gospel. As soon as I met her, I knew she was carrying a wrong spirit and it wasn't long until she was causing all kinds of problems between people. She tried to stop the gospel from being spread by lying to people and so forth. By prayer and confrontation the spirit was dealt with, and the Word of God went forth, but had we simply went by her Praises ... we would have been in big trouble.

Many times people have came into the church, saying all the right things. They put in the tithe and give. But by the gift of discerning of spirits I would know that they were not of the right spirit and soon it would come out, and have to be dealt with.

What discerning of spirits is not, discerning of spirits is not:
Mind reading
E.S.P. (extrasensory perception)
General discernment
Fault finding.

Discerning of spirits is ~ a gift that comes from God to aide in the ministry of the gospel and well being of people. And it is not a gift that you can operate in at your well anymore than the rest of The Gifts of the Spirit.

Gifts of the Spirit Part 3 / Word of Wisdom

This is the third message from The Gifts of the Spirit, and we have been drawing from I Cor. 12:1-11.

When we talk about the Gifts we do not say Gift of Knowledge or Gift of Wisdom. The Word says The Word of ... . This talks the notion of a fragment. These two gifts have to do with God offering us (in part) information that from His understanding (from His mind).

The word of wisdom is often confused with simple wisdom used to deal with daily life affairs. But wisdom that comes to us for life applications is not the same as the Word of Wisdom, which is a Gift of the Spirit and not just Word principles. When James tells us to ask for Wisdom and God will give it to us in generous supply, that is speaking of simple wisdom that applies to the affairs of life, not the Spiritual Gifts. We are not to confuse Simple Wisdom with The Word of Wisdom.

The Word of Wisdom, like The Word of Knowledge can come in audible voice, vision, dream, even through vocal gift of prophecy or through tongues and interpretation. It can be from a seeing and knowing on the inside that is released audibly. At times the Word of Wisdom can be offered with other Gifts of the Spirit.

Moses received the law as God spoke to him in an audible voice. This was God's mind and purpose for the people at this time. Also during the Old Testament days the prophets often ministered the Word through prophesy and the Word of Wisdom and Word of Knowledge would flow together from the prophets as they spake.

Some New Testament examples are found in Acts 11:28-30; Acts 21:10-11; Acts 9:15; Acts 27:10.

These are encounters with Agabus who spoke of a coming drought. He spoke of Paul's coming sufferings. Then we have Annania who God spoke to concerning Saul. And then we find Paul gaining a word of wisdom concerning the end results of a bad situation at hand.

Some believe the gifts to have been done away with, but we are living the the Acts generation. The Word of God plainly expresses to us that we are not to be ignorant concerning Spirituals (Gifts of the Spirit). And we can easily see the gifts at work in Paul's day.

The Gifts are available and should be coveted and operated in as the Lord wills ... yes even in this day!

The Gifts of the Spirit Part 2 / The Word of Knowledge

Central Text:
I Cor. 12:1-11 The Word of Knowledge is the supernatural revelation by the Holy Spirit of certain facts, which comes from the mind of God. God is all knowing, He knows everything, but to no one man does He reveal everything that He knows. However, The Word of Knowledge is a small portion of that knowledge coming from God through a believer. Some people are deceived believing that this text speaks of knowledge as intellectual information gained from studies. But that is not the truth concerning this passage. The Word of Knowledge is a supernatural impartation concerning a person, place, or thing. It is supernatural information that is dropped into the Spirit of believer and delivered for the purpose of profiting the Body.

Examples of the Word of knowledge are offered to us in the written Word of God:

• Acts 9:10-12 used to get a people in position for ministry.
• Acts 10:9-20 used to aid in reaching unreached people.
• I Kings 19:2-4, 14, 18 used to enlighten a discouraged servant.
• II Kings 5:25, 26 used to expose a hypocrite.
• II Kings 6:9-12 used to warn of an enemy plan.
• I Samuel 9:3, 4, 6, 19-20 used to get back lost property.
• I Samuel 10:21-23 used to locate a man in hiding.

The Gifts of the Spirit Part 1

I Cor. 12:1-11
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

When it comes to Spiritual gifts most people have little to no understanding, but this is not the will of God. God does not want us to be without knowledge. He does not want us to be ignorant to his will concerning the gifts of the Spirit. That is obvious as we can see here in I Cor. 12:1 that Paul says to the church at Corinth that we are not to be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts. Paul did not say this of his own accord, but through and by the unction of the Holy Ghost.

There are some places where people do not even know that spiritual gifts exist. There are also those who believe that the Spiritual gifts do not exist in this age. The enemy would love for the church to believe his lies concerning spiritual gifts. If people remain ignorant to these gifts the church is weakened, as these gifts are from God himself and and given by the Holy Spirit to profit withal.

In I Cor. 12:31 we are told to covet the best gifts ... thus we understand that the gifts of the Spirit are still for us today, as Paul was operating in the church age that we are now continuing. You may say, "But the rest of I Cor. 12:31 says, "... but I show you a more excellent way." And you are correct, it does say that, however, it does not say leave one out to have the other.

As you continue to read in I Cor. chapter 13, you will see that Love is expounded on. Love being the more excellent way. But the truth is everyone is not yet walking in the God kind of love, meaning that the gifts have not been done away with. Another thing you must understand is that if you have the ability to operate in the gifts but do not operate in the Spirit of Love you are as useless and unwelcome as a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

The church should covet the gifts, but the their divine goal is to walk and operate in love at all times, for this is the way people will know that they belong to Christ. Love also activates Faith which gives victory, and love never fails in it's going forth. If the gifts were operated outside of the more excellent way (love), they would not profit others. They would not be a strength to the Body of Christ. But the gifts operating in love and under proper covering and decent order is greatly profitable.

The gifts of the Spirit are exactly that. They are gifts belonging to the Spirit and people can only operate in them as they Spirit of God wills. The gifts can not be turned on and off at will.

You can not just say for example, because I have operated in the gift of the Word of Knowledge before, I can just turn it on or off like water. NO! The gifts flow only at the Spirit's will, not at our choice. The gifts may flow through a person regularly and often, but not at their will. It is only because they have coveted the gifts, the Lord as seen the persons ability to operate in this or that gift and then wills to use them.

To try to operate in a gift on your own accord is dangerous in more ways than one. First of all you will be off in the flesh and offering people words that will end up hurting and/or discouraging them. Second, you will open yourself up to a wrong spirit and the devil himself will come to accommodate you with words that are not the Lord's will.

Anytime the gifts of the Spirit are in operation, they are not disruptive, grieving or hindering. They always operate in love and glorify God as they profit the body of Christ. They do not draw attention to any one person, but they bring peoples attention to Jesus as Lord.

As you can see from I Cor. chapter 12 the gifts are several and diverse. Each having their own place and operation, but by the same spirit. These diversities are listed as:

1. Word of Wisdom
2. Word of Knowledge
3. The gift of (Special) Faith
4. Gifts of healing
5. The working of miracles
6. Prophecy
7. Discerning of spirits
8. Divers kinds of tongues
9. Interpretation of tongues

The best way to understand these are to put them into Categories. The gifts can be broken into three simple groups.

1. The utterance gifts which are: Prophecy, divers tongues and interpretation of tongues
   
2. The power gifts which are: The gift of special faith, gifts of healing and the working of miracles
   
3. The revelations gifts which are: The word of wisdom, Word of Knowledge and Discerning of spirits
   

• The utterance gifts ... say something
• The power gifts ... do something
• The revelation gifts ... reveal something

The best gifts spoken of that we should covet would be of course the one we need most at the time and the given situation or circumstance. However, generally of the three gift groups prophecy is the best (being the Word of God delivered to a people). The Word (written Word of God ... Genesis to Revelations) is the more sure word of prophecy to any person alive.

A Word To Mary

This blog, normally does not go in this direction. However, I offer that which is given me by the Holy Ghost and tonight this is my assigned message. As I was meditating concerning this issue of 365 Days of Power, Love and Integrity, the Holy Ghost spoke to my heart what I believe to be a combination of Word of Wisdom and Word of Knowledge.

What He said was this, "There is a lady that will read the blog, her name is Mary. I want you to let her know that although it has seemed a very trying and difficult time in her life, that her season is going to change. The once barren Mary is about to bring forth."

Mary you have had desires, deep set desires to be a parent. It has been so difficult for you as you have never been able to conceive.

This time of year has always been a time when you would think about how Jesus was conceived by a young girl also named Mary and you would say, "Lord with you nothing is impossible." Yet, year after you you went barren.

The enemy wanted your hope to dry up, but you just refused to let go of hope.

Mary, the Lord says that you and your husband are about to conceive. You are about to bring forth the fruit of your Faith!

By this time next year ... your womb will be filled.



What is a Word of Wisdom; a Word of Knowledge?


I Cor. 12:1-11
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.


As you can see here, both the Word of Wisdom and the Word of Knowledge is a Gift of the Spirit. Gifts that are offered to a member of the body as the Lord wills.

The gifts of the Spirit are not foreign to me, I have operated in them for years as the Lord wills. However, I have never offered the gifts in this way (to an unknown person, on an Internet blog), but it matters little to me. All that matters to me is to obey what Father God is saying to me through the person of the Holy Spirit.



Let me share just a nugget concerning the Word of Wisdom and the Word of Knowledge.


First Word of Wisdom:

• The Word of Wisdom is a supernatural revelation by the Spirit of God concerning the divine purpose in the mind and will of God. It often holds thoughts of future events.

Second the Word of Knowledge:

• The Word of Knowledge is a supernatural revelation by the Spirit of God concerning certain facts in the mind of God, relating to people, places, or things.

These are two separate operations of the gifts of the Spirit. They generally work alone, but at times work together as the Lord has willed for (Mary) in this blog.

In Mary's case, we find the Holy Spirit speaking about an upcoming event in her life, and also directly to her about how her life has been in the past, and now is presently ... barren. The first would be Word of Wisdom (future), the second Word of Knowledge something past and present about a person (Mary).

Perhaps I will blog more in the next few issues on the Gifts of the Spirit, as there is much to teach concerning these operations of the Spirit.

Until then ...
Mary this blog is for YOU!
Be Blessed, Be Encouraged, Be Fruitful!

In Every Thing Give Thanks

I Thess.5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Did you know that it was the will of God to Give thanks in every thing, not for every thing, but in every thing. We certainly don't thank God for sickness, disease, poverty, lack or other evils. But as we give thanks and hold up Gods good word against adversity, our receiving door stays open for God's blessing of health, wellness, wealth and blessing.

It is very easy to begin to murmur and complain when things are not aligning with the Word of God. But the complaints will only detour us from the blessing that God intends.

The children of Israel were routed through a wilderness to get to the promised land. The wilderness certainly did not look like a God route. But it was at time to exercise faith and for God to be glorified.

A cloud by day and fire by night led them. Manna falling from heaven, fed them. Water gushing from the rock, quenched their thirst. Wilderness routes do not have to be barren times. They do not have to be miserable or lengthy routes. It all depends upon your attitude of gratitude; your willingness to give thanks in all things; and your obedience to the Word of God.

The children of Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness and never entered the promised land. They failed at giving thanks. They failed at willingly obedience. They had manna, water, quail, the cloud and the fire ... their shoes never wearing out and the enemy swallowed in the red sea ... and yet they were discontent and thankless.

Murmuring and complaining, made a short journey long. A trip that could have been a blessing became a drudgery. While God kept proving Himself, they kept stout words against God.

Praise God for those of a different spirit, men who are thankful, willing, obedient and full of faith in God. Joshua and Caleb carried that kind of attitude (spirit) and made not only to the promised land, but to other victories that glorified God.

Let's remember to give thanks in all things during this season and throughout the coming year. Let's keep our faces toward God's goodness and give thanks.

Let's choose to look at the clouds that cover us, the fire that keeps us, the water that washes and refreshes us, the bread and meat that sustains us, instead of looking at what seems barren.

Let us sing in our barren times and bring forth more than we could have ever imagined, quicker than we ever thought possible.

Time To Reflect

With only 5 weeks left until years end it is time to stop and reflect, to think back with seriousness.
Another year has past and what have we done to make our lives better, to make others better?
What can we do in the coming year to excel what we are seeing?

Preparation time is never wasted time, however, there comes a time to set out to new endeavors. To take what you have to work with and do something constructive. What is in your house? What do you have to offer?

Matthew 14:14-21
14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

Here we find Jesus, the disciples and the multitude of hungry people.
Jesus had ministered to their spiritual needs, He had administered healing, and now the people needed food for their bodies.

The disciples I am sure felt less than prepared for the feeding of multitudes, after all they seemed so ill prepared.

"All we have is five loaves and two fishes," was their thoughts and words. But there comes a time to set out to new endeavors with what you have.

They had five loaves and two fishes prepared. That did not seem like much. But when God is in a matter, what you have to offer will always be more than enough.

God is waiting for you to obey His voice when He says, bring to Me what you have ... let Me bless it ... let Me take what you have and multiply it.

In John's account of five loaves and two small fishes ... Phillip had said, "two hundred pennyworth of bread is not enough that everyone may just take a little." In other words Phillip was saying, "I don't see how we have enough prepared to feed these people." "I don't know how you could use this little bit that I have to offer to accomplish something so big."

Then Andrew piped up and said, "well, there is a small boy here with a prepared lunch in his hand, but it is only five loaves and two fishes and I don't see how that can possible be enough among so many." Andrew was seeing a little bit in the hands of a lad, but still he sided with the Phillip in his belief that what they had would never be enough.

You see at times it may seem like you are not very prepared for what Jesus has requested. Others may not see that what you have would ever be enough either, but with God all things are possible.

But the Faith of a child ... this little boy simply released what was in his hand to the disciples, the disciples released it to Jesus, and lives were changed. Not to mention that those who gave were both fed and multiplied.

From five little loaves and two small fishes, multitudes were fed, lives were changed, and the return was twelve full baskets of bread.

As you reflect back on year,

• Think about what you have in your hand.
• Think about how you may have withheld because you felt so ill prepared in 2009.
• Think about how you refused to do anything because you did not think what you had to offer would be enough.
• Then think about the Word of God here in the Gospel according to Matthew and John and how what you have can actually already be more than enough.

2010 is rushing in quickly. It is time to take some faith risk. Trust God with what you have to offer. Take what you have and allow the Lord to bless it; allow Him (through you) to change lives.

Faith Basics that Empower

Heb 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The word faith is derived from the Greek word pistis with a basic meaning of moral convictions that come from the truth of God; the reliance upon Christ for salvation; assurance; belief; and fidelity.


However, when you go back to the origin of pistis we find pietho which defines as: to agree with; obey; have confidence in; and to make friends with.

By looking at Ro 10:17 we recognize where faith comes from:
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

• Faith the substance (support, essence, assurance, proof) of things we hope for (expect), and the evidence (proof) of things we do not yet see.

When looking at these foundational basics, I love to acknowledge that Faith comes as we make friends with, agree with, have confidence in, obey, and walk in fidelity to the Word of God. Faith that will bring whatever is needed into existence.

• Heb. 11:6 tells us that without faith (without agreeing with, having confidence in, making friends with the Word) it is impossible to please God.

We sing a song in most gatherings today with these lyrics ... "I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God ... He calls me friend." However, unless we are making friends with, agreeing with and obeying the Word ... are we really friends with God. Will we be called friends in the end?


I am not opting to be the downer in your life today, I am merely making a point. How can we say we are friends of/with God, and then neglect the written Word?


John 1:1 says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus himself was the Word made flesh dwelling among us according to John 1:14.


There are so many people who weary themselves striving to get to the level of great faith, but never make friends with the Word. Never walk in Faith Basics. They gravel and beg in prayer, and do all kinds of works to obtain, however, to be a person of Great Faith is much easier than flesh works. I can offer you this truth from ... yes, you guessed it ... from the written Word!

• Matthew 8:5-13 is the story of the centurion, who entered the realm of "Great Faith."

How did he get into that realm?


Verse 8 of Matthew 8 tells us ... he sided with the Word. He didn't take upon himself to lay out all of his good works, no he simply said, "speak the Word only."


These words backed by the knowledge and confidence of ranks of authority caused this centurion to be called by Jesus one of "Great Faith." The centurion sided with, and made friends with, the Word, and by doing so he got quick results, and Jesus mark of approval.

• To move into realms of Great Faith ... one must make friends with, agree with and obey the written Word.

I must add one more ingredient to Great Faith that will cause it to produce. That ingredient is "speaking." By speaking the Word of God that you have opted to agree with and have made friends with, will bring faith substance into the seen realm.


The Centurion said, "Speak" the Word only. The written word is the foundational truths that we build upon. The spoken Word ... our voice applied to the written Word is what brings a thing hoped for into existence.


By Speaking the Word of God, or words that agree with the written Word we move into "Great Faith" that produces all manner of good things.


James 1:16-18
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.


God begat us with the Word of Truth, and framed the World with His Word.


Being made in God's image and likeness we to are to be speaking spirits, who are walking in the blessed evidence of our faith released.

Give Thanks

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

• Rejoice evermore.
• Pray without ceasing.
• In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Heb. 13:15
Through Him therefore let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.

We pray for many reasons. At times we pray to receive wisdom and guidance. Other times, we pray just because we want to fellowship with God. But the truth is that a great majority of the time, we pray because we need the power of God to work on our behalf.

Traditional religious teachings have often discouraged us from trying to lean about how to understand and tap into that power. They promoted the idea that God intends for His power to remain a mysteriously unpredictable force that strikes like lightning wherever and whenever you least expect it.

But the Bible doesn’t’ say any such thing. In the prayers of the apostle Paul, he tells us that it’s God’s will for us to know and understand what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe. ~ Eph 1:18 amp.

God’s Word is not to be a mystery to us. He wants us to know how it works and flows. He wants us to know Him and know how to flow and cooperate with Him.

John 1:1-15

Here we see that the power of God is identified as life, light and the ability to create. Therefore, if you have sickness in your body, you can expect the life of God to drive it out. If you have darkness and oppression, the light of God will free you. If you are lacking something good, the God who made all things can create it for you and you should expect Him to.

Acts 10:38 … confirms the operations of the power of God.

Romans 6:4 … we see that Jesus was raised from the dead by the glory (power) of God.

When your hopes and dreams are as good as dead, when you are past human help, the power of God can raise you up.


What kind of prayers best access this power?

Actually, every prayer prayed in faith will to some degree bring the power of God on the scene. But there is one prayer that is particularly effective, and it is often overlooked ! Not only in our daily lives, but also in times of need and crisis, when we require the power of God most.

It is the prayer of praise, worship and thanksgiving.

In Solomon’s day worship was not just a Sunday event that connect the people to the Word. It was a time when the people bowed their hearts and worshipped God.

Many people today don’t now about heartfelt worship. They just know forms and formulas. But forms of godliness deny the power of God. Power does not flow from empty heartless worship.

When we allow our minds to wonder during worship we are disconnecting the power of worship. When we are prayer - less, praise - less, thank - less, at home we are leaving our homes power - less and void of God’s help.
Psalms 112:1 amp

The rest of this psalms list the rest of the blessings we all want. It says the person who worships God will have mighty offspring. Wealth and riches will be in his house. He will have light during the dark times and victory over every enemy.

Now Worship is not just singing a song to the Lord. It is not just bowing down and looking submitted. It is a heart condition and attitude. Services can be an act of worship. Your financial giving can be an act of worship. Worship is much more than singing and ministering in music.


Why is it so important to worship?

First:
because God is God and deserves it! He gave us every good thing we have and to refuse or fail to worship Him is sin. It’s arrogant and ungrateful to take what He gives us and then not bless and thank Him in return.

Second:
God has ordained it as a way for us to access His power. Worship releases blessings.

One reason worship paves the way for God to move is because worship is the language of faith. It you believe that God has heard you pray and that He’s moving on your behalf you will thank Him.
Heb. 13:15 amp Acts 2:46-47

We are to always offer praise. Always be thankful. It should be the language of the Christian believer.

God is just waiting for us to come to him. He wants to hear from us all the time. He wants to bless us, give us good and perfect things. He wants us to have things to thank and praise Him for, to give Him Glory.

Look at how Paul as a minister thanked God:
I Cor. 1:4 Eph. 1:16 Phil. 1:3-4 I Col 1:3 I Thess. 1:2 I Thess. 2:3 I Thess 2:13 II Thess. 1:3

One of the pitfalls of prayerfulness is that too often people get off into heaviness and pride. They do this when they believe that all good is coming because of them and their praying. NO … prayer is our part, but God is the one who releases all manner of blessings into to our lives.

And if we would be people who pray, know that God has heard us, and then give Him thanks we would stay out of heaviness and spiritual pride.

On the flip side, there are people who pray and pray and never believe God is doing his part and they live a very thankless miserable life. We must know that God is a re-warder of those who in faith diligently seek Him.


Listen there will always be evidence of what the devil is trying to do in your life. But don’t focus on that.

• Magnify what God is doing.
• Thank Him for hearing your prayers and answering.
• Praise Him for His goodness and ability.
• Worship Him for his Holiness.

When you do you will find that things begin to turn around in your life more quickly than you could have imagined.


*special thanks to the late Rev. K.E. Hagin and Rev. Pasty Cameneti for their ministries from which todays blog was derived

The Inward Man and Your Destiny

As Believers we need to heed Jesus directions for prayer and also learn to listen to our hearts in order to pray effectual prayers.

When the disciples ask how do we pray, Jesus gave them an outline, not a formula. He later also told them that he did only what he saw the Father do, and said, only what his Father said ... He was led.

Pro. 20:27
The Spirit of Man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

People can be saved and heaven bound and still miss out of the life that the Lord has intended for them. Many fail to fulfill the destiny that God has for them here.

In order to live life as God intended for us here and to fulfill our destiny we must learn to follow the Holy Spirit as we listen to our heart.

Now the heart I am talking about is not the physical heart muscle that pumps blood through your body. The heart that the bible speaks mostly of is the unseen center of man’s being … or the inward man. ~ II Cor 4:16 I Pe3:4

We are:

• A Spirit
• Have a Soul
• Living in a Body

If we want to be successful in our prayer lives and fulfilling our destinies, then we must never forget that we are a Spirit … We must allow Spirit to commune with Spirit in order to pray effectual and to be a success making it to the end of the good plan that God has preordained for us from the beginning.

You can not reason your way into your destiny. You can not get there through your intellect alone. The voice of others can not get you there.

If you want Gods best, you must … learn to listen to your heart, follow the leadings of the Holy Ghost and walk by faith. II Cor. 5:7

The Spirit Never Doubts

The Spirit never doubts. However, the flesh is pron to doubt. When doubt comes, you can be sure that it is the flesh kicking in.


As we read the Word of God, there is never one time when you can find an Angel in doubt. Nor will you even find the devils doubting, as they believe and tremble. Both Angles and Devils are of the Spirit realm and the Spirit never doubts.


Then there are the human beings. Those flesh dwelling creatures. Those who doubt and then doubt their own doubt.

• Thomas doubted. ~John 20:25
  
• Peter doubted. ~Matthew 14:31
  
• And I can rest assured that there are times in your life when you doubted.

We all in flesh carriages seem to hit that 'doubt' bump in the road every now and then. Doubt is the stumbling block that desires to get us off course. However, on the inside of us is a doubt-less spirit man. One who never doubted and never will doubt. And as we lean to the Spirit the flesh nature of doubt is put out, and we will pick up momentum and stay on faith's course.

Remember:
*Doubt is of the flesh. Never act upon the doubt, nor allow the doubt to cause you to stop or change course.

*The God kind of Faith is of the Holy Spirit, so lean in to the Holy Ghost and see what he is saying concerning the matter that is causing you to doubt.

Silent Grace

Grace Coolidge was the White House First Lady next to her husband Calvin Coolidge. As First Lady, her husband had forbidden her to speak. However, when Grace abounds ... there is always a voice.

The Gallaudet School for the Deaf in Washington was holding there commencement, and the opening address was handed to Mrs. Grace Coolidge.

Here was a woman forbidden to speak, standing before a group of people (men and women) who could not hear. What a commencement oddity.

However, "Grace" always makes a way, and on this day, the sign had come. Mrs. Grace Coolidge rose to the challenge, as she stood submissively in her position as First Lady. Rising up she took the platform ... never opened her mouth, but spoke many words into the a people who could not hear ... She signed!

Her opening words were golden, "My husband, who is known as "Silent Cal," has forbidden me to speak as first lady, I have obeyed that restriction. I am not "speaking" today, am I?"

God's grace is always amazing. Grace is an acceptable favor from God that always brings joy and liberality to us, and ends with Thanksgiving.

Oh the joy that Mrs. Grace Coolidge must have had that day when her silence spoke, the thanks she must have felt as she had stepped into a new found liberty. Astonishing how God always makes a way where there seems to be no way!

Grace Coolidge took a step of faith, and made a Silent Impact that has never been stifled! In saying nothing ... she said it all.

Psalm 65:1-2

TO YOU belongs silence (the submissive wonder of reverence which bursts forth into praise) and praise is due and fitting to You, O God, in Zion; and to You shall the vow be performed. O You Who hear prayer, to You shall all flesh come. ~amplified

^1-2 Silence is praise to you, Zion-dwelling God, And also obedience. You hear the prayer in it all. ~ message

In her quiet submission, Mrs. Grace Coolidge burst forth ...

• Hope went out to many who had a voice and were forbidden to use it.
• Encouragement went out to those who otherwise would have never heard.
• The world better from her willing character, and God is praised from her act of obedience.

Ladies who are called with a heart full of message, your submissive silence has been heard loud and clear by God who is in Zion ... and He through Grace is making a way for You! Be ready to stand up and deliver!

Life on the Edge

Gen.5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Have you ever meditated on this. Enoch walked with God. He was Not. God took Him.
Can you just imagine, Enoch was walking with God and walked right into heaven. Now this was a man living on the edge. Enoch surly had seen as Amos a plumb-line, and taken heed.

A plumb-line is:
an instrument that hangs directly toward the earth's center and determines depth.

I can imagine God standing in heaven plumb-line in hand reaching downward to determine the depth of man. And He found Enoch a man of depth, one with which he could communicate, the details of heaven. Then one day ... while they walked and talked together of heavenly things ... God just says, "Enoch come on over to my house!" And the two of then in agreement walked right into heaven places, and thus Enoch was no longer earth bound!

What does it mean for a person to have depth?
A person of depth is a person of character and integrity. They have morals, values and are very detailed and through people. They are skilled and of good understanding.

Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments...

When we respect (fear) the Lord that is when wisdom comes; and if we are a person of depth (good understanding) we will follow Gods written instruction as well as the voice of His Spirit.
The only way to truly know God is through fellowship, and fellowship with God was instituted from the beginning when Adam walked and talked with Him in the garden.

Jesus confirmed heavenly fellowship with Him by saying:

• "the sheep follow him, because they know his voice"
• "the sheep will not follow a strange, but will flee from him, because they know not the voice of strangers"
• "that His sheep hear His voice and, He knows them and they follow Him"

• Joh 10:4
• And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
• Joh 10:5
• And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
• Joh 10:27
• My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

If Enoch walked and talked with God and was no more because God took Him ... it seems to me that we need to draw nearer to God since we are under a New and Better Covenant.

James 4:7-10 tells us that if we Submit to God ... resist the devil He will flee. Then as we draw near to God ... he draws near to us.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Sin separates us from fellowship, and hinders our walk with God. Just as sin separated Adam in the garden. Yet, under the blood covenant of Jesus Christ, we can walk boldly with the Lord with our conscience sprinkled with the blood. ~ Heb. 10:22

Enoch knew that kind of boldness in his day as He and God walked together. But we too should be experiencing personal relationship with God through Christ Jesus. We need to be daily walking and talking with God and being caught up into heavenly arenas by faith.

Einstein was caught up into heavenly arenas and gathered wisdom from God over and over again as he studied the universe. Einstein was said to tell folks that he had a fear (respect) of God and believed in High morals as well as religious convictions which he believed to be the strongest and noblest motives for scientific research.

Through respect for God and consideration to his fellowmen, Einstein reached into the adventure of the unknown, opened his imagination, meditated, inquired and required, studied and God caused him to be filled with wisdom, knowledge and good understanding. Einstein went down in History ... His name remembered not for perfection, for there is only one perfect (God Himself, according to Jesus), but remembered for his contribution to science.

John while on the Isle of Patmos was caught up in the Spirit hearing heavenly sounds and seeing heavenly visions. ~ Rev. 1-

Paul also knew those catching away times.

II Cor. 12:1-4
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.


According to Eph. 1:20, Jesus was raised up and seated in Heavenly places with God. Then as we continue to read we find that we also have been raised up together with Christ Jesus to those same heavenly seats through the New Birth. ~ Eph. 2:6

In other words when we are born again we actual step out with God and move up to heavenly places. Caught up ... no longer earth bound.

As born again believers we should be able to step in and out of Spiritual arenas with no effort at all, for we have been seated in heavenly places with Christ, and yet standing on planet earth as ambassadors of reconciliation.

Come on Church
... Let's walk with God here on earth, knowing our heavenly seats until He comes and takes us!

Change Change and More Change!

People are quick to express their thoughts in the arena of change. Some like it, some don't ... most don't. But change is part of living.

As soon as we are conceived change begins. We go from seed to fetus, from fetus to human being and from womb to world. As soon as we are born into planet earth, we begin to grow (some say we begin to die), and in a sense they are right when they are speaking of our human forms.

However, for those in Christ there has been another change. A change that we received called the New Birth.

The New Birth is a death exchange. We become new creatures and receive life eternal. For the Christian, death has no sting. And this bring us to yet another change in our lives.


I Cor. 15:51-57
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

As born again believers we go through a spiritual change upon the confession of Jesus Christ, but that is just the beginning of our changes in life. One we are born again and passed from spiritual death to life we then move to spiritual growth ... more change.

Ro. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed (changed) by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Once we become believers our minds must be renewed (changed) by the daily reading of the Word of God and our openness to listening to the Spirit of God that now dwells on the inside of us. Christ in Us ... Our New hope of Glory! As our minds are renewed (changed), it causes us to be different outward as well as inwardly ... More change.

When I began to read the Word and understand who Christ was in Me, and who I was in Him, many changes took place, and still are taking place. I have grown, and gone form one level of faith to another and one level of glory to another.

As I begin to read the Bible daily and stay open to the Holy Ghost teachings, I was made aware of things in my life that needed to be Changed. If I were to have tried to make these changes alone, I would have either failed, or the change would have been temporal at best. But I was not alone. I had a wonderful Heavenly Father just waiting for me to call upon him in prayer.

In doing this I was acknowledging my need for His help. Notice I did not say that God (my Heavenly Father) was going to make all my changes for me. NO ... I said, he was there to hear my prayers and help me ... help me through the person of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is called our comforter (our helper) ... not our doer. He has been sent by God to help us. When someone helps us, they are not doing our part. They are giving us additional support in specific areas.

Many people think that change comes to the Christian like cherries dropping off of trees. If the Pastor lays hands on me enough; If I get enough people praying for me. And although prayer and the laying on of hands are good each a part of change, you still have to cooperate (work together with) the Holy Ghost. Even prophesy fulfilled requires a man side.

The Late Lester Summral would say, "Every miracle has a God side and a man side." If miracles from heaven require a man side (and they do), how much more does change require our supply.

Once prayer is made and you have communicate with God concerning your need for change. You open up to his instruction and leading. In doing this you must also be open to the vessel that the Holy Spirit may use to help you. It may be counsel from your Pastor. It may be a friend reaching into your life to speak a work of advise. It may be the Holy Spirit directing you to a church, school or seminar. Obey! That is the next step to change, Obedience.

Miracles do not come without obedience to the Word. Jesus himself could not have even came into the earth without Mary's obedience to the Word and Spirit of God. And lasting, successful life change does not come without obedience to God's Word and Spirit. A faith requirement is put on us for change. So let's recount:

• Salvation
• Devotion to the Word and Spirit
• Obedience

Once we obey the Word and do what we hear the Spirit of the Lord saying to us, change will come. The Word of God mixed with faith and applied to our lives always brings change.

When I read about healing and how "by the stripes of Jesus ... I was healed" I wanted that active in my life, so I had to devote myself to reading the Word of God concerning Healing. I had to obey the written Word. I had to keep my confession, use temperance in all things, keep the Word of God in me and continue joyful in life as the Word works like medicine.

When I read about prosperity and how God would rebuke the devourer and open windows of heaven after we tithed and gave offerings. God's part was to rebuke the devourer and to open the windows of heaven. But I also had a part. I had to agree with the Word and Spirit and give tithes and offerings if I wanted the windows of heaven open and help keeping my finances from being devoured.

Another area that change has came to me in is understanding God's ability to offer us wisdom. He says that He will give us wisdom liberally if we will ask. I ask ... He gives.

My part, His part. God side, Man side.

When I wanted change in my relationships I had to search the scripture for relationship scriptures. Things like: "a soft voice turns away wrath" "consider others better than yourself" "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" or "love others as you love yourself."

When we do things God's way, we get positive change. There is nothing in our lives that can not be changed. With men alone, things can be impossible, but with God nothing is impossible.

What area of your life needs change? Maybe it is just an area or two, or maybe it is many areas. It doesn't matter few or many. God's arm is not too short to help.

Distress Debt Discontented

I Sa 22:2 KJV 1 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. 2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.


I Sa 22:2 Message
^1-2 So David got away and escaped to the Cave of Adullam. When his brothers and others associated with his family heard where he was, they came down and joined him. Not only that, but all who were down on their luck came around—losers and vagrants and misfits of all sorts. David became their leader. There were about four hundred in all.


Wow ... Here was David with problems of his own. He had a angry man who wanted him dead and several hired hit men after him (a whole new edition of the god father)!

Okay, back to the bible reading. David was clearly running from Saul and his men, who were searching for him to kill him. So David runs to the Cave of Adullam as a hiding place. But now, here comes his Family to move in with him. And since people talk ... others soon found their way to the cave as well, four hundred to be exact, all distressed, in debt, and discontent.

I can imagine this being the peaceful, happy house on the block! It's a good thing David played strings, at least it could be used to quite the folks temporarily. Amazing how music can quite the soul and encourage the spirit.

But once they were quite, David still had to be the captain (take the lead). He could not focus inward on only his own problems, others were at stake here. He could not just sit around and play music and imagine things were different.

David had to have a plan that would build the people. And He must have had one, since
II Samuel chapter twenty three declares these same broken down dilapidated men ... Mighty Men.

Let's look a little deeper. First lets look at the distressed folk.

Who were the Distressed? They were sick, diseased, feeble, disabled, aged folks.

• those in great pain, anxiety, or sorrow;
  
• those with acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble.
• those in a state of extreme necessity or misfortune.
• those requiring immediate assistance.
• the aged or those who had appearance of age because of lifestyle.

Who were the In Debt? Those in trouble monetarily as well as spiritually.

• Those who owed something to others, such as money, goods, or services
• Those with an obligation or liability to pay or render something to someone else
• Those who had offenses ... requiring forgiveness or reparation; trespasses

Who were the Discontented? Those who are never happy, never fulfilled.

• Those dissatisfied
  
• The restless desire always craving for something one does not have
• Those malcontent
• Those whom rebels against established systems

After seeing this, if you were David would you have stayed or ran? Would you have stayed or just threw your hands up and ran toward Saul's sword? David had a big choice to make and it was a multiply choice ...

1. Give up (surrendered to the enemy)
2. Run from responsibility
3. Stay and become just like the rest of the crew and all die together in the cave
4. Lead

David chose wisely by leading this group to victory.

But one must stop and understand just to get a people out of debt, takes heart change cooperation, discipline and commitment to work.

And to get people out of distress and discontentment takes soul building. A change (transformation) of mindsets, self will and emotional instability.

David had his work cut out for him. But by choosing to led instead of surrender or run, not only did God give him a working plan, but used him to bring up a people to the place in life they were destine to be, and also raised David up to the leadership that was within him.

There are many modern day David's, running from the adversary, while God is desiring to get their attention as to turn them to running with purpose. There are also, many modern day cave dwellers that God longs to bring to a higher standard of living!

Are you one of these ... if so ... look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of Faith who will enable you to be the leaders, and mighty men you are destined to be!