Praying Over Fear in our City

 

 

As we began our Prayer meeting to pray over our city, one of our ladies brought her neighbor boy of about 12 years old so I though he would enjoy a true story about fear.

 

I shared my story about overcoming my own fear of the dark and how the seed of fear was planted in my mind as a child of three years old.  You might enjoy my story: (click on the title of the story:  “A Bear in the Woods.”

Our Hand Out for today was a sample prayer to pray over your family but can be applied to pray over our city, neighborhoods and land.  So many citizens are living in fear often originating in their past.  I read the prayer aloud for our prayer warriors, and there followed an awesome time of confessing and repentance for ourselves and for our city.

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Prayer to Take Back Your Family / Family Healing and Restoration

By Laura Gagnon

Father God, Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit, 

Please forgive me for anything I have done to knowingly or unknowingly give place to the enemy. My family and the children You have given me are a gift from God. I repent for speaking negative things in my frustration and allowing any word curses to be enacted over my loved ones.  

Right now I break the power of negative words and ask that the power of those words and any lingering memories associated with those words be broken over each of my family members. 

I repent and I renounce all unloving spirits, spirits of rejection, fault finding spirits, unclean spirits, spirits of lust, anger, impatience, inferiority, insecurity, fear, witchcraft (control) and spirits of rebellion. I break the assignment of the enemy and I bind these spirits in the name of Jesus Christ. I forbid them from operating against myself or any of my family members.   

I appropriate the victory of Your cross and tell these spirits to obey the voice of Your servant. “I submit to the Lord Jesus Christ and I resist you, Satan. Leave me and my family at once in Jesus name!"  

Holy Spirit, please release Your healing, Your love, and the ministry of reconciliation into my family. Please fill us with the love of God, a desire for purity, and with the fullness of Your Holy Spirit. Heal the hearts, minds, and belief system of each of my family members. Let Your truth replace the lies of the enemy.  

Give us revelation so that the enemy is defeated completely. I ask that the power of resurrection life be given to me and my family members to bring healing and total restoration.  

Let the respect, honor, loyalty and love be restored. Heal our emotions, our memories, our self image, faith and our trust. In every area where there has been a breach, let it be healed and made whole, filled with the love and Spirit of God, in Jesus’ name, amen.

 

The Word Was God

This post is from my notes during our Bible Study Sunday Morning at church

 

 

Christian Art by Glenn A. Bautista
"Jesus Christ the Center of All Things"

 

Zebedee was the husband of Salome, and father of James and John the apostles.  He was an honorable fisherman in comfortable circumstances.  He was not above physical labor and the Bible mentions that he and his sons were on his boat mending their fishing nets.  His son John is the writer of the gospel of John we are studying today.  John was learned in the Old Testament scriptures and quotes from the Old Testament to prove that Jesus is the Christ.  Here he starts with the beginning and refers to Jesus as the “Word.”

John 1:1-4  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life and the life was the light of men.

Jesus was the Logos meaning God’s plan for the redemption of man kind.

The first verses in Chapter one, was a chant or song in the early church houses.

We get to know the Word who became flesh as we receive Him into our life and begin to follow Him as our Lord.  There is a longing in our heart for fulfillment and we find this in Jesus.

The tree of life was protected in the Garden and lest Adam and Eve partake of it in their sinful state, they were forced to leave the beautiful garden.

Ecc  3:11   He has made every thing beautiful in his time:  

There is an amazing correlation between the two “In the Beginning” as the Holy spirit hovered over the waters.   God separated Light from Dark, he tore them apart and we can imagine the sounds that were made in the beginning.  I doubt if this was done quietly as He ripped apart the waters from the sky and created lakes, rivers and oceans.  There must have been a roar as things came together and were put in place.

God spoke these into existence and said: “Let there be light.  His words generated life and the power to reproduce.  Jesus being the Word, was there in the beginning.  All this was God’s plan set up in eternity.

Proverbs 8:27-- When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:  When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him - - 

This is a beautiful picture of Jesus with God and all things created by Him. 

When John the Baptist came preaching, the people were living in darkness.  He proclaimed there comes one after me that is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.  John had heard from God and preached what the Father’s heart was telling him.  “He whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, is the same one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit."

There is time to repent and come to the Light.  For us today, we have come to Christ the Light of the World and he desires that we no longer walk in darkness.

1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

 

FREEDOM

Our guest speaker was speaking as I took notes and edited his message. 

 

Isaiah had a vision that caused him to say “Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips.”

The angelic beings cried Holy Holy Holy; as they worshiped God on His throne.

Isaiah 6:1-3 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
The whole earth is full of His glory!”

Even though God is love, understand that sin is sin.  His Word holds true, if we sin we count the blood of Jesus to be non effect.

We fall short when we listen to our thoughts that say, we are not good enough, and are constantly under condemnation.  We pray and fast, and it is not working.

God values freedom not bondage.  Christ has made us FREE, believe it.  God’s word tells us to walk in freedom, because we are not a prisoner.  Do what you want, because you are free.  A real free person desires to choose to please God.  We want someone else to do it for us, to lay hands on us to set us free.  God says, “Stop depending on others, depend on me, because Jesus died to set you free.
 

 

God desires to reveal to you His will, to show you the “More” that is available.  Christ IN you the Hope of Glory.  Receive Hope and reality.  God has a destiny for you. 

It is exciting to meet together with others of like precious faith.  God says, He is rising up a generation of believers that will receive Freedom and move free in your life.

When God speaks there is always scripture to confirm and there will be signs following.

The book of Acts never ended, it continues today and is still being written.  If our spiritual eyes were opened, we would melt in His presence. God responds to humility; Verily Verily – truly truly, was repeated so we would understand this is important.

Daily we need a fresh baptism of fire and to have the angel touch our lips with the coal of fire.

 

SOUNDS

This Post is edited from our lesson as we met to pray over our city. 

(I shared a handout by Laura Gagnon with suggestions to prophesy and make declarations with a sound that matches God’s heart.  Click on her name above to view her prayer over her county.  We adapted her prayer with our City, County and State.)

 

Powerful Praying is Praying Out Loud

The Sound of our Voice in prayer is powerful. 

The Bible is full of sounds even from the beginning when the Spirit ‘hovered’ over the waters.

Elijah asked to see God, and finally God showed Himself with a still small voice.
1 Kings 19  The wind, and earthquake, and fire, did not make him cover his face, but the still voice did.

I Kings 18:41  Then Elijah said to Ahab, Go up, eat and drink; for there is a SOUND of abundance of rain. 

When the walls of Jericho came down it was because of a SHOUT and the blast of trumpets.

Joshua 6: Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. ³ March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. ⁴ Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. ⁵ When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”  All this time the trumpets were sounding. ¹⁰ But Joshua had commanded the army, “Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the seventh day when I tell you to shout. Then shout!” 

Gideon won his battle with 300 bold obedient men, at the right moment they blew their trumpet and shouted, ‘The sword of the Lord and of Gideon.’ 

The child Samuel heard a voice at night and it sounded similar to Eli, but it was God speaking.

Ezekiel 37:3-4  And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, only you know. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.
Note that at the sound of Ezekiel’s voice the bones did live.

At the crucifixion of Jesus there was the sound of an earthquake as the temple veil was split from top to bottom.

On the day of Pentecost:  Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

When Christ returns he will shout and voices will be heart and trumpets to wake the dead.

1 Thessalonians 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Today let us make a sound with our voice as we prophesy and make decrees of blessing over our city.

 

Who Was John?

This post is from my notes during our Bible Study Sunday Morning at Church.

 

Leaning On Jesus

 

 

Who Was John?

John the Beloved - -What was the history of his life?  What was he most known for? 

John wrote 5 books of the Bible, The Gospel of John, 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd John and the book of Revelation.

John begins his introduction in the Gospel of John chapter 1: In the ‘beginning was the Word and the Word was God and the Word was with God.  Jesus the Word, was placed back in time with God the Father and the Holy Spirit in the beginning as the world was created with spoken words.

John was a special friend of Jesus, and was known as the disciple whom Jesus loved.  Peter, James and John were perhaps closer to Jesus than the other 9 disciples.  John was there when John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the water. 

As Jesus was being crucified, he spoke to John and said of his mother Mary, behold your mother, and to Mary he said, behold your son.

It was custom for Jewish children to be taught at home.  There was also a special school for many young boys to learn the law and the Old Testament scriptures.  The Rabbi would select certain ones to enroll in this school.  Not all families could afford this training and not all were chosen.

After Jesus rose from the dead, Peter and John preached boldly.  Apparently at least Peter was not from the special schools, because the people considered both of them to be unlearned. 

Acts 4: 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Jesus has chosen all of us.  John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Jesus said, ‘I want you, I desire you, I choose you, - - follow me.”

John the Baptist spent time out in the desert, as he prepared the way for Jesus.  John the Baptist recognized that Jesus was the Lamb of God and boldly stated "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." 

The Jewish people were looking for the Messiah and were living for that day to come.  They were fascinated by Jesus and His message.   All eyes were on Him as he boldly taught in the synagogue. 

We as believers must have a solid foundation on the Word of God.  Some churches have doctrines and rules that are not scriptural.  From young children they have been taught how to dress and what to avoid, but much of the teaching is not Biblical.

Why do we believe what we believe?  Can we find a scripture and verse?

Many believers today are making sacred pilgrimages and journeys to Israel and other Holy places. While this is interesting and not wrong, we must not create a shrine and worship things and places.  These are meant to honor and memorialize Saints and events not to worship and adore. 

 

How do we view Mary the Mother of Jesus?  We know she was a virgin when Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, but there is mention in the scriptures of her other sons and daughters by her husband Joseph.

Jesus kept the feasts and culture of his time, and he often went to the Synagogue to teach and minister.  Even there the crowd would attempt to kill him, but he was able to slip out from their midst and leave without being seen.

How does this apply to me? 

 

It would be encouraging for all of us - - to once again re-read the Gospel of John. 

 

Notice that John quotes many times from the Old Testament to prove that Jesus is the Christ.

 

The Knighting Ceremony

Adventures at the Prophetic Conference.

 

 

 

The last day of the conference, in our 8:00 am meeting we were given a blank peel and stick name tag.  The women were to write a spiritual name for a women and men for men.  I wrote "LOVER" - - and then considered that could be misunderstood, so I added “of Souls.”  I considered changing it to Blessed - - but thought that might seem too pompous so placed the sticky, “Lover of Souls” on my blouse.  We were to wear this until the conference was over that afternoon. 

Our 8:00 am leader asked us to pair up and ask the Lord to reveal the person’s mother’s first name.  One of the Chinese girls came to me, and I thought; “Oh this will be difficult.”  I asked her if her mother’s name was foreign, and she said yes.  I mumbled some syllables beginning with “M” and it was very close to her mother’s name.  Then she looked at my name tag we all wore around our necks and asked if my mother’s name was Hazel (same as mine?)  I said, her middle name is Hazel, but her first name is a Bible name.  The girl paused, and then said, “Ruth.”  Yes, I told her, “That is correct.”

Our leader asked us now I want you to practice what the Lord is showing you about our friends here as you move around the room. 

Over in the corner was a young girl and she beckoned to me.  I went to her and took her in my arms.  Suddenly the Holy Spirit came on me like fire and I told her, “I see you dancing on a keyboard, and the keys are black and white, but in God there is no black and white, only beautiful colors.”  A few minutes later she left the room for a while and soon returned.  I think she went to weep in private.

We attended our next session, and the break out class and the final afternoon meeting was to be the knighting ceremony.  Those who had to catch an airplane flight were first. 

Our instructions were to come single file beginning with the back rows - - and kneel in the front on a line marked on the carpet.  My thoughts were, “Oh no, I can’t kneel - - because I won’t be able to get up,” but the Lord said, “Not to worry, just do your best.”

Further instructions were after the knighting, to leave by the side door where staff and prophets would be laying hands on us as they prayed in the Spirit. Then to go around and re-enter from the back of the sanctuary to collect our stuff and we were free to leave.   

So it was my turn and - - I managed to get down on the floor.  Kris and Dano each had a large sword and would place the two swords on each shoulder of the person as one of them would pronounce, I knight you “Lover of Souls,” or what ever the name that you had placed on your shirt. 

That went well, and a couple of nice people grasped under my arms and helped me stand.  Out we went to the side door and as I stepped through a young man placed his hands on my shoulder and was praying in tongues.  Immediately the air was thick with the presence of the Holy Spirit and I was having a problem walking through the cloud, as we went through an assembly line being prayed for by many we recognized during our time here. 

What a way to end the conference.  I was high on the mountain for the next several days. 

 

Personal Prophesy Assignment

Adventures at the Prophetic Conference Bethel, Redding, CA.

 

(Similar set up - but no desk in between persons.)

 

Arriving at the Church on Monday afternoon, we waited in a LONG line as we checked in to receive our books, lunch tickets we had ordered, and an appointment with a day and time we were to report to the “Upper Room,” for our personal Prophesy time with two seasoned ministers. 

 

The ministers were students from the School of Supernatural Ministry who were excelling in prophesy.  My meeting was for Wednesday at 10:15 am, and on that day, I arrived on time. 

 

The room was large with many ministers arranged with 4 seats in sets of 2 facing each other.  Already seated were ministers two by two waiting for the next guest or couple to arrive.  Others were quietly ministering to the attendants.

 

I was called to enter and sit at the front chair.  I noticed one of the ladies was in a wheel chair and very crippled with arthritis, but she was NOT crippled in her spirit. 

 

The first lady asked me, “Does Michigan or Minnesota mean anything to you?  “No it does not,” I softly replied.  She continued, “Do you have a partner?” I answered, “He is in Heaven.”  She continued, “Do you have a brother?” again I answered, “He is also in Heaven.”  (Not always does the minister get it right, and we are to judge, but not condemn.)  Missing it does not make you a false prophet, but it would be wise to get quiet before the throne.

 

Next, she determined to give a simple prophesy, that I was dear to God’s heart, Jesus loves me very much and she could see sparkles of light over me. 

 

Next the lady in the wheel chair said, “I see a large map on the wall, with pin points where you have been praying.  (This was correct because at our Wednesday Prayer Meeting, Pastor had recently placed a large city map on the sanctuary wall.) 

 

She paused to take her breath and was still for a moment.  Then she continued, “You have been charging the angels to go forth and bring answers to your prayers.”  (This was also true, because I had been teaching to make declarations to prophesy blessings over our city and to send the angels out to reap the harvest.) 

 

Other words were spoken over me, but these were the portions that impressed me most. 

 

Finally on leaving, I was given a paper to write an evaluation of my ministry time.  I gave them a good report.

 

 

How then Should We Pray?

This post will be our focus lesson as we pray over our city on Wednesday Morning.

 

 

First and foremost our desire is to hear from the heart of God as you are listening to the Holy Spirit and make prophetic declarations of what God is saying. 

Romans 8:26-28 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought; but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words.  And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.   And we know that for those who love God - all things (all the spiritual hosts of heaven and all the spiritual weapons that are available for us) work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

 

Our prayers, may be declaration, prophetic or as God leads us to bind and loose.  God has an arsenal for us to use in arriving at His answer.  Be Led by the Holy Spirit.

Energized Prayer – can be in your normal language, or in other tongues.

Your prayer will seem to be interpreting what the Holy Spirit is saying. 

The best brief statement I have found of what it means to pray in the Holy Spirit goes like this: It means "to pray so that the Holy Spirit is the moving and guiding power." The key words there are "moving" and "guiding." In other words, when you pray in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God is "moving" you to pray. That is, he is the one who motivates and enables and energizes your prayer. And when you pray in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God is "guiding" how you pray and what you pray for. So, to pray in the Holy Spirit is to be moved and guided by the Holy Spirit in prayer. We pray by his power and according to his direction.

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Because of the Charlottesville, Virginia riots that occurred this past weekend, hear what Cynthia Murry, writes:  She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia and writes a most heart-gripping word...that we really need to confront in our day across the nation.

Friends, it is time to exercise the authority that we have been given to literally declare and decree love, joy, peace, and all of the fruits of the spirit over our cities. We must bind evil forces in the spirit realm according to Matthew 18:18, which says that whatever we bind on earth will be bound in Heaven...in other words – Heaven is waiting on us to give the orders, then we will have all of Heaven's backing!

Folks...let's pray and decree over our cities with our God-given authority...it is that important especially in this hour!

Remember When?

This post is a digested Sunday Morning Bible Study at Open Door Church

 

 

 

There are times we must remind ourselves of past blessings and also our promised future blessings.  

I am thinking about something  Kenneth W. Hagin recently said:  “When you meditate on all of God’s promises and establish them deep in your heart, you will begin to reap those blessings as you walk according to God’s Word. In fact, the blessings of God will overtake you as you forget not all His benefits!”

Psalm 103:2–5  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS: Who FORGIVETH ALL THINE INIQUITIES; who HEALETH ALL THY DISEASES; Who REDEEMETH THY LIFE FROM DESTRUCTION; who CROWNETH THEE WITH LOVINGKINDNESS and TENDER MERCIES; Who SATISFIETH THY MOUTH WITH GOOD THINGS; so that THY YOUTH IS RENEWED LIKE THE EAGLE’S.

We are also to remind ourselves of past deliverance and God’s promise to keep you.

The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk was remembering he had heard the voice of God and he trembled at His word.  He said “I have been to the mountain that trembled and heard His voice.”  - - “My belly trembled and my angry parts shook.

Paul reminded us in Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Peter also urged us to:  Be sober as obedient children, be Holy as God is Holy for you are chosen and a Royal Priesthood.

We may not be perfect in our own eyes, but allow God to change us into the precise image He views us as.

Habakkuk continued saying: That if there was no harvest, and things did not work out - - regardless I will praise the Lord.

Even though my job was eliminated, and I struggle to pay the bills, although I have submitted many applications without a notice, I will rejoice.

Although I have no spouse, I am not alone for you are with me and I rejoice.

Although I am broken inside, I will continue on the road to recovery, and praise His Name. 

O Lord, give us eyes to see and hearts to open up. 

 

You may be on an even keel now, but there will come a time when upsets, death, sickness and turmoil will come - - yet rejoice in God.  God has knowledge of what is best for you.

Our foundation is Salvation anchored into the Rock Christ Jesus.  Stay connected to Him and to His Word and remain in the local body of believers.

God will use you to be a revelation to the body of Christ.

 

Fellowship and Discipleship

Pastor Allan was preaching as I took notes and present his digested sermon. 

 

 

Reach for Hope.  Turmoil will come but God will carry you though it. 

There was famine in the land, but God told Elijah to go to a brook and pray.

1 Kings 17:6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.

When the brook dried up, God sent Elijah to fellowship with a widow woman and her son.

In the New Testament, the healthy church worshipped and also fellowshipped together.

Acts 2:46  Day after day they met in the temple [area] continuing with one mind, and breaking bread in various private homes. They were eating their meals together with joy and generous hearts,

Make it a point to fellowship outside the church.  Invite someone over for a meal.  Get to know one another and pray one for another.

The people in Acts wanted to be like Jesus; with an intense desire to be like Christ.  Love and compassion was upper most in their hearts.

Acts 2:47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

I realize not all of us are walking where God sees them in His plan, but God is revealing deeper truth, showing how to walk circumspective before God and with one another.  It is important to rise up to our potential in Christ.

It is essential to reach higher and deeper in Christ.  It is not about control or being bound by rules, but learning to be led by the Holy Spirit and to hear the voice of God.

Some people struggle here, others struggle over there;  We can’t judge, but also we can’t have a double standard in our walk with God.  Each of us is responsible for ourselves.

It is not our job to correct others.  Let the Word, and the Holy Spirit do that.

Keep it simple: 

1.     Develop a relationship with Jesus.

2.     Make time to read God’s Word and pray.

3.     Be filled and led by the Holy Spirit. 

Do you want to be better, than come to our classes and learn how.  Be teachable and willing to change as God reveals truth to you.  It is good to be accountable to other brothers and sisters in the Lord.

We are seeing great things, as people find their way to the cross to receive Jesus.

Then on the other side of the cross we are discovering Resurrection Life and walking in the Holy Spirit.

We are to be examples to the next generation, not just to children.  God is requiring us to become disciples and learn from Him. 

We need more love, more fruit of the Holy Spirit, and to be able to share outside the church.

It is good to have a Bible Study with discussion, but be built up to go out and share with others. 

 

 

One Thousand Dollars on My Mind

I am sharing adventures from the Prophetic Conference at Bethel Redding, CA

 

 

At the Conference NO offerings were taken and that was amazing.  The enrollment fees were substantial, and they covered the books, two dinners and the speakers. 

And then on Thursday, Kris made an announcement and played a short video about their City of Redding and the Safety Patrol of police and firemen.  Bethel Church has been working with the city council and the departments to better the city of Redding - - so  - -

A request was made for 777 persons to give an offering of $1000. to bless the city of Redding.

Thoughts went through my mind.  That is a lot of money !!  If I was going to invest $1000 in a city, it should be in my city of Oroville - - and other thoughts - - No this is not a good idea for me. 

Now the fact is that I have been holding $1000. that was given to me by a sweet soul, at Robert’s funeral, and I have not been sure what to do with it.  I determined that Oroville needed the $1000. and I rested my thinking.

On the way home as I was driving - - the Lord spoke to me:  “I want you to invest your $1000 in the city of Redding, and - - I  WILL invest in the city of Oroville.”

Today I made that Redding investment on line – so Lord I am holding you to your promise.

 

Laugh at Your Troubles !!

I will be posting some of my adventures at the Prophecy Conference at Bethel, Redding.

No Devil, You Can't Get me Down !!

On a whim, I grabbed two Theological books from Robert’s library as I ran out the door on my way to the Prophecy Conference. 

 

The next day during lunch break I wanted to purchase some of Dano’s books, so I decided to take my purchases to my car.

I noticed that there was closer parking so I choose to move my car and re-entered the building because it was time for the next session.  The class for the afternoon ended and at 5:00 pm, dinner at the Holiday Inn was included in our sign up fee; so I headed for my car and was looking forward to a nice dinner. 

Reaching for my keys, they were nowhere to be found. 

Quickly (not frantically) I returned to the information desk and asked if there was a lost and found, because I can’t find my keys. 

The security guard asked me, “Is your car a green Mazda Van with the keys in the ignition and the motor running?”  I looked his way, and said, “Yes, I think that is me.” 

Shaun was at the information desk, and as I pulled my insurance information from my wallet, I asked him if he could make the phone calls for the locksmith to open my car because I can’t hear over the phone. 

After some back and forth, everything was approved, but they could not get there until after 6:00 pm.  That would mean the dinner for me was nada.

Shaun and the security guard exchanged comments and Shaun said he would take me to the dinner, because he hated for me to miss out.  The security guard agreed to be the watchman for the lock smith. 

At the Holliday Inn, Shaun was a gentleman and let me out close to the restaurant while he found a parking place.  The young boy at the door asked me if I would like to enter.  Peering inside I could see a Very Long Line of people waiting.  I told him, “No I will wait for my driver.” 

 

The boy at the door, asked if all was well – so I laughed as I told him my problem.  I was cheerful during the entire time, because we should laugh at calamity.

As my driver approached, the young boy said, “Come with me,” and beckoned that we should follow him.  The boy took the two of us to the front of the line and up to the food table.  We were given preferential treatment and we rejoiced. 

After a wonderful dinner, we left because Shaun really needed to get back to work.  We arrived back at the church at 6:00 pm - - and there was the Guard holding my keys and smiling. 

Since it was an hour before service, so in the cool hall way a leather sofa, conveniently allowed me to lie down.  I closed my eyes, and sang in the spirit as I rested.  Soon it was time for service, and as I began to gather my things, a middle aged gentleman leaned down and said to me, “I just wanted to tell you that you are beautiful.”  I told him, “Thank you very much.”

I asked the Lord, “What can I do for Shaun to thank him for his kindness to take me to the dinner?” 

The Lord said, “Why do you think I asked you to grab those two books as you were leaving home?”

 

( It was NOT a  whim, but you have already guessed that.)

Prophets and Prophesy – and Creating a Kingdom Culture

There is a difference in being a prophet and being able to prophesy.  Paul says, not all are prophets, but I would that you all prophesy.  NEW Testament prophesy is giving out a good word or words that come out of your spirit that you have heard from the Holy spirit.   In a sense you speak “for God.”  Prophesy should edify, build up, encourage and usually is for the future not always for this moment. 

OLD Testament Prophets were often angry and disturbed by their world at large, and the local sins of the people.  They usually foretold of punishment and doom that would come unless the people repented and served the True God.   

We must prophesy from the NEW Covenant where God desires that our words bring peace, comfort and not turmoil.  We know in part and prophesy in part.  Although God does reveal his knowing, by other gifts; “words of knowledge” about the past and/or future, or “words of wisdom,” for the present of future, simple prophesy is different.

NEW Testament prophesy is to build up the body and to also gently encourage those persons with out Jesus to turn to the knowledge of Christ as Lord. 

I spent five days under anointed teachers who expounded the Word of God and also shared many of their personal experiences.  Kris Vallotton was the main speaker and you might be interested in subscribing to his blog to hear direct from him.  http://krisvallotton.com/blog/  

Kris also has messages on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEj6s57kUuo

Our registration fee included several books, and 5 days of ministry, including practice using your gifts and connecting with others.  The thrust was to develop a Kingdom Culture with the Spiritual gifts in evidence.   

Naturally, I came away with other books, and a DVD by Daniel McCollam from VacaVille, CA.  This is his bio you might be interested in: https://laulimaministries.com/about-dano-mccollam/

Dano has some teaching on youTube you might enjoy: How to see an increase in the supernatural - -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTe7ZauJezs  

At the conference, we began each day at 8:00 am with small groups of about 50, where we could connect with others and share.  Our early morning leader was Erika Jay, and she is now connecting to us by e-mail and face book:   Then on to main session at 10:00 am; With praise and worship for about an hour, then teaching.  Break for lunch then more ministry at 1:00 pm.  Again divided into 3 work shops (your choice) at 3:00 pm.   Break for dinner, then end of day ministry at 7:00 pm with praise and worship for about an hour then teaching until around10:00 pm.

 

Changing our Emotions

What ever a man thinks - so is he - -

 

Our lesson at our Prayer meeting began with a reminder of Paul and Silas who had been arrested, beaten and placed in stocks because they were preaching about Jesus.  They could have complained, moaned, and questioned, but instead they began to sing and praise God even in this terrible situation.  - - And God showed up.

Joy – sorrow – gladness – sadness – emotions we all have them at one time.

Emotions are ruled by our ‘feelings,’ our passions, sentiments and thinking patterns.

We can’t be chipper all the time, but when we do feel sorrow or sadness, be reminded of God’s goodness and the Joy of the Lord that passes all knowledge. 

In the five days between Palm Sunday and Good Friday Jesus was burdened down with heaviness, knowing what was before him.  This was because He had what is called “Inside information” of what was ahead of him. 

Then he (Jesus) said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." -Matthew 26:38-39

We are not meant to wallow in depression and to continually be sad.  Even soul winners who agonize and weep lost souls must rise up and sing praises - - to rejoice that God is dealing with the lost and He desires to bring them to the cross. 

David had times of sorrow, but not for long, because he had learned to encourage himself by counting his blessings and naming the attributes of God.

Psalms 30  Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. 

Peter was showing how glorious joy comes by acknowledging every good and perfect gift that is in you.   1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  

Mike Bickle writing for Charisma states:  You may have discovered in this life that you don't have the power to change your emotions directly. You can't say, "Joy!" and elicit joy from your soul. You can't demand, "Gladness, rise up within me now!" It will never happen.  

You might get a jolt of adrenaline, but long-lasting emotions are not awakened by determination. That's God's part of the division of labor, and it's a supernatural work of the Spirit in us.  

But here's the good news: all our emotions are linked to thoughts or ideas. Correct thoughts about God bring wonderful emotions. This is why the truth sets us free (John 8:32).  

You can indirectly change your emotions by flooding your thoughts with the truth about God. 

{ PRAYER STARTER }

I choose to think about Your truth, O God. I choose to harness my mind and focus it on Your grace and goodness to me. Complete Your work in me through Your Holy Spirit. 

Beholding God's emotions is something only you can do in your own secret life in God. 

As we pray today for our city, we will address the hopelessness that rules so many of our citizens.  Thoughts of anger, fear, and even suicide cause many to turn to alcohol and drugs hoping to stop the incessant misery that hounds them.  They cry for relief, and Jesus is the answer.  Our prayers are reaching out as we continue to make our declarations of faith.