Willingly Submitted

"The command of Jesus was to capture the hearts of all people, not to military capture nations as did the Crusaders and the explorers from Christian nations in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The command was not to enforce Christian law on a group of unwilling subjects, but to love each person as God loved them, so that all willingly submitted to God's love" - Core Christianity by Elmer Towns

Which flow?

As spiritual beings, we need to be a little bit more discerning about a few things. For instance when we find, “hatred” in our heart toward a person, it might be because that person is struggling with hatred which is death. I’ve seen this several times especially with Muslim people. Someone could have a root of hatred and death because of the lifestyle they grew up in and that root can cause others to actually hate that person without knowing why. I know this may not make any sense to some readers, but think about the spirit of rejection. If someone walks in rejection because of past hurts and pain, it will actually cause others to reject them, which will in turn confirm to the rejected person that they are rejected, giving that spirit more power in the person’s life.

We have to be ever mindful of the streams we flow in. We hear a lot of people saying today, “just go with the flow” which is fine if you know what “flow” you are “flowing” in. We have to start listening for the voice of God and how the Holy Spirit speaks to us and to be aware of the schemes and plans of the enemy.

The enemy wants you to reject someone struggling with rejection so he can keep that person in bondage, but when you recognize what is happening, you can shower that person with acceptance and love; shining light in their darkness. The enemy wants you to fight and argue with those that have a root of hatred to prove to that person that the world is against them, but when you recognize what is happening, you can show mercy and grace instead of entering into whatever they are “flowing” in.

I hear something

I heard the Holy Spirit say just a second ago, “You can’t move forward, because you hear something” and then Kim Clement’s quote came back to me, “Speak what you hear, so you can see what you said….”

Wow! The reason I can’t settle for just anything is because I hear something diffrent in my heart but I haven’t spoken it, because I didn’t know I was hearing it until the Holy Spirit brought it to my attention. I thought it was just a desire of mine or wishful thinking that kept twirling inside of me.

What I’m hearing makes me expect something different then what I’m seeing. If I want what I’m seeing to change, I must speak out what I’m hearing. And now that I know it’s God’s desire for me I’m going to open my mouth and begin speaking this thing that I hear and THEN I will see it.

So simple, so basic, so elementary but it went straight over my head hahaha! Thank you Holy Spirit.

Geography

"Geography is very important to destiny. It is where all those you are designed to influence live." - John Paul Jackson

Rain, Rain where have you been today?

For the last few weeks, the weather has been one big tease. The clouds roll in and the winds blow. I even hear thunder and see flashes of lightening from time to time, but no rain…ever! All the signs of rain, but no actual rain. The wind simply blows the clouds on through and the sun begins to peek out again. It gets pretty frustrating after awhile.

Well today the same thing happened and I really didn’t believe it was actually going to rain, but Holy Spirit began talking to me and I saw how this pattern is exactly what my friend and I are going through in this season. Are you going through the same thing? Maybe it is an ex-spouse you are believing God to bring back into your life, a job promotion, a ministry opportunity or anything else you are believing God for. It comes so close and yet still so far. Just when everything looks like it is about to manifest, it suddenly dissolves. I can’t count how many times this has happened to my friend and I. Everything we are believing God for comes within inches of us but instead of manifesting, it disappears like a mirage in the dessert, clouds without rain. After awhile if you are not careful, you can develop a sour attitude and become extremely skeptical. It is like, “I will believe it when I can touch it”.

Luckily today it acutely rained, and the Holy Spirit encouraged me, by reminding me that we will reap a harvest if we don’t grow weary. The clouds may not bring an outpouring today or tomorrow but they will. One day all the signs will manifest what we’ve been waiting for. God sees everything!! He knows everything in your heart and in the hearts of those around you. He knows what needs to happen before other things can happen. It all makes sense to Him even though it doesn’t always make sense to us. He has not forgotten you! He is not teasing you by dangling your promise in front of you and then snatching it away. He is a good God! There is a time for everything under heaven. The clouds and the wind may not bring your promise. The distant sounds of thunder may not bring the rain you are anticipating, but at the appointed time those clouds will break and you will dance in your rain. You will rejoice and know that God has been faithful. He always is!

Investing

It’s easy to want to invest in something that will pay off in the future, something that will help promote our cause. We all want to make a good deal in a sense and that’s okay in a lot of things but our heart should take a different turn when dealing with people. It’s easy for our flesh to want to mentor and sow into a prestigious person’s child, because you may think it will win you favor with their parents but what about the child who has nothing to offer you but his or her brokenness? What about the people we size up and write off based on their social status, look or income?

I saw a video of Britains Got Talent on YouTube that sort of shows this exact issue. The judges and even the audience thought this one lady was ridiculous before giving her a chance but she ends up proving all her critics wrong. Check it out !

Sadly we often don’t find value in those who don’t have something obvious to offer us. It’s you and me who are missing out when we act this way because God has hidden treasures in jars of clay. He’s hidden some of His most powerful gifts within people who seemingly have nothing.

Dare to invest in those that seem like a “bad investment” to the world and see if beautiful things don’t begin to flow out.

1John 2:26-27

"I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit- just as it has taught you, remain in him"

As for me and my....Temple !!

Most of you have walked into someone’s house with a little greeting on the wall saying, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord!" In the same respect, it doesn’t matter what the world is doing with their body, whether it’s some sort of sinful behavior or disrespecting and treating the homeless badly. It doesn’t matter because as for me and my temple we will serve the Lord. It’s not my job to try and figure out how a needy person is going to spend the money I give them. It’s not my job to sit around waiting for someone to pay back my acts of kindness. It is my job however to pass out love and grace freely!!! Yes my body will honor the Lord, my words will honor the Lord, and my attitude will honor the Lord the best way I know how. This body will continually be in a position of worship for Jesus. It doesn’t matter what goes on around me, or who’s who of this or that because I have made a choice!! This body, God’s temple WILL serve the Lord, Amen!!

Apparently, that's my gift !! :)

"The best way to find out your spiritual gifts is by living a Spirit-filled life, see what God does through you, look back in retrospect and say, "Oh, that's what I do when God has control of me. Apparently, that's my gift" - John MacArthur

Dream 4/9/09

While I slept I was given a name for God, "The Good One". No images or anything just, "The Good One" and I knew it was talking about God. I guess the Holy Spirit knew I needed to remember that God is indeed good. I was feeling really discouraged and this encouraged me. Thank you Jesus.

"Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good?No one is good but One, that is, God.But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” - Matthew 19:16-17

If you too are feeling discouraged by anything today remember God is good, not only good as in perfect but good to you. The Psalms says that He delights in you!

I was reading a short devotional today out of a book called "Streams In The Dessert" that might also encourage you. Here is a short excerpt

"Many people are wanting power. Now how is power produced? The other day we passed the great works where the trolley engines are supplied with electricity. We heard the hum and roar of the countless wheels, and we asked our friend, "How do they make the power?"

"Why," he said, "just by the revolution of those wheels and the friction they produce. The rubbing creates the electric current."

And so , when God wants to bring more power into your life, He brings more pressure. He is generating spiritual force by hard rubbing. Some do not like it and try to run away from the pressure, instead of getting the power and using it to rise above the painful causes."

Anyways I know this is part of my dream blog but I couldn't help pouring a little water in your bucket. Love ya!

-Amber

"All these things are against me" -Gen. 42:36
"All things work together for good to them that love God" -Romans 8:28

Vindication

Vindication in front our critics? In front of those who never believed in us? In front of those who looked down at us? Vindication, sounds good, eh? It’s easy to eagerly await the day God prepares a table for us in front of our enemies but I’d like to challenge all of us to take a step back. Take a moment or two to see who we have been a critic of, never believed in, or looked down upon.

Don’t be self righteous and think, “Oh not me. I’d never do that” because we’ve all done it. It’s easy to want God to right all the wrongs in our life, but how many wrong are we inflicting on others? What pain and hurt have we caused in other people’s lives that they’d seek vindication over? We run crying to God to fix our problems and to heal our wounds when we don’t mind continually wounding others. Many times you may not hurt your friends, family, boss, leadership team or co-workers but what about those who are lower on your list. Those you don’t have to love or be kind to, those that make you uncomfortable or seem distant enough not to matter. They to will be vindicated and it may be in front of you, depending on how you treated them.

Man looks on the outside but God looks at a man’s heart. I’m constantly reminded of a quote by Jason Upton, “God does not create for man’s approval but discovery. Man creates for approval and even judges God’s creations according to their approval.” It’s so easy to apply that verse to our selves and say something like, “I’m not created for man’s approval, so don’t judge me.” but that’s the problem. We should apply that quote to those we come in contact with daily, “They were not created for MY approval but discovery.” And though we may not understand those that cross our path at times we should strive to see past the outer shell and into their heart and help them pull out the beauty God has placed within.

One definition of “enemy” is, “a person who is hostile or opposed to a person, group, or idea.” Are you anyone’s enemy? If so, why? Don’t be surprised if God prepares a table for them right smack dab in front of you. God loves all His people and His word applies to them just as much as it applies to you. God will display His victory through those that are His whether we understand it or not. He will display His love and His favor for them before the enemy’s camp. Will you be among that camp? Or sitting at the table?

Matthew 7:6 The Message

"Don't be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don't reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you're only being cute and inviting sacrilege"

Ministering from a place of rejection

Okay so I've been wanting to type this blog for awhile now. I've been taking notes and trying to find a way to teach something or make the blog longer but it's just not happening. So I'm just going to get to the point.

Have you been rejected? Severely hurt by a person or group of people? Was it the Church? The reason I ask is because I've come across a few people with ministries that kinda stink. I don't say that to be rude but they are ministering from a place of rejection. Sadly they have beautiful hearts but have been hurt. We all have. I guess it depends what we do with that hurt. Some turn inward and blame themselves, that's what I do. Others lash out and become aggressive, angry and spiteful. If you find that your ministry is continually pointing fingers at other churches and believers then take a step back and ask God why? Is there any unforgiveness and pain hiding in your heart? God has great plans for you but choosing to ignore the pain inflicted upon you is only going to lead you down the wrong road or maybe even the right road but with the wrong attitude. You know you can say and do the right things but with the wrong attitude they'd be considered wrong. Just ask yourself if your trying to prove a point, trying to show your offenders in a round about way that you're right and they are wrong. It breaks my heart because I know the sting of rejection. I know what if feels like not to fit in or belong but we must take responsibility for our own hearts. Though we may still feel pain we can't not allow our hearts to turn cold toward fellow brothers in sisters in Christ.

Those who have been rejected, attacked emotionally, left out and forgotten about your ministries would have a great effect if you'd just forgive those who caused your pain. Maybe you need to find a friend or pray for God to send you a friend. Someone who can help walk you through the healing process. Whatever it is ask God to bring restoration.

Ministering from a place of rejection blurs everything and that's what I believe God wants you to hear when summed up.

He stays the same

In seasons of struggle and seasons of pain I can’t help but look at the past and see God’s track record. He’s been faithful and strong to so many who have gone before. He stood with Moses. He’s been with Samuel and defended Daniel. He’s healed blind men and delivered the oppressed. He’s calmed the sea and cleansed an issue of blood. He’s forgiven sin and healed diseases. He’s brought wisdom and courage, and comforted the weary and has taken the load for the heavy laden.

My God reigns in power. He reigns in glory and honor. He has been faithful since before time began. He is no respecter of persons and gives freely to those who ask. In seasons of struggle and seasons of pain I can’t help but see that my God stays the same.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18 NIV

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken."With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.