April Cover Photo (2013)*

Sunrise above the clouds on flight from LA to DC

- Photo courtesy of Rachel J Newman

Life and Death in the Tongue (4.30.13)

Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully - Psalms 52:2

The tongue is the smallest member of our body, yet the deadliest. Speaking unkind words to others and about others has the potential to cut deep into the heart of those being talked about. The tongue has enormous power to build up or tear down. How will you choose to use it?

GOD expects his children to love and build up others regardless if they are followers of Christ or not. JESUS loved the people that talked about others in a negative way, just as much as he loved the people who did not participate in this kind of behavior. The difference is, the Word Of GOD says you will be held accountable to GOD for every word spoken good or bad.

May every word that you speak be one that encourages and build up others. Ask the Lord in prayer to please place a guard over your mouth so that you will not sin against him. There is life and death in the tongue.

Ask the Lord to fill your mouth and heart with his thoughts and with His words.

Children, Have Faith, and Come to Him (4.29.13)

GOD want us to come to Him whenever we are in need.
He created us to depend on others sometimes and not try to do everything on our own.

When times become tough GOD wants us to open our hearts to Him, that He can manifest himself to us.

Call upon the name of the LORD during your brokenness, and He will be faithful to answer you.
We should not wait until situations become really bad before we go to the Father and ask for his intervention.
The LORD will be with you during your season of testing.
He will be with you during the hardest of times promising never to leave you nor forsake you.

The LORD allows things to happen in our lives so that our trials will bring us closer to Him, that we will come to know him better. Bring your tribulations and all that is heavy on your mind, to the foot of the cross, lay it there, leave it there and believe in what the LORD has promised you.

He can't lie and He won't lie!!!!

He will come through in every situation if you will only believe.

Nothing pleases the LORD more than when his children have faith in Him. 

Ephesians 6:12 (4.28.13)

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places - Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

The enemy is real, beloved. Paul began describing the nature of our enemy in Ephesians Chapter 6 by telling us who the enemy is not.

Ephesians 6:12 says our struggle is not against flesh and blood. Think about this for a minute. Think about everyone you know on this planet. Paul tells us this, "If you can see them, touch them and they have flesh and blood they are not your enemy! They might be taking the enemy’s side and even doing the enemy’s work but they are not the enemy."

Paul described the enemy in a dramatic fashion. He describe them as rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. It is written in the Bible that flesh and blood is not the problem, because we are fighting against spiritual beings.

The enemy is a spirit which will occupy the flesh and use people in any way possible. Once he has used you to do his wickedness, he will destroy you afterwards. He has come to kill, steal and destroy anything that has to do with our LORD and Saviour. These spirits will occupy your family, friends, co-workers and sabotage your career. The enemy is very sneaky and crafty.

The good news is, GOD has promised us protection through his Word. When it appears the walls are caving in, and the enemy has declared war on you and your family, "Stand, Stand and Stand some more!", declaring the WORD of GOD against the enemy!!!!

If you do this, the enemy will flee from you for a season. When he reappears again, make sure you are equipped with this awesome firepower, which is called the Word Of GOD! The book of Ephesians will give you wisdom on how to put on the full armor of GOD daily. Just remember, the enemy has been defeated and  cannot hurt you as long as you stay in the Word of GOD!!! Read your Bible everyday, spend quiet quality time with the LORD. Put praise music on in your car, home and office - by doing this the enemy will flee. When JESUS died and rose on the third day all power was given to Him on heaven and on earth. He is the answer to whatever you are facing.

Prayer - 

Lord, 
In the midst of the warfare that rages in this world, 
I want to draw near to You. 
Thank You for drawing near to me, Lord. 
Father, please give me a spirit of discernment 
so that I'm aware of the schemes the enemy has planned against me. 

Father, don't let me be deceived or hurt by those 
who are serving the enemy and doing his work. 
I thank You Lord, for the Holy Spirit who dwells within me. 

Protect me and my love ones Lord and help us to remember 
that "greater is He who is within me, than he who is in the world". 
I pray this prayer to You in the name of your son, JESUS CHRIST. 

Amen

Seeking and Pursuing Peace (Excerpt from Bayless Conley) (4.27.13)

This lesson, written by Bayless Conley, is definitely something we all need to hear.

I wanted to share this with you.
_________

In Proverbs 18:2, we are given an important word of warning, A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.

It is so easy to play the role of such a fool when we are dealing with a strained or broken relationship. Rather than seeking to understand the other person, we will often feel the need to make the other person understand our hurt.

Like me, you have probably said, "You need to hear me. You need to understand why I'm hurt. You need to understand why I reacted the way I reacted. You need to see that I'm right. I need to convince you that I'm justified in the things I've said and the things I've done."

When we say those things, we are not interested in understanding the other person's point of view to reach a mutual peace. We just want to express our opinions, our hurt, and our reasons.

The Bible says that is the way a fool behaves. I am going to stand at the front of the line and say, "I've been that fool more than once." But we must learn to listen and understand.

Once you have listened and understood, here is an important phrase to learn, "I see what you're saying, and I'm sorry." That does not mean, "I see what you're saying, and I'm sorry you're such an idiot." That means, "I've listened to you, I've heard you, and I'm sorry." Period. "Forgive me."

It is amazing how some people choke on those words. In fact, it is shocking to realize how few people know how to give a proper apology. They offer the rose of an apology by handing it thorn-end first.

Don't play the fool.
Listen…to understand.
The Bible says that we are to seek peace and pursue it with everyone. 

An Obedient and Seeking Heart (4.26.13)

GOD wants us to know that he stands ready to guide us through all of our trials and tribulations. GOD always reveals His plan to an obedient and seeking heart. Are you willing to do whatever GOD asks you to do?

GOD said in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the LORD "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (NIV). Seek GOD and ask for His will to be done in your life, regardless if you understand what He is doing or not.

Reading the Bible each day will open the door for the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what GOD's will is for your life. This can only be achieved by spending time in the Word each day. Pay attention to the passion of your heart, asking the LORD in prayer if what you are feeling is His will for your life.

He will answer you in a small, still voice but you have to be still and listen. After you have spent time in His presence, trust Him and His will shall become a light unto your path.

Spiritual Warfare (4.25.13)

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” - 2 Corinthians 10 : 3-4

Occasionally I meet people who will say something like, “Well, it’s okay for you to teach on spiritual warfare, but I’m just not into that sort of thing.”  It doesn't matter whether you are “into” spiritual warfare or not, it truly exists and it's here to stay.

Are you winning or losing? We don’t get to vote on this either. It’s not a game where you can take your ball and go home. GOD’s Word is clear, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12). Spiritual warfare is a reality that a lot of people do not realize they are a part of. Spiritual warfare will reek havoc in your life, if left unchecked.

It will never go away according to the Word Of GOD. It has been present since the beginning of time. It is time to prepare ourselves to wage war, not as the world does, but with the weapons provided by the Spirit of GOD which is the Word Of GOD.

satan is in church every Sunday seeking whom he may devour. In some cases he has been known to send his agents to stand in the pulpits to try deceive whomever he can. Knowing what is written in the Bible, which is the Word Of GOD,  will expose him and his agents. Spiritual warfare is here to stay and the only way to survive it is through studying and obeying the Word Of GOD on a daily basis.

Bring the enemy to his knees and make him flee by praising and worshiping GOD everyday.

Focus on the Lord & PRAISE Your Way to Victory (4.24.13)

Make today a day where you PRAISE your way to victory!

Do not try to avoid places of testing the Lord has bought you to, because we all will go through testing times. It does not matter what you are going through.  It doesn't matter what the situation looks like.
GOD has this thing in his hand and under control. He said the battle is His and not yours.
GOD wants you to rise up with a testimony! GOD want you to trust Him to bring you through.
When you begin to praise Him in the midst of your storm, You are saying to the Lord, "I know You are in control.  I know the victory is mine."

FOCUS on the Lord today and ASK Him to minister a new song in your heart!
GOD wants you to be victorious in all you do.
He is placing a new victory in your hands.

So open your mouth and begin to PRAISE THE LORD! 

PRAISE HIM RIGHT NOW! 

Come on, let’s Praise Him in the Middle of what we are going through!! 
Praise Him through every situation, good or bad.

See Your Problems Through Spiritual Eyes (4.23.13)

Ephesians 2:4-6 "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

Why are you looking at your problems from beneath? 
Please don't do that beloved. 
I want you to start looking at this problem from My point of view. If you view the problem from the position of being in the world, it will always appear to be over your head. You are to be the head and not the tail, above and not beneath. 

No problem should ever over take you.

You are a believer, therefore your spiritual eyes should be looking at this situation through the eyes of the Father. If you view it from the position of being seated with Me in heavenly places, you will clearly see and understand that your problem is under My feet. Therefore, the problem is also under your feet. 

Now don't worry about that problem anymore. 
Walk in My provision and My protection. 
You have My grace and favor around you, 
and remember I already overcame all 
that’s trying to come against you. 

Now, from this moment on look at this situation through my eyes only.  

To Be Strengthened, Restored & Renewed (4.22.13)

I know things have been very stressful and hectic. 

I want you to let go of everything that has kept you bound and troubled. 

Let me take those burdens from you.  It’s not My desire to see My children bound. 

Take some time to come into My rest - to be strengthened, restored and renewed. 
Cast your cares upon Me, and trust that I will bring those things that have been troubling you to a conclusion. Don’t you know that I am more than able to bring all things to a point of order, perfection and completion according to My purposes? 
However, I can’t do that until you release these things unto Me.

It’s not a partial release that I require of you. 
I need you to release everything.  Don’t hold onto the part in which you still have some control.
I want you to trust Me completely.  Don’t be afraid or worry about the days ahead.

Stop where you are, quiet your emotions, and refuse to be troubled anymore.
Surely I am able to perform My Word as I have promised. Just seek My face.  
I will give you wisdom and direct your steps. So loose all that’s been troubling you.
Feel the yoke of My love dissolve the strongholds in your life.


Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light - Matthew 11:28-30

Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven - Matthew 18:18 

My Anointing Has Made You Strong (4.21.13)

My anointing and power is yours always - you will lack nothing. Nothing will be with held from you. All that I have is yours.

You will always have more than what the enemy has. Your weapons are more powerful and they outnumber the enemies.

I have trained your hands to war. You are more prepared than what you think.
You do not realize what a threat you are to darkness.
Because My light is great around you, you shine so brightly.

My glory is over you and it covers you. You are clothed with my presence and my brightness shines out from within you.

All that has been done to you - I have taken and used it.  All the past that was meant to destroy you and even kill you, I have taken and formed you into a strong warrior.

There are scars and disappointments but they are marks of your testing.

They are medals of your battles, look upon them and say, "The Lord has prevailed in my life."

The Cross I Wear (4.20.13)

GOD is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

The cross I wear around my neck is not there for show, nor is it the object of my worship. I would not be lost without it, though I do like it. I do not believe it has some mystical power, nor does it protect me. The cross that I wear reminds me of the great love that GOD has for me and you.

Christ's gift of eternal life is made real to me each time I look down at the cross or feel it lightly resting on my chest. In difficult times, I look at the cross and feel warmth and comfort. From its gentle reminder I draw strength when I am weary, refuge when I need to rest. Whether I wear my cross or not, GOD is with me, but sometimes it is nice to have a small reminder.

Father GOD,

I am so thankful that I can come to You
when I need rest Lord. 
You promised to take me into Your arms 
and protect me from the pressures of the day.

In every trial, You Lord are the source of my help. 
LORD thank You for keeping and being with me and my family. 

Father GOD, send Your Angels to encamp around my house,
so that no harm will come near my dwelling. 
Protect my family Father GOD from any and all harm. 
I thank You Father for being my strong tower and refuge
in these last days where the enemy is seeking to destroy whatever he can. 
Protect my loved ones from all danger and harm. 
I know You will protect and bless those who believe
in You because Your Word said You would. 

I thank You that I believe Father. 
I pray this prayer in the name of your son, JESUS CHRIST.

Amen

You Can't Mix Faith & Trust with Doubt & Disbelief (4.19.13)

Take the Authority over the enemy in the Name of Jesus Christ!

Command things in your life to line up according to GOD's plan!

Don't give place to the devil in any area of your life!

Fill yourself up to overflow with the Word of God. Your flesh and your reasonings must die! Remember you can't mix faith and trust with doubt and disbelief! Like oil and water, they don't mix!!! If doubt has a place in your life, faith cannot operate. Faith cannot operate with reasoning. Faith operates with complete trust in GOD and Who He Is!

Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to.

YOU MUST BELIEVE!

It's time that we rise up, and take our rightful place as a child of GOD and say, 'I will trust Him, and will not doubt!"  We need to declare these statements out loud daily. We need to declare them as often as we can!!!! Like taking medicine, you may need to repeat them once every 4 hours, or as needed.

YOU MUST TRUST HIM!

Remember, the devil was defeated when Christ died for us and rose on the third day.  He can only operate when we let him! Arise! Arise right now above the things which have held you captive!  Arise, Arise now, take authority and be victorious in Jesus over all the enemies of your soul! Step on DOUBT AND DISBELIEF.

Declare and decree that you will trust GOD, even if your back is against the wall.

DRIVE OUT ALL DOUBT AND DISBELIEF

Let it Go (4.18.13)

Did you know people will leave your life because they are not spiritually joined to you? And if they are not joined to you, you cannot make them stay in your life. Let them go! It doesn't mean they are a bad person it just means that their part of the story in your life is over. And you've got to know when a person's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead.

You've got to know when it's over. We all should have the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever GOD means for me to have He'll give it to me.

Stop encouraging people to stay in your life...LET THEM GO!!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you, and was never intended for your life, then you need to...LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains...LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth...LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you...LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge...LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction...LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents...LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude...LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better...LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past, and GOD is trying to take you to a new level in Him...LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship...LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't try to help themselves...LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed ...LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and GOD is saying,
"Take your hands off of it," then you need to...LET IT GO!!!

Let the past be the past. Forget the former things.
GOD is doing a new thing and it's time to release and let go of the old...LET IT GO!!!

If GOD brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

LET IT GO

A Morning Prayer (4.17.13)

Heavenly Father,

I come before You this morning, 

the blessings of God shall abound in my life.
  

I won't because Your Spirit abounds in me 

I'll turn it, or them, over to You Lord and You will work it out for me 

thanking You for waking me up this morning.

I enter into Your courts with thanksgiving and Your gates with praise.

I declare Father that this is the day, that You have made, 

and I will rejoice and be exceedingly glad in it.

Father, I thank You for this position you have blessed me with at my job.

I do not take it for granted, but commit myself to performing 
every task assigned to me as unto You and not unto man.

I will show myself a faithful steward over what you have given me, 

for Your word says a faithful man shall abound in blessings.

Give me the strength Lord and move in me throughout this day, 

regardless of circumstances or situations.

Help me to operate in the fruit of the Spirit at all times. 

That means even when I feel like losing control of my tongue,

 whether it is to speak forth gossip, to curse man or anything 

that is considered corrupt communication -

and You said 'I am the light', and to let my light so shine.

I choose to let my light shine, and as a result, 

I'll only speak those words that bring edification to You and others, 

and anything that does not edify me or others I'll cast away from me.

Thank you Father for being the Messiah in my life, 

my banner, my shield and my strong high tower.

You are the one who fights all of my battles, therefore I don't have to.

Instead of trying to handle difficult situations or people myself,

because You care that much for me.

Thank you Father for being all that you are to me. 

I will never find anyone to be as good to me as You are.

I love You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

I Am Leading You Down a Path of Blessings (4.15.13)

Beloved,

My will for you is not that you should worry about anything, 
for I am in control.
I am leading you in the way that I desire for you to go.
Give up on the way you did things in the past.
Surrender the ways you have traveled in the past, 
and allow Me to show you My ways.
I am your very present help in times of trouble.

Nothing you can imagine can compare to the peace and fullness of My Spirit.
I am leading you down a path of blessings.
Nothing can touch the grace, love, and power I am about to pour upon your life.
So rejoice and let go of all the things which have hindered you so greatly.
Rejoice I say, for I am drawing close unto you.
Soon you will radiate My glory and presence,
and you will see that nothing can stop My hand, because I am with you.
Any door that I open, no man can ever close.

I will be opening that door you have been praying about real soon.
Remember, I am a Master Planner and my timing is perfect.

Now put every thought that is not of GOD behind you right now!!!

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble - Psalm 46:1 

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before - Philippians 3:13 

I pray your day is blessed.

Humble Your Heart & Wait on Him (4.14.13)

Whenever the Lord elevates through mighty prophecies - duck!
If the word is truly from Him, He will prepare your heart through humbling and testing.
He has to purge out of you whatever could defile the ministry or prevent its execution as He intends.
Quickly humble your heart and wait for confirmations.

By the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word shall be established - II Corinthians 13:1.

The Lord may confirm instantly or wait a great while.
Do not act until He confirms.
Again, do not act until He confirms!
satan could be tempting you into thinking that certain things are coming from the LORD, especially if these things are negative.  At the same time the Lord may be allowing these things to happen, in order to reveal to you any weak areas that need to be revealed so they can be removed.

The Lord may simply be testing your willingness to be patient, humble and obedient to His counsel.
Humbling your heart is vital because satan tries very hard to copy all things from the Lord.
he knows the Word as well, and can send his kind of confirmations that are just as false as his promises!
How are you going to know the difference? There’s no guarantee you will!

For this reason, the Scripture declares that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.
Establishing a close relationship with the Lord by reading his Word and spending time with Him on a daily basis, will help you to discern those things which are of GOD and those things which are of the enemy.

I Have Not Forgotten You (4.13.13)

My child, I see your pain. I see your sorrow. I feel your heartache
I hear the questions that roam through your mind
Wondering whether or not I have heard your prayers
Hold on, I assure you I have, I have not forgotten you.

Your faith rises and the doubts do too
You must trust Me, I will see you through
My child, the day is coming when your mourning will turn to laughter
The day is coming when your sorrow will turn to joy
Hold on, I have not forgotten you.

I have not forgotten the circumstances and the trials that surround you
I have not forgotten your tears
Hold on, I am with you. I see all, know all, and hear all
Resist any anger or bitterness that may arise within you
Hold on, I have not forgotten you. 

Be Not Proud, Be Humble (4.12.13)

Many times in the Bible the disciples tried to correct the Lord.

There were many times they argued with Him.

See how many times their thoughts contradicted the Master.

See how many times they urged Him to take action and the Lord, ever patient, would correct them.
In every case we see that He is Lord, and they are the disciples.

The roles must never be confused.
He is the Master, and we are his servants. We do not command Him, but He commands us.
We do not direct Him, but He directs us. We do not lead Him, but He leads us.
He was not created for us, but we were created for Him.
He does not serve us according to our pleasure, but we serve Him according to His pleasure.

So we must change for Him, and not the other way around.
The Lord will never apologize to us and say, "I'm sorry, I was wrong. We'll do it your way."
How laughable! How absurd!
But we often live as if we expect Him to do that very thing.
We have not humbled ourselves.  All who want power with God must see that His power is released through our weakness - II Corinthians 12:9.

Do realize that you are weak, whether you admit it or not, but the power of humility is in recognizing and agreeing before God that we really can do nothing of our own selves.
GOD's power will not be given to the proud for GOD hates a proud look and a proud heart.
God is not looking for volunteers to serve at their own convenience, as their schedule permits, but He calls for disciples who will lay down their lives and follow Him.

GOD's power is not revealed to us when we are proud, but when we are humble.

In the Stillness (4.11.13)

The Lord is calling us today to be still before Him,
and enter into a place of quietness within our hearts, minds and spirits.
A place where we can release all of our cares and concerns over to Him.
Trusting Him to provide for all of our needs and to direct our paths accordingly. 

It is in this stillness, that we can grow and develop a deeper, personal intimacy with the Lord.
In this stillness, He reveals His Kingdom Strategies, Plans and Mysteries.
In this stillness, we can be comforted, healed, delivered, empowered and released into a greater fullness through Christ Jesus. (I Kings 19:10-13) 

Will you be still before Him today? 
Take a few minutes out of your busy day to just sit and rest before the LORD. 
Share with Him the things that are concerning you. 
Remember, He sees everything and knows everything we do and say, 
even before we ever confess to Him. 

He's waiting! 

Don't Give Up (4.10.13)

I know this season has been a test of faith for many of you, and you have held fast to every promise I have spoken, despite the situations around you telling a different story. I heard some of you say “many days, weeks, and months have passed, yet the fulfillment of My promise has not come." Must I remind you that I am not slack concerning My Word. 

I will perform that which I have spoken and I will do it in the manner which I have purposed.

I Am that I Am.

I will perform My Word in My own timing. I do not need your help in fulfilling My Word. The words which I speak shall not return to Me void. Yet because there is no outward sign of progress, many of you have simply given up and abandoned the dreams and desires which I have placed in you. That is exactly what the enemy wants you to do.

My Word is true and I will fulfill that which I have spoken as a promise. 

Don't give up, continue to believe and trust in the promises I have given you, for I Am faithful and I will fulfill My word. I am not man that I should lie.

A Silent God (4.9.13)

A Silent God

When you're going through trials,
The burdens are hard to bear,
You call out to GOD,
But it seems He isn't there.

In the presence of a silent GOD,
There's nothing you can do,
But put your faith in Jesus,
And know He'll see you through.

If He answered plain and clear,
Every time you called His name,

You'd never soar to heights unknown,
Your faith would remain the same.

We know that it's the wings of faith,
That carry us above,
The lonely, hurting trials of life,
To GOD's perfect peace and love.

12 Ways to Become Closer to God (4.8.13)

1. Believe that GOD desires an intimate relationship with you.
2. Seek biblical knowledge that brings you into a closer relationship with Him.
3. Let dry times draw you deeper into the Lord’s presence.
4. Realize that He alone ultimately satisfies your life.
5. Explore creative ways to become closer to Him.
6. Understand special seasons when GOD is drawing you near to Him.
7. Embrace the fear of the Lord.
8. Persevere in seeking Him.
9. Change the atmosphere in your home or commute to work by listening to worship music.
10. Don’t confuse serving GOD with knowing Him.
11. Live uprightly, with integrity.
12. Make knowing Him your main goal, for he is the beginning and the end of your life. 

When we leave this world we will face the LORD and give account for our actions and decisions during our life. Every knee will bow to Him whether you believed in Him or not. 

JESUS is the answer!

Put a Grain of Faith on it, and Watch What Happens (4.7.13)

… for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as A GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you - Matthew 17:20 

Have you ever been at a place in your life when you thought you were on the verge of a breakthrough, and things could only get better for you? But suddenly things got worse? Your car broke down, or even worse your car got repossessed, your marriage fell apart - it seemed like everything around you was failing.

Then you say out loud “Ok, if one more thing happens, I am going to snap”. Then guess what, you've got it; all hell breaks loose in your life. It always gets darker before it gets brighter. Have you been there? Are you there now? Do you need a breakthrough? Do you need something raised from the dead? Well, put a grain of faith on it, and watch what happens.

There are some on the verge of giving up, even as I write this message.  In your hearts you may be thinking that your marriage is dead, your business is dead, your finances are dead, or even your ministry is dead. Someone is thinking, "What’s the use, GOD doesn’t care about me anymore. What am I doing all this for?”

How do you know that today is not your day of breakthrough?
Your blessing is not dead; your miracle is not dead, and your vision is not dead.
It's waiting for you to wake it up!!

Your blessing is sleeping; it’s lying dormant.
It’s waiting for you to put a grain of faith on it,
season it with faith and spice it up
with the everlasting Word of GOD.

Cast Your Cares Upon Me and Live in Faith (4.6.13)

Many of My people are laboring under the burden of anxiety, because of their circumstances. 

Laboring under the spirit of anxiety will cause you to start doubting GOD. 

Lift up your eyes in faith says the Lord, and I will lift you up giving you the victory. 

I will be your strength. 

I will become the very strength of your heart and the strength of your body, for the times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord.

Take those things that are troubling you and place them upon My altar, where I will deal with them. As long as you hold on to them and as long as you fret about them and as long as you worry about them, they are not Mine.

So I say to those of you going through a time of anxiety, fear not, for I am with you. Fear not for I have not departed from you. Fear not for I will not abandon you, nor will I leave you, without My help. So cast your cares upon Me and leave them all on the altar. All power was given to Me by My Father when I died and rose up on the third day. 

Is there anything I cant handle? 
Again I say to you, I have all power. 
What can take me by surprise? Nothing!!! 
I am an all-knowing and forever-present GOD!!!!

The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength - Isaiah 58:11

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord - Acts 3:19

His Faithfulness (4.5.13)

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does - Psalm 33:4

The Word of the Lord is completely right and true. As we hear it and read it, He expects us to obey it. Our obedience to His Word will give joy to our hearts. Our lives will not be flooded with doubt and conflict, but with peace and great faith in His ability to overcome any circumstances the enemy would try to use to discourage us or cut in on the race we are running. Perhaps your heart or the heart of someone close to you is burdened or heavy at the moment.

Pray for the Lord’s intervention and He will show you His faithfulness.

Pray for opportunities to build up and encourage any friends whose spirits may be sagging. Pray that the tongue will be an instrument of peace and not strife in the life of your family and friends.

Faithful Father,

Help me to stand upon Your perfect word 
when I am tempted to forget how faithful You are. 
Give me a heart of humility to obey everything You have said.
 I want to be an obedient servant, trusting in You Lord. 
Keep me from being discouraged or diverted by the devil and his schemes. 

May Your Holy Spirit show Your faithfulness to others through me. 

Amen

Using Authority Casually, Can Produce Casualties (4.4.13)

To whom do you pray? 

Do you praise and entreat the Lord? 

Or do you spend your time rebuking the devil?

It is a subtle but serious heresy to treat satan as equal in power with GOD, to give him more attention than he deserves. GOD alone is Creator and Redeemer. satan and his fallen angels, though vested with limited authority until the final judgment, are trapped in this space-time world with mankind. 

We have a way of escape; the devil does not. Only the LORD GOD stands outside of, and above, time. He alone is Deity, worthy of worship. Gaze at GOD, but only glance at the devil. Don't become distracted!

Focus your prayer time on GOD, not on your enemy. 

The more you see GOD on the throne, the more authority you will have when you pray. GOD owns all authority. We have none, apart from Christ in us. We only have GOD's authority when He delegates it to us, with a specific command, that commissions us. Using authority casually can produce casualties. 

Know that your enemies have no power to hurt you if you believe in GOD. 

Pray for them and forgive them for any pain they have caused you.  

I AM...... (4.3.13)

I AM ...

A child of God (Romans 8:16)

Redeemed from the Hand of the Enemy (Psalms 107:2)

Forgiven (Colossians 1:13-14)

Saved by Grace through Faith (Ephesians 2:8)

Justified (Romans 5:1)

Sanctified (I Corinthians 6:11)

A New Creature (II Corinthians 5:17)

Partaker of His Divine Nature (II Peter 1:4)

Redeemed from the Curse of the law (Galatians 3:13)

Delivered from the Powers of Darkness (Colossians 1:13)

Led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14)

A Son of God (Romans 8:14)

Kept in Safety Wherever I Go (Psalms 91:11)

Getting All My Needs Met by Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:19)

Casting All My cares upon Jesus (I Peter 5:7)

Strong in the Lord and in the Power of His Might (Ephesians 6:10)

Doing All Things through Christ Who Strengthens Me (Philippians 4:13)

An Heir with God and a Joint Heir with Jesus (Romans 8:17)

Heir to the Blessings of Abraham (Galatians 3:13-14)

Observing and Doing the Lord's Commandments (Deuteronomy 28:12)

Blessed Coming in and Blessed Going out (Deuteronomy 26:6)

An Heir of Eternal Life (I John 5:11-12)

Blessed with All Spiritual Blessings (Ephesians 1:3)

Healed by His Stripes ( I Peter 2:24)

Exercising My Authority over the Enemy (Luke 10:19)

Above Only and Not Beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13)

More than a Conqueror (Romans 8:37)

Establishing God's Word Here on Earth (Matthew 16:19)

An Overcomer by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of My Testimony (Revelation 12:11)

Daily Overcoming the Devil (I John 4:4)

Not Moved by What I See (II Corinthians 4:18)

Walking by Faith and Not by Sight (II Corinthians 5:7)

Casting Down Vain Imaginations (II Corinthians 10:4-5)

Bringing Every Thought into Captivity (II Corinthians 10:5)

Being Transformed by Renewing My Mind (Romans 12:1-2)

A Laborer Together with God (I Corinthians 3:9)

The Righteousness of God in Christ (II Corinthians 5:21)

An Imitator of Jesus (Ephesians 5:1)

The Light of the World (Matthew 5:14)

Blessing the Lord at All Times and 

Continually praising the Lord with My Mouth (Psalms 34:1) 

Spiritually Dry Times (4.2.13)

For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him; And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist; He is the head of the body, the Church; who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence - Colossians 1:16-18

Spiritually dry times can often produce an inward focus. It’s true that we need to spend time letting God search our hearts for sin issues, that may be the cause of the distance we feel from GOD. But we must not get caught up in the pit of “it’s all about me” or "what am I doing wrong" or "how can I get out of this funk"? The enemy will use anything he can to redirect our time, energy and worship. Start praising GOD and focusing on Him.  Tell Him how much you love Him.

Remember, it’s all about Him!  He is all that you will ever need.

Praise GOD for being a great and awesome GOD (Deuteronomy 7:21).  Thank Him for His salvation that He has given to you. Confess to Him times when you’ve thought GOD was small and powerless. Commit yourself to worshiping GOD with “reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28). Ask for a true sense of awe as you meet GOD in the sanctuary (Psalm 68:35).

The psalmist says to GOD: “How awesome are your deeds! . . All the earth bows down to you” (Psalms 66:3-4).

Pray that GOD will show you his awesome power today.

A Heart Filled with Joy! (4.1.13)

Jesus wants your heart to be filled with joy! 

He desires for you to rejoice and be glad as you follow Him and obey His Word.

It is not His plan for you to be downcast, defeated, depressed or anxious about anything, regardless of circumstances.  His plan is for you to be filled with joy and peace. Have your joy and peace been stolen from you by the enemy? Ask the Lord to restore your peace and to fill you with the Holy Spirit!

Give thanks that GOD's resources are bottomless (Colossians 1:15-17).
Confess those times when you have not asked for what you have needed, or have asked with the wrong motives (James 4:2-3).
Commit yourself to relying on GOD's resources rather than on your own.
Not only is He able to restore your peace, He is the only source for anything you will ever need.

Heavenly Father,

Knowing that You love me brings joy to my heart. 
When I am feeling defeated or anxious, 
would You prompt the Holy Spirit to remind me that I can live a joy-filled life, 
despite anything the devil throws at me? 

I want others to see Your life lived out in me, 
because joy is what will draw people to You. 
I want my life of rejoicing to be a light to those 
who have given in to desperation and hopelessness. 
Set my feet firmly on a path of joy and peace 
so that I can be a blessing to others. 

Amen

“The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart…” - Psalms 19:8