Message from the Garden

Today as I was walking around our block, I took notice that after just a few days of rain, and being unable to work in the flower gardens,  the weeds had crept in.  Some must have been hiding from the last weeding, as they seemed quite huge.

Looking at the house I thought,
"Wow it looks like no one is living there with all those weeds growing around the house." So I headed out to the still wet yard, while the ground was soft to pull the weeds from my beautiful flowers.
As I was working many thoughts passed through.

Things like: 

• "Wow, when peoples lives are overgrown with weeds such as adultery, fornication, laziness, idolatry, rebellion, hatred, strife, envy, pride, gossip, quarreling, jealousy, temper, anger, divided loyalties, selfishness, gossip, arrogance, disorder and  other carnal attributes... they  look as no one is living there too."   Can people tell if Jesus is at home in you?   Do they look at you and wonder if He is away on vacation? 

• "Look at how quickly those weeds have came to take over ... just imagine how quickly spiritual weeds come to ruin a persons life,  leaving them void of the beauty that lies just beneath the weeded mass."

• "Hum, that weed kinda looks like a flower however, it is wrapping itself around the beauty of the other plant and smothering it out, just as sin can come in looking quite lovely only to snuff out the beauty of truth."

• "Oh my goodness, that thing is deep rooted. it might take a sharpe edged tool to get to the root of that one.  I wonder how long it takes for just a little sin, to become deep rooted and a strong hold in peoples lives.

• "Why, is it we can go for days, weeks, years and never see such things in our lives?

• "Why is it no one likes weeding their gardens?"

Yes the thoughts rolled, as I pulled those ugly things out of my garden. Thinking of how many times I had ran to Jesus, riding myself of such spiritual weeds.  Also,  how some things seemed to be dealt with quickly while others more of a challenge, but none to difficult to remove.   No sin attriubute, no flesh desrie, no addiction or ugliness is to hard for him who loves us.

Scriptures them begin to pass through my heart.

Gen 2:8-9
God planted a beautful weed free garden and made a way for it to be watered.
Gen 2:15
Then he left it in the hands of men to tend, guard and keep.
Gen 3:18
But with the fall came thorns and thistles.

Ugliness came in with the fall ... weeds came in to take over the beauty ... and then beauty (Jesus) rose up to take out the weeds!  He came to restore the beauty of light and life to those who sit in darkness and decay.

 

Then my spirit mind soared to the Song of Songs as the fragrance of the roses filled the air from which I was working...

Draw me! 

I will run after you!

Bring me close to you! 

I will be glad and rejoice in you!

"You favor your people with love and your fragrance is sweet. The upright are not offended, but sincerely love you. You can take what is dark as night, and illuniate it, until it is flowering light show!

"Nothing is to hard or difficult for you, nothing beyond the transfiguration of your love."

"You are a fountain [springing up] in a garden, a well of living waters, and flowing streams. 

You, Jesus are a fountain in our garden.

You are living waters for our souls, and a flowing stream of life to all who find you."

"How amazing that you have called me a garden (your garden)!  Oh, I pray that the [cold] north wind and the [soft] south wind might blow upon this garden which I offer to you,  and that its spices may flow out [in abundance for you in whom my soul delights]!"

"I am my beloved’s [garden] and my beloved is mine!" 


I am the very soil of which you planet your seeds of life. Yes, I am your garden, given to you to tend as the husbandman should, and I am as yielded as the earth beneath my feet unto the germination of the seed. Seed that might grow within me, so that I become your delight, as you are already my echanted satisfaction.


Oh, you are my beloved ... and yes I am yours!

Oh, but some are left as I was one day ... a [deserted] booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, like a besieged city, until you came to me and restored me. 

Today I pray for those in dry places, among the thorns of the world. 

I pray that you might call them to yourself. 

I remember the day that you called me by name; the day when I became yours.  I have branded in my mind the joy that overflowed my soul in that hour.

My mind was free to be transformed, my emotions were jubilantly restored, and my will was forever yours. 

I pray for such a day to come to those who's minds are jumbled, confused and tormented; for those who's emotions are shattered and wills are amiss.

My desire for them is that they experience your love and life; that light might dispel the curse of their darkness.

Like mighty Oaks that wither and die without wells springs of waters, so is the soul that does not have a water source.

And yet, a promise has been given to those who will turn from the counsel of the ungodly [ following their advice, their plans and purposes].

Yes, a promise has been given to those who do not stand [submissive and inactive] in the path of sinners. For those who will not sit down [to relax and rest] with the scornful [and the mockers].

For those who delight in the law of the Lord, and habitually meditates (ponders and studies) it by day and by night, they shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season, with leaves that shall not wither nor fade in beauty, and everything they do shall prosper [and come to maturity].

Today I call on the Lord to call you out;
Out of barren lands to the life of fertility, to a land flowing with the abundance of beauty and supply.

 

I ask the Lord to comfort you, even in waste places. And make your wilderness like Eden, and your desert like the garden of the Lord.

My desire is for joy and gladness to be found in you, that thanksgiving and songs of praises will ring free and loud from your soul.

I pray that your life, becomes a song unto Him and a testimony among men.

May the God of Love guide you continually, and satisfy you through droughts. And as you walk in dry places, may He cause you to be as a well watered garden, and like a spring whose waters fail not.



I have not doubt of My God's potential to both hear my prayers and call you 

out!  I have no concern that the very one who created the universe, can keep you. 

For as [surely as] the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring forth, so [surely] the Lord God is able and will cause rightness, justice and praise to spring forth [through the self-fulfilling power of His Word], into your life.

You will never know what is just beneath the mass of weeds in life, until you call on the husbandman (the Christ) to tend your garden; until you allow him to take you lovingly unto himself.

My job is complete. I have prayed, and placed this word before each reader.

Your journey just begins, as you place you life into his hands.  

Will you allow Him to fill you with His incorruptible seed (Word of God), and cause you to bring forth the life that is within the seed? 

I pray that you will!

Team up for Success

One of the most important traits in having a winning attitude is taking full responsibility for our actions.

This does not mean dwelling on the error; make it, acknowledge it, correct it, then go with a positive attitude and do your best not to repeat the mistake.  

None of us has the luxury of going through life without making mistakes.  The Word tells us in Romans 3:23 that all have fallen short of the Glory of God.  Making mistakes is a given; how we react to them and move on is what is important.  We must not forget we though we make mistakes, we also have an advocate with the father. A place to turn for the acquital for our failures.  

I Joh 2:21

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

Once we recognize we have made a mistake we need to repent and take again  a positive attitude; study to show ourselves approved; practice, and then look forward to moving on in this overcoming life.  Becoming negative or fearful is setting oneself up for yet more failure.

                                                                                                                   

One of the best winning attitudes is to praise one another for successes and encourage each other when things are not going the direction we desire.  Teamwork is vital in life.  Those who think themselves islands or recluse find themselves in unfulfilled and difficult places. 

In the body of Christ (as in life) there are various skilled members.  Each having a great importance and each a gift to the other; when we accept this we become stronger and more apt to win.  We need one another. 

Do not become critical of others’ mistakes, instead encourage them through the mistake unto victory.  Encouraging one another is vital.  Had Barnabas not encouraged John Mark, he may have never gone back out to help Paul on the field, when Paul needed him.   

There are some great steps to success.  Here are just a few of the simple ones:

1. Joy 

You should enjoy what you are doing, if not, you may be on the wrong course or in the wrong place. From your position in Christ, there are many roads, lots of positions.    Some roads lead to the ministerial callings and/or the mission field, others to your local community with positions that vary.  You should not be living your life tumultuously.  Life should be full of love peace and joy, as well as service.

This does not omit times of trials and test when things might seem a little tough or you a little low.   But you should be able to rise above those times with fair ease, knowing the joy set before you. 

Paul while in prison spoke 19 times of joy.  He was the man who thought himself happy along the way, and wrote of holding fast to joy unto the end. 

Joy is a powerful factor in life.  Proverbs speaks to us as to how a merry heart does good like a medicine.  Both, Nehemiah, and the Psalmist speak to us of the joy of the Lord being our strength.  And how we are to embrace each day with gladness.  We are even told in Deuteronomy 28:47 how curses make their entrance into our lives if we do not serve the Lord with joyfulness and gladness of heart. 

2. Personal responsibility 

The person who always blames others for their problems, failures and difficulties will never become successful.  They will stay stuck where they are, without reaching the altitude that is intended for them.

There was a man who laid daily by the pool (John chapter 5) and never obtained his healing.  He was always waiting.  Waiting for someone to come and help him in the pool to obtain a divine healing touch.  He excused himself saying, “Someone always beats me in.”   “I just can’t seem to make it.  I’m to sick, I’m to weak, I’m just not fast enough.”   All these excuses this man could have been using, since he said, “someone always steps in before me,” and I miss out.

Jesus had no part with those excuses, instead He tells him to get up, roll up his bed and go home.  We should never toy with people’s excuses, but instead aid them unto success.  

3. Hold fast your confess.  Take hold of the Word of God and never let go.  Continue to hold fast to truth no matter how things look outwardly, or what people may be saying negatively.  You need to be a finisher.  Jesus is the author AND finisher of our faith.  When we step out into a field or a position in life we must not only start, but finish to be successful.  Provided of course you are on the right course.  If not shift gears and then move on from there, knowing that once you are in your proper position life is not only God, but success is sure if you continue in faith.

4.  Give and Receive encouragement

To move forward happily and successfully we all need to be encouraged by others from time to time.  But in the encouragement, we in turn must encourage others.  The Word tells us to consider others better than ourselves and to be kind one to the other.  Making some of life’s simple principles high priorities will aid us along life’s way.

5.  Never take others for granted.

Each person is a gift to you.  Even the ones who seem to grind us like sandpaper.  That sanding will bring us forth very polished.  The people who are weaker, may just be the added strength we need to accomplish our goal.  A little is a lot when God is in it.  And the Word tells us when we are weak, He is strong, not to mention we are to honor those who are less comely.  I Cor. 12:24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked. 

I Thes. 5:14 says it best:

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Love the Igniting Factor

There is much talk about Faith, and yet , it lays dormant without love. But, faith can be ignited by love in dynamic power! Power that will not only move mountains, but change lives.

The Word of God encourages us to make the love of God our greatest aim. Thus, we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, allowing all else to be added to us.

I John 4:8 reads like this:
He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. The kind of love that never fails.

So we cannot seek God without desiring love, but not just any love, but the God-Kind of Love that never ceases and is unfailing.  The kind of love that is forever forgiving, and opened armed in receiving.  This kind of love we speak of is the Agape.

Agape:

• affection, 
• good will
• brotherly love
• 
  
• The kind of love that is selfless and expects nothing in return, it is unconditional, and eternal. 
• The kind of Love as revealed in Jesus, seen as spiritual and selfless and a model for humanity.

Love is Gods way of prospering us Spirit, Soul and Body. Certainly we find in the Word that faith is what pleases God, but it is love that activates our faith. 

This is not mere natural faith that pleases God, it is the God-kind of faith that pleases Him, and love  ignites it. A fiery love that is ready to accelerate faith to action.   For faith without works is dead.

We can't receive of someones goodness today and snub our noses at them the next and except to be successful at walking out the plan of God. Nor can we assume to control the direction that God has set for others, just because it does not align with our personal ideas. 

There are biblical absolutes for all people, but there is also the divine personal leading of the Holy Spirit that takes each person on their journey in life. Each then should work together in harmony to fulfill the great co-mission of Christ; each laboring in the field together along the way. 

Life is good when brethren walk together in unity.  Psalms 133:1 from the Gods Word Translation reads: See how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony!

Ephesians chapter 1-2 offers us a wonderful picture of the Work of Christ toward the Body today living together as one entity, that He himself might make a great impact in planet earth. 

Often times I find that there are such partisan strife that I fall to prayer, praying that the body does not devour itself, but in love learn to serve one another.

While unity will call down a blessing from on high, divisions will destroy the desired work of God through Christ Jesus and his body today.

In I Cor. 3:4-6 Paul speaks out:
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Paul was speaking out against party factions. One wanting to make much of Pauls greatness and another of Apollos greatness. Paul was having any part in this, but made it clear that each of us as ministers are working together in the fields now white, not unto vain glory and followings, but that God might increase.

I again become prayerful that too many are trying to build camps instead of the kingdom. Each person should have their camp, and should know where they belong in the Body of Christ. However, each camp should be working together in the matter of who's side we are on. We are the army of God, made of many camps, moving and serving together in one faith fight. Standing together to uphold the Great Commission and bring in the harvest.      

Are we many bodies?

Are we not One voice crying out 'Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand'... One people working together in love with Jesus not separated from him in pride, jealousy, strife and faction.

In life we are many ... in the body many members. Each member having their place in planet earth. From the shoes salesman who witnesses Christ to the young man purchasing shoes, to the cashier in the local supermarket with the register as her podium, to the fisher man on the river with a fishing pole talking to the lost soul next to him about Christ, to the helps ministries in and out of the church of every sort, gender and color, to the Apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher within the body of Christ as five fold ministers, are we not all called to walk our faith in love? To fight the good fight of faith together?

Will we fight the good fight of faith together?  Or will we be the ones standing watching as the others fall by the way. 

Will we be the one who has ability to help the other and yet watch as they are taken captive without doing all possible to help them walk free and continue in the battle, because we desire some personal fame or recognition?

If we are in Christ ... we are not our own!  If we be in Christ it is no longer "I" that lives, but Christ living in us! The "I" factor is over in Christ!  The "He" and the "We" factor is all that remains.

So let's walk together in love, our faith ignited in these last days.  Lets move together in obedience to the Word of God. LET US cross over ... to the land of healing and miracles as we walk in love and let our light shine. 

There is one requirement ... One commandment ... One Factor that makes our Faith dynamic:
LOVE.

Callings and Ministry

Fifteen years ago this week I drove into Tulsa/Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to start DOMATA School of Missions (with my daughter Paige), who went to DOMATA School of Missions for Children. Under Founders: Pastor Mark And Janet Brazee and School Dean: Pastor Norm Dubois.

My husband stayed back and served a secular job in our support. The same week we left for Oklahoma my granddaughter was born. There is often sacrifice in obedience.

Prior, I had served for several years in a full gospel church and did some radio ministry and also Jail ministry.  Later I took correspondence with RHEMA Bible College (Rev. Kenneth Hagin and Lynette Tipton Hagin) while serving in a local Word of Faith Church. I  have since served some time with Pastor Paul Greer (Trinty Assemble of God/Corydon, Indiana). I also have been licensed and ordained through FCF Ministry (Rev. Pat Harrison).

Today we are still in ministry, with a heart for the nations. I have traveled many countries as well as Co-Pastor Life Fellowship Church with (Pastor Arcie Brown).

I and my family are thankful to all who have been a part of our journey up to this present day ... And to those who will be in our future.

Ministry does not come without cost nor obedience without sacrifice. And when one responds to the call of God it is not signing up for a career.  It is a life commitment!

The gifts and callings of God in a man or woman's life are without repentance. It is walking with a fire in the belly, a deep burn in the soul to carry out the greatest co-mission in planet earth. It is joining together to work with Jesus to accomplish the Fathers will.  Ministry is not to be toyed with or looked upon lightly.

In mission school we were dubbed "The Class of Fire" I can't think of any other class I would rather have prepared under. We were hungry for God. We were excited about the call. We were Aglow and we certainly didn't flag in zeal.

Walking in the word we find the marks of a true Christian in Romans Chapter Tewelve. And if we are to be successful ministers, we first must be successful Christians.

 
Marks of the True Christian


Romans 12:9:

9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;

10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

11 Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.

12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.

18 If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

20 No, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.


The reason I made parts of this text bold, is to remind us that ministry can [at times] be unpleasant to the flesh. But when your ways are right in the eye of the Lord. He will back you, and cause you to come out successfully. Men may fall to see your potential or your heart.  But God sees both.

Ministry is not a call unto ones self it is a call to others. It is serving others in love. It is giving yourself over to another, as is written: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." ~ Gal. 2:20

As you walk in ministry you will find that there are many adversaries, but the Lord he is greater than all of these. You will find there are trails of your faith and you will have test in life. But you are more than a conqueror through Him (Christ Jesus) who loves you.

There will be times when you need to get away and allow times in His presence to refresh and revive you, but you will neve walk in ministry without serving or giving of yourself. If you think of ministry as a free ride, or a high paying career that leaves one to float of a bed of ease, you are sadly mistaken. Our lives are lives of Service. Service simply defines as: contributing to the welfare of others not expecting a return from them.

God is enough in our lives. Matter of fact He is more than enough! He will always be our source and supply, as we serve the way he intends; that being a sort of hands on/hands off style of minstry.

We put our hands to the plow of service we are called too, but we take our hands off of those who persecute us, curse us, or come against us from some decptive idea they may have of us.

We allow God to rule over our lives, and he rules well! He will be sure to avenge us if we allow him, but if we take it upon ourself, we will be in the wrong and out from under his ability to aide us.

 He has always looked well after me and my family. He is faithful!

Life in ministry for me has been good ... and I make a conscious effort to continue in faith and service until the return of Christ.  Ministry for me ... is not an option ... it is a call!

Revival Fire

Revival Fire

Acts 2:1-4

1 And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all assembled together in one place,

2 When suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting.

3 And there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed and which settled on each one of them.

4 And they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different, foreign) languages (tongues), as the Spirit kept giving them clear and loud expression [in each tongue in appropriate words].


• a great violent and forcible gust of life  … it was as if  those waiting had been dead and lifeless, in need of CPR and God himself blew a great puff of life into their inner most being, and then lit their outer life with fire.

• It was as if they were for the first time full of intense feelings and emotions, zeal and vigor.

• They were excited, ignited, enthusiastic and ablaze with the life of God; they were angry at sin and they were ready to be prepared, propelled, discharged and launched into the fields by God.

• This fire had burned on the inside, sat on the outside and a hot coal slide across their mouth.

• Their tongue as well as their inside and outside had been purged.  So they might shine brightly and speak correctly.


That is what the Holy Fire of God will do!
It will purge us and prepare us for revival!


Isaiah 1:24-25

24 Therefore says the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will appease Myself on My adversaries and avenge Myself on My enemies.

25 And I will bring My hand again upon you and thoroughly purge away your dross [as with lye] and take away all your tin or alloy.

Isaiah 6:7

And he laid it upon my mouth (speaking of a hot coal of fire), and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Oh, how we need a new dose of the Holy Ghost and the Hand of God coming down over the church to purge out the dross and bring forth righteousness through the plead blood of Jesus.

Don't be Decieved by feelings, You are of great importance!

Many people feel they have never made a difference in life.  They feel as if life is passing them by, and they have been of no real significance. The culprit in these two statements is the word 'feel'.  When people live by their feelings, they are often let down and live less than lives of truth.  Feelings go and come, truth is solid and remains.

Feelings define as: 

• an awareness by your body of something in it or on it
• an emotional state or reaction entangled with thoughts

Feelings are also said to be: 

• unreasoned opinions or beliefs

People normally do not understand their self worth and therefore fall into deception concerning their value and range of importance in life.  This is when many go into depression, and/or often take upon themselves thoughts of personal bodily harm.  

We live in a deceptive world moved by the five sense realm. Although the sense realm is of great value to us, we are not to be moved or led in totality by our senses.  There is a six sense of sort ... "the realm of faith."  This is the place of the substance of things hoped for, that brings forth the evidence of the unseen realm.  Faith comes from truth.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. [Romans 10:17]  This truth that will keep a person free of deceptive lies such as: 

• You have not made a positive difference in any ones life.  
• What good are you anyway?
• Nothing you do maters.
• You are just a failure.
• Everything you do causes more harm than good.

Sometimes these words come to us by others, but other times they come from within ourselves because we have not lived lives affirmed.  

Some people come out of verbal abusive backgrounds, others marry into verbal abuse, while some just bump into it through life.  It is something that will touch everyone in some way throughout their earth walk, simply because we live among immature and hurting people   

Those evil words hinge and hold until the truth of God push them out.  And as long as those words live in the soil of our lives they will cause hurt.  These words will affect our emotional well being, our heath and also others if allowed.  

The old saying:  "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me"  is so far from truth.  Words are what the universe (heavens)  hang on.  Words are powerful!  Words Heal and Words Hurt!

Throughout Genesis Chapter One we find: 

Ten times God said, as he was molding the chaos into something good.

Four times we find that God had made something (with his words).

And seven times we find God saw what he made and it was good.

Proverbs 18:21 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they they love it shall eat the fruit thereof.  

Psalms 107:20

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 

Proverbs 6:2

Thou are snared by the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

Proverbs 15:26

A soft answer turns away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.

Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul (mind will and emotions), and health to the bones. 

Proverbs 18:8 

Words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the inner most pat of the belly.

These are just a few scripture truths from the ancient writings of those inspired by the Spirit of God. 

Words matter.  

Hebrews 4:12 

For the Word of God is quick, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerener of thoughts and intents of the heart. 

Words are powerful, but the Word of God is strong and can cut out the poisonous affects of all the evil spoken to you, at you, or around us.  Just as it can move deep into our own thoughts and intents keeping us from using our own words disastrously. 

I have many battle wounds of harsh words.  But I live whole today because of the overcoming life of Christ.  And you can too.  I will spare you the details of every battle and share only one with you later in the blog. I know what words can do, both constructively and destructively.  Loose words hurt ... The Word of God heals!  Well thought out and planned words bring help, refreshing, peace,  health, prosperity, life and wholeness in every way.  

If a person surrenders their life to their feelings, they will never walk in the fullness of the Spirit.  But if they will surrender, and choose to walk in the fullness of the Spirit they can walk above mere feelings.  They will walk in victory.  

Feelings change.  Truth does not!  Realities might change, but truth remains!  

There is one unchanging source for each person who choose to believe and receive it and that is God.  He is unchanging.  He is truth.   Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father (God) except through me.  [John 14:6]  And so it is, and so it will always be!  

Times may change, ideas may change, dress codes, economy, educational methods, and people.  But God... never changes, He remains unchanged in a world changing.  

In Christ we move from Glory to Glory and faith to faith.  Yes, we all live among change ... but unchanging God can live within us and hold us together during all the transitions, transformations and metamorphosis of life.  Feelings will never do this ... left to feelings we will fall apart.  

Now for the one event in my life I promised from earlier in the blog.

I had been saved for some time.  I had walked with God and been healed of many things in my life.  I had served Him (serving people) for many years.  Then I was called upon by the Holy Spirit to go to Mission School.  

God worked out all the details, even down to my daughter being able to go with me and attend mission classes for children parallel with mine.  I couldn't have been more excited and ready to move ahead in ministry.  

At graduation my daughter and I had one precious observer "my faithful husband".  But it matter little who was or wasn't there. My husband was enough (the other part of me). And besides that,  I was obeying the Lord and understood most people could not make such a long trip for a graduation that was several states away (even if they had wanted to).  Yet what I was not thrilled with, was the lies that would withstand my character during these days.  Character attacks coming from words of those who were suppose to be looking after my soul.  

You walk as prepared as you possible can for victory, but we are human; we live in flesh bodies and have a soul (mind, will and emotions).  So feelings will show up in life, even when you are walking with God.  Just don't let them rule.  

During these days of attack, I recall only one direct hit.  And it went into my soul like an arrow.  I recall many that stung.  But none that went as deep or wounded like this one.   

It was the one coming to destroy my worth, my value and my significance.  And it was the one that caught my feelings (emotions), entangling them to physical pain and mental anguish.  When these words rolled out toward me it Hurt!  

The words spoke were:  "ANY THING THAT YOU HAVE DONE HAS CAUSED MORE HARM THAN GOOD!"  

Those words were like a stick of dynamite exploding in my soul.  You see, all I had even wanted in life was to make a positive difference by obeying the Holy Spirit.  And I had obeyed him every step of the way, to my own hurt.  

Did I 'feel' let down by God?  No.  

Could I have 'felt' let down by God?  Yes, had I not spent enough time with him to know Him.  

Knowing God in your life is vital to your successes.   

Was my feelings hurt?  Yes, deeply.    

Was I angry. Yes, very!  

But in the midst of the pain and anger, I knew the one who would be truth to me and I needed truth to set me free.  

So I ran to Jesus.  The one I knew as "the truth".  I ran to the Word of God.  And I opened up my wounds and my life to my three dimensional God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  

I laid on my face in a quite room with my faithful husband at my side still.  A place where I could wail out the pain and cry out to God, and afterwards in the quietness of my brokenness,  hear from the truth giver.  

I had to know if what was said  about me was truth or lie.  

"Had my life counted for nothing?"

"Had all my labors of love went unnoted?"   

"Had I caused Harm, as those painful accusing words had imploded?"  

I wanted truth.  If I had caused harm ... I did not want to carry another message.  

If I had caused harm I did not want to serve another table.  

If I had been this kind of person, I wanted to be changed or leave planet earth.  

If all my labors had been for nothing I wanted to cease from labors and service.  

As I cried out among fickle and painful feelings; feelings that erupted from words spoken to cause me pain, anguish and personal harm as well as character demise, I was ready to hear truth.  No matter what the truth was ... I had to know in order to come to terms with my life!

And after the storm of emotions ceased, and my prayer flowed:

Father I must know, have I caused more harm than good?  Has my labors of love and battles been in vain?  Have I failed you? 

The answer came in the still small voice of the Holy Spirit that always aligns with his Word.  And in the midst of my inner most being I heard the sweetness of the Spirit saying:  Psalm 9 ... Psalm 9 begin to roll out of my mouth.  Pslam 9, Pslam 9.  My husband ask, "do you know what Pslam 9 says?"  I didn't, not right off the cuff.  I shook my head and rose to pick up my Bible.

From my broken state, I opened my Bible to Psalms 9 my eyes falling upon verse 4 saying:  

... You have endorsed my work, declaring from your throne that it is good.    

One translation reads:  

... I have looked upon the works of your hands and declared them good works.  

And at these words my feelings were changed.  My heart was made whole.  

Do words hurt?  Do words heal?  Yes!  And the Word of God makes whole!

Don't allow evil words to declare your value and significance in life, but rather go to the Father when your feelings are tumultuous and see what he has to say.  Let the Sprit of God rule and reign in your life!  Let Him Show you who you are and declare over you his thoughts!  

Some may wonder ... what ever happened with me in minstry?  I'm still standing.  My feet have traveld into over 12 countries and served many people. And I will continue to serve as long as he declares my works good works! 

In a World of People ... You are Important!

Allow God to declare you righteous!

Allow him to use you when others opinions of you are wrong!

So You Had A Bad Day

Have you ever had a bad day?  If you haven't you must be immortal.  Everyone has a bad day occasionally; sometimes there will even be a season that is rough.  But God does not change when times are bad or things get rough. 

The Word speaks to us about seasons in life, and also about test and trails of our faith.  

• I Peter 1:7  So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed.

• James 1:3   Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

Some people think that when bad things happen God causes them.  God never causes evil.  But he is forever there with a watchful eye, waiting to see what we will do. And he is always as close as your voice.  The Word assures us that He is a present help in times of trouble and that when we pray, He hears and answers. The problem comes when we don't call out to him for help; when we turn angry or bitter against him.  Please allow me to give some good advice here, "When you are in a troubled season, it is not time to be angry or bitter at God, He is your way out."  

So many songs suggest on bad days and in bad seasons, when something has gone wrong, or someone has hurt you the answer is:  

• Go out and get drunk
• Go out and have an affair
• Go out and beat someone up or key a car  
• Some suggest going inward and reeks of depression.  But these are all terrible ways to handle bad days or seasons.  

A drunken person doesn’t know if they had a good time or not.  The person in an affair is hurting someone else in an attempt to 'feel' better, and feelings are fickle and subject to change at the ticking of a clock.  And to key a car not only enrages others, but can cost you a fine or time (maybe both).

If you are of the inward kind who like to closet drink or hold pity parties, you will simple lock yourself behind a door, and go inward causing physical and more emotional damage.  

The answer to bad days or seasons is God.  He will bring you out and hold you up.  He will never fail you.  

Some people assume God has failed them, or will fail them.  But that is a misconception.  Bad things do happen, and seasons can be cold, but God is Love and will never fail.  Things may happen you don't have understanding for, but love will bring you through.  

My past was a broken one.  I was lost.  I was without God.  I cried out He answered and helped me.  He loved me, healed me and has given me understanding of life.  I am grateful.  

In life we all have choices.  We can choose life or death, blessing or cursing.  God is good to allow men free will.  However, the things we choose will leave us with the results of those choices.  The grand thing about God is He is a God of restoration.  A broken plate may not go back together as it was before, but it can be restored or another can fill the empty space at the table.  

I have heard so many people, say things like, "But you just don't know what happen to me, or you just don't know what they did to me!"   And they are right I may not know.  But I do know the one who does know and understand.  And I can connect you with Him if you so desire help.  Some receive Him and get the help He has promised, others prefer glorying in their pain, or sitting in their darkness. Again, "That is a personal choice that God is willing to allot you."

So many people want to avoid their part of receiving healing. But with God there is always going to be a man side.  Throughout the Bible we find Jesus healing all sick and diseased (well all who would allow and/or receive).  You see in some places He could do no mighty works because of unbelief. Faith is a factor. And faith acts.  Just as I am asking you to ask if you are having a bad day, or hurting.  

As you browse through the scripture you will  find:

• A blind man crying out
• A bleeding woman pressing in
• A woman worshiping 
• A man drawing on Jesus for his daughter
• A Centurion asking for his servant 
• A man waiting by a pool, but willing to roll up his bed upon instruction
• A man stretching forth his hand at the Word of the Lord

The blind man would have continued to beg; the woman bleed; the woman suffer; the man grieve; the centurion suffer loss; the man lay around in pity at a pool party; a man continue with a swiveled up life. Each had a choice.

Today is a good day to choose Jesus.  Let him who authors faith; bring you to a good end.  Today is a good day to choose life and love and come out of darkness.  It is a good day to heal, be set free of depression or other sickness the enemy has set upon you.  It is a great day to past a test, be acquitted from a trail or loosed from an infirmity.  

Call upon the Lord, he hears and answers.  Ask him into your life; ask him to reveal himself to you, to help you.  He is willing.  

Maybe you are not sick physically or emotionally distraught.  Maybe you are already a Christian in the middle of a faith trail or a life test.  As Peter and James speaks, if that is the case this is still your day. Life test become easy in Christ, they are all open book.  

The Word teaches us Gods ways of living and doing things. Therefore, all we have to do is make the adjustments.  When we turn to the Word for direction and find we have been doing things wrong, all we have to do is repent (turn around) and make a choice decision to do things God's way.  When we do, we can expect the results that God has promised.  

If you are in the midst of a trail, you shall be acquitted if you will continue to allow God to be your advocate.  Allow him to give you the right words to say and say that and only that, if you will allow him to order your steps and direct your paths.  Not only will you come out of the trail free, you will receive a recompense of reward and or promotion established by the Father on your behalf.  

Just remember alone you can do nothing (nothing lasting), but with God all things are possible. 

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.   John 15:5

It is a great day to attach to the vine.  It is a great day to be alive … and to really live!