p. 214: "People can argue about doctrine, about law and grace, about the confession of sin, about your eternal security, and about different Bible interpretations. But at the end of the day, let me teach you how to test every doctrine, teaching, and scriptural interpretation.
Ask yourself--how is our Lord Jesus valued in this teaching? Does it make you want to worship, praise, and glorify the Lord Jesus with your life? Or does it put more value on you and what you have to perform? Does it cause you to be centered on and occupied with the person of Jesus? Or does it cause you to be centered on and occupied with yourself and whether you have failed or succeeded?"
Friday, October 30, 2015
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
The Quest for A New Mattress
For several weeks I would wake during the night or early morning with hip or back pain. My conclusion was that it was time for a new mattress. Since we were going to Nebraska for our grandson's baptism it seemed a great opportunity to look at mattresses at Nebraska Furniture Mart. We were not expecting to buy--only lay on a few to try them out. In the meantime we went to dinner with friends who said someone had told them they had purchased a mattress from Mattress Firm. The store was on the way to the Furniture Mart so we decided to stop in there on August 29.
After hearing why we had come and finding out we were from Illinois, the salesman assured us they could direct-ship a mattress to our residence. Since we found one that seemed pretty comfortable, we decided to buy it and not have to go to the trouble of looking elsewhere. BAD IDEA!
The salesman said we would be contacted in 10-14 days to set up a delivery time. When this time passed without hearing from anyone I called Mattress Firm. One of the salesman said that meant 10-14 WORKING DAYS so it would be more like 16-28 calendar days. Since I had been cleaning, painting the bathroom, etc. I wasn't too upset about the delay, but when 25 days passed without hearing from anyone I called again. The salesman said he would check and get right back to me. He didn't, so I called again the next day. After much checking they discovered a "computer glitch" which I think meant it was never ordered in the first place, so, sorry, but there would be a slight delay. Someone would call me on October 12 to tell me when the mattress would be delivered. I was not happy, but I had waited this long, what could I do? They offered to cancel the order but I said no, I would wait.
Well, guess what! No one called on Oct. 12 either, so I called again. They would call me right back, but didn't. I called the next day. Same thing. Then the Lord finally got my attention. I woke up one morning thinking, "maybe that mattress is not the right one for us since it is so difficult to get and the Lord is trying to let me know that." (I am never sure whether when difficulties come I am to press through or see it as a sign to go another direction.) Well, I finally decided to take it as the latter. I called Mattress Firm and cancelled the order and then spent the rest of the day looking at mattress reviews online. (Needless to say I would not recommend Mattress Firm.)
I had already checked out reviews of different kinds of mattresses online that's why I wanted to try one out in Nebraska. We had a latex mattress for the first 25-30 years of marriage which we loved but they are difficult to find in stores. I thought since Nebraska Furniture Mart is so large they might have one to try out but we got side-tracked at Mattress Firm.
Well, after reading reviews on sleeplikethedead.com I was even more convinced I wanted a latex mattress. They mentioned Flobeds.com. I went to their website and after reading reviews, decided to order a king deluxe mattress even though we could not try it out. The Flo Beds website helped me decide what to order and then I called them to talk over the decision. They suggested firm, xtra firm, super firm layers for Country Guy and medium, firm, xtra firm for me even though I told them I prefer firmer than he does. The salesman assured me these layers would give us lots of different combinations if we didn't like the original and if those combinations didn't work we could exchange layers. They said they would ship the bed the next day and I would receive it in 4 days. I did!
After it came Monday I began putting the bed together. That was so much fun! It only took a couple of hours but could have taken less time if I hadn't been having so much fun watching the pieces "grow.' It came in 6 boxes because the mattress is built in 6 layers with a topper, and the foundation is made of 6 pieces. I'm posting pictures. Each layer of mattress was about the size of a large sofa pillow until the plastic was unwrapped and then it expanded to a 3 inch thick twin sized piece of latex.
Well, after sleeping on the bed the first night, we decided to switch. Country Guy loves my combination and I love his. What a great bed! We were assured we have 100 days in which we can trade layers to make the bed 'just right' if these don't work out but I think this may be perfect already!
So almost 2 months to the day that we started looking we have a great new bed. Thank you, Lord!!
( If you decide to get one of these beds after looking at my post be sure to mention our names. Since their business is built on referrals they will send us a free set of sheets.)
After hearing why we had come and finding out we were from Illinois, the salesman assured us they could direct-ship a mattress to our residence. Since we found one that seemed pretty comfortable, we decided to buy it and not have to go to the trouble of looking elsewhere. BAD IDEA!
The salesman said we would be contacted in 10-14 days to set up a delivery time. When this time passed without hearing from anyone I called Mattress Firm. One of the salesman said that meant 10-14 WORKING DAYS so it would be more like 16-28 calendar days. Since I had been cleaning, painting the bathroom, etc. I wasn't too upset about the delay, but when 25 days passed without hearing from anyone I called again. The salesman said he would check and get right back to me. He didn't, so I called again the next day. After much checking they discovered a "computer glitch" which I think meant it was never ordered in the first place, so, sorry, but there would be a slight delay. Someone would call me on October 12 to tell me when the mattress would be delivered. I was not happy, but I had waited this long, what could I do? They offered to cancel the order but I said no, I would wait.
Well, guess what! No one called on Oct. 12 either, so I called again. They would call me right back, but didn't. I called the next day. Same thing. Then the Lord finally got my attention. I woke up one morning thinking, "maybe that mattress is not the right one for us since it is so difficult to get and the Lord is trying to let me know that." (I am never sure whether when difficulties come I am to press through or see it as a sign to go another direction.) Well, I finally decided to take it as the latter. I called Mattress Firm and cancelled the order and then spent the rest of the day looking at mattress reviews online. (Needless to say I would not recommend Mattress Firm.)
I had already checked out reviews of different kinds of mattresses online that's why I wanted to try one out in Nebraska. We had a latex mattress for the first 25-30 years of marriage which we loved but they are difficult to find in stores. I thought since Nebraska Furniture Mart is so large they might have one to try out but we got side-tracked at Mattress Firm.
Well, after reading reviews on sleeplikethedead.com I was even more convinced I wanted a latex mattress. They mentioned Flobeds.com. I went to their website and after reading reviews, decided to order a king deluxe mattress even though we could not try it out. The Flo Beds website helped me decide what to order and then I called them to talk over the decision. They suggested firm, xtra firm, super firm layers for Country Guy and medium, firm, xtra firm for me even though I told them I prefer firmer than he does. The salesman assured me these layers would give us lots of different combinations if we didn't like the original and if those combinations didn't work we could exchange layers. They said they would ship the bed the next day and I would receive it in 4 days. I did!
After it came Monday I began putting the bed together. That was so much fun! It only took a couple of hours but could have taken less time if I hadn't been having so much fun watching the pieces "grow.' It came in 6 boxes because the mattress is built in 6 layers with a topper, and the foundation is made of 6 pieces. I'm posting pictures. Each layer of mattress was about the size of a large sofa pillow until the plastic was unwrapped and then it expanded to a 3 inch thick twin sized piece of latex.
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| Arrival |
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| 2 parts of the bed frame in each large box |
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| Assembling the frame before bolting the pieces together |
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| 16 legs to screw into the predrilled holes |
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| Ready to turn them over |
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| The mattress layers |
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| Before the plastic was opened |
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| Expanded |
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| The topper and the rest of the layers |
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| Building the mattress |
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| All layers with the topper, ready to be zipped into the mattress cover |
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| Zipping on the top |
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| Completed bed |
Well, after sleeping on the bed the first night, we decided to switch. Country Guy loves my combination and I love his. What a great bed! We were assured we have 100 days in which we can trade layers to make the bed 'just right' if these don't work out but I think this may be perfect already!
So almost 2 months to the day that we started looking we have a great new bed. Thank you, Lord!!
( If you decide to get one of these beds after looking at my post be sure to mention our names. Since their business is built on referrals they will send us a free set of sheets.)
Francis Frangipane on Prayer
Encouraging words from Francis Frangipane on the power of prayer to change nations:
"Today, perhaps more than at any other time in history, nations stand at a crossroads. In the midst of terror attacks, blatant rebellion and worldwide conflicts, is there yet one more "great awakening" in God's heart that will sweep multitudes into His kingdom? Or is the future irreversibly clocked, ever ticking toward catastrophic conflicts and doom? I, for one, am convinced that the Lord's heart burns for the nations. I believe that a great harvest season awaits us.
It is easy to see sin and predict doom. Yet the very fact that God gives us the privilege of prayer tells us He desires we participate with Him in the transformation of our world. Indeed, even when a nation seems fully in the grip of evil, the heart of God is searching for one who would "stand in the gap before [Him] for the land." God's heart is to redeem, "not destroy" (Ezek. 22:30).
What a tremendous insight into the nature of God, that if just one person embraces Christlike transformation -- if he or she stands in the gap in unoffendable intercession -- that individual can alter the future of a nation! Before you think I am exaggerating, both the Bible and secular history tell us this is exactly the case. Singular individuals have stood for their families, churches, cities and nations, and throughout time God has used them to alter the course of history (Heb. 11; Eccl. 9:15)."
It is easy to see sin and predict doom. Yet the very fact that God gives us the privilege of prayer tells us He desires we participate with Him in the transformation of our world. Indeed, even when a nation seems fully in the grip of evil, the heart of God is searching for one who would "stand in the gap before [Him] for the land." God's heart is to redeem, "not destroy" (Ezek. 22:30).
What a tremendous insight into the nature of God, that if just one person embraces Christlike transformation -- if he or she stands in the gap in unoffendable intercession -- that individual can alter the future of a nation! Before you think I am exaggerating, both the Bible and secular history tell us this is exactly the case. Singular individuals have stood for their families, churches, cities and nations, and throughout time God has used them to alter the course of history (Heb. 11; Eccl. 9:15)."
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Roseann Salanitri's Column on the Daily Rant today
Roseann Salanitri makes some very good points in this article on the Daily Rant.
The MIA SOS
It is easy to conflate the Benghazi issues and to conclude that the real issue is political or that our Secretary of State lied. Anyone acquainted with the Rule of Law and watching the horse and pony show, compliments of our Congress, the Attorney General, and the media would think that America is incapable of conducting an intelligent and well-run criminal investigation…
Friday, October 23, 2015
Walking in the Woods
I am so enjoying walking on the bike paths the guys have added to our woods. Since the trees are turning, everyday is a new adventure! I tried to capture some of the beauty but I'm just not a great photographer. When the sun streams through the trees and lights up the yellow leaves it is spectacular!
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| In the past month we have also added a path around the pond. |
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Another Great Resource: The Divine Exchange
I have just finished reading The Divine Exchange by Derek Prince. You can download a free PDF copy to your eReader, or computer, here. It is only 50 pages long but does an excellent job of summarizing what Jesus accomplished on the Cross.
Since I first heard the "grace" message preached at CFO in the 80's, through the years when I sat at the feet of Tommy Tyson and listened to Glenn Clark, Starr Daily, Agnes Sanford, Dallas Willard, and others on cassette tapes, until more recently when I've been listening to Bill Johnson and Graham Cooke and now when I'm reading Joseph Prince's Grace Revolution, I am drawn to this message. I can't hear it too much. In fact, I need to be reminded of it daily.
If you are longing to better understand and walk in all that Jesus provided through his death on the cross, I highly recommend this book.
Since I first heard the "grace" message preached at CFO in the 80's, through the years when I sat at the feet of Tommy Tyson and listened to Glenn Clark, Starr Daily, Agnes Sanford, Dallas Willard, and others on cassette tapes, until more recently when I've been listening to Bill Johnson and Graham Cooke and now when I'm reading Joseph Prince's Grace Revolution, I am drawn to this message. I can't hear it too much. In fact, I need to be reminded of it daily.
If you are longing to better understand and walk in all that Jesus provided through his death on the cross, I highly recommend this book.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Ben Carson Is Right: Sharia Law is Totally Inconsistent With Our Constitution
I received an email asking me to support and encourage Ben Carson in his stand that Muslims practicing Sharia law should not be allowed to run for President. I totally agree with Dr. Carson! Sharia law is inconsistent with the Constitution and actually denies many (most) of the freedoms our forefathers fought so hard to acquire for us.
I am posting part of the email to enable us all to see the truth of what Ben Carson said, and not the distorted reporting of it. We are being--and have been brainwashed--by the media and the left-leaning agenda. My main point in posting it, though, is as a means of helping us to understand what Sharia law would mean if we were to come under it. If you aren't a Ben Carson supporter skip to the bold line that begins "Judge for yourself…" because some very scary results of Sharia law are posted below.
I am posting part of the email to enable us all to see the truth of what Ben Carson said, and not the distorted reporting of it. We are being--and have been brainwashed--by the media and the left-leaning agenda. My main point in posting it, though, is as a means of helping us to understand what Sharia law would mean if we were to come under it. If you aren't a Ben Carson supporter skip to the bold line that begins "Judge for yourself…" because some very scary results of Sharia law are posted below.
"The media has totally and intentionally distorted what Dr. Carson said in an effort to drive him out of the race for president. You and I must not let them succeed!
Ben Carson has doubled down on his courageous stand against radical Islam. As he explained it on Fox News Channel...
"We don't put people at the head of our country whose faith might interfere with them carrying out the duties of the Constitution. If you're a Christian and you're running for president and you want to make this [country] into a theocracy, I'm not going to support you. I'm not going to advocate you being the president."
"Now, if someone has a Muslim background, and they’re willing to reject those tenets [of Sharia Law] and to accept the way of life that we have, and clearly will swear to place our Constitution above their religion, then of course they will be considered infidels and heretics, but at least I would then be quite willing to support them."
That is precisely what he told Chuck Todd of NBC News, but NBC carefully took Carson’s statement out of context and twisted it into a pretzel to make him look like a bigot.
And then, all the other mainstream news media jumped on board, trying to make it look like Ben Carson said something he did not say. And, that he did not understand the Constitution. As if the left has ever cared about the Constitution.
So, are you going to let the lies and distortions of the news media stand, or will you stand with Ben Carson?
The news media has tried to say that Ben Carson is wrong because the Constitution says that no one shall be denied the office of President because of his religion.
Ben Carson didn’t say that at all. He said he would not“advocate” that a practicing Muslim be elected President of the United States. But, he did say that Sharia Law was inconsistent with the United States Constitution!
Judge for yourself whether Ben Carson was right...
Equal Rights. The Constitution guarantees equal rights for all Americans, but Sharia Law denies equal rights for women or non-Muslims.
Freedom of Religion. The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but Sharia Law doesn't accept the right of other religions to practice their beliefs.
Freedom of Speech. The Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, but Sharia Law limits freedom of speech and no one can say or write anything negative about the prophet, Mohammed or the Quran.
In fact, according to Sharia Law, anyone criticizing or denying any part of the Quran must be put to death.
There are many more things that Sharia law prohibits that are inconsistent with American practices and traditions including...
- A non-Muslim man who marries a Muslim woman is punishable by death.
- A non-Muslim who leads a Muslim away from Islam is punishable by death.
- A man can marry an infant girl and consummate the marriage when she is 9 years old.
- A man can beat his wife for insubordination.
- Testimonies of four male witnesses are required to prove rape against a woman.
- A woman who has been raped cannot testify in court against her rapist(s).
- A woman is prohibited from driving a car or speaking alone to a man who is not her husband or relative.
- The Quran says that Muslims should engage in Taqiyya and lie to non-Muslims to advance Islam.
The list of things inconsistent with American values and traditions is much, much longer than the short list provided above, yet the ignorant news media intends to use this stand by Dr. Carson to drive him from the race."
Sunday, October 18, 2015
More on "Grace Revolution" by Joseph Prince
I am loving Joseph Prince's new book, Grace Revolution! He is so good at explaining the difference in living under the law and living under grace.
On p. 142-145, he uses two stories from Luke, chapters 18 & 19 to show the results of living under law and grace. One is the story of the tax collector, Zacchaeus, who, when he understood Jesus' love for him pronounced, "Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." As Joseph Prince says, "That's the power of grace! Grace changes people's lives from the inside out. Jesus gave Zacchaeus no commandments, no condemnation, no laws…just grace, grace, and more grace. And Zacchaeus's heart was forever transformed. Grace produces true holiness."
By contrast, the story of the rich young ruler shows the results of living under the law. When he approached Jesus to ask what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus recognized that the young ruler didn't equate Jesus with God because he calls Him "Good Teacher." So Jesus helped him to see that even though he had "kept all these [commandments] from birth", Jesus showed him he still lacked one thing--sell all and distribute it among the poor. This caused the rich young ruler to walk away sorrowfully.
As Joseph Prince says, "When you come to the Lord to be justified by your works, He will point you to the law! No matter how perfectly you think you have kept the Ten Commandments, like the young ruler, you will be found lacking in one thing. For the young ruler, it was in the area of money… No man can meet the demands of the law and be justified. We can be justified only by faith in the blood of the Lamb...
...Justification by faith produces hope, peace, joy and a heart for Jesus that results in good fruit. Attempting to be justified by works produces fear, anxiety and an inability to produce lasting fruit.
…The law demands, and it results in fear, guilt, and sorrow. Grace supplies, and it produces generosity, holiness, and inward heart transformation."
Many churches and ministries are teaching that we are saved by grace, but then we have to follow certain rules and restrictions to remain in God's favor (no smoking, dancing, long hair, etc. etc. etc.) The 'gospel' is preached as an outward 'keeping the law' instead of the wonderful news that Jesus provides the love & grace to make it possible to live a holy life.
I highly recommend Grace Revolution!
I also recommend getting yourself out from under any ministry that preaches law, or a mixture of law and grace, and instead listening to, or reading anything you can find to reinforce the grace message.
A wonderful revelation which will change your life is awaiting you when you do!
On p. 142-145, he uses two stories from Luke, chapters 18 & 19 to show the results of living under law and grace. One is the story of the tax collector, Zacchaeus, who, when he understood Jesus' love for him pronounced, "Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." As Joseph Prince says, "That's the power of grace! Grace changes people's lives from the inside out. Jesus gave Zacchaeus no commandments, no condemnation, no laws…just grace, grace, and more grace. And Zacchaeus's heart was forever transformed. Grace produces true holiness."
By contrast, the story of the rich young ruler shows the results of living under the law. When he approached Jesus to ask what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus recognized that the young ruler didn't equate Jesus with God because he calls Him "Good Teacher." So Jesus helped him to see that even though he had "kept all these [commandments] from birth", Jesus showed him he still lacked one thing--sell all and distribute it among the poor. This caused the rich young ruler to walk away sorrowfully.
As Joseph Prince says, "When you come to the Lord to be justified by your works, He will point you to the law! No matter how perfectly you think you have kept the Ten Commandments, like the young ruler, you will be found lacking in one thing. For the young ruler, it was in the area of money… No man can meet the demands of the law and be justified. We can be justified only by faith in the blood of the Lamb...
...Justification by faith produces hope, peace, joy and a heart for Jesus that results in good fruit. Attempting to be justified by works produces fear, anxiety and an inability to produce lasting fruit.
…The law demands, and it results in fear, guilt, and sorrow. Grace supplies, and it produces generosity, holiness, and inward heart transformation."
Many churches and ministries are teaching that we are saved by grace, but then we have to follow certain rules and restrictions to remain in God's favor (no smoking, dancing, long hair, etc. etc. etc.) The 'gospel' is preached as an outward 'keeping the law' instead of the wonderful news that Jesus provides the love & grace to make it possible to live a holy life.
I highly recommend Grace Revolution!
I also recommend getting yourself out from under any ministry that preaches law, or a mixture of law and grace, and instead listening to, or reading anything you can find to reinforce the grace message.
A wonderful revelation which will change your life is awaiting you when you do!
Saturday, October 17, 2015
SO MANY GREAT RESOURCES!!
In addition to Mark Virkler's free "Counseled By God" videos being offered the next 12 days, I have been sent info on two others. What wonderful opportunities!! Darren Wilson of WP Productions is offering his 4 movie/documentaries, 1 per day for the next 4 days, free on a Holy Shareathon on YouTube.
Today's free movie is "Finger Of God". Here is the link: The following is from the promotional email I received:
Also Wellspring Ministries of Anchorage, Alaska is live streaming a conference with founder, Art Mathias speaking, on Oct. 18-21. I have been impressed with the books I have read by Dr. Mathias. Here are the details: (I assume the time is Pacific time).
Today's free movie is "Finger Of God". Here is the link: The following is from the promotional email I received:
We're excited to announce that we're doing something we've never done in WP History. Starting right NOW we’ll be counting down to the release of our newest film Holy Ghost Reborn by airing one of our films each night for 4 nights!
Each film will be:
- 100% FREE
- Available for 24 hours
- Commercial free in HD on Youtube!
What better way to celebrate the newest chapter in our film journey than a FREE marathon!?
ABOUT FINGER OF GOD
Hundreds raised from the dead. Manna appearing in the Pentagon. Gemstones falling from the sky. Teenagers healing perfect strangers on the street. This isn't old time religion. This is a new beginning. A spiritual revolution. This is the Finger of God.
Prepare to go on a dizzying journey around the world – from the streets of Northern California to the mud huts of Africa; from the underground church in China to the Gypsies in Eastern Europe – you will be challenged and encouraged by the
extraordinary things God is doing in our world today. Born out of filmmaker Darren Wilson's personal journey of two years and hundreds of hours of footage, Finger of God will show you a world you never knew existed. A world of hope and courage. A world where God's fingerprints are found in the unlikeliest of places.
Featuring: John & Carol Arnott, Rolland & Heidi Baker, Georgian Banov, Kaye & Harold Beyer, Bill Johnson, Chris Overstreet, Sid Roth, and many more!
Language Support: English, Simplified Chinese (简体中文), Traditional Chinese (繁體中文), Czech (Čeština), Dutch (Nederlands), Finnish (Suomi), French (Français), German (Deutsch), Indonesian (Bahasa)
Run Time: 105 Minutes
Also Wellspring Ministries of Anchorage, Alaska is live streaming a conference with founder, Art Mathias speaking, on Oct. 18-21. I have been impressed with the books I have read by Dr. Mathias. Here are the details: (I assume the time is Pacific time).
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Friday, October 16, 2015
Counseled By God--Another Free Video Series Starting Today
Mark Virkler is offering another free online video series, "Counseled By God," beginning today (Oct. 16) and running through October 28. As with the other two, one video per day is offered free for a 24 hour period then removed and the next in the series added. I have enjoyed the other two so much so am looking forward to this one, too. Thought you might want to know about it. Here is the link to today's message.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Jennifer LeClaire: You Can Sound the Alarm, But...
This is a good word from Jennifer LeClaire. We need to be preaching the gospel of power which includes signs, wonders and miracles, not just salvation.
"The Church in this hour must herald the message of repentance in the same way as preachers in the 'Voice of Healing' movement heralded the message of healing. Then will you see the manifestation of My presence and the wells of the supernatural will be unlocked and many who are lost will be restored to My love. (Photo via Wikipedia)
We need to turn away from thoughts that limit God in our lives. We need to turn away from a powerless expression of the Gospel. We need to turn back toward faith in God to heal the sick, cast out demons and, yes, even raise the dead. God is a God of miracles! Jesus walked on water. Jesus healed a man born blind. Jesus healed the deaf and dumb. Jesus fed many thousands of people with a few loaves and fishes – more than once. Jesus raised people from the dead. Jesus healed a man's withered hand. Jesus turned water into wine. Jesus healed a paralytic. (Photo via Charisma Online)
"You Can Sound the Alarm, But..."
Nine months ago, I heard in my spirit a strong and clear word from the Lord. This encounter was at a stadium prayer event that changed my mind about the supernatural – and signs and wonders have been following me ever since.
I'll always remember it. It was January 24, 2015 at The Response prayer rally in Baton Rouge. Thousands of people were crying out to God for our nation when I heard the words below in that still, small voice I so love. I've waited nine months to release them on this platform because I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of what the Lord was saying – and I was waiting for His timing. I believe the time is now. Here is the prophecy:
"My Blood is sufficient. My covenant is sure. 2 Chronicles 7:14 is truth. You need not operate in fear but embrace the power to cleanse that's inherent in repentance. I want to cleanse America. But it starts with purifying your hearts.
"The Church in this hour must herald the message of repentance in the same way as preachers in the 'Voice of Healing' movement heralded the message of healing. Then will you see the manifestation of My presence and the wells of the supernatural will be unlocked and many who are lost will be restored to My love. (Photo via Wikipedia)
"It starts with the message of repentance. This is the message that I need you to shout from the rooftops in this hour. Everything the Church needs to fulfill her call in this hour flows from a contrite heart. You can sound the alarm but without repentance it will fall on deaf ears.
"Many are entering eternity every day without My Son because they have not heard this message. Some of them are sitting in the Church right now. Start there with this message and it will position the Church to rise up in My power for My glory."
When I asked the Lord how the voice of healing preachers heralded the message of healing, He gave me three points: Repetitive, Passionate and Scriptural.
The Voice of Healing preachers were repetitive. You heard many of the same core messages about God's power to heal and deliver over and over again in these tent meetings. The Voice of Healing preachers were passionate. Think of A.A. Allen jumping up and down and Jack Coe's exuberant singing. And, of course, the Voice of Healing preachers were Scriptural. These preachers knew that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word (see Romans 10:17) and they kept their messages in line with the Word of God.
Two-Sides to One Word
After much prayer, I've come to the conclusion that there are two sides to this prophetic word: We need to repent in the sense that we need to ask forgiveness of our sins and stand in the gap for our nation. Indeed, we need to see repentance in the Church – widespread repentance. But it's not just changing the way we think about sin – and turning away from it – that is required in this hour. We need to change the way we think about the supernatural.
When Jesus rebuked the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida for not repenting after they saw the mighty miracles He did (see Matthew 11:20-21), that word repent is the Greek word "metanoeo." Metanoeo means "to change one's mind, i.e. to repent; to change one's mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins."
The spirit of religion, along with a lukewarm mindset, prayerlessness and the tradition of men, has all but killed miracles, signs and wonders in our churches. Paul saw this threat in his day, which is why he gave his spiritual son Timothy this advice about those in the Church that "have a form of godliness but deny its power." In 2 Timothy 3:5 he said, "Turn away from such people."
We need to turn away from thoughts that limit God in our lives. We need to turn away from a powerless expression of the Gospel. We need to turn back toward faith in God to heal the sick, cast out demons and, yes, even raise the dead. God is a God of miracles! Jesus walked on water. Jesus healed a man born blind. Jesus healed the deaf and dumb. Jesus fed many thousands of people with a few loaves and fishes – more than once. Jesus raised people from the dead. Jesus healed a man's withered hand. Jesus turned water into wine. Jesus healed a paralytic. (Photo via Charisma Online)
Getting Back to the Great Commission
I could go on and on – and it wasn't just Jesus. The apostles and the disciples in the book of Acts did miracle after miracle – even special miracles so that handkerchiefs which Paul had touched were brought to the sick who were then healed (see Acts 19:11-12). And Jesus told them,"Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes in Me will do the works that I do also. And he will do greater works than these, because I am going to My Father. I will do whatever you ask in My name, that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (John 14:12-13).
The supernatural is part of the Great Commission! A lost and dying world doesn't want to engage with a lukewarm religion. In fact, it's obvious that the world finds lukewarm Christianity tasteless. When Jesus issued the Great Commission in Mark 16:17-18, He was very clear that "these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
We need to repent – to change the way we think about the supernatural. We need to believe God to walk in His supernatural power. People are dying and going to Hell because the power of the Gospel has not been demonstrated. Religion in many cases has replaced relationship. It's time to press into what God wants to do in this hour – and I believe He wants to restore the supernatural to the Church in a convincing way. Like Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said: "For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but power" (1 Corinthians 4:20).
Used by Permission from Charisma Magazine.
Jennifer LeClaire
News Editor at Charisma Media,
Founder of Jennifer LeClaire Ministries
Email: jennifer@jenniferleclaire.org
Website: jenniferleclaire.org
News Editor at Charisma Media,
Founder of Jennifer LeClaire Ministries
Email: jennifer@jenniferleclaire.org
Website: jenniferleclaire.org
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Joseph Prince: The Grace Revolution
I loved Joseph Prince's, Destined To Reign! It helped me to see how I was living a mixture of law and grace and how that mixture is preached in most churches. So when I was asked if I would like a free copy of his new book, The Grace Revolution, to read and write about on my blog I immediately said "Yes!". The book was waiting in our mailbox when we returned from Denver. Yesterday I read the introduction and first chapter during my devotional time. I believe it is going to be very helpful and a great reminder of the things I learned in Destined To Reign. I will let you know what I think as I progress through the chapters.
The book has a release date of October 27 so you may want to check it out on Amazon, or at your local Christian bookstore.
The book has a release date of October 27 so you may want to check it out on Amazon, or at your local Christian bookstore.
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