Pastor Carmen Lett

Dripping In Pearls Pt.1

2009-10-29T08:55:00.005-04:00

Pearls come from pain. They're formed when a grain of sand or other foreign object lodges itself in a mollusk. If the mollusk is not able to dislodge the object it becomes an irritant causing friction and discomfort. It is at that point that the mollusk begins to secrete mother of pearl, which builds layer upon layer of a sheen over the irritant. When this layering process is complete, it produces a perfect pearl of great value and desire.

Not every pearl has a great value, because the value of the pearl comes from the process that produced it. There are synthetic which come from a fabricated enviroment. They are engineered with synthetic or man made materials and are the cheapest of all pearls and very common and have little value. Next, there is a cultured pearl, coming from the natural source but in a fabricated enviroment that is man controlled and manipulated, and the actual pearl is made by man infusing the elements that created the pearl process. These pearls are expensive but not rare and do not hold the highest value. But the natural pearl – is the pearl that is one in hundred and found in it’s natural enviroment created by the Creator Himself. They are from the enviroment that God ordained the creature to abide in, under the conditions He engineered to produce the most pure and unadulterated beauty known as the "pearl of great price." Many of these pearls, the natural pearl, will sell for millions of dollars.

God gave us a beautiful display of the process of pain in our lives through this natural process of the, might I say unattractive, mollusk, that produces one of the most desired gems in the world. If pearls are birthed from irritants – from pain and from friction – then we see that a pearl of true value comes from allowing GOD to have his way and do HIS WILL in our lives without our interference and without our interjection and without our help! We must allow God to have His way in us, even in the most incomprehensible and disturbing pain in our lives. .

These pains and irritants come from the circumstances and situations and perhaps relationships we experience. Pearls are not made from passing circumstances or fleeting things that don’t affect us – they are produced when the pain and irritant lodge themselves in our souls and in our spirit. No one but you knows the depth of your own heartache and the carried wounds of private pain & suffering.

The heart knows its own bitterness Prov. 14:10

Yet to embrace His perfect work in your life You must first accept His sovereignty, power and authority in your life and with the pain you experience and you must trust HIM. You can trust Him because He "feels you". Remember: God the father has known the bitterness of heart over the betrayal of Lucifer and his angels. The most beautiful creations in heaven who offered the most beautiful of all worship to him, rose against Him. Jesus knows the bitterness of the soul over the mutiny and hatred of people. Jesus is referred to in Isaiah 53:3 as “rejected by men”, and John 1:1 he came to His own and His own did not receive him.” The Word also tells us that He was tempted in all ways without sin, and I can imagine that some of that temptation was His reaction and response to those rejections.

We can trust a God the Father, we can trust Jesus, who has endured pain and through pain obtained the highest value and reward. He knows that ultimate reward and perfection are achieved through suffering. We must trust His judgements and His ways because He has a wisdom about our suffering that sees the pearl at the end of the process and that natural pearl that is of the highest value can not be produced through a process without that pain.

Job said in chapter 11:7 “Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than heaven – what can you do? Deeper than Sheol – what can you know?Their measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.”

Many times we question, "why do I have to go through this?" We wonder why God can't just tell us the truth we need to know or just sit us down and lay it out and show us. Why are we enduring such pain? The answer is this; He is not interested in us just knowing a truth, but He desires us to become the truth. He is interested in a transformation process where we aren't just knowing the Word but the Word of Truth is transforming the very core of who we are. He wants us to become the living example and testimony of the beauty of His redemptive ability. He wants people to gaze upon the beauty of His power and grace and without doubt recognize us as a handcrafted work of God. Remember, we are the objects of His grace...an object of desire...a pearl.

There is an African folklore story of the sea that says this: There once was an oyster who said to another, "I have a great pain within me. It is heavy and round and I am in distress. And the other oyster replied, "I have no pain within me. I am well and whole both within and without." At that moment a crab was passing by and heard the two oysters, and he said to the one who was well and whole both within and without, "Yes, you are well and whole, but the pain that your neighbor bears is a pearl of exceeding great beauty."

Remember the FORMER things...Isaiah 46:9

2009-10-22T19:23:00.001-04:00

I know a lot of times we are told to NOT remember the former things. That truth is according to the scripture in Isaiah 43, when God is telling the Israelites to let go of the past that hinders them from laying hold of the new things in their future that He is giving them. But Isaiah 46 gives us a command to remember the FORMER things. This confirms that there is a time and season for everything.

Today as I was in my reading and prayer time I was thinking about the power of purpose. I have a passion regarding purpose. I am convinced without doubt that we are all Divinely placed in our respective generations and geographic locations with works prepared in advanced for us to do and that the world is waiting with anticipation for the manifestation of that purpose so His Kingdom will come and His Will will be done on earth as it is in heaven! In fact, the scripture tells us the earth is groaning as it waits for us to manifest our purposes! However, I think that we, as those who are in the process of manifesting that purpose, also groan!

The journey to manifesting purpose for some is an arduous journey. We begin the journey many times on a zealously marked out path. As we continue, some of us find the paved road becomes a rough gravel that isn't as pleasant, but doable. Soon the road is just a beaten path, perplexing, but we are willing because it's adventurous. But when we are required to walk on with just a sickle in our hand to mark the path out ourselves into an unknown and uncharted territory, we groan! In a generation of GPS systems in our hands through our phones to tell us where we are and how to get to our destination at any given moment, having no perception of course or control to get us to our "purpose" thereof, makes continuing on to "manifest" our purpose unsettling.

That is when all we have to lead us is not ahead of us - but behind us! It is when what we know from the past settles and strengthens us to get us to our future. That is when we have to "go back" and remember the former things God has done, what He has spoken, the foundations He has laid, the tools He has imparted and continue on. That is when you have to think and meditate upon the tokens and memorials of His faithfulness and providence in your life that remind us that this too which we are experiencing is a part of His Divine course for our life.

So today God showed me two tokens. He took me back to some former things to remember - to the wall of my bedroom as a child. On that wall were two pictures that I would lie in bed and stare up at every night trying to fall asleep. (All the people who know me, know I am a night person and that starts as a child who is put to bed early and can't go to sleep just the same!) One of the pictures was of Jesus with a staff in His left hand and His right hand knocking on a door. The second was of the two small children crossing a weary wooden bridge in the midst of a misty windy storm with a large Angel behind them extending It's hands in protection and guidance.

These two images solidified for me this morning the charted course of my life - the symbolisms too many to mention in full. The first picture is the image of the prayer the Pastor prayed over me at six years old as I gave my heart in true repentance to the Lord. I remember every word of his prayer at that old wooden altar as I wept and as he prayed the door of my heart was opening and Jesus was coming in to dine with me. This picture is the beginning of the manifestation of my purpose as it is the beginning of all Believer's purpose. It reminds me that He is with me and never leaves me no matter how isolated a path I am on. The second picture of the children crossing the bridge is the continued journey toward manifesting purpose. Regardless what I encounter, I will be safely delivered to the other side. (Pretty cool that it's a picture of two people...a boy and a girl...hmmmmm).

That was a kiss from God for me today. Those two pictures nailed to my wall by my mother or father some 40 years ago brought me comfort and reminders of God's hand on my life. Pictures that as a child I stared at seeking slumber actually encompassed my future. How sovereignly He does all things with calculated purpose; purpose to bless and prosper us and not to harm us. What do you need to remember today to get you to keep pounding the path? What former things do you need to recall? He has had the course to your life planned from the beginning. He is already at the end of it drawing you to the manifestation of your purpose and has placed along the way tokens and memorials of His providence.

"Remember the former things of old. For I am God and there is no other, I am God and there is none like Me. Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying,"My counsel shall stand and I will do all My pleasure." Is. 46:9

2009-10-01T00:36:00.006-04:00

Refreshed Weekend -09

We are thanking God for an amazing weekend with anointed worship, teaching, fellowship, fun and laughter. But most of all we thank HIM for meeting with US!

We were truly REVIVED, RENEWED and REFRESHED!

Yes,I am totally refreshed from this past weekend.  It was awesome for me, I'm sure that you could tell I was FREE because of the Power of the Holy Spirit, I was able to leave all of my cares with HIM, thus, able to just have some FUN with everyone" (Velma)

"As a single mother, I have never had a weekend to myself to truly reflect. Not on the past, but on my future! I experienced many new things I thought were unreachable, physically and spiritually. I even got to try the Civeche'. I remember at one point while enjoying the lush landscape and waterfalls by the pool, I almost lost myself. Even called my aunt and told her I was selling the kids and moving in to the Hyatt!!! The girls and I went shopping at St Armands Circle after the last service and I bought myself a beautiful pink CZ ring. A celebration of the new me! The me who no longer sees the unattainable but now sees to the earths end and beyond." (Kristen)

"I was extremely blessed having the opportunity to assist with praise and worship, getting my ugly, snotty look on in the Presence of the LORD  and getting a chance to spend some time with some of my sisters in Christ.
 Oh man, it's hard for me to explain in english words the awesome time I had!  Those who I have told about this weekend I found myself saying one of three things "Girl! You should have been there; or Girl! You needed to be there to experience it for yourself! Everything was done in excellence and elegance!" (Ava)

"Friday night was awesome !!  .. I am glad you let the evening go along as the Spirit led you …  Because of this service , I moved deeper and on a higher level of communicating and understanding of my Lord Jesus "  (Darlene)

"A whole lot of healing went on this weekend, a lot of hope restored, women strengthened, friendships forged." (Sandy)

2009-09-10T13:57:00.003-04:00

The other day I came across a wonderful word of encouragement written by Dr. Cindy Trimm. If you are fighting the good fight and enduring through times of adversity, I pray that this word is timely and fills your spirit with tenacity and strength!

"A Word of Encouragement: God Has the Final Word"

He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.—Psalm 105:17-22

We are living in a critical and prophetic hour where all things are shifting and being brought back into divine alignment. I sense there is a major attack on the Body of Christ and leaders. I am in prayer that you, your mind, your strength fail not. I am prevailing in prayer and I am decreeing and declaring that you shall be victorious and you shall recover all.

I entreat you: There is humiliation before honor, price before promotion, stigma and scandal before success, attacks before accolades, but I hear God say, "When thou passest through the water, I will be with you and through the fire, you will not be burned." I hear the Word, "Hold fast to the profession of your faith…and having done all, still stand."

Your problem and crisis situation is a divine announcement that God is getting ready to either prosper you and/or promote you. Do not resist the situation. Do not throw in the towel. Do not ignore the situation. Do not demonize the situation. Do not pretend the situation is not there. Wrestle with it in prayer.

Dare to Press In

Dare to press into God through prayer. Dare to see your storms as an opportunity to advance spiritually, financially, socially, ministerially, and for personal growth and development. Dare to walk on your prophetic turbulent waters, see and experience the power and presence of God in a new way (see Matthew 14:23-33).

According to these verses, not only will you overcome that which has overtaken you, but you will also be ushered into a new realm of power and a new place of worship. I decree and declare to all of you that favor is upon you.

He has anointed your head with fresh oil. During this time, we all need to let go in order to see and experience Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Gibbor, Jehovah-Rapha in our lives. You need to give up trusting in your own way and designs in order to experience God's all-sufficiency. Lean not on your own understanding.

I further exhort all of you, to stop talking to the snake. Take the time to hear and talk to God. He only is the Author and Finisher of your faith.

I encourage you from Psalm 46:10: Be Still, and Know That I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Indeed God Has the final word.

Oh The Drama, Part ONE

2009-09-03T22:50:00.004-04:00

Do you have people in your life who like to create drama? These people like to stir things up, infuse negative energy and cause conflict, or at least that is the effect they cause every time they speak or act. Perhaps you have even fallen into the trap of their perpetuation of drama and you now realize it is causing stress and anxiety and you must do something to resist it.

Drama has one outcome and it is anxiety. In fact, the one goal of drama is to cause a rise in emotion. Whether someone is consciously causing drama or is innocent in their intention for drama, it doesn't take long to identify a person who causes drama, because the indicator will be an increase in anxiety after having contact with that person.

The amazing power of drama is that is it involves and entraps everyone who is around it. Whether you are the instigator or the recipient, both have a role on the stage of drama. Drama can not exist without an instigator and in the same way it can not live on without a recipient. If there were no recipient, it wouldn't be drama. It is the recipient that gives true life to drama.

Think about it, if you didn't read that post, if you didn't answer back and respond, there would be no drama. Every instigator of drama survives and thrives through the recipient. With that said, if you are looking for peace and tranquility or release from drama - just don't go there. Don't listen to it, don't read it, don't answer it, don't argue it, don't justify, don't defend - DON'T!

The mantra of the one who desires less drama should be this; "Don't buy into it, just move right by it." However, the problem is that drama is addicting. We get addicted to the adrenaline release we get when our blood pressure rises in a conversation or reading a note that bothers us and even though we know it gets us mad or irritated we return to "check it out" again just to see if they are still going to create drama! After a certain point it truly doesn't matter if the instigator is cruel hearted or purposefully evil, what matters is we throw ourselves into the fire ourselves.

I recently ran across this definition and break down of "drama" in the "Urban Dictionary". I thought this a great description:

The Five Signs of DRAMA:
1. If you only listen to one side of a story, and then form your opinion, you might be a DRAMA member.
2. If you take sides when two of your friends are fighting, which only adds to the DRAMA, you might be a DRAMA member.
3. If you don’t talk to someone because you’re mad at them, you might be a DRAMA member.
4. If you worry more about what other people are doing, instead of focusing on yourself, you might be a DRAMA member.
5. If you continuously gossip, or talk negatively about total strangers in a social setting, or talk about someone behind their back (whether it be friend, foe, or strange), you might be a DRAMA member.

To be considered a member of DRAMA, you must have at least one of these symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms, please seek professional help immediately. Or, if all else fails, try growing up.

The truth is, some people love to create drama. They do it just to hurt you. Some people are hurtful people. Some people are liars, deceivers, gossips and have little common sense. But people who love the truth and are truthful don't have to create drama to live it out or prove it because they are busy just living it out. And all the others, the drama-lovers, are trying to suck the life right out of the ones who don't need the drama. Don't let them! Just move on! Do what's right, and then move on.

I guarantee you that the drama-lovers won't let you go without a fight. They know their success at creating drama needs you - it depends on your response. What will they occupy their time with when you're gone?

A Song in my spirit....

2009-08-25T22:21:00.004-04:00

Today I have had a song on my mind ever since I hung up the phone with my sister this morning. We had been talking as we do a lot lately, about the times we are living in, current events, the state of the economy, the state of the Church and how all this lines up with the purposes of God and what are natural and spiritual response should be.

I'm not going to go into every little detail of our conversation other than we touched on prophetic words that are out there and one that details 12 indicators of the end times. I remarked how the prophet had concluded his prophecy with the affirmation that believers shouldn't be troubled as they see these indicators come to pass even though they will be bad. Rather as Believers, they should cause us to rejoice because we know that with each one the return of Christ is that much closer.

Jesus said that if you are alert you will discern the times you are living in and only an idiot - and I mean a SPIRITUAL IDIOT - who is asleep couldn't see the signs that the world wide stage is setting up for the total fulfillment of end time prophecy found in the Word of God.

I remember reading the book of Revelation through several times as young teenager and being perplexed with wonder for how the world in mass would allow such things to happen politically, economically and spiritually that I read. I thought it was near to impossible that people would "fall" for the deception it would take to get to that point. Certainly a lot would have to change for that to happen. Now here I am just a quarter of century later and in that time enough has changed that little more needs to change to step over into the scene of the book of Revelation...very little really.

I look at my son sleeping and I think it is quite possible that he will be the last generation of believers in time as we know it, because certainly all the indicators point to a soon return of Christ. As I look at him, I wonder at the absolute reality of possibility that he, we, our now immediate family, will rise together to meet Jesus in the air as I have read in Thessalonians so many times. Along with that I wonder what could and will transpire in the next few years or quite possible few months, before the Father says, "It's time".

I like to rant about the political and economical scene. I believe while we still have a voice that it needs to be heard, and while those who can discern truth can, they should let it ring out. Yet today as I hung up the phone - which by the way, we don't "hang up phones" anymore - we "end call" - I heard a song in my spirit. Because ultimately as we are voicing we should not forget to voice the sound of heaven with it..."JESUS IS COMING SOON".

This generation doesn't hear that preached or warned anymore, yet this is the generation, more than any other before it - will most likely need to hear it to ready themselves. If it is true that only those who have oil in their lamps, and only those who are awake and watching will catch the flight out - then it bears that those of us who have a voice should sound the call to wake up to this one thing...."JESUS IS COMING SOON".

Why are things so crazy? JESUS IS COMING SOON
Why is our government overspending...JESUS IS COMING SOON
Why why why...JESUS IS COMING SOON

So here's the song ...it's a song I heard as a child...it's got old church all through it...but it's as if it were written in 2009...

"Troublesome times are here, filling men’s hearts with fear,
Freedom we all hold dear, now is at stake.
Humbling your heart to God saves from the chastening rod.
Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake!"

Chorus
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon,
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound.
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the sky,
Going where no one dies, Heavenward bound!

Troubles will soon be o’er, happy forever more,
When we meet on that shore, free from all care.
Rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye,
Homeward we then will fly, glory to share.

Chorus
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon,
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound.
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the sky,
Going where no one dies, Heavenward bound

RESILIENCE! The difference between a winner and a loser!

2009-04-23T12:16:00.003-04:00

Resilience !

Have you ever seen a child take a tumble that made you gasp and you hold your breathe waiting for the blood curdling scream that comes from the place in their brain that takes a second to respond to the fall, and you console them thinking "playtime's over", but just as quickly as the fall they go back and play with the group because they don't want to miss a moment of the fun?

About that time someone in the crowd chimes in saying, "they'll be alright, children are resilient!" We watch that child now playing like nothing ever happened, maybe with a little blood on their scrapped knee or a knot rising on their forehead and we conclude they are designed to bounce back - just something about kids.

The facts are; you were created to bounce back and survive! Whether you feel it or believe it, it is truth! Something about us as human beings were designed to be resilient! It's the concept of the second-wind or the release of adrenaline in our bodies that happens under immense moments of stress and duress. You were designed to bounce back, fight back, and come back!

It's what happens when the boxer is lying flat on the floor of the ring as the referee is counting and he begins to rise up just before the final count. It's what happens when the underdog is all but defeated by the guys with the upper hand and you see him look around at his plight and something from that deep recess of his mind and spirit shouts "ENOUGH!" and he takes a final stand and wins! It's what happened in my all-time favorite Christmas movie, "The Christmas Story" when little Ralphie snaps and beats the snot out of that school yard bully like a pit-bull!

RESILIENCE! You were created to not give up! You were created to do what you think you can't and endure what you think you can't and come out better than you went in! Physically you have that capacity, mentally you have that capacity and SPIRITUALLY you have that capacity!

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us: we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken; cast down but not destroyed!" 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

We are, as His people, RESILIENT! We can be attacked, maligned, persecuted, caught in tribulations and trials, but we REMAIN and not only REMAIN but we COME BACK better and stronger and showing off the power of God on our behalf!

We see the encouragement of resilience all through the Word of God. David proclaimed that he would not die but live to proclaim the works of God. Paul proclaimed that nothing can separate us from His love and we are made MORE than conquerors through Him and always caused to triumph in His name! We are told that God takes everything that looks to be for our demise and uses it for our good and for His glory! There is so much in the Word of God that persuades us that we are overcomers that when we get that Word in us, it will bounce us back at just the right moment! We will think to ourselves, "ENOUGH" and get up, get back in the race, take a stand and keep running!

I have resolved that in my own life. Lie about me, attack my character, try to destroy all that is dear to me, attempt to discourage me and make me fearful or worried - and believe me people (or the devil in people) have purposely set out to do those things in my life- BUT I WILL NOT QUIT and I WILL NOT STOP that which I am put on this earth or in this city to do! I will rise back up at the last count! I may be sweetly diplomatic for a while, but I will take the stand I need to for truth and justice! I AM RESILIENT - until they put the last square of green grass on top of my grave - AND EVEN THEN, I will win - because I planted enough seed of destiny in a legacy of lives to LIVE ON!

Let's Talk Some More About GRACE!

2009-03-09T13:53:00.004-04:00

Did you know that the moment you receive Christ as your Savior your sin is completely covered and gone; so completely gone that God Himself does not recall it? I am assuming that most of you know and believe that. Now, what if you sin as a believer? What happens then?

Well, if we believe the Bible as truth then we must believe this:

"If we say we have no sins, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us. My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. and He Himself IS the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours but also for the whole world."

Let's be real, even Christians sin. OH MY, shocking! If you really believe you don't, you are in a dangerous place of spiritual pride and deception! You may not sin everyday or with premeditation, but at some point as a human being there will be something that brings you to sin.

It's not a pleasant thought, and perhaps we need to lose the crazy idea that sin only has a few forms like murder, lust, stealing or cussing! Gossip, pride, misleading someone, slothfulness, over-eating, rebellion against authority and entertaining the flesh are marked as sin in the Word of God among others we sweep under the rug! So just lump it all into one category called "sinning" please and there you will find the whole lot of us on a daily watch to crucify our flesh and follow after the Spirit and making mistakes along the way.

We are all on a level playing field together loving One Gracious Savior who has already paid for our mistakes and spends all of His time interceding for us at the throne declaring one thing - "They are Justified by my Blood."

So going back to that question I asked about sinning as a Believer; the answer is confess it and go on. That is an open and shut case. The problem is that our flesh nature cries out for some type of retribution and pay back. Sometimes we think that way of ourselves - "it shouldn't be that easy, don't I need to do something?" The answer is no. It's finished. The blood already took care of that. Similar to being in a restaurant and the waitress tells you someone paid the check for you. There is that moment of great relief and then a second thought of "maybe should I leave a tip" or "are you sure?" We always believe it's not that easy, but in this case of sin, it is just that easy.

Jesus took the load off of us and He fulfilled the requirements for us. You see, law requires judgement and payback. The law is connected to the flesh. That is why it's the flesh that cries out for more work than just a free salvation of Grace!

But let me shift this real quick on you. We are willing to accept that for ourselves, but are we willing to accept that free salvation on behalf of others. What about the other guy who sinned? He sins, he confess and that's it, doesn't he have to DO something MORE? I mean, his sin was bad and he was messed up and I don't like HIM getting off that easy because he might take advantage of GRACE! Shouldn't he have to go through some type of court system and let us decide if he is really covered? Uh, NO! There is only ONE MEDIATOR - who is.....JESUS!

I think about Jesus that day when they brought to Him the woman who had been caught in the very act of adultery. There was no doubt she was guilty. Jesus shifted the power of judging and punishment from the people to Himself by telling them they could judge her if they themselves had no sin. You see the only one who has the ability to judge is the one who has no sin, Jesus, and He being the propitiation for her sin told her to go and sin no more. He didn't make her clean toilets for a year or sit in the back, he just let her go - forgiven.

"Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?"

(Galations 3:3)

As a family of Believers, Grace is more than just a one time grant of forgiveness, it is a lifestyle of relational living. Grace isn't just what set us free, it is what keeps us free. Grace isn't a fluffy feeling, it is a willful act of love and selflessness. Let's talk some more about GRACE!

"On March 4th, 1933, a man who could not walk would lead a crippled nation."

2009-01-15T14:56:00.010-05:00

That statement hit me big today as I was watching a documentary on Franklin D. Roosevelt, our 32nd President of the United States. I caught the documentary as it was in the midst of telling about his struggle with the devastating disease of Polio. I watched as the wonderfully restored black and white film footage showed him taking therapy at Hot Springs, a treatment that experts said physically probably made no improvement for it's patients, but one thing it did do was restore faith and hope and made the patients feel better. What a powerful role our state of mind plays on our well-being.

The documentary then shifted into the fact that Roosevelt's hips were wasted away and that he indeed could not walk. Knowing that the American public would never accept a paralyzed cripple as their President, he was insistent that he walk even though he physically was not capable of doing so. Refusing to use crutches or a wheelchair he spent several months developing a meticulous way of giving the flawless appearance that he could walk. His sons developed great upper body muscles and strength and with their father putting his full weight on one of their arms and shifting that weight to his cane, he would give the impression that he was walking. Roosevelt also told his sons to never show strain or allow the public to see it was hard, so they would chat, laugh and speak to the crowd as they would slowly move along. This system would get them just from a building to a car or from a chair to the podium to speak, and the public, who knew of his polio would see a man of great strength and power regardless of his true condition.

Not long after Roosevelt re-introduced himself into the public politically the great depression hit the country and the nation fell into a deep hopelessness. 1/3 of the nation was unemployed, 5,000 banks closed and 20,000 farmers were losing the farms monthly and food lines with starving families were wrapping around city blocks. The American people were in the depths of struggle when they chose a new President that year. And

who did they choose? A crippled man. Why? Because when you are in a struggle you aren't looking for someone who is perfect to help you, you are looking for the person who has been in a

struggle but knows the way out.

"On March 4th, 1933, a man who could not walk would lead a crippled nation."

That statement thrills me! You don't have to be perfect to be a leader and a leader isn't someone without difficulties,

but what does make a leader is someone who has an ability to rise up out of their difficulty, find a solution or a way out and goes on with it and never quits. A true leader may despair for a while yet lifts their head to search until they find the hope that ignites faith for something better that gives them the strength to continue and achieve. And this is what America in 1933 found in Franklin D. Roosevelt; someone struggling with something that should have consumed him alive but he found a way to live with it, above it and despite it.

America in the midst of the greatest depression of all time found someone they could relate to and could relate to their struggle and yet someone who had what they didn't - and plan and hope for the future. People need leaders who can relate. God knows that full well, that's why He sent Jesus to become flesh.

"Seeing then that we have a a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession, for we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Jesus is relatable. Jesus is real. Jesus can entirely understand your feelings. Jesus can relate because He has been there, He has been through suffering, He has been to hell and back...literally! He has been touched with all of it but rose above it...literally! He is the ultimate leader and in the midst of great depression and struggle He is who we need to follow. He can present the way out and the hope for the future. Now is the time to follow Him more closely than ever.

LET THE PARTY BEGIN!

2008-12-29T21:18:00.006-05:00

New Year Eve is so exciting! The whole celebration concept; gathering together with people in anticipation of the midnight hour, the countdown of the end of the old year and the "Happy New Year" shout announcing a brand new year. All across the world, at every midnight hour people will jubilantly celebrate the passing of the old year and the ringing in of the new with confetti and balloons dropping, fireworks popping, music playing, people dancing and shouts of rejoicing. I have rarely if ever seen anyone who was upset or depressed at seeing the old year go away and the new year come in! Because seeing the old and anything that has to do with the old that was less than good fade away and being able to start fresh with and new hope of something better always creates excitement and celebration.

I imagine that when God said in Jeremiah 31:31, 'The day is coming...when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the old one I made with their ancestors...they broke that covenant..." that there was a great anticipation in the heavens for the moment when the old covenant that condemned man would pass away and the new one would be put into place that would free man forever would be established. I am sure the Father was looking forward to a celebration when that day would come, because oh how He loves us and couldn't wait to see us enjoy the new covenant!

You can almost hear that excitement in His voice when He spoke it in Isaiah 43:18, "But forget all of that - it is nothing compared to what I am going to do, For I am about to do something new. See I have already begun! Don't you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland!" He knows how good the new thing will be and He is thrilled about it and He knows we are going to love it!

The excitement continues in Luke 2:10, when the Angel announces the new thing and he says, "...I bring you good news of GREAT JOY that will be for all people!" It was here! It finally was happening!

And thirty-three years later Jesus is gathered with His disciples, knowing He will be ushering in this new thing and even though He knows what He will have to suffer to deliver it to us, He is just as excited as the Father at that particular moment! I know it's hard to believe He excited He will suffer and later He will have to work through the emotions He has about it, but at that moment the prospect of this new thing is bigger than all of that. He says to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the Kingdom of God." And then He says it, "...this cup is the new covenant in my blood..." He is excited, the new covenant is among them - the old is almost gone!

Now we know and understand that His shed blood would cut a new covenant and His resurrection would make it lasting! No longer we would be under the old covenant of law and death - but standing in grace and life! Woohoo! Fireworks! Confetti! Blow the horns, drop the balloons and dance baby dance! This is something to celebrate! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ.!" More confetti, more balloons, more dancing!

I guess that is why the message of the New Covenant is called the "Good News!" And I imagine that is the emotion behind the scripture in Isaiah 52:7, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation!"

And perhaps this is why I believe that wherever believers are - that is where the party is! The next time you are worshipping, whether it is in a church service or by yourself - celebrate with the Father this new way! He is excited about it too! So, right now, let the party begin!

2008-11-19T22:57:00.002-05:00

OUCH! Wow, that hurts! I did NOT see that one coming! Right in the face, I mean anywhere but there! I can't believe I let that happen to me. What was I thinking?

Sometimes life deals us a sucker-punch that leaves us with the most dreaded thing we want most to avoid...hurt. We don't want to hurt because after all, it hurts! It's painful. It's the pain that comes from an unexpected blow that hurts the most - because we weren't prepared. We didn't prepare ourselves and we didn't expect it and then there it is - a jab in our heart. We might have been just laughing it up and then bam! Now we are sad, grimacing, gripping our heart, bent over and tearing up crying over the blow. Nothing feels worse than hurt.

You should know by now that I am referring not to a physical hurt but a hurt in the heart and mind, which is just as painful and sometimes more so. A physical hurt has a healing process that often the body itself performs systematically. However, a mental and emotional hurt isn't healed on it's own, contrary to the old saying, time does not heal all wounds. Rather, we ourselves have to take control of the healing process for every hurt we encounter in our hearts.

Some hurts occupy our thoughts and burden our hearts with a heaviness. These hurts are regretful and sorrowful and they require comfort and peace to stave off infections of worry and fear. When you are dealing with this pain you might have a hard time sleeping, functioning throughout your day and you find yourself feeling a heavy burden in your soul. And if this hurt lingers you will have to promote healing by doing as Philippians 4: 6 suggests; "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make all your requests known unto God, and the peace of God, which surpassess all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Recently, I found myself experiencing the pain of hurt through a circumstance. I was surprised that I had allowed myself to become vulnerable to this particular situation and even more surprised to find myself thinking on it constantly to the point of distraction and that it was becoming a painful burden. The fact that there seemed to be no resolution or restoration made it more intense. It hurt and it was hurting continuously for longer than I had expected and I was having trouble "getting over it". Finally, with my heart getting heavier and heavier with the burden of this hurt - I had to say to myself..."there must be relief for me, maybe I should pray it through to release." Yes, even pastors can have spiritually dull moments and have to wake up!

It wasn't an instant relief and I had to apply this medicine of releasing prayer for days, but eventually the hurt lifted and the burden of it's pain left me. The beauty of praying over hurt is the second part of that scripture. God takes the pain and covers your hurt areas with a peace that can't be put into words!

Another hurt is more damaging. It is the hurt that is caused by offense. It is possible to be hurt and not offended just as it is possible to be angry and not sin. Hurt is the result of the injury - it is a natural response. Offense is a secondary symptomatic reaction, like a rash, and it quickly develops infections like anger, revenge, hate, hardness and defensiveness and is sustained by a bad infection called un-forgiveness. You can not naturally heal from an offense. It has to be treated and every last cell of it must be eradicated from your being or it will manifest in another area in the future.

A wonderful treatment for offense is to pray for the instigator of your hurt and bless your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you and treated you badly. Another is to understand that offense must be starved. Moving on from Philippians 4: 7 to the next verse, it says this; "Finally, whatever things are true, whatever things are notable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praise worthy - think on these things....and the God of peace will be with you."

Just like the hurt that was constantly on my mind to the point of distraction, I finally had to "move on" and fill my mind with things that promoted my healing and starved the breeding ground for offense. I was considering being defensive, making sure "they will never hurt me again" but I can't go there and I can't be that - and neither can you.

God has too much for His people for them to be carrying hurts. He created us to feel, but He also created us to HEAL! The only people who have died of hurts are those who refused treatment! And God's health care is free! Already bought and paid for by the stripes on His back,the chastisement of our peace upon Him, as well as every sorrow of ours He bore on the cross.

TRANSFORMATION

2008-11-15T11:11:00.005-05:00

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18

For the past week I have been thinking a lot about "transformation", a true work of Grace! I am thankful for so many things that pertain to being a Christian and the work of Christ that we as believers partake, but one of the most exciting is "transformation."

As a Pastor I have had the privilege to watch this process happen in people's lives who come to Christ with baggage that had left them depleted emotionally, wounded physically and mentally, bound by many addictions, phobias, restraints, oppressed, suppressed and depressed. These issues affected their relationships, their daily routines of living, their ability to be productive and their personal happiness. So many people live this way and never find relief and actually accept it as the way their life "is".

But the HOPE of Christ is that He came not to bring condemnation to this state of living but liberty, freedom and abundant life that has fullness of joy! And that is what "transformation" is about; going from a previous state of "life-choking" issues to be "reborn" into a life of joy that comes from the freedom within!

"Transformation" happens when there is a change in the nature, condition and function of your mind, soul and spirit and the Word of God tells us in the 3rd chapter of 2 Corinthians that the Spirit of the Lord brings liberty or freedom from the things that bind you up. In other words, "transformation" is a work of the Spirit, its something that happens when the Spirit of God is active in your life.

"How do I get the Holy Spirit active in my life?" I am so glad you asked! Well, Romans 8 is a great place to start in understanding the power of getting into unity with the Spirit of God so He can actively do something in you. The first step is to get your thoughts in line with the thoughts of the Spirit - which is making a conscious effort to re-program your thoughts. Yes, you can control what you think on! You can reject your old ways of thinking and concentrate on a new pattern. Is it hard, yes, does it take effort, yes, does it take a while, yes. Yes, Yes and again, YES! But this is a first step and its the BIGGEST step toward transformation!

It leads to Romans 8:11, "If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also GIVE LIFE to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." Think of it this way; if you are bound with issues, they are killing and brining death to your life and happiness and you need a power that can resurrection the "original" YOU that has the potential to be, to enjoy, to live and to flourish! The Spirit of God is the only thing that has that resurrection power and He can give life to what is dying! That is transformation!

I speak from experience. When I look back at pictures of myself in my early twenties, I see a young woman who was bound by terrible insecurities, fears, issues that had a hold of my mind and soul and was snuffing out my joy, my potential, my ability to connect with people and God.

I was paralyzed. I could not truly enjoy ANYTHING because everything was tainted with my fears and insecurities and everything was poisoned with toxic thoughts of negativity. I don't even like to look at pictures of that portion of my life because I think how wasted those years were. BUT THANK GOD for the power of the Spirit of God in my life that gave life back to me!

I can mark the time when I stopped making excuses and let go of self-pity and allowed the Holy Spirit have access to the deep places me, I got "real" with myself and took control of my wrong thinking process and applied Biblical principals to my thoughts, I aligned my actions to what the Spirit of God was leading, I pursued and followed hard after God's purposes for me, and as this journey unfolded the Spirit of God was resurrecting the real me! I came alive. That old bitter, suppressed, insecure, sad, depressed, melancholy woman evaporated like the stench of death and I was free!

And there are many, many others that have experienced the same. Here are a couple of testimonies that tell about transformation that is happening now in women who are learning to partner with the Holy Spirit for their freedom!

"You know my story concerning fear, but not totally everything! Since I can remember I have Always had to fall asleep with the TV on, so that my mind did not wonder . Since seeking God, being in Daughter of Destiny mentor group, and in the process of reading "Destined to Reign"; last night was the first night in forever that I can remember going to bed, and going to sleep in the darkness (no TV) without fear!! God is really Doing something in me, and I am SO EXCITED!!! :)"

"I was so defeated, shut down and broken when I first came to your church almost 2 years ago after my divorce and massive weight gain from the anti-depressants I was placed on. I have learned many principles this past year which I can successfully apply to my life and learn to successfully overcome. I can say that your teachings greatly attributed to my growth and healing and not just "reclaiming" my mindset, but learning how to rise even higher."

These women named coming to church, being under teaching, reading certain materials, but those were just tools that pointed out Biblical principals that allow the Holy Spirit to operated fully in their lives and in turn they are changed new women, embracing fully who they were created to be and all that God has freely given them through Christ, so much so, their physical appearance is changing too!

I believe in transformation! I believe God can do it in anyone! I believe you are never too far gone, too old or too hard a case! The first step has to be made by YOU!

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: "NOT YOUR MOMMA'S CHURCH!"

2008-11-03T17:55:00.002-05:00

Lately I have been blessed by the contributed articles by Women of Destiny that I usually put in the side column. Recently my husband made a statement to describe NDIC which inspired this article by Veronica James.

As far back as I can remember my mom took me to church. Church was good. I loved singing in the choir and the pastor knew me by name. He knew me so well; I can remember him making a comment on how my singing voice was getting stronger. We had a connection that was so strong until when he moved to a different church, I had a dream about him… and I was away in college! I absolutely loved my momma's church.

When I went away to college, I found a church just like my momma's church. The church had a few hundred members, I sang in the choir and the pastor knew me by name. This church was just like my momma's church except it had three ordinances instead of just the two ordinances of water baptism and Holy Communion. The third ordinance was washing feet as Jesus washed the Disciples feet after the Last Supper. It took me a few years to take part in this ordinance; but when I did, I received such an awesome lesson in humility. I loved this church! I was growing spiritually and it was still very similar to my momma's church. I absolutely loved this church.

My career moved me from the area and away from my beloved church. When I moved to the new area, I searched the yellow pages for a church that washed feet. I prayed that I would like the church because of the blessing I received in washing feet. Honestly, the preaching wasn't so good, but the singing was good and I continued to grow because I studied the Word to get what I was missing.

God has a way of using you when you least expect Him. It was the pastor's appreciation and the committee asked me to sing a solo. I prepared a song, practiced it and was ready the night of the event. When it was time for me to sing, I literally forgot the song! I didn't forget a few words in the song, I forgot the entire song! Instead of the song I had practiced, I sang, “Give Me a Clean Heart”. Less than a week later, the pastor's wife told the church that the pastor was on drugs. He refused to get treatment and he left the church.

We eventually got a new pastor and things were good for a few years. But things began to change. I was doing all that I was supposed to do. I studied the Word and I did my very best to live the songs I sang about. With all of this, I wanted more of God. I needed more of God. In my mind, it was time out for me going to church to get an emotional high. I needed a Word that would help me get through the week; not entertainment. This was like my momma's church, but I was out growing my momma's church. One Sunday during service, the Lord said to me, “Leave this place and NEVER come back again!” So I did.

I left that church that was so much like my momma's church without a clue as to where I would fellowship next. God's Word says that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He sent to me a woman pastor who spoke into my life. She sent a message to me stating the importance of my “covering”. She wasn't, so much, trying to get me to join her church but her concern was my “covering”. I didn't really understand at the time what she meant but I attended her church and found what I was looking for. She preached Jesus and how to live in today's world. She helped me understand that worship is so much more than a feeling. Worship is a committed way of life to live for Jesus… and that's only part of it! The church was awesome! The service was awesome! The Word was awesome! Everything was awesome and almost NOTHING like my momma's church.

My tenure at the church was only about four years. Approximately a year after she went home to be with the Lord, the church had transformed into my momma's church! I had to leave! I had to leave because I had grown to realize that my momma's church was not good for my spiritual health.

I am now in a church body that is awesome! I love it for so many reasons. One major reason is that I can praise and worship God with absolutely no inhabitations! Another reason is that, at this church, I do more than just sing. God has chosen me to help lead His people into His presence through the singing. This church is awesome! The services are awesome! The Word is a NOW Word every service. I know that it's from God because, most of the time, God has already given me a piece of it. The called man of God simply gives it to me in a manner I can apply it to my everyday life. I say again, this church is awesome… and it is absolutely NOTHING like my momma's church!!

It is our responsibility as Believers to have a “right” relationship with God, not just any relationship, but a “right” relationship. The Bible has the answer as to how to develop and maintain this relationship. Not only has God provided the Manual, but he has also provided church bodies in the earth realm to help in the process. Again, it is our responsibility as Believers to allow the Father to order our steps to a proper covering. If our momma's church is not that proper covering, then our momma's church can no longer remain OUR church!

THE FOCUS IS GRACE

2008-10-03T21:35:00.007-04:00

1 Peter 1:10, 12 "...of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the GRACE that would come to you...to them it was revealed that, not to themselves but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached this gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven - things which the angels desire to look into."

It's becoming increasing clear to me that GRACE is not an element of our Christianity, but it is the focus of our Christianity. This GRACE that you and I freely receive and enjoy today was something that prophets thousands of years ago inquired and searched for carefully knowing that it was not for their consumption. What a sobering thought!

What grace on our lives that God predestined us for this time so that we could enjoy the benefits of GRACE. We could have been the generations long before that were desperate for salvation and wholeness, yet it would have alluded our grasp and left us with only the foretaste of it's riches through our dreams and visions.

So awesome and precious is GRACE, that angels, who have no need for of GRACE, have a desire to know it.

Here we are today, with this incredible gift of GRACE that knows no bounds or limitations and yet we relish in it only when we are first saved or take time to recall the mercy of God on our lives. When we compartmentalize GRACE to the salvation experience we actually cheat ourselves the true life that Christ purchased for us.

There is just so much more involved to GRACE than salvation!

Peter, who was a major beneficiary of GRACE - cutting off ears, being self promoting yet denying Christ and cussing out a child- described GRACE this way - "the manifold GRACE of God!"

He knew intimately that GRACE is not a one time event in our lives but something that is an on-going organism of influence in our everyday lives, unfolding it's dynamics and mysteries in practical and relevant ways.

2 Corinthians 5:14 says this, "For the love of Christ compels us..." Grace compels us. "Compel" means to drive, having an irresistible affect upon. I liken it to a new pregnant woman. This tiny new life within her has an irresistible affect that causes her to be repulsed by things she usually doesn't notice or used to love and it drives her to hunger and crave things that would usually have no appeal to her senses, almost to the point of being unusual and out of character.

I recall on a vacation with my parents and husband 20 years ago, (I can't believe that number!), when I was pregnant with my first child and didn't even know it yet. Everyday of our vacation I would make them drive me all over Nashville looking for salt cured country ham. If we sat down and the restaurant didn't have it - I insisted that they all get up and find one that did.

Now I can't believe I did that, but at that time there was something that compelled me to act that way - something new in me, something I didn't understand fully - but it was there, driving me to want some salty ham!

Later as I understood I was pregnant and the value of this life in me, I was compelled to take care of myself, guard this new life, and prepare the environment around me. And eventually this new life would become the joy of our home and bring such blessing to everyone who has ever come to know her as we do.

The love of Christ compels us - His GRACE compels us! This manifold GRACE that prophets searched for and angels longed for that's in us today - compels us! It has an irresistible affect not only on us, but to all who come to know it.

2 Peter 3:8 tells us that we should grow in the GRACE and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For anything to grow it must be given attention. And this my friends is why the focus must be on GRACE. As we learn about His GRACE, carefully inspect it through the Word of God and communion with Christ, we will come to see and know all that God accomplished for us through the work of His Son and the appreciation and value of GRACE will increase in our hearts.

Knowing the full work of redemption, the depth of God's love for people, the greatness of His acceptance of us through the blood of Jesus- we will be compelled by this GRACE in a way that surpasses our own logic and understanding.

You can't focus on anything else but GRACE that can impact your life that way. Systems, people, institutions, regulations, rules, techniques and programs don't compel from within - they control from without. Only GRACE has the affect of inward influence and only GRACE should be our focus!

2008-09-27T01:03:00.011-04:00

John 1:14-16
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth…vs 16. And of His fullness we have all received and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."

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For the past several weeks I have been looking deep into the grace of God. I began to do so after several raw conversations with a good friend who has been on a journey of the rediscovery of what it is to truly know and serve God. What a journey that can become!
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I began to read books that focused on grace and dig into the Word with a hunger to capture the essence of grace. Initially in this quest I found a great new series to preach which is a preachers joy. But soon I was entrenched in a new perspective of scripture that I had known all my life and clarity began to renew my mind to things that perplexed me in my search for the truth of Christianity. I found the doubt and confusion of my questions begin to lift as a new focus took over my thoughts and perceptions.
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This happened because when you look deeply into grace – it changes you.
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Confusion and doubt comes because we aren't looking at the purity of truth with our eyes wide open, and the only way to view scripture, Christianity and even Church is through the wide open view of GRACE!
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When we read the word in the view of man's interpretation or under the view of the Law, then we get a perversive and condemning interpretation of that word which is too hard and too heavy to carry and it confuses, burdens and frustrates. And this is where so many believers end up at one point or another. But when you understand what Grace is -the heart of God for man reflected through the sacrifice of Jesus, the work of the cross and the power of His resurrection - then you view and interpret the word by that grace and it gives this word life and power!
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The Law condemns and Grace gives life! And the essence of Life is growth and transformation!
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This is indeed a journey to walk out; learning more about grace and seeing the Word through it! It is the road to Emmaus. In Luke 24:13-32, Jesus found some disciples walking on the road to Emmaus discouraged, confused and frustrated. They had seen Jesus suffer and die and now there was a crazy rumor He was alive. Because they were so unbelieving they didn't recognize Him as He asked them to explain their frustration. They began to go on and on about what had happened in Jerusalem and how they were so disallusioned with this Jesus situation, and then Jesus rebuked them for being foolish and unbelieving.

But you know what His solution for them was?

For the next 7 miles on that road to Emmaus, He began to speak of Himself in the scriptures from the time of Moses until then, unveiling the typologies of who He was. He told them that in Genesis He was the promised seed, in Leviticus He was the perfect sacrifice, and how in the ministry of the Priesthood He was the perfect mediator even seen in the beauty and facets of their garments. He went through the Bible speaking of Himself and giving them the view of the Father's grace for man from then until now. He showed them the hidden revelations of who He is and what GRACE God has for His people through His work.

He was teaching them on that journey not to interpret things by their own understanding and by the Law - but interpret it through Him, just as He had taught in Matthew 11:29,

"Take my yoke upon you and LEARN OF ME…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:”
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He, Jesus, is full of two things...GRACE and TRUTH.
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So when we take the time in our frustration to seek the truth and grace of Jesus, everything comes into the right perspective and we are relieved of our burden of frustration and discouragement. All in the view of GRACE!
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So at the end of that seven mile journey they had learned of Him and looked at each other and said
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“Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
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"Emmaus" in the Greek literally means "warm springs" or "warm baths." That road in that their day was known to have hot springs along the way where people gathered for it's medicinal and healing waters.
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On your road to Emmaus, let the Grace of Christ cause you to rediscover Truth in the right perspective. Let it bathe you of every misconception and wrong thinking, heal every misguided thought and renew your passion for the simple to the deep things of God.

2008-08-30T15:27:00.003-04:00

Get Me Back To The Truth!

I was raised in Church.
That statement is huge. It has so many interpretations. It can mean so many different things. What is doesn't mean is that I know God or have a grasp on what salvation and the love of God is. In fact, it can actually mean that what I know about God is defined by what I have seen in Church and been taught from a Church and that my friend can be a dangerous interpretation to base salvation and the love of God upon. There are many many many people who don't go to church anymore or have anything to do with Christianity because of what they have learned about God in a Church. That is the sad state of the relationship of Church and people.
What first must be done is the dissecting of the institution of Church from the One who has given us salvation and His love. That can only be done by going back to the only Truth...the Word of God. Only the Word of God can compass in between the muddled and confusing lines of man's plan and God's plan. This is illuminated in Hebrews when it tells us the Word of God is active and living like a sword that pierces and divides. It and only it, can CUT THROUGH deception, confusion, tradition, the law and religious order.
It can get so discouraging with all the division of standards, regulations, rules and opinions, revelations. The only relief is the Word of God. We can not add or detract from it. It is sufficient and it brings life.
As a churched girl I have had to navigate my way back to the Truth to live by. If you are in that place of wanting to know and live by the true and real principles of God for man, then be encouraged. God has a way for you. Let the confusion go and get back to what is true and undefiled; the everlasting and life-giving Word of God. Let the Holy Spirit guide you and lead you in the WORD to the truth.

2008-07-31T17:39:00.004-04:00

NEXT LEVEL LIVING: Come Up Here!

After these things I looked and behold a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this. And immediately I was in the spirit…" Rev. 1:1-4

John said I looked and I saw a DOOR…anytime we see the word "door", whether figuratively or literally, it always represents opportunity. Doors are alway significant to come across no matter who you are or what your life is like or where you are going. Life without doors is a dead end road, a stifled existence, meaningless and hopeless. But a door represents OPPORTUNITY that gives us a chance and prospect for progress or advancement and everyone needs a chance to progress – develop, improve, grow, move forward!

John said he looked a door was standing open.
It's one thing to have a door before you, but to have it open means it's time for doing a certain thing. It that stands open as a free invitation; you are invited to participate and suggested to do so. It means that whatever is beyond that door is accessible to you- you can have it, you can take of it.

John said he looked and behold a door standing open in heaven and he heard a voice say this…"COME UP HERE" !

In talking about Next Level Living one key point is that GOD has a location. I don't want to get into theology over it - because I know we are the temples of the Living God – He dwells in us..
And I know that God is omniscient - He can be anywhere at anytime… But it is made clear in the Word that God has a location and a position and it is located and positioned at ELEVATION….
In the Bible he is referred to as "El-Elyon" - "GOD MOST HIGH"
Psalm 113:5 says, "Who is Like the Lord our God, Who dwells on High". Ephesians 4:8 says of Jesus that, "He has ascended on High" Even David when stating where he would look for the Lord - He said "I will lift mine eyes to the Hills from whence cometh my help, my help comes from the Lord!" Even as children we even know instinctively that heaven and God are above and the devil and hell are below!

When the Bible talks about LOWER, the lower has a negative connotation. For example in Proverbs 29:23 - "A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor," it uses the word "DAL AL", meaning broken, feeble, to be oppressed, emptied, and impoverished.

Lower Level Living is in the natural and the physical that has a lower mindset and direction that is remains, and continues in that which is of the world, physical and in the natural and leads to being broken, feeble, oppressed, empty and impoverished. You may not intend it, or set out for that end, but anything birthed and nurtured in a Lower Level will have that fruit.

So when John saw an open door in heaven and a voice that said "COME UP HERE", he counted an opportunity before Him and an invitation to come UP – to leave the world, the physical and the natural and start doing, living and operating in a new level – that is supernatural, heavenly and of GOD.
Now let me come to you – to us…
We operate in the natural, on the earth, we live in the world. We have no choice, bound by gravity and our flesh. We not only physically live here, we also are occupied in this lower level. We are busy with packed schedules, complicated lives, weighty issues, & constant demands. We are working long hours, running errands, involved in relationships, dealing with circumstances, striving to get make ends meet, anticipating tomorrow, dealing with the past, getting through today, deliberating decisions, chasing good times, raising children, providing for necessities and borrowing for luxuries, carrying burdens of conflicts, pushing through to do lists
And right here in the middle of all of that --- An open door, a voice saying…"COME UP HERE!"

Inconvenient? Too much already to deal with? No energy to live on the lower level and definitely not enough come up to some new place?
BUT IT'S A DOOR… it is an opportunity to grow and advance, an opportunity to come to a new level…COME UP HERE!
Interruption? YES! It interrupts all of our lower living! See an INTERUPTION is something that hinders or stops the action or discourse by breaking in…

In fact the voice was like a trumpet, a noise so loud it throws you into a concern and agitated state.
For some of us…
The facts are we need AN INTERRUPTION – before we get so of course, before we ruin ourselves, before we forget our purpose, before we lose ground, before the enemy of our souls devours what's ours, before the little foxes spoil the vine, before we are so deceived and asleep so deeply we can not be awakened, before the end comes with destruction…WE NEED AN INTERRUPTION!

We need a voice that is like a trumpet so loud it causes agitation to our ears and soul. That agitation is conviction (to prove or declare guilty of an offense…) The offense of lower living….1 John 2:15 "do not love the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world is passing away and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever

For some though, this voice calling Come Up Here…
It's the door we have been waiting for all along…it's another step in the journey, it's what we crave, and it's where we have been for a while…waiting on the rest of you.

NEXT LEVEL LIVES:

2008-07-25T23:47:00.003-04:00

Did you read those statistics on my last blog? Go ahead and take a minute to do that if you didn't already.....

Because of these eye-opening stats of average Born-Again Christians who believe in Christ as well as their eternal life probability, the church now finds itself in a...FULCRUM! Go ahead and look that up. I did. What caught me about this word, fulcrum, was that it finally gave me a word that I could attach to what I had been observing and analyzing for quite some time now. The church is in a fulcrum - a paradigm shifting - a teetering point - a fork in the road...you name it! It's in danger of losing it's credibility and it's influence because it is full of average Christians coming in and out of church claiming high things but living on a lower level.

When I talk about the next level or living higher or for that matter living lower, I'm not referring to "holiness". Should we be "holy"? Yes - unashamedly, Yes! Why? Because the Word of God declares it! I am not referring to "holiness" by a man's list or expectation of do's and don'ts because that is religion and regulation. True holiness is gained through transformation by the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives and that is a journey and anyone who has a Next Level Life will experience transformation and the by-product is holiness. But when I talk about living on a lower level and how that damages the effectiveness of the Church in the world, I am referring to people who are Christians from a choice of confession, attend Church services & events, but never make the connection of relationship, revelation, intimacy and surrender which lifts them out of a lower level to the next level that a new life in Christ can bring.

What is a lower level specifically? I can only answer that with the Word of God.

Proverbs 16:25 says, "there is a way that seems right to a man, but the end is the way of death." Now I have to stop here and say this; we need to clarify if we truly believe that God has an opinion and a stand on everything and we either believe it and yield to it, or we don't. This scripture tells us it is possible for we as humans to believe our way is the right way but be totally dead wrong! Isaiah 55:8 says, "seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near, let the wicked forsake HIS way and the unrighteous man HIS thoughts, Let him return to the Lord and He will have mercy on him and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon...for My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are My ways your ways...for as the heavens are HIGHER than the earth, so are My ways HIGHER than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

It is possible to be a Christian and think that what we think, believe and do is right, but it is absolutely not in line with what God thinks, believes and wants us to do. It is TOTALLY possible because His ways and thoughts are up HIGH and ours are naturally LOW! That might be why the Word also says in Romans 12:2, "do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." In other words, get saved, but then make an effort and an investment in finding out what God thinks and feels about everything and make that your mindset.

The thing is, you can't get to the Next Level without humility, brokenness, intimacy and relationship with God Himself. And the thing on top of that is, you can't stay at the lower level with humility, brokenness, intimacy and relationship with God Himself, because it will change you. Will He love you at the lower level? Yes. He loved you while you were in sin and He will certainly love you at a lower level of living, but you will be cheating yourself and cheating God of the dividends from His investment of His grace, blood and power for you and you will be cheating the World of the manifestation of what all that does in a Child of God.

And this is the FULCRUM. If we as Christians are just church goers and ministry followers, and on -the- edge- of- a- new- thing pioneers and are thinking, acting and living on a lower level, all the time not concerned that God is somewhere saying, "Hey down there...the world is watching and you are really blowing it," then we are wasting our time doing what we are doing! So - perhaps we need to take the path that leads to the NEXT LEVEL.

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the Glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." The word "unveiled" means true honesty & transparency...BEING REAL. Come before His Glory in intimacy, not pretense and be real, honest and transparent. Let Him show you His ways and thoughts, and if yours aren't in line with that, be real, get over it and change! It doesn't matter what is the "new thought" or the "new way" to be as a Christian, what matters is what is God's way. So get off the lower level...and get to the next level. How do we come before His Glory? Well, that is another blog!

NEXT LEVEL LIVES: Never The Bottom!

2008-07-17T20:45:00.006-04:00

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every

spiritual blessing in the heavenly places...who is rich in mercy, because of His

great love with which He loved us and raised us up together and made us sit

together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 1:3; 2:4

By reading that scripture it is obvious that God has set a position of blessing and it is located on a "higher" spiritual level. In fact, a thorough familiarity with His Word will reveal that higher positioning is an ordination of the people of God and is what our Heavenly Father desires for His Children. Deuteronomy 28:13 shows us that one of our inherited covenant blessings is that we always "be at the top, and never at the bottom!" That is Next Level Living!

God desires us to be in this Next Level because He knows that only there will we become who we are at our best and achieve everything we are capable to achieve. In the Next Level, we move beyond the norm and see lasting fruitfulness, influence and significance. And at the Next Level we come to know and experience Him in His fullness. None of this is possible living below our purposed position. And make no mistake or have any misconceptions, Next Level Living is purposed! It takes effort, commitment and passion!

Just as it takes effort, commitment and passion to live on the Next level, if you make no effort, have no commitment and exude no passion you will live on a "lower level". Lower Level Living is a life that is average, common, and usual. And it is entirely possible to be a Christian who is average. In fact, there are millions of average Christians. I found it interesting in my research of the stats found with the Barna Group, that the typical Christian is defined by the fact they can answer "yes" to two questions; "Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your savior?" and "If you died, are you confident you would have eternal life?" That seems right, normal and sufficient evidence to being a Christian. So my question is what is the fruit of this typical Christian. Let me just put it out there.

42% are involved in adultery

30% advocate a homosexual lifestyle

38% are involved in pornography

60% believe cohabitation outside marriage is acceptable

35% believe getting drunk is acceptable

17% believe non-prescription drug use is acceptable

1/3 believe abortion is socially acceptable

1 in 7 say their spiritual lives & faith are a top priority

1/3 read the Word of God

46% believe that Satan is a NOT a living being

36% believe in NO moral absolutes

101 million typical Christians

What is your initial thought on all of that? Horrible? Who Cares? Can you be a Christian and fall into that line up? None of those are my point or my concern here in this blog, (in my prayer closet yes)! But what I want to point out is this; as a Christian you can live on a Lower Level that is average, conformed, common and possibly corrupt (which I will lay out later on), or on the Next Level that is extra-ordinary, transformed, supernatural and Divine and it is a choice of effort, commitment and passion.

This teaching is manifold and I am going to let it set here for the next fews days. I hope you'll check back and let me unfold it for you!

2008-06-30T10:35:00.009-04:00

Last night I had an incredible experience. My husband and I sat in a home of a Doctor and his wife , down by the Skyway Bridge in St. Pete, whom I had never met before. In their living room were two Haitian brothers who now attend our church and play in our band, Jimmy and Samuel, their father visiting from Haiti who is a pastor over one of the largest churches in Carrefour, Pastor Joseph Metelus, Samuel's precious Haitian mother-in-law and an awesome nterpreter J.B., and on the phone was the Mayor of Port-au-Prince, Gael Jean.

We discussed our upcoming crusade arranged by Mayor Jean and Pastor Metelus in the soccer stadium of the capital in August. The Mayor was talking about the power of the Spirit of God that would bring the anointing to break the yokes off of the people during the crusade and how he would have large groups of people fasting and praying until the crusade. Jimmy and Samuel and J.B. shared their hearts out regarding the mentality of the Haitian people in poverty and how they must break that cycle of poverty in their minds first to experience it outwardly. They testified about their own transformations even since coming to New Destiny and how their lives have been forever changed. It struck me how they left Haiti and their father's ministry, only now to returned empowered bringing reinforcements of deliverance and hope to their nation and people. How I love Haiti, how I looked at those young men as if they were my sons and part of me. Only God and His Spirit can put that in a white woman's soul! The sense that I owe a debt to
those people and I owe them what I have to give.

Wow!

No presbytery, no committee, no approved and voted on church plant could have orchestrated such an arrangement! Even we ourselves, could not have put that together, and yet there we sat in a home of people who go to a church far from our style or background, yet sovereignly their paths have crossed ours in purpose and plan which will unfold in the next weeks and months.

I am so glad and grateful to be free from constraints that steal the purpose of God from our lives. How many opportunities and orchestrations had we missed and didn't know it? And yet I embrace the moment of now and grab it and savor it for what it is - miraculous.

Thank you Lord for Your grace that brought us to this place in this time. Thank You for allowing us to walk in Your will and ways. Keep us here, right here, in the middle of what You are doing so we can experience it all.

The Word for you today is this; don't miss your GOD-OPPORTUNITIES because you are too caught up and distracted with man-opportunities. The best place to be is totally "out-of-control" of your own life and totally "under-control" of the Holy Spirit of God Himself! So get positioned today and watch what God will do!

2008-06-18T22:09:00.008-04:00

I just wanted to share a little personal side of our African connection in Liberia with you today. It has been almost three years since man of great humility and even greater faith named Pastor Judah Flourish from Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, contacted us via email. He relayed that God had led him to contact us and become connected under our covering and implored us to come to Liberia to preach to the people and churches. We had only three weeks prior received a prophecy from Bishop Eddie Long that declared international doors and connections were about to open up to us that would "blow our minds" - and it has!

Much has transpired since that prophecy and since that first initial contact. We have traveled twice to West Africa, completed and furnished New Destiny Chapel in Monrovia, from the ground up built and furnished New Destiny in Buchanan, Liberia, held several Pastor's Conferences and Conferences, seen miracles, deliverances, salvations, healings, restorations and have over 30 African Pastors and churches under our Apostolic Covering! And this coming year we will send a Liberian Pastor to establish and build a New Destiny Church in Lagos, Nigeria! Praise be only to God! But much thanks also goes to this humble and faith-filled man who obeyed the Lord to contact us, who responds to the leading of the Spirit of God as he travels West Africa as a forerunner to the ministry. His vision is unlimited, his love for Africa is boundless and His obedience is steadfast!

Deon and I truly love Pastor Judah and his wife, Faith. They are "us" in Africa. There is a connection in the Spirit that can not be fabricated. Faith is a woman who has experienced the transforming power of the Spirit. Her testimony of liberty from the oppression of depression is incredible. It was only a year and a half ago that this woman was in a facility to deal with the deep oppressiveness of depression. In the first pictures that I saw of her, she was listless and had no joy. Her face had no smile. During our first visit to Liberia great liberty came to her and she received complete healing and restoration and was completely made free! Now when I see her and see her photos, her smile is the brightest thing of focus! The power of God is amazing!

When I left her in Monrovia, Liberia in May, she was due to deliver her fourth child. We were all believing for a girl to add to the three brothers. I asked her about what she would do when she went into labor. At that time she and Judah did not have a car. As an American woman, getting to the hospital is priority so my question was legitimate to me. Faith responded, "I will walk to the hospital." The hospital was several miles from their home. We American women are too spoiled!

Last week she finally had the baby - a healthy beautiful boy. We were able to have already sent the funds to purchase a wonderful vehicle, so they drove to the hospital! By the way, the baby's name is:

Giffy Deon Flourish!

ARE YOU A NEW BREED?

2008-06-06T13:16:00.001-04:00

Today I ran across this video which encompassess the message that I consistently deliver regarding destiny, personal freedom and empowerment. I want to clarify that my message is not humanistic in its foundation, for I know full well that He must increase and we must decrease and that we are nothing without His grace and power.

But for too long the generations before this one in the church,(with a few exceptions), have spent their lives nominal, exclusive, and isolated. If anything, the message regarding destiny, personal freedom and empowerment is by far the most selfless, because when you understand your destiny, reach personal freedom and become empowered by His Spirit, with His strength activated within you, you don't live for yourself any longer, but you live to give to the world, the lost and the dying. This generation is a New Breed of believers, because we are doing as Hebrews 12 admonishes us to do. We are throwing off everything that entangles us to run the race. We are throwing off bands of religion, denomination, man-made and established boxes of legalism and expectations and embracing eternal truth and passion.

I AM NEW BREED

THE WORLD AWAITS YOUR MANIFESTATION - 4

2008-06-03T00:17:00.000-04:00

This is the final portion of this message, but one of the most relevant and practical. I want to talk about the HINDRANCES OF MANIFESTATION.

Everyone has the ability and th

e "stuff" to manifest on the earth, but so few actually do it. There is a saying that says the

graveyard is full of unwritten books, unsung songs, and unfulfilled dreams. What a saddening thought. God placed music, words, acts of compassion, creativity, inventions, ideas, ideals, ability, innovation within the human soul as an investment to bring forth a profit for His Glory and yet so many people end their lives with untapped resources, wasted opportunities, unexploited potentials and unrealized dreams. The words that Paul wrote to the Romans mean so much with that in mind.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,

that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service. And don't be conformed to this world, but be

transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. "

I truly believe that every invention, innovation and advancement made by man is simply man manifesting what God intended him to do when God Himself placed the dream, ability and gifts within that individual when He created Him and placed that individual in that time and place. Now that is PURPOSE AND DESTINY!

Unfortunately many great things never manifest because of the hindrance that we allow to steal and subdue our purpose. We must wake up and not allow anything to hinder our manifestation.

1. SELF: This includes our own self-indulgence, self-pride, self-righteousness and

even self-pity!

2. SIN: Anything that we do to satisfy the desire of the flesh and not the Spirit is sin. The

Word tells us that the flesh and the Spirit are at war, and the flesh does not lean toward your

God-given purpose but will lead you as far away from your destiny as possible.

3. INDISCIPLINE: Ouch! No one wants to talk about that! Many times we squander our

provision, gifts and purpose by living a life with no discipline and obedience to the leading

of His Spirit.

4. LAZINESS: It takes more than dreaming to get to destiny! The cheapest decision to make

is to become a beggar!

5. LACK OF FOCUS: To manifest you have to stay focused! Don't get distracted and give up.

Don't be tossed from one thing to the next. Stick to it until you manifest!

6. ENEMIES: Adversaries wish to block your manifestation. But remember, opposition

will lend credibility to your manifestation!

7. SATAN: The devil will use an arsenal of weapons to hinder you: poverty, intimidation,

discouragement, sickness, and fear of failure! Build your faith and resist him!

You have something in you that God placed there to be manifested NOW, in this generation.

Tap into it and release it. THE WORLD AWAITS YOUR MANIFESTATION!

The Lord World Awaits Your Manifestation PART 3

2008-05-22T22:07:00.000-04:00

Lets talk about the practical ways to manifest God's glory and His purpose for our existence on earth. First, we must recognize that God has a divine arrangement and order in the affairs of men and that we are placed in that divine arrangement for a specific purpose.

Ephesians 1:9 says this,

"Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, in Him. in Him also, we have obtained an inheritance being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should to the praise of His glory."

We may not understand completely or believe the truth that we are in the right time, the right place, with the right stuff for a purpose, but it is true. Even if it seems like our life and our surroundings and our inability can not possibly be God-ordered, we have to take His Word as complete truth! Just like Ephesians says, His will is a mystery! Regardless of what we think He is performing and He still can perform His will through us! That is the grace of God!

We also have to rid ourselves of a "My World" mentality. Paul breaks up that mentality by telling the Ephesians that there is a dispensation of time. Dispensation literally means God's divine involvement in the affairs of mankind. That is a powerful and sobering thought! It's really not all about "ME"! Perhaps what is about "me", has to do with the bigger picture and where we fit into it!

There is a lot of talk about destiny, purpose and gifts and it is a good thing. But it becomes distorted when destiny, purpose and gifts are all about "me". We don't have those things for us, we have them to fulfill the dispensation of time in God's plan for all of mankind! Now that is BIG THINKING! Obviously we must expand our thinking today! Not only do we have destiny, purpose and gifts, but we have them to manifest them at the just the right time so as to fulfill God's purpose for mankind that in the end all things will come together and glorify Him! WOW!

When you manifest, you are keeping His plan going! So in essence THE WORLD does AWAIT YOUR MANIFESTATION! When you manifest, you are fulfilling the plan of God not only for your life for mankind and His Kingdom! You have something deposited in you by God that He designed to be released in your times. Fill the earth with your creativity, ability, gifts, capabilities that God deposited in you and God's investment in you will bring Him a profit! Manifest the wisdom, knowledge and increase that has been deposited in you since you arrived on the earth and make an impact upon the earth! The only risk of making a mistake is when you fail to manifest!

The final installment of "THE WORLD AWAITS YOUR MANIFESTATION" will focus on Hindrances to Manifestation. Keep checking in!

THE WORLD AWAITS YOUR MANIFESTATION- PART 2

2008-05-14T08:20:00.000-04:00

I wrote a few weeks ago about the revelation that hit my spirit when I read the words at the end of an email from a Pastor in Nigeria to my husband, "Until you come Sir, THE WORLD AWAITS YOUR MANIFESTATION!" I had to wait three weeks until I could develop and release that Word in a sermon; it was like fire shut up in my bones. My next few blogs will be excerpts and portions from this word of the Spirit to the Church today.
.

The world awaits your manifestation…

Rom 8:18-22
" For the earnest expectation of creation eagerly waits for the revealing/manifestation of the sons of God.... because creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God...For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now."

We are truly in the moment of time when a seed of destiny in the Church and the seed of desperation in the world, have been in gestation and the Church is groaning and the world is groaning as if in labor to birth a new thing upon the earth that will nourish it, replenish it, sustain it and bring forth hope.

It’s vital that you understand what time it is in history, in destiny for the Church and the world, as well as your place in God’s plan for man. Every time and every season has a purpose and a reason. We have to COGNITIVELY CONNECT with the time and the season AND PURSUE to understand of the purpose and the reason.

1 Chronicles 12:32 says, "...the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do..."

The name "Issachar" literally means reward and payment for labor. Therefore, sons and daughters who follow in the ways and the spirit of Issachar will reap the reward for understanding the times and doing what they should be doing in response to the times their in time and generation.

It’s one thing to have any understanding of your season and to discern the times you are living in, but the reward will only come when you find out what your role is and do what you should be doing in that time and generation. It’s also vital that you understand what you are to be doing in this time in the church, the world and in your place in God’s plan for man.

You were created and placed on the earth for a specific purpose and for a specific thing for you to manifest on the earth for your time. So important is this truth – knowing the times, and knowing what to do, that a failure to manifest hidden glory of God in you results in a wasted journey and a wasted investment by God through you in the world.

Eph 2:10
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. "

Eph 1:11-12
"In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will."

God planned you. You aren’t an accident. You aren’t an after thought. Your life isn’t an random occurrence in the universe. You were purposed. God thought of you, he thought of the times, he thought of your purpose, he formed you and put in you everything you need to do what he purposed you to manifest on the earth in this time and season…and what you need to know is that...THE WORLD AWAITS YOUR MANIFESTATION!

All of the staging is set for the infusion of the Glory of God being released upon the earth…
.
Isa 60:1-2
Arise, shine;For your light has come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people;
But the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.
.

Notice that this scripture is telling us that His Glory is on us; the earth is in darkness but the Lord will arise and show forth His Glory by manifesting it upon us!

.
The world is in desperation; nations are in starvation, peoples live in violence. Fears of economic disaster, disease and terror attack grip the hearts of people. Social depravity and moral decline decay our societies. And in the religious world we see confusion from human control, deception, and lack of integrity. The basic stress of living, no moral codes of conduct, and no absolutes of truth define our generation.

And the world groans as if in the pangs of labor and you were created to manifest His Glory to the earth! This is your significance: your meaning, value, purpose, importance in existence -to manifest upon the earth!

So stop searching for your significance from someones spoken approval. Your significance isn’t in whether a group of people accept you or whether you are a success in business. Your significance isn’t in how educated you are or how much stuff you accumulate or how wealthy you can become. Your significance is how you manifest His Glory on the earth.

"Until you come Sir, THE WORLD AWAITS YOUR MANIFESTATION!"

Check back in for Part 3 of this series!