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Spirit of Grief – Jeanette Porter
Tag: death
THE CONCERNS OF A DEAD MAN
LUKE 16:23 – AND IN HELL HE LIFT UP HIS EYES, BEING IN TORMENTS AND SEETH ABRAHAM AFAR OFF, AND LAZARUS IN HIS BOSOM.
LUKE 16: 24 – AND HE CRIED AND SAID FATHER ABRAHAM, HAVE MERCY ON ME, AND SEND LAZARUS, THAT HE MAY DIP THE TIP OF HIS FINGER IN WATER, AND COOL MY TONGUE: FOR I AM TORMENTED IN THIS PLACE.
THE CONCERNS OF THIS MAN HAVE CHANGED.
HIS FORMER CONCERN WAS TO MAKE MORE MONEY AND ENJOY LIFE AND FAMILY. HIS CONCERN WAS TO PREPARE FOR LIFE AND NOT DEATH.
WE READ IN A PREVIOUS CHAPTER ABOUT A PRODIGAL SON WHO CAME TO HIMSELF IN A FOREIGN LAND AND WENT HOME TO HIS FATHER. HE WAS DEAD AND ALIVE AGAIN, HE WAS LOST AND WAS FOUND.
THE PRODIGAL SON CAME TO HIMSELF AND WENT HOME TO BE WITH HIS FATHER BEFORE HE DIED.
THE RICH MAN CAME TO HIMSELF IN HELL.
PRAYER LIFE CHANGES IN HELL, IF A PERSON GOES TO HELL HE WILL PRAY A LOT.
THE RICH MAN’S CONCERNS CHANGED IN HELL.
HIS PRAYER WAS FOR A DROP OF WATER ON HIS TONGUE.
LUKE 16:27 – THEN HE SAID, I PRAY THEE THEREFORE, FATHER, THAT THOU WOULDEST SEND HIM TO MY FATHERS HOUSE:
LUKE16:28 – FOR I HAVE FIVE BRETHREN THAT HE MIGHT TESTIFY UNTO THEM, LEST THEY ALSO COME INTO THIS PLACE OF TORMENT.
THIS MAN IN HELL HAD A CHANGE OF CONCERN, BUT IT WAS TO LATE.
HE PRAYED FOR A WITNESS TO BE SENT TO HIS FATHER HOUSE, TO HIS BROTHERS WHO WERE LOST.
TESTIFY TO THEM HE PRAYED.
THIS MAN IN HELL HAD NEGLECTED THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION IN ANY ONE’S LIFE, HE REJECTED HIS CREATOR, HE HAD CHOSEN TO SEEK THE TEMPORAL INSTEAD OF THE ETERNAL.
HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE WITNESS TO HIS BROTHER’S. SOMEBODY HAS TO BREAK THE MOLD IN A FAMILY OF LOST PEOPLE. PEOPLE WHO PUT NO VALUE ON GOD AND THE LIFE OF GOD, USUALLY LEAD THEIR FAMILY TO HELL WITH THEM. THEY CHOOSE SPORTS OVER CHURCH,THEY CHOOSE SIN OVER RIGHTEOUSNESS. THEY NEVER READ THEIR BIBLE IF THEY OWN ONE. THEY SELDOM IF EVER GO TO CHURCH. THEY TESTIFY TO THEIR FAMILY THROUGH CONDUCT.
ITS NOT THAT THEY HAVEN’T HEARD THE MESSAGE THEY JUST REFUSE IT. THEY MIGHT NOT EXPRESS IT VERBALLY BUT WITH THEIR CONDUCT. THEY MAKE THEIR OWN RULES OF LIFE.
LAZARUS WAS A BELIEVER THAT WAS LAID AT THE GATE OF THE RICH MAN DAILY.
IF THE RICH MAN HAD STOPPED LONG ENOUGH TO TALK TO LAZARUS, HE WOULD HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE MESSIAH.
THE RICH MAN COULD HAVE WENT TO HIS BROTHER’S HOUSE’S AND TESTIFIE D ABOUT THE ONE WHO AROSE FROM THE DEAD.
THE ONLY MESSAGE THAT WOULD KEEP THIS MAN AND HIS FAMILY OUT OF HELL WAS IGNORED.
HE WAS NOT IN HELL BECAUSE HE WAS RICH, I PERSONALLY KNOW RICH PEOPLE THA LOVE JESUS AND I KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT RICH WHO LOVE JESUS, BUT I ALSO KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT RICH THAT COULD CARE LESS ABOUT JESUS.
BEING SAVED HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR FINANICIAL CONDITION. BEING RELIGIOUS DOESN’T MAKE YOU SAVED.
PEOPLE THAT REJECT THE MESSAGE OF JESUS ARE LOST AND ON THEIR WAY TO HELL, THEY WILL KNOW THE TRUTH IN HELL AND WILL BE TORMENTED OVER THIER FAMILY COMING THERE.
PEOPLE MAKE THIS STATEMENT, IT IS A FALSE STATEMENT, BUT THEY MAKE IT, THEY SAY THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO HEAVEN. WHO GAVE THEY THE AUTHORITY TO SAY THAT? OUR CREATOR IS THE AUTHORITY, WHEN HE SAYS IT IS LAW, AND HE SAID I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.
JESUS PROVED HIS AUTHORITY WHEN HE AROSE FROM THE GRAVE. JESUS IS THE ONLY LAMB OF GOD WHO DIED FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD.
ALL RELIGIONS CAN NOT PROMISE FORGIVENESS FOR SIN. IF YOU HAVE NOT ACCEPTED JESUS BY FAITH AND LIVE IN THAT FAITH, YOU WILL BE PRAYING IN HELL CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.
DON’T LET DECEPTION SEND YOU TO HELL, DON’T LET REBELLION AND PRIDE SEND YOU TO HELL. HUMBLE YOURSELF AND CALL UPON JESUS TO SAVE YOU.
PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU DIFFERENT THAN GOD’S HOLY WORD, DON’T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO SPEAK FOR HIM.
I TELL YOU AGAIN BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE WORD OF GOD, THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED, BUT BY THE NAME OF JESUS.
PRAY NOW AND ASK HIM INTO YOUR HEART AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, TESTIFY TO YOUR FAMILY AND IF YOU LIVE IN A NATION THAT ALLOWS CHURCH ASSEMBLIES START ATTENDING CHURCH. IF BIBLES ARE AVAILABLE BUY A BIBLE IF YOU CAN. IF CHURCHES ARE NOT POSSIBLE SERVE JESUS WITH YOU WHOLE HEART.
I WRITE THIS MESSAGE WITH GREAT LOVE AND HUMILITY, FOR IF WASN’T FOR JESUS REVEALING HIMSELF TO ME, I WOULD STILL BE LOST AND GOING TO HELL. BECAUSE OF THE LOVE OF JESUS I HAVE A GREAT CONCERN FOR THE LOST.
TRUST
THERE ARE THOSE WE TRUST, AND THERE ARE THOSE WE HAVE NO TRUST IN. MANY TIMES WE TRUST PEOPLE AND FIND OUT LATER THEY ARE NOT TRUST WORTHY. HOW CAN WE AS BELIEVERS KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?
MOST OF THE TIME IT’S THROUGH A PROCESS OF WAITING TO SEE IF THEY BETRAY OUR TRUST, OR HOLD TO THE TRUST WE PLACED IN THEM IN AN ADMIRABLE WAY.
TRUST IS FAITH IN ACTION. TRUST MEANS: TO PUT ONE’S CONFIDENCE IN.
IN THE WORD OF GOD, WE FIND INSTRUCTIONS IN WHAT NOT TO PUT OUR TRUST. I WILL LIST THEM: WEAPONS (PS. 44:6); WEALTH (PS.49:6,7); LEADERS (PS. 146:3); MAN (JER 17:5); WORKS (JER. 48:7); OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (EZEK. 33:13).
THIS SHOWS US WE CAN’T PUT OUR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, NOR OURSELVES. WELL, THAT COVERS ALMOST EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING BUT GOD, THAT IS.
WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE, MUCH OF THE TIME, PUT THEIR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, AND THEMSELVES, BEFORE THEY PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD?
BELOVED, THIS IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD. WEAPONS, WEALTH, LEADERS, MANKIND, OUR WORKS, AND EVEN OUR RIGHTEOUS- NESS CAN FAIL US AT ANY TIME.
THE WORLD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE GOD AS THEIR SOURCE OF TRUST, BUT WE AS CHRISTIANS TRUST GOD FOR EVERYTHING, EVERYDAY.
OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S NAME: PSALM 33:20-22 – OUR SOUL WAITETH FOR THE LORD: HE IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD.
FOR OUR HEART SHALL REJOICE IN HIM, BECAUSE WE HAVE TRUSTED IN HIS HOLY NAME.
LET THY MERCY, O LORD, BE UPON US, ACCORDING AS WE HOPE IN THEE.
OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S MERCY: PSALM 52:8 – BUT I AM LIKE A GREEN OLIVE TREE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD: I TRUST IN THE MERCY OF GOD FOR EVER AND EVER.
OUR TRUST IS TO BE PLACED IN GOD’S WORD: PSALM 119:41 – LET THEY MERCIES COME ALSO UNTO ME, O LORD, EVEN OUR SALVATION, ACCORDING TO THY WORD.
SO SHALL I HAVE WHEREWITH TO ANSWER HIM THAT REPROACHETH ME: FOR I TRUST IN THY WORD.
WHEN GOD’S FAVOR IS MANIFESTED TO US, WE CAN SUFFICENTLY ANSWER OUR ENEMIES WITH THE WORD. WE TRUST IN GOD’S WORD: WE TRUST IN HIS PROMISES THAT ARE CONTAINED IN HIS WORD, FOR HIS SERVANTS.
MATTHEW 12:17-21 – THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY ISAIAH THE PROPHET, SAYING,
BEHOLD MY SERVANT, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN: MY BELOVED, IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED:
I WILL PUT MY TRUST UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL SHOW MY JUDGMENT OT THE GENTILES.
HE SHALL NOT STRIVE NOR CRY; NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.
A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUINCH, TILL HE SEND FORTH JUDGMENT INTO VICTORY.
AND IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES TRUST.
THIS IS DESCRIBING WHAT JESUS DID FOR OUR SALVATION; AND WE CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM AND WHAT HE DID FOR US. ALL OF US, GENTILES AND JEWS ALIKE, CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE.
THIS BEING THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL, THERE ARE MORE WONDERFUL BENEFITS TO TRUSTING CHRIST: BENEFITS OF JOY: PSALM 5;11 – BUT LET ALL THOSE THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE REJOICE: LET THEM EVER SHOUT FOR JOY, BECAUSE THOU DEFENDEST THEM: LET THEM ALSO THAT LOVE THY NAME BE JOYFUL IN THEE.
IT’S EASY TO HAVE JOY WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GREAT, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE STILL PUTTING OUT TRUST IN GOD AND THINGS ARE NOT SO GREAT?
I EXPERIENCED THIS ONE DAY A WHILE BACK, AND THE DAY BEFORE THAT.
FIRST, MY MOTHER HAD CANCER IN HER ARM, AND IT WAS REMOVED. THANK GOD, THE DOCTOR THINKS HE GOT IT ALL. THIS WAS HARD FOR ME AND MY SIBLINGS BECAUSE WE LOVE OUR MOTHER AND HAD ALREADY SEEN OUR DADDY, WHO WE LOVED DEARLY, PASS WITH LUNG CANCER BECAUSE OF SMOKING.
I DROVE BACK HOME TO BE COMFORTED BY MY HUSBAND WHO WAS WAITING FOR ME: AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS HE TOLD ME, WAS OUR PET, ROSIE, WAS VERY SICK AND SHE WAS TO BE PUT TO SLEEP THE NEXT DAY. I WAS CRUSHED. THIS WAS JUST TOO MUCH.
I WAS STILL DEALING WITH MY TRUST IN GOD TO TAKE CARE OF MY MOTHER, NOW THIS. ROSIE WAS OUR SPRINGER SPANIEL, WHO WAS QUITE A PERSONALITY, BUT VERY OLD AND WEAK. I LOVED HER SO MUCH.
I JUST HAD TO GET ALONE WITH GOD. I DIDN’T WANT MY HUSBAND TO DO THIS, BUT HIS MIND WAS MADE UP, AND IN THE END, I KNEW I HAD TO SURRENDER TO THIS. IT WASWHAT WAS BEST FOR ROSIE.
I CRIED AND CRIED, IT WAS SO HARD. I POURED OUT MY HEART TO THE LORD. HE BEGAN TO COMFORT ME WITH HIS WORD. THE SCRIPTURES BEGAN TO COME THROUGH MY TEARS. GOD INSTRUCTED ME WITH THAT STILL SMALL VOICE TO TURN TO PSALM 34 AND 44. ALL OF IT MINISTERED TO ME, BUT ONE VERSE IN PSALM 34, VERSE 18, GAVE ME THE GREATEST COMFORT OF ALL – THE LORD IS NIGH UNTO THEM THAT ARE OF A BROKEN HEART; AND SAVETH SUCH AS BE OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT.
I WAS THINKING, WHAT IS CONTRITE? THE DEFINITION IN STRONG’S IS: CRUSHED, AND POWDER.
THIS BROUGHT ME BACK TO A SERMON, IN FACT IT WAS THE FIRST SERMON I HEARD TD JAKES PREACH. IT WAS CALLED “ASHES.” HE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE CAN COME TO THE PLACE THAT WE ARE SO CRUSHED THAT WE BECOME THE POWDER FROM THE FIRE, WE CALL ASHES.
AS WE SERVE THE LORD, AND CONTINUE TO TRUST HIM THROUGH THESE HARD PLACES. HE BEGINS TO ELEVATE OUR FAITH, BECAUSE WE KNOW, WITHOUT A DOUBT, WE WILL NEVER COME THROUGH THESE THINGS ALONE.
I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW THE LORD, GET THROUGH THESE HARD TO UNDERSTAND THINGS. A DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, OR A LOSE OF A CHILD. THEY CAN’T GET HELP THEY NEED FROM THE WORLD THAT BRINGS JOY.
WELL, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME: THE LORD RESTORED MY JOY AND GAVE ME PEACE AS I BEGAN TO WORSHIP HIM IN IT.
* PART 2 COMING UP.
HOW THE DEVIL CAN WORK FOR YOU
God said to Me about this message: ” This is not a new revelation but a revelation long forgotten by man. I am ready for this to be revealed to My Church. Reveal it by radio,” and so I did. Tomorrow it will be aired by Radio in Greenville, SC, WELP AM 1360 @ 11:15 AM.
Think about it!!
Before the devil can do anything to you, child of God, he has to have God’s permission. We see this in the life of Job, but there are more accounts in the Bible also. In this message we will discuss some of them.
Genesis 50:20 – But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Literally, And you were thinking or meditating evil against me; but God (Elohim) was thinking or meditating for good.
What or who do you think caused Joseph’s brothers to meditate evil against their brother? You’re correct! It was the devil.
Intended evil is overruled by God when He has some good object in view, God always knows what the result of certain actions will be. If they are good actions they work in line with His will: if evil, He overrules them.
It is dangerous for the devil and those who scheme against God’s children. It is likely to be checked and to recoil. Someone has said, “A greater power than we can contradict may thwart our plans.” Men have so noticed this that a French moralist said, “I do not know what hidden force it is that seems to delight in breaking up human plans just at the moment when they promise to turn out well.” Yes, there is a “hidden force,” ever watchful, ever balancing human actions, ever ordaining the just need of praise or blame, of retribution or reward.
See how the scribes and Pharisees held council against Jesus, the gentle, pure, loving teacher of truth and healer of diseases. They sought how they might kill Him. They excommunicated Him, they sent others to entrap Him. They succeeded in nailing Him to the cross. They carried out their evil intentions; but that cross became the throne of the Savior’s power, the salvation, and the death of Christ became the life of the world. They went by wagging their heads, but at last they had to ring their hands. They themselves were left in their sins, and their “house left unto them desolate,” while unto the Christ they hated all men being drawn.
That God overrules evil should make us feel our dependence on Him. Joseph depended on God for his salvation. Although he fought for his freedom, he was overruled by Satan moving on his brothers. They really meant to kill him, but God intervened. God was actually moving on his behalf even when he didn’t know it or sense it. As he began to grow up in his slavery, God’s presence became more real to him as favor of man came. Even though he was falsely accused, and went to prison: there he received favor and prospered.
It’s up to us. Do we submit to God’s will no matter what it looks like? Do we depend on Him to get us out of this mess we are in, or do we just bury our heads in our hands and say, “Woe is me!!!!!”
We can trust God. To trust God is called “living faith.”
I had a dream this week. I don’t remember much about it, but what I do, has made a great impression on me: —–I was walking beside a wall of boulders and rocks, and in these stones, were poisonous snakes. Someone had given me a snake of my own. I carried it with me in my hands; and when I passed near a snake in the rocks, I just let my snake loose and it would devour the other one. I did this each time I sensed an attack.
My husband told me I was using my enemies to work for me. I liked that. My “armour bearer”, Cheryl Davis, reminded me of Moses and his rod. God said to Moses, “What is that in your hand?” and told Moses to put down his rod, and it became a serpent. In one account Moses put down his rod and it became a serpent and it devoured the enemies serpents: three of them.
I thought much on this, and God began to reveal how He uses the devil to work on our behalf, unknowing to him. Then I began to pray, “Lord, when an attack comes against me, I ask You to use the devil’s attack to work for me.” ——That might seem strange to you, as a believer, because we are into binding and loosening, but the Bible speaks of all prayers (all kinds of prayers) in Ephesians 6:18 – Praying always with all prayers and supplication in the Spirit…In the Holy Spirit.
In II Chronicles 18:18-22, God allowed a demon to go as a lying spirit to accomplish His plan.
It seems Micah saw a vision of a conference going on in heaven. There was present a demon spirit of which the Lord allowed to work to perform His purpose against Ahab.
There are other times in the Scriptures when demonic presence was involved in the plan of God.
Job 1:6 – Now there was a day when the sons of God (angels) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.
Here we see the Lord with an assembly going on , or a meeting with the angels of which Satan was at one time. Anyway, however it was, Satan had to present himself before the Lord. In this assembly, Satan doesn’t bring up the subject of Job, God does. Verses 7-12 – And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered My servant Job, and there is non like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and esceweth evil?”
Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought (for nothing)?
Hast thou made a hedge about him, and his house, and about all he hath on every side?…
Satan probably had seen this hedge before and was grieved because he couldn’t penetrate it and get to Job before.
Satan complains that God had blessed Job’s work of his hands and everything he had including his family. He said, Put forth Thine hand now, and and destroy all that he has and he will curse You to your face.
God gave Satan permission to take all Job had, even his children and his health. Job never did curse God, even though his wife encouraged it. In the end Job received double everything Satan stole from him, and his health was restored. All was better in the end than in the beginning.
Job 12:6 – The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly. Job goes back to his main argument, and maintains that, the whole course of earthly events being under God’s directions, all the results are to be attributed to Him, and among them both the prosperity of the wicked, and, by part of reasoning, the sufferings of the righteous.
This in no way implies that God is unfair, it just means that God is long-suffering and uses the wicked to bring forth the means, of the end of His purpose.
The wicked will always be punished, and the righteous will always be victorious in the end; either here, or in the world to come.
ANNA THE PROPHETESS
LUKE 2:36-38
AND THERE WAS ONE ANNA, A PROPHETESS, THE DAUGHTER OF PHANUEL OF THE TRIBE OF ASER: SHE WAS OF GREAT AGE, AND HAD LIVED WITH AN HUSBAND SEVEN YEARS FROM HER VIRGINITY;
AND SHE WAS A WIDOW OF ABOUT FOURSCORE AND FOUR YEARS, WHICH DEPARTED NOT FROM THE TEMPLE, BUT SERVED GOD WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS NIGHT AND DAY.
AND SHE COMING IN THAT INSTANT GAVE THANKS LIKEWISE UNTO THE LORD, AND SPAKE OF HIM TO ALL THEM THAT LOOKED FOR REDEMPTION IN JERUSALEM.
ANNA MEANS GRACE. SHE WAS A PROPHETESS. SHE WAS A LADY THAT TOTALLY GAVE HER LIFE TO GOD AND HIS SERVICE. SHE WAS A WIDOW FROM A YOUNG AGE . SHE WAS ONLY MARRIED FOR SEVEN YEARS AND HER HUSBAND DIED. SOME TIMES THE DEATH OF SOMETHING IN A PERSONS LIFE CAUSES THEM TO BECOME BITTER TOWARDS GOD. BUT NOT ANNA. SHE WAS A VERY YOUNG WOMAN WITH GREAT SORROW. SHE IS NOT BITTER, BUT TURNS COMPLETELY TO GOD FOR COMFORT; AND GRACE TO SERVE HIM IN THE HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS.
SHE WAS OF THE TRIBE OF ASHER. ASHER MEANS BLESSED. AHSER WAS JACOBS SON BY ZILPAH. ZILPAH WAS LEAHS MAID. ANNA WASNT OF THE LINEAGE OF LEAH OR RACHEL, HER LINAGE WAS THRU LEAHS MAID, IT WAS OUTSIDE THE INNER CIRCLE.
HER FATHERS NAME WAS PHANUEL, WHICH MEANS FACE OF GOD. THIS WOMAN WHO’S LINEAGE GOES BACK TO LEAH’S MAID, HAS A SPIRITUAL HERITAGE. HER FATHER WITH THE SAME HERITAGE SOUGHT THE FACE OF GOD AND PRODUCED AN ANNA, A PROPHETESS, WHO SERVED GOD IN THE TEMPLE, THE HOUSE OF PRAYER. EIGHTY FOUR YEARS SHE SERVED GOD IN HIS TEMPLE WITH FASTING AND PRAYER.
BACKGROUND CAN BE CHANGED. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT OUR FAMILY HISTORY IS OR WHERE WE CAME FROM, WE CAN SEEK THE FACE OF GOD, WE CAN SEEK GOD’S WAYS AND PRODUCE AN ANNA.
ANNA SERVED GOD NIGHT AND DAY WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS, SHE PRAYED FOR THE MESSIAH TO COME. IT WAS THE FULLNESS OF TIME AND GOD HAD THIS WIDOW WOMAN PRAYING FOR THE WILL OF GOD, THE SON OF GOD, TO COME TO THE EARTH, TO REDEEM MANKIND.
ANNA COULD HAVE ALLOWED THE LOSS OF HER HUSBAND TO MAKE HER BITTER, BUT SHE DIDN’T, SHE TURNED TO GOD WITH PRAYER AND FASTING, SERVING HIM IN HIS HOUSE
IT DOESN’T MATTER ABOUT OUR PAST OR PAIN OR OUR PRESENT SITUATION, GOD’S GRACE HAS AN ASSIGNMENT FOR YOU. IN YOUR PAIN, IN YOUR SADNESS, IN YOUR FAILURE TURN TO HIM, THERE IS GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED. JESUS HAS A JOB FOR YOU THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. IT IS TO SERVE HIM WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART. BRINGING THRU PRAYER , THE MESSIAH INTO THE HEARTS OF MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST LIKE YOU AND I. PEOPLE WHO ARE HURTING AND DID NOT COME FROM THE INNER CIRCLE. JESUS CAN TAKE THE INNER AND OUTER CIRCLE AND USE US BY HIS GRACE. DON’T LET YOUR LOSS CAUSE YOU TO MISS GOD’S ASSIGNMENT FOR YOUR LIFE. MINISTRY IS BIRTHED OUT OF PAIN, THE GLORY OF GOD COMES LATER. THE CROSS WAS THE ASSIGNMENT GIVEN TO JESUS, THE GLORY CAME AT THE RESURRECTION.
PART II – NEITHER FEARFUL NOR SELF-SUFFICIENT
I CORINTHIANS 1:26-29 – FOR YE SEE YOUR CALLING, BRETHERN, HOW THAT NOT MANY WISE MEN AFTER THE FLESH, NOT MANY MIGHTY, NOT MANY NOBLE, ARE CALLED:
BUT GOD HATH CHOSEN THE FOOLISH THINGS OF THE WORLD TO CONFOUND THE THINGS WHICH ARE MIGHTY;
AND BASE THINGS OF THE WORLD, AND THINGS WHICH ARE DESPISED, HATH GOD CHOSEN, YEA, AND THINGS WHICH ARE NOT, TO BRING TO NOUGHT THINGS WHICH ARE:
THAT NO FLESH SHOILD GLORY IN HIS PRESENCE.
WE ARE TO SPEAK WHAT GOD GIVES US, AND NOT BE WORRIED ABOUT OUR DELIVERY OR THE OUTCOME. HE KNOWS TO WHOM WE ARE MINISTERING, AND WHAT ARE THERE NEEDS.
HE KNOWS OUR ABILITIES AND HOW TO STRETCH THEM. HE DOESN’T SEND US TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT PREPARED TO HEAR HIS HEART. WHAT MIGHT BE THE RIGHT MESSAGE FOR ONE GROUP, MIGHT NOT BE THE MESSAGE FOR ANOTHER. HE ALSO KNOWS WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE LIVES OF THOSE AT YOUR DIVINE APPOINTMENT WITH THEM.
IT SHOULD BE OUR DESIRE TO FOLLOW THE CLOUD LIKE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IN THE BOOK OF EXODUS. WHEN HE MOVES, WE MOVE!
IT IS SO MUCH EASIER FOR ME NOW, FOR I CONTINUE TO FIND OUT WHAT HE WANTS, SAY WHAT HE GIVES ME, AND WAIT FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF HIS POWER AND HIS SPIRIT.
IF GOD USED A DONKEY; AND THEN A ROOSTER WITH A THREE PART SERMON, HE WILL USE YOU AND ME!
PREPARATION, STUDY OF THE WORD, PRAYER, AND FASTING, IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO; BUT OUR MOST IMPORTANT PART IS FINDING A PLACE TO BE ALONE WITH, GOD AND SEEKING HIM, AND WORSHIPPING HIM. THEN, STEP OUT IN FAITH, BELIEVING. FOR WITHOUT HIM WE CAN DO NOTHING; AND WE ARE NOTHING WITHOUT HIM; BUT PHILIPPIANS 4:13 – SAYS, I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.
II CHRONICLES 26:5b,16 – AND AS LONG AS HE SOUGHT THE LORD, GOD MADE HIM TO PROSPER.
BUT WHEN HE WAS STRONG, HIS HEART WAS LIFTED UP TO HIS DISTRUCTION:
IF WE KEEP OUR EYES FOCUSED ON GOD AND WHAT HE CAN DO THROUGH US; AND NOT ON OUR OWN ABILITIES, WE WILL CONTINUE ON THE PATH OF MINISTRY PROSPERITY.
OUR DESIRE SHOULD BE THAT WE FLOW CONSTANTLY IN THIS PRINCIPAL, BECAUSE FAILURE TO DO SO, WILL BRING US BACK TO OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING AND ULTIMATELY IN A FALL; OR EVEN INTO SATAN’S TRAP OF SELF-WORSHIP, WHICH LEADS TO DESTRUCTION.
WHEN UZZIAH BEGAN HIS REIGN, HE BEGAN A GODLY REIGN.
II CHRONICLES 26:4a,5 – AND HE DID THAT WHICH WAS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD…
AND HE SOUGHT GODIN THE DAYS OF ZECHARIAH, WHO HAD UNDERSTANDING IN THE VISIONS OF GOD:
HE PROSPERED IN WAR AND FAME. THEN HE BAGAN TO THINK TOO HIGHLY OF HIMSELF; HE TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THE LORD, BY STEPPING OUT OF HIS PLACE OF AUTHORITY.
WHEN CORRECTED BY THE PRIEST, HE BECAME ANGRY.
V.19-21a – THEN UZZIAH WAS WROTH, AND HAD A CENSER IN HIS HAND TO BURN INCENSE:AND WHILE HE WAS WROTH WITH THE PRIESTS, THE LEPROSY EVEN ROSE UP IN HIS FOREHEAD BEFORE THE PRIESTS IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, FROM BESUDE THE INCENSE ALTER. AND AZARIAH THE CHIEF PRIEST, AND ALL THE PRIESTS, LOOKED UPON HIM, AND, BEHOLD, HE WAS LEPROUS IN HIS FOREHEAD, AND THEY THRUST HIM OUT FROM THENCE; YEA, HIMSELF HASTED ALSO TO GET OUT, BECAUSE THE LORD HAD SMITTEN HIM. AND UZZIAH THE KING, WAS A LEPER UNTO THE DAY OF HIS DEATH, AND DWELT IN A SEVERAL HOUSE (INFIRMARY), BEING A LEPER; FOR HE WAS CUT OFF FROM THE HOUSE OF THE LORD:
IT IS IMPORTANT TO START THE RACE, BUT MORE IMPORTANT THAT WE FINISH IT; AND REMEMBER: WE NEVER GET ABOVE CORRECTION.
PAUL WROTE TO TIMOTHY IN II TIMOTHY 4:5,7 – BUT WATCH THOU IN ALL THINGS, ENDURE AFFLICTIONS, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, MAKE FULL PROOF OF THY MINISTRY.
I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH;
ACTS 20:24 – BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME, NEITHER COUNT I MY LIFE DEAR UNTO MYSELF, SO THAT I MIGHT FINISH MY COURSE WITH JOY, AND THE MINISTRY, WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED OF THE LORD JESUS, TO TESTIFY THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.
ALL WE DO IN THE KINGDOM, THE PRAISE AND GLORY MUST GO TO GOD. IF WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO RECIEVE ANY, WE REALLY ARE FAILURES IN THE END.
WORDS
PROVERBS 18:21 – DEATH AND LIFE ARE IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE: AND THEY THAT LOVE IT SHALL EAT THE FRUIT THEREOF (OR PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM SAYING THE WRONG THING).
PROVERBS 17:27a, 28 – HE THAT HATH KNOWLEDGE SPARETH HIS WORDS:
EVEN A FOOL, WHEN HE HOLDETH HIS PEACE, IS COUNTED WISE: AND HE THAT SHUTTETH HIS LIPS IS ESTEEMED A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING (OR IT PAYS HIM OR HER TO KEEP THEIR MOUTH SHUT).
I HEARD FROM SOME SOURCE: EVERY PERSON HAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000 IN THEM TO SPEAK EVERY DAY.
I DON’T KNOW IF THAT IS TRUTH OR NOT, BUT SOMETIMES WE ARE AROUND THOSE, WHO SEEM TO USE ALL THEIR WORDS UP ON YOU AT ONE CONVERSATION.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
OF COURSE YOU DO.
WE DON’T REALLY MIND, THOUGH, IF IT IS EDIFYING AND UPLIFTING.
CREATION IS IN EXISTENCE BECAUSE OF THE SPOKEN WORD, OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.
ALL THROUGH THE FIRST CHAPTER OF GENESIS, WE READ: AND GOD SAID…
SO WE MUST COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT WORDS ARE POWERFUL AND CREATIVE, WHEN SPOKEN.
WHEN ADAM AND EVE SINNED, THE FIRST NEGATIVE WORD WAS SPOKEN BY ADAM. ADAM SAID IN GENESIS 3:1 – I WAS AFRAID…
RIGHT THEN AND THERE , THE SPIRIT OF FEAR WAS SPOKEN INTO EXISTENCE.
SO, SOMETHING CHANGED IN OUR SPOKEN WORDS WHEN SIN CAME INTO THE WORLD.
WE ALREADY HAD THE POSITIVE WORDS; BUT HERE CAME THE NEGATIVE.
MATTHEW 12:37 – FOR BY THY WORDS THOU SHALT BE JUSTIFIED (OR AQUITTED), AND BY THY WORDS THOU SHALT BE CONDEMNED (OR SENTENCED).
WHEN THE JUDGE SAYS, “GUILTY,” IT MEANS SOMETHING. WOULDN’T YOU AGREE?
WE CHOOSE WHAT HAPPENS AROUND US, AT TIMES, BY THE WORDS WE SPEAK ABOUT OURSELVES AND OTHERS.
AS WORDS ARE SPOKEN OVER US, WE CAN RECEIVE THEM OR REJECT THEM.
BECAUSE WE LIVE IN SUCH A NEGATIVE SOCIETY, THOUGH, MOST PEOPLE ACCEPT THE NEGATIVE. I FEEL LIKE MANY OF YOU CAN RELATE TO THAT STATEMENT. I KNOW I CAN.
OUR CHILDREN HAVE WORDS FOLLOWING THEM WE SPOKE OVER THEM SINCE BIRTH, AND THEY REMAIN AROUND THEM, FOLLOWING THEM, WHEREVER THEY GO, UNTIL THEY RECEIVE THEM, OR REJECT THEM.
I HAVE HEARD, THAT SPOKEN WORDS ARE LIKE SOUND WAVES: AFTER THEY ARE RELEASED, THEY STAY IN THE AIR UNTIL THEY ARE PICKED-UP BY A RECEIVER.
IF WE COULD SEE IN THE SPIRIT WORLD, WE COULD SEE THOSE ACTUAL WORDS, SPOKEN OVER US, REMAINING IN THE AIR, FOLLOWING US AROUND: CURSES AND BLESSINGS.
OUR PARENTS DIDN’T, AND WE DON’T PURPOSE TO SPEAK CURSES OVER OUR CHILDREN. WE JUST DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WE WERE DOING.
LET’S CHANGE THE WORDS WE SPEAK ABOUT, OR OVER OTHERS. ASK GOD TO HELP YOU, AND HE WILL.
*WATCH FOR: WORDS PART II
HOLY GHOST POWER
ACTS 1:14 – THESE ALL CONTINUED WITH ONE ACCORD IN PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WITH THE WOMEN, AND MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS, AND WITH HIS BRETHREN.
THEY WERE WAITING IN OBEDIENCE.
LUKE 24:49 – AND, BEHOLD, I SEND THE PROMISE OF MY FATHER UPON YOU: BUT TARRY YE IN THE CITY OF JERUSALEM, UNTIL YE BE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH.
JESUS COMMANDED THEM TO TARRY IN JERUSALEM UNTIL THEY RECEIVE POWER FROM ON HIGH.
JOHN 20:22 – AND WHEN HE HAD SAID THIS, HE BREATHED ON THEM, AND SAITH UNTO THEM, RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST:
THESE PEOPLE, CONTINUING IN PRAYER HAD ALREADY RECEIVED THE NEW BIRTH, THEY WERE ALREADY BELIEVERS, WAITING ON POWER FROM HEAVEN.
BEFORE THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS, THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS WITH THEM, BUT AFTER HIS RESURRECTION, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME INSIDE THE BELIEVERS, BUT NOW HE COMES UPON THEM.
IN THE YEAR 1978, I PERSONALLY RECEIVED THIS EXPERIENCE OF PENTECOST.
I PRAY IN TONGUES EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE.
WHAT A BLESSING TO PRAY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.
I CORINTHIANS 14:14 – FOR IF I PRAY IN AN UNKNOWN TONGUE, MY SPIRIT PRAYETH , BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS UNFRUITFUL.
PAUL SAID, “I THANK MY GOD, I SPEAK WITH TONGUES, MORE THAN YE ALL.”
THE LIFE GIVER
Nowhere in the Bible do we find where Jesus came to bring death. Everywhere He went, He brought life. He is the access to the Father, the only access. He raised the dead. He gave eternal life through His death.
In John 10:9-11 Jesus said, –
I am the door; (or I am the access to the Father) by Me if any man enter in, He shall be saved and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.
Jesus is the door to the sheepfold.
He is the way of life.
Who would shut-up the way of life, to live the way of the world?
We are in this world, but not of this world.
By Him, we have eternal life, but we can also move about on this earth, living in two worlds (heaven and earth), freely, with His guidance, without fear of the enemy.
Why? Because He watches over us.
He is our Shepherd; the Good Shepherd. He watches over us individually, with tender care, and self sacrificing love.
The Shepherd died, that we might live.
Also, our Shepherd knows when it is time for us to go home to heaven.
At that time, He will call us. But before that, He will prepare us for our journey.
Many are afraid of death. They walk around in fear of the unknown.
We, as children of God, are to have life each day and not dread and fear of death.
For, Jesus came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly: More than we can possibly use. Abundant supply.
Those who receive life from Him, have within them, continual sources of life for others.
We witness: they get saved: they witness: others get saved; and it goes on…
Those in their graves, who are dead in Christ, will know life again. This is our Blessed Hope.
1 Thessalonians 5:14, 16-18 —-For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (or die) in Jesus will God bring with Him.
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:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Part of our abundant life in Him, is to know these things, this great promise of being able to be with our loved ones, when the end of this age comes, who died in-Christ.
Every day, I go to Greenville from my house, I have to pass by my Daddy’s grave. I have the peace of knowing his soul and spirit are not in that grave, but are with Jesus. Only his body is left there, but it will be resurrected on that day of the Rapture, and if I am passing by that way at the time his body leaves that grave, I can watch it come up and meet the Lord in the air with My Daddy.
To me, it’s as though he is on a trip and will soon return to me.
Woman of God, it is an abundant life when we know that we know we are ready to meet the Lord, should He come today.
Sinner, don’t be left behind. Trust Him today to care for you as your good shepherd.
Jesus loves you; He gave His life for you. You are not really living until you put your life in His hands. I’ve heard people say, “I’m not ready, I am still young. I want to live my life they way I choose.”
What are you giving up to invite Him into you life? I’ll tell you. You are giving up eternal torment and destruction for eternal life; You are giving up hell for heaven; you are giving up the lordship of Satan, for the Lordship of Jesus Christ; you are giving up no peace for the “Prince of Peace.
Some women tell me they are afraid their boyfriend or husband will get mad or even leave them if they ask Jesus into their lives. Would you sell your soul to the devil for someone who wants you to go to hell, and to be eternally separated from God? He doesn’t love you, he loves himself, he loves the sin you share with him. He is just like the devil, when he gets through with you, he will laugh at you. This might seem harsh , but believe me, I have seen too much of it.
We can decide to serve God and live according to His standards, or we can set our own standards and live outside His blessings.
The choice is ours.
Proverbs 8:36 —But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul: all that hate Me love death.
Romans 6:23 —For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
There is coming a time when all this will be played back in your mind computer. You will remember when you were witnessed to about your soul’s destination. Their is only one way you can be born again, saved from destruction:
For you who did not pray that prayer with me,
Invite Jesus into your heart now, don’t live another day without Him, there is no promise of another chance.
God is righteous and demands full obedience from His creation. He will not tolerate unrighteousness, and designed hell to eternally house those who are not willing to submit their lives to Him.
There is no other way to the Father but through Jesus.
Jesus said in John 14:6 … I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the Father, but by Me.
Jesus is Life. He is still giving life.
John 3:16 — For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Think about it. Everlasting life.
Look at verse 17,18 —-For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God
Pray this prayer with me, and receive Jesus, by faith, as your Lord and savior:
Jesus, come into my life, and save me. I am sorry for my sin, I repent of my sin. I am tired of trying to live my life, my way. I give my life to You.
Deliver me from every stronghold of bondage. In Jesus name I pray.
Thank You for saving me.
bondage,
We have already seen where Jesus Christ is life, conqueror over death, and the only way to the Father.
There are also special promises from God for those who serve Him:
Eternal life
Peace
Joy
Abundant life
Heaven
Escape from hell
There is a great contrast between heaven and hell, and both are real places: one to joy and one to darkness with no hope.
Choose the life giver.
