‹Is the party over? I saw the empty boxes piled sky high at the recycling bin by the grocery store yesterday. In some ways it can be a relief that all the pressures of the expectations from others for the holidays are over. But the stores are preparing - I saw Valentines Day supplies and St. Patrick supplies and even gardening seeds out for sale! Yes, the stores will keep the pressures on for the "expectations." To the point, that it's not about choice for what you want to do, but the idol worship of following the craze. If you are feeling a big relief, do a self-check on that. I have. And when I shot down the unrealistic expectations, I felt so much better! And I have gotten better at it over the years.
There is a good fire and a bad fire, and both are intense. And fire that can be used for good, can also be very destructive. This is one good reason WHY we need to have the honor, fear and respect of God. Many have a spooky or unnatural fear of God and this denying of reality is a burden to God. Who can face things head on and discern what is really going on, especially behind the scenes?
Like many of you, I have received attacks on my body at different times, and there have been some serious issues. But through prayer and faith, and practical helps, a lot has been overcome. There are appointed times for us, but while we are alive, we do want to give it our best! It's so good to pray the Scriptures and believe in the atoning grace of Jesus through His work on the Cross. He paid the price for us!
Proverbs 25:16 NLT - "Do you like honey? Don't eat too much, or it will make you sick!" A wise person understands that too much favor can be hazardous! People want riches and favor and powers, but they can also sometimes miss the Lord who gives it. Just like the children of Israel, we can be tested on this. I speak to myself as well as to others! Jealousy can be cruel, whether it is righteous or unrighteous. There were gold and special fabrics and nice things in the first Tabernacle. The Glory of God was in there.
Have you ever gone through a really bad situation and realized that witchcraft was at work against you? Well, if you have been walking in a sincere serious way with ministry, you have! Several times, I have asked the Lord why would He allow His servants to go through this hell? And today I got an answer in a way that I can share, in thinking about a situation of attack that I just went through. One of the BEST ways to come against witchcraft is to stand up to it. First, you have to discern it and many times it can take us by surprise.
I had a dream last night of going to a house being built inside of a house. Really it seemed more like a pavilion at the time, but many things were gathered and you could tell a lot of thought had gone into it its construction. I was impressed by some of the things I saw that they had gathered. But the house was inside of the house and the world was outside. I got the impression that the people that would be drawn there would be drawn there from the other house that was over it. I just knew that there was sunshine outside, but that it was also a dangerous place. People needed shelter from the storms and attacks.
I and others have been crying out about the over sheltered self-celebrating church of today that is naive and unprepared and VULNERABLE! When we do not go out into the world and share the good news reality and joy about God, we only set ourselves up for the other agenda. Our children matter, but so do YOU! It's not about putting the whole burden on YOUR shoulders but finding your place and position in the Body - and no it's not all easy, but it can be FUNCTIONAL! Don't let "the church" or any other minister tell you that it's all on you. We need to learn how to be Spirit led so that we can do His agenda with the gifts He has given and wants to equip us in.
We NEED the Lordship of Christ. We NEED true discipleship! But too often there comes a disconnect from the true faith, and a lot of that is based on human idol worship. This is a challenging subject but is one the Lord has been highlighting to me for a while. The strength of the Body of Christ in America is at a crossroads, and lot of that is based on the teaching or false teaching that people are getting. We ALL need to come before the Cross of Christ and bow on both knees.
We reach people in different ways because people see things in different ways, and that difference also makes them pray in different ways! Jesus taught us to be concerned about 24 hours at a time: "Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof," He said. "Enough already!" is what He was really saying. "Be in the moment. Handle right now." And we know this process is how many people get over big problems. There is a progression, one step at a time! You cannot take the better step 5 until you get past your 1, 2 and 3! But people really do think differently and some of that could be your ministry gift. I remember praying for a sound box (amplifier) and recorder for our meetings in Houston one time, and people started asking me "what kind? What features?"
The Lord told me in November that 2017 is the Year of Victory. (I thought He told me "early" but over the years, I have learned that He has His reasons for things.) He asks: What can you believe God for victory of, from or over? Think BIG!!! Now think FAITH – that is the "I want to." Now think BELIEF, making it happen. Now what will aid all that? This is your work in God, to believe. Be practical, in the Spirit. God can do the impossible! If you can honestly agree with God for it, you can have it! You just have to tend it in the Garden of your faith. Are you agreeing with God?
Follow Up
