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!

Be The Successors God Intended

A successor is:

• one that follows;
• especially: one who succeeds to a throne, title, estate, or office;
• to come after as heir

Thomas Jefferson upon arriving in France in 1785 was asked, "Monsieur, have you come to replace Dr. Franklin?" Jefferson answered, "Monsieur Le Comte, no one could ever replace Dr. Franklin. I am only succeeding him."


Clarence H. Hinclcs said:
"Nothing succeeds like one's own successor."


In John 14:12 Jesus said:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."

Jesus was speaking of you and I ... His successors. He was letting us know that He wanted us to continue in the works that He had begin. Not only did He want us continuing in these works, but He wants us going forward, focused (eyes fixed on Him), doing greater works than He.

He was telling us that He was coming to the end of His earth bound phase of ministry, and moving up to a higher heavenly prayer seat. But, He was not going to leave us alone. He was going to send one just like himself not only to be with us, but also to live in us. ~John 14:14-17


Today Jesus lives in us (in spirit), and His Power comes upon us for service. Jesus working with us today ... to do all the works that He did and MORE! We are His successors! Taking that of His, and showing it to the World, that they might believe and be saved.

In John chapter eight, Jesus said, that He had came from the Father, and did not do anything except what he heard or saw from the Father. Jesus was sent to us by His Heavenly Father, and today we are Jesus Successors in the earth.

Joh 14:20 says it all, "At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you."


Our job is to cooperate with the Holy Ghost, and do the things that we have seen and heard in Christ! The early disciples were successors before us, and they were so ablaze with the Power of the Holy Ghost and the Fire of God, that not even the threat of prison bounds could hold them or keep them from proclaiming the gospel. No satanic or flesh power could stop them. ~ Acts 4

Today we are the successors of those disciples, those who dared take a risk, those who boldly proclaimed, those who fearlessly carried the power of God to a lost world ... imagine greater than!

Let's ARISE to the greater works in Christ Jesus without fear, take risk and allow Jesus to work with, and through us to present the greater works to a lost, hurting, fearful, confused, sick, diseased, poverty stricken, and broken world!

Arise ... Take A Risk!
Be the successors that God intended YOU to be!

We have slept long enough!

It is amazing how people set back (especially believers), and sleep until the betrayer is already in our midst before we wake. Then we want to rise up in a stupor to fight our battle carnally.

• Error 1 sleeping instead of watching and praying
• Error 2 rising up in a stupor to fight carnally

It is time to ... rise from our sleep (WAKE UP) ... rise from our errors and watch and pray!

• While we have been sleeping the enemy has been moving into the central headquarters of our country. Terrorist enter our airports and take out our planes, establishments and worse of all our loved ones.

• While we have been sleeping the enemy has moved into our governments and legalized child murders called abortionist.

• While we have been sleeping the enemy has brought in the illusion that there are many ways to heaven.

• While we were sleeping we allowed Non Christians into government offices who walk at the edge of treason and we haven't even been awake enough to see it. Eyes heavy with our own ideas, lust, ignorance, slothfulness, fears, and complacency.

And since this is just a few things going on that is corruption our nation! It is time to wake up ... watch and pray! It is time to hear from heaven and take steps toward our own reforms.

The government has spoken of reform ... but it has been more of a revolution than reform. Reform speaks of holding fast to fundamentals and purity of constitution foundations. And revolution speaks of:

1. Complete change from one constitution to another
2. Modification of an existing constitution (removing foundational pillars)

Reform means beneficial change, or sometimes, more specifically, reversion to a pure original state.

Reform is generally distinguished from revolution. Revolution means basic or radical change; whereas reform may be no more than fine tuning, or at most redressing serious wrongs without altering the fundamentals of the system. Reform seeks to improve the system as it stands, never to overthrow it wholesale.

This Country; Our Country is ...

One Nation Under God!

Not Gods!

Recently I heard these Words come out of our Presidents mouth, "We are no longer a Christian Nation!" I did not get this through the grapevine, it came right from the horse's mouth. May God have mercy on those who rise up against this country's Christian faith, those who rise up against the Christ and His followers.

I AM a prayer ... praying for governments and leaders.

I AM a Christian!

I AM not prejudice and my battle is not people.

I AM not at War with the President. My battle is not flesh and blood!

I AM however, watching and praying. And I refuse to sit back and fail to sound the alarm for CHRISTIANS EVERYWHERE TO WAKE UP AND PRAY!

Mark 14:32-42 [message]

^32-34They came to an area called Gethsemane. Jesus told his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James, and John with him. He plunged into a sinkhole of dreadful agony. He told them, "I feel bad enough right now to die. Stay here and keep vigil with me."

^35-36Going a little ahead, he fell to the ground and prayed for a way out: "Papa, Father, you can—can't you?—get me out of this. Take this cup away from me. But please, not what I want—what do you want?"

^37-38He came back and found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, you went to sleep on me? Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don't enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don't be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire."

^39-40He then went back and prayed the same prayer. Returning, he again found them sound asleep. They simply couldn't keep their eyes open, and they didn't have a plausible excuse.

^41-42He came back a third time and said, "Are you going to sleep all night? No—you've slept long enough. Time's up. The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up. Let's get going. My betrayer has arrived."

It is time to rise from our slumber! Time to remember the betrayal came with a political kiss!

It is time to take a stand for Christ Crucified and Risen!

Let it be known ...

CHRIST JESUS

IS ALIVE AND WITH POWER!

Denial is not Faith

Many people believe that if they acknowledge a reality, that they are making a wrong confession. But the truth (God's Word) overrides reality. As people of faith, we must be balanced if we are to live well rounded and effective lives.

I have seen people say things like ... "Bob has been diagnosed with cancer, but he isn't claiming it." Well folks the truth is, if Bob has been diagnosed with cancer, the cancer is already attached itself to Bob, therefore, Bob does not have to claim the cancer ... it is already there and For Bob to say, I don't have cancer, I don't have cancer, I don't have cancer ... is not even a faith confession. Nor is it a faith confession for Bob to say, I don't claim cancer.

If Bob has been diagnosed with cancer ... to say I don't have cancer is denial. And to walk in denial is not faith. What Bob needs to do, is go to God (The written Word) and draw out the truth that will override the diagnosed cancer. Then he needs to put that word over that diagnosed cancer until it is no longer there.

I remember a time when my husband was really heavy and depressed. I would ask him what was wrong and he would say, nothing. I knew he was not being his usual self, but could not get my finger on it. So instead of becoming a nagging drip to him, by continuing to pester him about what was wrong, I prayed and asked God to help by revealing to me what was wrong.

Right after that prayer, when we had retired to bed, I turned to my husband who's back was to me, and I had an open vision. On his back was a large black blob ... it looked like a big black leach of a thing. I ask the Lord what it was that he was showing me, and He said, it was a spirit of oppression that had attached itself to him.

Isn't it amazing that God told me what it was without fear of claiming it for my husband?
No he had diagnosed it for me. He told me what it was.

Then I ask, Lord what do I do ... and he told me to command it off of my husband in Jesus name.

I could do this through the use of the knowledge of the scripture text, Lu 10:19 which says, Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

You see In knew that Ac 10:38 said, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."

I had drawn out those Words earlier in my life while seeking God, and now that oppression had came to attach itself to Greg, I could put the Word over that oppression and it had to go.

The Word like medicine works when you either apply it, or put it into your system. Sitting on the shelf neither medicine, nor the Word will do you any good.

Medicine on the shelf will not bring healing to the sick, nor will the Word of God. If you have been diagnosed with an illness, then go to church and hear how the Word works like medicine, but go home and never take your bible off the shelf and apply the Word to you life by faith, it will do you no good.

The Word of God is alive and powerful.

• It works as medicine to the sick and diseased.
• It works at provision to those who need to be cared for, and direction to those who have lost their way.
• It works as joy to the sad and strength to the weak and weary.

Whatever you need that pertains to life and godliness ... it is there in the Word. But it will not do you and good unless you draw it out and apply it to the areas of need and/or desire.

Lu 11:9
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

• Ask what you will of the Lord ... He hears and answers.
• Seek the Word to find the medication, direction or provision needed.
• Knock and the door that you knock upon shall be opened unto you ... whether it is a door of healing, provision or other door of necessity.

• When you seek God as healer ... you will find Him.
• When you seek God as provider ... you will find Him.
• When you seek God as comforter ... you will find Him.
• When you seek God as ___________ ( you fill in the blank) ... You will find Him!

But as Jer 29:13 says, it will be when you seek him with all your heart.
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. ~ Jer. 29:13

When seeking God ... don't forget ... you must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him ... that is faith!

Heb 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.