THE PREACHER THAT QUIT

I KINGS 19:1-4 

AND AHAB TOLD JEZEBEL ALL THAT ELIJAH HAD DONE, AND WITHAL HOW HE HAD SLAIN ALL THE PROPHETS WITH THE SWORD.

THEN JEZEBEL SENT A MESSENGER UNTO ELIJAH SAYING. SO LET THE gODS DO TO ME, AND MORE ALSO, IF I MAKE NOT THY LIFE AS THE LIFE OF ONE OF THEM BY TOMORROW ABOUT THIS TIME.

AND WHEN HE SAW THAT, HE AROSE, AND WENT FOR HIS LIFE, AND CAME TO BEER-SHEBA TO JUDAH, AND LEFT HIS SERVANT THERE.

BUT HE HIMSELF WENT A DAY’S JOURNEY INTO THE WILDERNESS, AND CAME  AND SAT DOWN UNDER A JUNIPER TREE: AND HE REQUESTED FOR HIMSELF THAT HE MIGHT DIE; AND SAID IT IS ENOUGH; NOW, O LORD, TAKE AWAY  MY LIFE; FOR I AM NO BETTER THAN MY FATHERS.

ELIJAH THE PROPHET WHO HAD CHALLENGED THE PROPHETS OF BAAL, CALLED FIRE DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN, KILLED THE PROPHETS OF BAAL, PRAYED DOWN RAIN OUT OF HEAVEN. WHAT A VICTORY.

JEZEBEL THREATENS HIS LIFE, FEAR  GRIPES THE  MIND OF  ELIJAH. ELIJAH HAD BEEN SO BOLD WITH GREAT FAITH, BUT KNOW HE HAS FORGOTTEN THE POWERFUL RELEASE OF GODS POWER INTO HIS LIFE. 

THIS SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL BROUGHT FEAR, DISCOURAGEMENT AND CONFUSION UPON HIS MIND. ELIJAH LOST HIS VISION, HIS PURPOSE WAS FORGOTTEN. HE RAN FROM GOD, HE RAN FROM MINISTRY, HE RAN FROM JEZEBEL. HIS PURPOSE AS GODS MAN DIDN’T MATTER ANYMORE.

HE WAS FEARFUL, DEPRESSED, DISCOURAGED, DISILLUSIONED, FULL OF SELF PITY. HE LEFT HIS SERVANT BEHIND AND TOOK OFF.

THROUGH THIS EXAMPLE OF THE ATTACK ON ELIJAH’S MIND, I UNDERSTAND THE WAY SATAN ATTACKS AFTER GREAT SPIRITUAL VICTORIES. 

DISCOURAGEMENT IS ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE DEMONS IN THESE LAST DAYS. FEAR IS ITS SISTER.

I HUMBLY TELL YOU, I HAVE FELL UNDER THIS ATTACK MANY TIMES, AFTER  GREAT VICTORIES COME ATTACKS. DRY  SPELLS AND ATTACKS AGAINEST THE MIND.

I HAVE LEARNED TO REST, AND TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN I MINISTER TO OTHERS AND GIVE OUT THE ANOINTING ON MY LIFE, THAT I MUST PULL AWAY FROM MINISTRY AND BUILD UP MY INNER MAN THROUGH PRAYER, WORSHIP AND THE WORD OF GOD.  READ A CHRISTIAN BOOK, LISTEN TO TAPES OR CD’S ON FAITH. SERVE THE MASTER AS A GOOD SERVANT IN HIS PRESENCE. THE WAR WE ARE IN IS A SPIRITUAL WAR AND MUST BE FOUGHT WITH THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH. I AM CONVINCED  ELIJAH FELT COLD SPIRITUALLY, HE FELT LIKE GOD HAD DESERTED HIM. CAN YOU IMAGINE THE ANOINTING THAT WAS ON ELIJAH WHEN HE CALLED THE FIRE OF GOD DOWN ON THE SACRIFICE. HOW HE FELT WHEN HE PRAYED DOWN RAIN. NOW ELIJAH FEELS NOTHING. DEMONS ATTACK HIS MIND, HE FEELS DESERTED BY GOD, HE THINKS HE’S THE ONLY ONE SERVING GOD. DESERTED BY GOD HE TURNS TAIL AND RUNS, HE QUITS. HE HAD NO FAITH OPERATING, I HAVE BEEN THERE, CRYING OUT ACCUSING GOD OF NOT CARING. WE LEARN BY OUR MISTAKES. WE MUST KEEP THE FAITH AND CLAIM VICTORY REGARDLESS OF WHAT WE SEE OR HEAR.

ELIJAH COULD SEE THE PROPHETS OF BAAL BUT COULDN’T SEE THE DEMON’S ATACKING HIS FAITH.

AFTER GREAT  SPRITUAL VICTORIES WE NEED TO REST OUR MIND AND BODIES, YOUR SPIRIT CAN BE STRONG AND YOUR BODY TIRED, THIS WILL MAKE YOU WEARY IN WELL DOING.

JESUS PULLED AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE TO PRAY AND SEEK THE FATHER, HE RESTED AT TIMES IN THE PRESENCE OF THE FATHER. HE WAS IN A HUMAN BODY HE COULD GROW TIRED.

MARK 6:31

AND HE SAIN UNTO THEM, COME YE YOURSELVES APART INTO A DESERT PLACE, AND REST A WHILE FOR THERE WERE MANY COMING AND GOING, AND THEY HAD NO LEISURE SO MUCH AS TO EAT.

ELIJAH HEARD THE STILL SMALL VOICE OF GOD ON A SECLUDED MOUNTAIN.

ELIJAH’S MINISTRY IS NOT OVER YET. HE  AND MOSES CAME DOWN ON A MOUNTAIN IN ISRAEL AND TALKED TO JESUS ABOUT HIS SUFFERING IN JERUSALEM. ELIJAH WILL BE ONE OF THE PROPHETS THAT WILL PREACH ON THE STREETS OF JERUSALEM IN THE 1ST PART OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD. FOR  THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS HE WILL PREACH THAT JESUS IS THE JEWISH MESSIAH WHO CAME AND WAS CRUCIFIED FOR  THEIR SIN. HE WILL PREACH JESUS CRUCIFIED AND RESURRECTED. AND THAT HE IS COMING AGAIN TO SET UP HIS KINGDOM ON EARTH. HE WILL DO MIRACLES AND CALL DOWN FIRE OUT OF HEAVEN. 144,000 JEWS WILL BE SAVED AND PREACH THE GOSPEL. ELIJAH WILL BE  THE FORERUNNER OF THE RETURN OF KING JESUS TO JERUSALEM. THE MINISTRY OF ELIJAH WILL BE SEEN AROUND THE WORLD BY TELEVISION AND INTERNET, PREACHING THE GOSPEL.

DOESN’T SOUND LIKE THIS PREACHER STAYED QUIT. NO ELIJAH IS STILL IN THE MINISTRY WAITING FOR HIS PULPIT AGAIN, TO PROPHESY TO KINGS AND PREIST AND TO ALL THE LOST THE KING IS COMING, KING JESUS.

CAN I TELL YOU THAT YOUR MINISTRY IS NOT OVER EITHER, YOU ARE JUST GETTING STARTED. GOD IS NOT THROUGH WITH YOU. THE GIFTS AND CALLING OF GOD IS WITHOUT REPENTANCE. STIR UP THAT POWER THAT IS INSIDE OF YOU, LET THE ANOINTING OF GOD REFRESH YOU AND GIVE YOU NEW VISION.                     

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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.

 

If you prayed this prayer, please write me. and I will send you a booklet on the next steps:

 

      Woman of God

      PO Box 9315

      Greenville, SC 29604

Or E-mail me at

      lmcigreenville@aol.com and tell me what is going on in your life: your struggles, your victories.

 

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.

 

Until next week.

 

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WORDS PART III

EPHESIANS 4:13 – LET NO CORRUPT COMMUNICATION PROCEED OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, BUT THAT WHICH IS GOOD TO THE USE OF EDIFYING (OR BUILDING UP), THAT IT MAY MINISTER GRACE TO THE HEARERS.

ALL OF US NEED TO BE BUILT-UP OR EDIFIED. OUR FAMILY MEMBERS NEED TO HEAR WORDS COMING FROM OUR MOUTH’S THAT ARE BLESSINGS AND NOT CURSES.

TIMOTHY IS PAUL’S SON IN THE SPIRIT. LISTEN HOW HE BUILDS TIMOTHY UP.

II TIMOTHY 1:13 – HOLD FAST THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS, WHICH THOU HAST HEARD OF ME, IN FAITH AND LOVE, WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS.

TO TIMOTHY, MY DEAR BELOVED SON: GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE, FROM GOD THE FATHER AND CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.

FAITH, BEING THE POSITIVE, OR BLESSINGS; AND FEAR BEING THE NEGATIVE, OR CURSES: LISTEN TO THE FOLLOWING VERSES:

II TIMOTHY 1:3-5 – I THANK GOD, WHOM I SERVE FROM MY FOREFATHERS WITH A PURE CONSCIENCE, THAT WITHOUT CEASING I HAVE REMEMBRANCE OF THEE IN MY PRAYERS NIGHT AND DAY;

GREATLY DESIRING TO SEE THEE, BEING MINDFUL OF THY TEARS, THAT I MAY BE FILLED WITH JOY:

WHEN I CALL TO REMEMBRANCE THE UNFEIGNED LOVE THAT IS IN THEE, WHICH DWELT FIRST IN THY GRANDMOTHER LOIS, AND THY MOTHER EUNICE; AND I AM PERSUADED THAT IN THEE ALSO.

TIMOTHY HAD A GRANDMOTHER AND A MOTHER, WHO LOVED HIM, AND INFLUENCED HIS LIFE.

THAT PERSON THAT IS PRAYING FOR YOU AND INFLUENCING YOUR LIFE, TO SERVE GOD, AND HIS PURPOSE FOR YOUR FUTURE.

MAYBE THEY ARE PRAYING, “DON’T GIVE-UP ON HER, LORD: MAKE HER SWEET, JUST LIKE JESUS.”

SOME OF YOU ARE REALLY HURTING BECAUSE OF THE THINGS SPOKEN OVER YOU IN YOUR PAST, AND EVEN NOW, YOU STILL HEAR THOSE WORDS, FOLLOWING YOU, AND SCREAMING OUT AT YOU.

THE FIRST THING YOU NEED TO DO DO, IS GIVE IT ALL TO GOD; AND THE NEXT STEP IS TO FORGIVE THAT ONE WHO HAS HURT YOU WITH THEIR WORDS OR IN ANY WAY.

THIS MAY SEEM STRANGE TO YOU, BUT TO BE FREE, THIS HAS TO TAKE PLACE.

YOU MAY EVEN NEED TO FORGIVE YOURSELF FOR THOSE CURSES YOU HAVE SPOKEN OVER YOURSELF OTHERS.

MAYBE, YOU MAY NEED TO ASK THEM TO FORGIVE YOU, AND THAT FROM NOW ON, YOUR WORDS TO THEM ARE LIFE, AND BLESSINGS.

DEATH AND LIFE ARE IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE…     PROVERBS 18:21

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AT THE APPOINTED TIME

MANY PEOPLE STRUGGLE FROM HEARING FROM GOD, AND TODAY I BELIEVE YOU WILL BE ENLIGHTENED ON THIS SUBJECT.

GENESIS 8:14 – IS ANYTHING TO HARD FOR THE LORD? AT THE TIME APPOINTED I WILL RETURN UNTO THEE, ACCORDING TO THE TIME OF LIFE, AND SARAH WILL HAVE A SON.                            GENESIS 21:1,2 – AND THE LORD VISITED SARAH AS HE SAID, AND THE LORD DID UNTO SARAH AS HE HAD SPOKEN. FOR SARAH HAD CONCEIVED AND BARE ABRAHAM A SON IN HIS OLD AGE, AT THE SET TIME OF WHICH GOD HAD SPOKEN TO HIM.

THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD “APPOINTED” IS, ASSIGNED OR ARRANGED.

HOW MANY OF US HAVE HEARD FROM THE LORD, AND BECAUSE IT DIDN’T HAPPEN WHEN WE THOUGHT IT SHOULD, WE SAID,”MAYBE THIS WAS IN MY MIND; MAYBE I DIDN’T REALLY HEAR FROM GOD.”

THIS IS WHEN DOUBT COMES IN AND FAITH GOES OUT.

II SAMUEL 17:14 —-HERE WE FIND ABSALOM, TRYING TO TAKE OVER DAVID’S KINGDOM; BUT DAVID WAS CHOSEN BY GOD AS KING. AND EVEN THOUGH DAVID IS RUNNING IN THE NATURAL, HE KNOWS HIS APPOINTMENT—-FOR THE LORD HAD APPOINTED TO DEFEAT THE GOOD COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL, TO THE INTENT THAT THE LORD MIGHT BRING EVIL UPON ABSALOM. 

     15:31 – AND ONE TOLD DAVID, SAYING, AHITHOPHEL IS AMONG THE CONSPIRATORS WITH ABSALOM. AND DAVID SAID, O LORD, I PRAY THEE, TURN THE COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL INTO FOOLISHNESS.

DAVID HAD A REBEL SON, ABSALOM, WHOSE PLAN WAS TO TAKE OVER THE KINGDOM GIVEN TO HIM BY GOD. FOR THE PROMISED SEED TO COME : JESUS, WAS TO COME FROM THE LOINS OF DAVID.

ABSALOM TOOK COUNSEL FROM TWO MEN, BUT HE ACCEPTED THE COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL, ONE OF DAVID’S COUNSELORS WHO JOINED IN THE CONSPIRACY WITH ABSALOM AGAINST DAVID, THE KING.

WHEN SOMEONE TOLD DAVID THAT AHITHOPHEL, HIS OWN ADVISOR, WAS BACKING ABSALOM, DAVID PRAYED, “O LORD, PLEASE MAKE AHITHOPHEL GIVE ABSALOM FOOLISH ADVICE.” 

AS SOON AS HE HAD FINISHED PRAYING, AND HAD REACHED THE TOP OF THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, WHERE PEOPLE WORSHIPPED GOD, DAVID FOUND HUSHAI THE ARCHITE WAITING FOR HIM. BUT DAVID TOLD HIM, “IF YOU GO WITH ME, YOU WILL ONLY BE A BURDEN. RETURN TO JERUSALEM AND TELL ABSALOM, I WILL COUNSEL YOU AS I DID YOUR FATHER. THEN YOU CAN FRUSTRATE AND COUNTER AHITHOPHEL’S ADVICE. SEND WORD BACK TO ME WHAT IS GOING ON.”

SO WHEN DAVID’S FRIEND, HUSHAI, ARRIVED, HE WENT IMMEDIATELY TO SEE ABSALON.

ABSALOM ASKED HIM, “WHY AREN’T YOU WITH DAVID?” AND HE ANSWERED, “BECAUSE I WORK FOR THE MAN WHO IS CHOSEN BY THE LORD AND BY ISRAEL, AND ANY WAY, WHY SHOULDN’T I? I HELPED YOUR FATHER AND NOW I WILL HELP YOU!”

THEN ABSALOM TURNED TO AHITHOPHEL AND ASKED HIM, “WHAT SHALL I DO NEXT?” AHITHOPHEL TOLD HIM, “. GO SLEEP WITH YOUR FATHER’S WIVES, FOR HE HAS LEFT THEM HERE TO KEEP THE HOUSE. THEN ALL ISRAEL  WILL KNOW THAT YOU HAVE INSULTED HIM  BEYOND RECONCILATION, AND THEY WILL SUPPORT YOU.”

SO ABSALOM DID EVERYTHING AHITHOPHEL TOLD HIM, UNTIL ONE DAY AHITHOPHEL ASKED FOR TWELVE THOUSAND MEN TO GO AFTER DAVID AND KILL HIM WHILE HE WAS DISCOURAGED.”HE AND HIS TROOPS WILL BE THROWN INTO A PANIC AND EVERYONE WILL RUN AWAY,” HE SAID. BUT ABASOLOM ASKED HUSHAI HIS OPINION.

“WELL,” HUSHAI REPLIED, “THIS TIME I THINK AHITHOPHEL IS MISTAKEN. YOU KNOW YOUR FATHER AND HIS MEN; THEY ARE MIGHTY WARRIORS AND ARE PROBABLY AS UPSET AS A MOTHER BEAR WHO HAS BEEN ROBBED OF HER CUBS.

YOUR FATHER IS AN OLD SOLDIER AND ISN’T GOING TO SPEND THE NIGHT AMONG THE TROOPS. HE HAS PROBABLY ALREADY HIDDEN IN SOME PIT OR CAVE. WHEN HE COMES OUT AND ATTACKS AND SOME OF YOUR MEN FALL, THERE WILL BE PANIC AMONG YOUR TROOPS AND EVERYONE WILL START SHOUTING THAT YOUR MEN ARE BEING SLAUGHTERED. THEN, EVEN THE BRAVEST OF THEM WILL BE PARALIZED WITH FEAR, BECAUSE ALL ISRAEL KNOWS WHAT A MIGHTY MAN YOUR FATHER IS AND HOW COURAGOUS HIS SOLDIERS ARE.’

“I SUGGEST YOU MOBILIZE THE ENTIRE ARMY OF ISRAEL. AND I THINK YOU SHOULD PERSONALLY LEAD THE TROOPS. THEN, WHEN WE FIND HIM, WE CAN DESTROY HIS ENTIRE ARMY, SO THAT NO ONE IS LEFT ALIVE.”

THEN ABSALOM AND ALL THE MEN OF ISRAEL SAID, HUSHAI’S IS BETTER THAN AHITHOPHEL’S.” FOR THE  LORD HAD APPOINTED TO DEFEAT THE COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL, WHICH REALLY WAS  THE BETTER PLAN; SO HE COUD BRING DISASTER UPON ABSALOM. —-AND HE DID.

WHEN GOD GIVES US A WORD, THAT HE IS GOING TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE, IT IS BEST FOR US TO KEEP OUR MOUTHS SHUT UNTIL THE APPOINTED TIME, AS WAS IN THE LIFE OF ZACHARIAS AND ELIZABETH (LUKE 1). THE ANGEL TOLD HIM WHILE HE WAS DOING HIS SERVICE TO GOD IN THE TEMPLE, THAT HIS WIFE, ELIZABETH, WOULD HAVE A SON NAMED JOHN. BECAUSE OF ZACHARIAS’ UNBELIEF THE ANGEL STRUCK HIM DUMB UNTIL THE APPOINTED TIME.

WHEN GOD DECIDES TO DO SOMETHING, HE HAS A PURPOSE AND A PLAN HOW HE WANTS IT CARRIED-OUT.

THE BEST  THING WE CAN DO, IS WAIT IT OUT UNTIL IT COMES TO PASS. IT IS VERY EASY FOR US TO GET INTO UNBELIEF. WHEN WE GET TIRED OF WAITING, WE CAN BRING AN ISHMAEL INTO OUR LIVES, AS DID ABRAHAM AND SARAH. THEN WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE ACTIONS THE REST OF OUR LIVES.

WHEN THE PROMISE DOES COME, WE FIND WE CAN ENJOY IT LIKE GOD PLANNED IN THE BEGINNING, BECAUSE WE HAVE NO ISHMAELS TO DEAL WITH.

WHEN WE BEGIN TO QUESTION GOD—-WE SHOULD BE SAYING, “GOD, I TRUST YOU WITH JUST THE RIGHT TIMING, AND I TRUST YOU WITH WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND ME.”

IN THE BOOK OF ESTHER, ESTHER’S UNCLE, MORDECAI HAD TOLD HER. “NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO ACT. NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO REVEAL YOURSELF.”

ESTHER 4:14 – FOR IF THOU ALTOGETHER HOLDEST THY PEACE AT THIS TIME, THEN SHALL THEIR ENLARGEMENT (OR HELP) AND DELIVERANCE COME FROM ANOTHER PLACE; BUT THOU AND THY FATHER’S HOUSE SHALL BE DESTROYED: AND WHO KNOWETH WHETHER THOU ART COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?

BY MAKING HER MOVE AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME, SHE DESTROYED ALL THE ENEMIES PLANS.  

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SWEET SLEEP

SLEEP IS IMPORTANT TO OUR DAILY HEALTH.

OUR BODIES CAN GO  JUST SO MANY HOURS WITHOUT IT, THEN MAJOR PARTS OF OUR BODIES BEGIN TO BE FATIGUED  AND OR EMOTIONS BECOME ALL OUT OF SORTS; WE CAN’T THINK CLEARLY, AND OTHERS AROUND US ARE AFFECTED.

IT WAS EASIER FOR US TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST WHEN OUR EMPLOYMENT WAS FARMING AND PHYSICAL LABOR; BUT NOW, WE ARE BOMBARDED WITH MUCH MENTAL STRESS: ON THE JOB AND AT HOME. WE HAVE MACHINERY AND ALL KINDS OF APPLIANCES NOW, THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE OUR WORK EASIER BUT WE JUST SEEM TO “ADD-IT-ON” INSTEAD OF REST WHILE WE CAN.

SOME YEARS BACK, I HAD AN ILLNESS, THAT REQUIRED MUCH REST AND SLEEP.  I QUICKLY NOTICED HOW THE NAPS I WAS TAKING WERE HEALING. IWAS WEARING OUT MY BODY AND WAS ALL STRESSED-OUT.

SLEEP IS DEFINED AS A STATE OF COMPLETE OR PARTIAL UNCONSCIOUSNESS.

IN THE SCRIPTURES, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 21 REFERENCES, AND MAYBE MORE, REFERRING TO SLEEP OR THE LACK OF IT.

SLEEP IS DESCRIBED AS SLUMBER IN PROVERBS 6:4,10.          PROVERBS 3:24, IT IS DESCRIBED AS SWEET – WHEN THOU LIEST DOWN, THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID: YEA, THOU SHALT LIE DOWN, AND THY SLEEP SHALL BE SWEET. HERE, IT SAYS…THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID…

SO WE MUST ASSUME, FEAR KEEPS SOME FROM HAVING SWEET SLEEP.

VERSE 25 – BE NOT AFFRAID OF SUDDEN FEAR , NEITHER OF THE DESOLATION OF THE WICKED, WHEN IT COMETH; AND VERSE 26 READS –  FOR THE LORD SHALL BE THY CONFIDENCE, AND SHALL KEEP THY FOOT FROM BEING TAKEN.

MANY PEOPLE ARE PARALIZED WITH FEAR, AND FEAR BRINGS WITH IT TORMENT. WE ARE TOLD IN THE BIBLE, THAT FEAR IS A SPIRIT; IT IS A HARASSING DEMON THAT KEEPS PEOPLE FROM BEING AT PEACE SO THEY CAN’T ENJOY A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.

SOMETIMES GOD USES THE LACK OF SLEEP FOR HIS PURPOSE:               IN DANIEL 8:18, DANIEL WAS GIVEN A PROPHETIC VISION IN HIS SLEEP: – NOW AS HE WAS SPEAKING WITH ME, I WAS IN A DEEP SLEEP ON MY FACE TOWARD THE GROUND: BUT HE TOUCHED ME ND SET ME UPRIGHT  ( OR MADE ME STAND UP).

IN DANIEL 2:1, WE SEE WHERE THE INABILITY TO SLEEP IS CAUSED BY WORRY NEBUCHADNEZZAR DREAMED DREAMS…WHEREIN HIS SPIRIT WAS TROUBLED, AND SLEEP BROKE FROM HIM (HE COULD NOT SLEEP). WORRY CAN CAUSE ANY OF US TO HAVE INSOMNIA. IN ESTHER 6:1, THE KING COULD NOT SLEEP BECAUSE GOD WANTED HIM TO READ THE BOOK OF CHRONICLES.

INTERCESSORS AND MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL, CAN’T SLEEP BECAUSE GOD HAS A PURPOSE IN MIND: MOSTLY, SO THEY CAN PRAY AND INTERCEDE ABOUT SOMETHING OR FOR SOMEONE.

PETER WAS FAST ASLEEP IN A PRISON (DUNGEON). JAMES HAD ALREADY BEEN BEHEADED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE GOSPEL, AND PETER WAS NEXT IN LINE: ACTS 12:1-11 – NOW ABOUT THAT TIME HEROD THE KING, STRETCHED FORTH HIS HANDS TO  VEX CERTAIN OF THE CHURCH. AND HE KILLED JAMES THE BROTHER OF JOHN WITH THE SWORD. AND BECAUSE HE SAW IT PLEASED THE JEWS, HE PROCEEDED FURTHER TO TAKE PETER ALSO. (THEN WERE THE DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD).  AND WHEN HE HAD APPREHENDED HIM , HE PUT HIM IN PRISON, AND DELIVERED HIM TO FOUR QUATERNIONS OF SOLDIERS TO KEEP HIM; INTENDING  AFTER EASTER (PASSOVER) TO BRING HIM FORTH TO THE PEOPLE. PETER THEREFORE WAS KEPT IN PRISON; BUT PRAYER WAS MADE WITHOUT CEASING OF THE CHURCH UNTO GOD FOR HIM. AND WHEN HEROD WOULD HAVE BROUGHT HIM FORTH, THE SAME NIGHT PETER WAS SLEEPING BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS BOUND WITH TWO CHAINS: AND THE KEEPERS BEFORE THE DOOR KEPT THE PRISON.

     AND BEHOLD, THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM, AND A LIGHT SHINED IN THE PRISON: AND HE SMOTE PETER ON THE SIDE, AND RAISED HIM UP, SAYING, ARISE UP QUICKLY. AND HIS CHAINS FELL OFF FROM HIS HANDS. AND THE ANGEL SAID UNTO HIM, GIRD THYSELF, AND BIND ON THY SANDELS. AND SO HE DID. AND HE SAITH UNTO HIM, CAST THY GARMENT ABOUT THEE, AND FOLLOW ME. AND HE WENT OUT, AND FOLLOWED HIM; AND WIST NOT THAT IT WAS TRUE WHICH WAS DONE BY THE ANGEL; BUT THOUGHT HE SAW A VISION. WHEN THEY WERE PAST THE FIRST AND SECOND WARD THEY CAME UNTO THE IRON GATE THAT LEADETH INTO THE CITY; WHICH OPENED TO THEM OF HIS OWN ACCORD. AND THEY WENT OUT, AND PASSED ON THROUGH THE STREET; AND FORTHWITH THE ANGEL DEPARTED FROM HIM. AND WHEN PETER WAS COME TO HIMSELF, HE SAID, NOW I KNOW OF A SURETY, THAT THE LORD SENT HIS ANGEL, AND HATH DELIVERED ME OUT OF THE HAND OF HEROD, AND FROM ALL THE EXPECTATION OF THE JEWS.

THIS WAS A TRYING TIME IN OUR HISTORY WHERE THE CHURCH WAS GOING THROUGH HARASSMENT AND PERSECUTION. WE FIND PETER FAST ASLEEP IN A PRISON.

BECAUSE HEROD, THE KING, SAW HOW IT PLEASED THE JEWS TO WATCH JAMES BE KILLED BY THE SWORD, THAT HE DECIDED PETER WOULD BE NEXT: AFTER THE PASSOVER.

SOMETIMES WE FIND IT HARD TO SLEEP AFTER WE HAVE PASSED THROUGH A TRIAL DURING THE DAY OR WE ATE PIZZA LATE IN THE EVENING.

THIS STORY OF PETER AMAZES ME BECAUSE PETER KNEW WHAT WAS TO TAKE PLACE THE NEXT MORNING, YET WE FIND HIM THE NIGHT BEFORE WHE WAS TO BE EXECUTED, AN A DEEP SLEEP, CHAINED BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS, AND GUARDED WELL.

HEROD’S GREAT DESIRE TO PLEASE THE PEOPLE BY GIFTS AND SHOWS OF BLOOD TO WIN THEIR FAVER, HAD BEEN FOILED. HE WAS PLANNING TO BRING PETER UP ONTO A STAGE OR SOME HIGH GROUND WHERE ALL THE PEOPLE COULD SEE HIM CONDEMNED WHICH WOULD BE AS GOOD THEM AS A GLADIATORIAL SLAUGHTER TO A ROMAN AUDIENCE.

THIS IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION WAS JUST THE RIGHT TIMING FOR A MIRACULOUS EVEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. WHEN THE BATTLE SEEMS THE HOTTEST, THE VICTORY IS USUALLY THE SWEETEST.

SUDDENLY, THE LIGHT SHOWN IN THE PRISON! THE ANGEL HAD TO AWAKE PETER OUT OF A VERY DEEP SLEEP AND RESCUE HIM AS THE SOLDIERS SLEPT ON DUTY. THIS, BY THE WAY, IS AN UNFORGIVABLE ACTION OF A SOLDIER. THIS WAS HIS DEATH WARRENT.

WHY DID PETER HAVE SUCH A CALM DEEP SLEEP ON THE NIGHT BEFORE HIS INTENDED DEATH? BECAUSE HE KNEW HE WAS IN THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD, AND KNEW IT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A BATTLE GOING ON FOR HIS LIFE. PETER LIVED WHAT HE TAUGHT THE CHURCH.

WE LEARN SWEET SLEEP AND REST FROM THESE GREAT SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS; BUT THERE IS ONE MORE WAY WE LEARN: AND THAT IS THROUGH EXPERIENCING GOD’S PROMISES THROUGH OUR BEING TESTED.

LAST NIGHT I WAS STUNG IN THREE PLACES ON MY BODY BY A SCORPION IN BED DURING MY SLEEP. THE LAST TWO STINGS CAUSED ME TO JUMP OUT OF BED AND TURN ON THE LIGHT. THERE HE WAS, A BROWN SCORPION, READY TO STING AGAIN. MY HUSBAND SOON CAPTURED MY LITTLE ENEMY, AND I WENT BACK TO BED, AFTER CHECKING FOR MORE OF HIS LITTLE SCORPION FRIENDS. —-DID THIS KEEP ME AWAKE? NO! —-I WENT BACK TO SLEEP, LEAVING MYSELF IN THE HANDS OF THE ONE WHO IS FAITHFUL: MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. 

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THE FORCES OF EVIL AND HOW THEY WORK

EVIL BEGAN WITH SATAN. WITH ADAM, SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD. MOST CHRISTIANS KNOW THIS, BUT THERE ARE THINGS WE MUST UNDERSTAND ABOUT OUR ENEMY, THAT KEEPS US FROM BEING THE BEST WE CAN FOR GOD. SATAN USES DEMONS, AND SHOWS UP HIMSELF, AT TIMES, AS WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

I DON’T MEAN HE CAN BE EVERYWHERE AT ALL TIMES LIKE GOD, BUT HIS DEMONS ARE DISPATCHED BY HIM TO FOLLOW US AROUND, TO SEE IF WE WILL OPEN THE DOOR FOR THEM TO ENTER.

BY THIS, I MEAN, WHEN WE GET IN THE FLESH,OR LOOK BACK TO THE WORLD, WE CAN TAKE A BACK-STEP INTO WHAT WE USED TO BE BEFORE SALVATION, AND BE TEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO OUR OLD CARNAL WAYS.

WHY DO YOU THINK GOD’S MINISTERS BACKSLIDE?—- MOST OF THE TIME, IT’S BECAUSE THEY GOT SO INVOLVED IN GOD’S WORK, AND THEY DON’T MAKE TIME TO SPEND  WITH THE GOD THEY SERVE.

WHY DO YOU THINK SO MANY OF THESE OCCULT RELIGIONS GET AS FAR AS THEY DO? —-THEY PRAY MANY TIMES A DAY TO THEIR FALSE god, WHICH OPENS THE DOOR FOR SATAN TO INCREASE THEIR GROWTH, AND SPREAD THEIR DOCTRINE OF ERROR. EVIL WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE END OF THE CHURCH AGE, THEN IT WILL BECOME MORE FURIOUS DURING JACOB’S TROUBLE:  THE GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS, AND WILL APPEAR AGAIN FOR A SHORT TIME, AT THE END OF THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST.

WE AS CHRISTIANS, SHOULD GUARD AGAINST, OR BE WATCHMEN, CONFRONTING EVIL.

SURPRISINGLY ENOUGH, SOMETIMES, WE AS CHRISTIANS, CAN BE INFLUENCED BY SATAN, TO DO HIS WORK.

HOW?—-HEARTS OF UNBELIEF! – HEBREWS 3:12,13 – TAKE HEED, BRETHREN, LEST THERE BE IN ANY OF YOU AND EVIL HEART OF UNBELIEF, IN DEPARTING FROM THE LIVING GOD.

          BUT EXHORT ONE ANOTHER DAILY, WHILE IT IS CALLED TODAY; LEST ANY OF YOU BE HARDENED THROUGH THE DECEITFULNESS OF SIN.

SOME BEGIN TO WANDER OFF FROM THE WORK OF GOD, AND GOD HIMSELF, WHEN THE FIREY TRIALS COME. THEY MIGHT GET CRITICIZED FOR THE WAY THEY DO THINGS AND BECOME DESPONDENT AND LOOSE THEIR VISION, INSTEAD OF TURNING IT OVER TO GOD. 

FEAR COULD ARISE, AND THEY MIGHT NEVER START WHAT GOD HAS CALLED THEM TO DO. 

WHEN WE SERVE THE LORD WITH ALL OUR HEARTS, THE TRIALS WILL COME TO TRY TO STOP GOD’S WORK. I HAVE FOUND, THROUGH EXPERIENCE, THIS IS WHEN GOD IS GETTING READY TO DO SOMETHING GREAT IN THAT WORK (THEIR VISION).

STAY WHERE YOU ARE, PRAY, PUT ON SOME WORSHIP MUSIC AND BEGIN TO WORSHP GOD AND THANK HIM FOR MOVEING IN YOUR SITUATION. WAIT, AND HE WILL. —-DON’T GIVE UP, YOU ARE ON THE BRINK OF A MIRACLE!!!!!

WE HAVE THE POWER THROUGH GOD’S WORD AND HOLY SPIRIT’S POWER OVER SATAN AND HIS DEMONS.  II CORINTHIANS 10:3-5 – FOR THOUGH WE WALK IN THE FLESH, WE DO NOT WAR AFTER THE FLESH:

(FOR THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE ARE NOT CARNAL, BUT MIGHTY THROUGH GOD THROUGH THE PULLING DOWN OF STRONGHOLDS;)

 CASTING DOWN IMAGINATIONS, AND EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTETH ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST;

MATTHEW 16:19 –   AND I WILL GIVE UNTO THEE THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: AND WHATSOEVER THOU SHALT BIND ON EARTH SHALL BE BOUND IN HEAVEN: AND WHATSOEVER THOU SHALT LOOSE ON EARTH SHALL BE LOOSED IN HEAVEN.

THERE IS SO MUCH POWER IN USING THE WORD OF GOD IN YOUR BATTLES. THEY ARE NOT REALLY YOUR BATTLES, BECAUSE THE BATTLE BELONGS TO GOD; BUT WE ARE TOLD OT BIND AND LOOSE THOSE POWERS THAT ARE COMING AGAINST US AND OPERATING THROUGH OTHERS AROUND US; AND USING THEM THEM TO COME AGAINT US AND OUR VISION, AND GOD WILL IN TURN BIND AND LOOSING THOSE THINGS FROM OUT OF HEAVEN.

THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S!!

 HE JUST WANTS US TO GET INVOLVED BY PRAYING HIS WORD, AND BELIEVING HIM TO TAKE CHARGE.

DON’T GIVE UP!! YOU’RE ON THE BRINK OF A MIRACLE!!

 

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CONTENTMENT

JAMES 1:6-8 – BUT LET HIM ASK IN FAITH, NOTHING WAVERING. FOR HE THAT WAVERETH IS LIKE A WAVE OF THE SEA DRIVEN WITH THE WIND AND TOSSED.

          FOR LET NOT THAT MAN THINK THAT HE SHALL RECEIVE ANYTHING OF THE LORD.

          A DOUBLE MINDED MAN IS UNSTABLE IN ALL HIS WAYS.

PRAYER IS NOT REAL UNLESS IT IS THE EXPRESSION OF FAITH. IT MUST ISSUE FROM A “LIVING SOURCE WITHIN THE WILL,” AND BE INSPIRED BY PERFECT CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S READINESS TO HELP.

THERE IS SO MUCH UNBELIEF IN THIS DAY AND TIME ON THE SUBJECT OF PRAYER! THE SCIENTIFIC TONE-DOWN OF THIS AGE MERELY ALLOWS A MAN TO PRAY TO GOD , “IF THERE IS A GOD—–TO SAVE HIS SOUL,—– IF HE HAS A SOUL.”

AND THE FORCIBLE WORDS OF JAMES, IN THESE THREE VERSES, SUGGEST—-THAT STILL, IN THE CASE OF VERY MANY CHRISTIANS, AN IMPERFECT FAITH IN GOD’S READINESS TO RESPOND TO THEIR PRAYERS, IS ONE OF THE GREATEST DEFECTS OF THEIR SPIRITUAL LIVE.

WE OFTEN SPEAK OF EVIDENT ANSWERS TO PRAYERS AS UNUSUAL, AND —-WHEN THEY DO OCCUR—-AS REMARKABLE!!

THE GIFT OF WISDOM IS PROMISED ONLY TO HIM WHO ASKS IT WITH A STEADY FAITH, AND WHO MANIFESTS THE REALITY OF HIS FAITH BY A LIFE OF CONSISTENT PURPOSE.

GOD, OUR FATHER, DEMANDS THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS CHILDREN. “NOTHING DOUBTING” SHOULD BE THE CHRISTIAN’S MOTTO IN PRAYER. THE PETITIONS SHOULD NOT SHIFT BACKWARDS AND FORWARD BETWEEN FAITH AND DOUBT, LIKE A TUMBLING BILLOW OF THE SEA. HE MUST NOT SWING LIKE A PENDULUM BETWEEN CHEERFUL CONFIDENCE AND DARK SUSPICION. 

IT MUST BE FIXED PERSUASION THAT GOD IS, AND THAT HE IS A HEARER OF PRAYER. WE MUST EXPECT ANSWER TO OUR REQUEST.

IT IS THE MEN AND WOMEN WITHIN WHOM FAITH IS THE DOMINATE POWER WHO TAKE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BY FORCE. GOD IS SIMPLICITY HIMSELF, AND HE GIVES WITH SIMPLICITY: SO HE HAS NO SYMPATHY WITH AN UNSTABLE DOUBLE MINDED SOUL. 

A MIND THAT IS “WISHY-WASHY” IN IT’S CHOICE, WILL BE PRONE IN THE END TO FAIL IN BOTH OF THE PURPOSES BETWEEN WHICH IT HAS HESITATED.

IT IS LIKE A “SPLIT PERSONALITY,” PART OF HIM WANTS TO BELIEVE, WHILE PART OF HIM DOES NOT. HE IS UNRELIABLE ABOUT EVERYTHING HE THINKS, FEELS, AND DECIDES (V. 8).

TEMPORARY EMOTIONS ARE NOT RELIGION OR GODLINESS.

STEADFAST FAITH,  AND THAT ALONE, WILL GIVE A MAN OR WOMAN, SINGLENESS OF EYE, MAKE HIM OR HER STRONG TO KEEP HOLD OF THE COVENANT, AND DRAW DOWN UPON HIM, THE RICHEST BLESSINGS  OF GOSPEL GRACE.

THERE IS A SECRET TO CONTENTMENT.  IT IS A RARE AND PRECIOUS CHRISTIAN GRACE. 

IT IS A QUIET RESTFULNESS IN THE MIDST OF ALL KINDS OF CHANGING EVENTS.

IT IS A GRAND ACCOMPLISHMENT TO BE ABLE TO ADAPT TO, AND BEHAVE ONE’S SELF IN EVERY STATE OF FULLNESS OR NEED.

CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN BRING US TO THIS PLACE OF CONTENTMENT.

HE ENABLES US TO  LIVE IN FAITH, BELIEVING, THAT EVEN NOW, ALL THINGS ARE ORDERED WISELY AND KINDLY BY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, THAT THEY ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR GOOD NOT YET SEEN.

THEY ARE WORKING FOR US A MORE EXCEEDING AND ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY, SO WE LEARN TO BEAR THE PRESENT MYSTERY OF TRIAL, IN HOPE OF THE FUTURE REVELATION OF BLESSEDNESS.

CHRIST LEADS US TO LIVE IN THE SPIRITUAL.

THIS IS THE REAL SECRET.

EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING.

AT THEIR BEST, THEY WILL NOT SATISFY THE SOUL’S DEEP HUNGER.

WHILE WE LIVE IN THOSE CHANGES , WE ARE OFTEN DISAPPOINTED AND DISCONTENTED.

BUT BY RESTING IN GOD, WE WILL BE CONTENT IN EVERY VARIETY OF EARTHLY AFFAIRS.

PHILIPPIANS 4:19, 23 – BUT MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS.

          THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU ALL.  AMEN.

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DON’T STOP SHORT OF OF THE PROMISE

NUMBERS 13: 30-33  AND CALEB STILLED THE PEOPLE BEFORE MOSES, AND SAID LET US GO UP AT ONCE, AND POSSESS IT; FOR WE ARE ABLE TO OVERCOME IT.

BUT THE MEN THAT WENT UP WITH HIM SAID, WE BE NOT ABLE TO GO UP AGAINEST THE PEOPLE; FOR THEY ARE STRONGER THAN WE.

AND THEY BROUGHT UP AND EVIL REPORT OF THE LAND WHICH THEY HAD SEARCHED UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, SAYING, THE LAND, THROUGH WHICH WE HAVE GONE TO SEARCH IT, IS LAND THAT EATETH UP THE INHABITANTS THEROF; AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WE SAW IN IT  ARE MEN OF GREAT STATURE.

AND THERE WE SAW THE GAINTS, THE SONS OF ANAK, WHICH COME OF THE GAINTS; AND WE WERE IN OUR OWN SIGHT AS GRASSHOPPERS, AND SO WE WERE IN THEIR SIGHT.

THE  HARDEST MILE TO RUN IN A MARATHON RACE IS THE LAST MILE.

HERE WE SEE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, WHO SAW THE JUDGEMENT OF GOD COME ON PHARAOH. THEY SAW THE POWER OF GOD MANIFEST IN SIGNS AND WONDERS.

THEY SAW JEHOVAH GOD, PART THE RED SEA AND BRING THEM ACROSS ON DRY GROUND.

BUT AT THE ENTRANCE INTO THE PROMISED LAND THEY STOPPED SHORT.

THEY WERE AT THE DOOR AND GAVE UP.

FEAR AND UNBELIEF CAUSED THEM TO SEE THEMSELVES UNABLE TO ENTER INTO THE PROMISE.

JESUS NEVER PROMISED IT WOULD BE EASY TO OBEY HIM.

HE NEVER PROMISED THAT WE  WOULD NOT FACE GAINTS IN THE LAND.

THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DID TO MUCH THINKING AND TALKING ABOUT WHAT THEY SAW, INSTEAD OF WHAT GOD SAID.

GOD NEVER USED THE WORD FAILURE, FEAR, UNBELIEF. GOD HAD THE GRACE AVAILABLE, HE HAD ANGELS THERE TO HELP.

SAMSON KILLED ONE THOUSAND PHILISTINES WITH A JAWBONE OF A DONKEY.

GIDEON CONQUERED THE ENEMY WITH A SMALL ARMY.

HOW DID THESE THINGS HAPPEN? IF GOD BE FOR YOU WHO CAN BE AGAINEST YOU.

I HAVE RUN MANY RACES FOLLOWING GOD’S WILL AND PURPOSE, THE LAST MILE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE PLACE THE DEVIL TRIED TO GET ME TO GIVE UP. JUST BEFORE THE FINISH OF SOMETHING THE DEVIL WILL THROW THE BIGGEST DEVILS AT YOU.

HE WILL TRY FEAR, DISCOURAGEMENT, DISAPPOINTMENTS, REJECTION FROM PEOPLE, CRITICISM. YOUR VISION WILL BE QUESTIONED BY OTHERS. YOUR MOTIVATES WILL BE QUESTIONED, AND IF THE DEVIL GETS REAL MAD, YOUR CHARACTER WILL EVEN BE QUESTIONED.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS AND THE MISSION YOU ARE ON, DON’T TRY TO JUSTIFY YOUR CALL FROM GOD.

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE PROMISES FROM GOD, TO TAKE YOU TO VICTORY WILL KEEP YOUR VISION ALIVE AND YOU WILL NOT GIVE UP RUNNING THE LAST MILE.

REMEMBER THE LAST MILE IS WHERE MOST PEOPLE GIVE UP. DON’T LOOK BACK, DON’T LOOK AT THE SPECTATORS.

DON’T LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF THE  QUITTERS, THEY QUIT AT THE LAST MILE AND THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO FINISH AND ENTER INTO THE PROMISES.

HABAKKUK 2;3  FOR THE VISION IS FOR AND APPOINTED TIME, BUT AT THE END IT SHALL SPEAK, AND NOT LIE; THOUGH IT TARRY, WAIT FOR IT; BECAUSE IT WILL SURELY COME, IT WILL NOT TARRY.

IT HAS SURLY COME, WE ARE THE GENERATION OF HARVEST, HOLINESS, AND SIGNS AND WONDERS.

SAINTS AROUND THE WORLD ARE UNDER ATTACK, THE ENEMY IS TRYING TO STOP US AT THE LAST MILE OF THE RACE.

I REFUSE TO GIVE UP, THROUGH THE STRENGHT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE WORD OF GOD.

GRACE SHALL CARRY ME TO THE FINISH LINE.

 

 

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THE SLEEPING PRIEST

1 SAMUEL  3:1-14   AND THE CHILD SAMUEL MINISTERED UNTO  THE LORD BEFORE ELI. AND THE WORD OF THE LORD WAS PRECIOUS IN THOSE DAYS: THERE WAS NO OPEN VISION.

AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME, WHEN ELI WAS LAID DOWN IN HIS PLACE, AND HIS EYES BEGAN TO WAX DIM, THAT HE COULD NOT SEE.

AND ERE THE LAMP OF GOD WENT OUT IN THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD, WHERE THE ARK OF GOD WAS, AND SAMUEL WAS LAID DOWN TO SLEEP.

AND THE LORD CALLED SAMUEL: AND HE ANSWERED, HERE I AM.

AND HE RAN UNTO ELI, AND SAID, HERE AM I; FOR THOU CALLEST ME, AND HE SAID, I CALLED NOT: LIE DOWN AGAIN, AND HE WENT AND LAY DOWN.

AND THE LORD CALLED YET AGAIN, SAMUEL AND SAMUEL AROSE  AND WENT TO ELI, AND SAID, HERE AM I; FOR THOU DIDST CALL ME. AND HE ANSWERED, I CALLED NOT, MY SON; LIE DOWN AGAIN.

NOW SAMUEL DID NOT YET KNOW THE LORD, NEITHER WAS THE WORD OF THE LORD YET REVEALED UNTO HIM.

AND THE LORD CALLED SAMUEL  AGAIN THE THIRD TIME, AND HE AROSE AND WENT TO ELI, AND SAID HERE AM I, FOR THOU DIDST CALL ME, AND ELI PERCEIVED THAT THE LORD HAD CALLED THE CHILD.

THEREFORE ELI SAID UNTO SAMUEL, GO, LIE DOWN: AND IT SHALL BE, IF HE CALL THEE, THAT THOU SHALT SAY, SPEAK, LORD; FOR THY SERVANT HEARETH, SO SAMUEL WENT AND LAY DOWN IN HIS PLACE.

AND THE LORD CAME, AND STOOD, AND CALLED AS AT OTHER TIMES, SAMUEL, SAMUEL, THEN SAMUEL ANSWERED, SPEAK; FOR THY SERVANT HEARETH.

AND THE LORD SAID TO SAMUEL, BEHOLD, I WILL DO A THING IN ISRAEL, AT WHICH BOTH THE EARS OF EVERY ONE THAT HEARETH IT SHALL TINGLE.

IN THAT DAY I WILL PERFORM AGAINEST ELI ALL THINGS WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN CONCERNING HIS HOUSE: WHEN I BEGIN, I WILL ALSO, MAKE AND END.

FOR I HAVE TOLD HIM THAT I WILL JUDGE HIS HOUSE FOR EVER FOR THE INQUITY WHICH HE KNOWETH; BECAUSE HIS SONS MADE THEMSELVES VILE, AND HE RESTRAINED THEM NOT.

AND THEREFORE I HAVE SWORN UNTO THE HOUSE OF ELI, THAT THE INQUITY OF ELI’S HOUSE SHALL NOT BE PURGED WITH SACRIFICE NOR OFFERING FOR EVER.

THIS LOOK’S LIKE THE CHURCH IN AMERICA, THERE IS ANOTHER GOSPEL BEING PREACHED IN AMERICA. IT IS A SOFT GOSPEL OF NO REPENTANCE.

JOHN THE BAPTIST PREACHED REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND.

JESUS PREACHED REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS PRESENT.

JESUS PREACHED TO MOST OF THE CHURCHS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION REPENT.

JESUS SAID HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO THE CHURCHS.

TODAY MANY LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF THE FLESH, AND THE FALSE PROPHETS SAY OF THE CHURCH TODAY, I AM RICH AND INCREASED WHIT GOODS AND ARE IN NEED OF NOTHING.

AMERICA NEEDS A REVIVAL OF REPENTANCE, WE LOOK FOR PREACHERS WITHOUT THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO KNOWS HOW TO PLAY GOLF AND TALK SPORTS.

THE WORD OF THE LIVING GOD ANOINTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IS RARE TODAY EVEN ON TELEVISION.

WE ENJOY MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS TO STIRR OUR FLESH.

IN ELI’S DAY THE WORD OF GOD WAS RARE, VISIONS WERE INFREQUENT.

ELI WAS IN HIS PLACE, BUT HE WAS LYING DOWN.

HIS SPIRITUAL EYES HAD GROWN DIM.

ELI HAD LAID DOWN THE WORD, HIS EYES WERE DIM, WHEN GOD TRIED TO SPEAK, HE SPOKE TO SAMUEL NOT ELI.

ELI HAD TRAINED SAMUEL RELIGIOUS CERMONY BUT NOT HOW TO HEAR GOD.

THATS WHAT PREACHERS WHO COME OUT OF UNIVERSITYS, AND DONT KNOW HOW TO HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD, THEY DONT KNOW HOW TO TRAIN OTHERS HOW TO HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD.

WHEN YOU LAY DOWN THAT WHICH IS PRECIOUS, YOUR SPIRITUAL SIGHT GROWS DIM. YOUR VISION IS BLURRED, THEY BECOME FLESH PEOPLE WITH RELIGIOUS MIND SET.

THE LAMP GOES OUT, THERE IS NO ANOINTING, JESUS REDEEMS US, WITH THIS COMES RESPONABILITY TO KEEP THE LAMP BURNING. THE LAMP IS NOT SUPPOSE TO GO OUT. WE ARE TO KEEP OIL IN OUR LAMP.

ELI WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE VISION AND REVELATION, BUT HE WAS DISOBEDIENT, AND SPIRITUALLY LAZY. HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY NOT RELATIONSHIP OR OBEDIENCE.

THINGS OF GOD HAD BECOME COMMON TO ELI.

DAVID ALSO GOT TO THIS PLACE. HE TRIED TO MOVE THE ARK WITH A PRAISE AND WORSHIP TEAM, MUSIC AND SHOUTING. DAVID DIDNT SEEK GOD’S WAY BUT MOVED THE ARK ON A NEW CART. DEATH CAME TO HIS EFFORT, CONFUSION AND FEAR, STOPPED DAVID.

THEN DAVID SOUGHT THE LORD, DAVID HAD TO GO TO THE WORD TO GET IT RIGHT.

NUMBERS AND NOISE DOESNT MEAN GOD APPROVES OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING.

I LIKE NUMBERS AND I LIKE NOISE, BUT I WANT A PASSION FOR THE ONE I AM PRAISING, I MUST LEARN HIS WAYS , DEVELOPE HIS NATURE AND CHARACTER IN ME, FIND HIS PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE AND OBEY HIM IN HOLY LIVING.

ELI’S FIRE HAD GONE OUT, NO ATTENTION TO THE NEED OF OIL.

NO MORE SPEAKING FOR GOD, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SPEAKING TO GOD.

ELI DIDNT EVEN UNDERSTAND THE ANOINTING ON HANNAH, HE THOUGHT SHE WAS DRUNK.

SAMUEL DON’T KNOW GOD, AND GOD TRIES TO SPEAK TO HIM, ITS LIKE THE BLIND LEADING THE BLIND.

YOU CAN’T GIVE TO OTHERS WHAT YOU DON’T POSSESS. GOD SPOKE TO SAMUEL THREE TIMES.

FINALLY ELI REALIZED IT WAS GOD SPEAKING TO SAMUEL.

GOD TOLD SAMUEL I’M GOING TO DO A NEW THING IN ISRAEL.

WHEN GOD DOES A NEW THING HE JUDGES THE OLD.

GOD JUDGED EGYPT BEFORE HE MOVED ISRAEL TOWARD THE PROMISED LAND.

GOD JUDGED SAUL WHEN HE RAISED UP DAVID.

GOD JUDGED THE PHARISEES WHEN HE RAISED UP JESUS.

SOMETIMES WE WANT SOMETHING NEW FROM THE LORD, BUT WE HAVEN’T BEEN FAITHFUL IN OUR PRESENT ASSIGNMENT.

THE CHURCH WANTS A NEW MOVE OF GOD, BUT THEY HAVEN’T BEEN FAITHFUL IN THEIR PRESENT ASSIGNMENT. WE ARE SUPPOSE TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, BUT WE HAVE TRIED TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF OUR SUPER STAR PREACHERS. THEREFORE PEOPLE HAVE THE CHARACTER OF THEIR PREACHERS, INSTEAD OF THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST OUR KING.

I AM NOT A PROPHET, BUT WHEN GOD BEGANS TO TELL OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT OUR SINS LIKE HE DID ELI, JUDGEMENT IS ABOUT TO COME.

IT GOT TO THE PLACE WITH ELI HE WAS NOT LISTENING, GOD RAISED UP A SAMUEL. GOD TOLD SAMUEL WHAT HE HAD SPOKEN TO ELI ABOUT AND HOW HE WAS GOING TO JUDGE HIM AND HIS HOUSE.

HE TOLD SAMUEL ABOUT ELI’S SINS, HIS REBELLION AND THE JUDGEMENT COMING.

THE AXE IS ABOUT TO FALL ON AMERICA, AND IT IS BECAUSE WE AS CHRISTIANS HAVE GONE TO SLEEP CONCERNING RIGHTEOUSNESS AND RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS.

ITS NOT THE JUDGES FAULT NOR THE POLITICIAN, ALLTHOUGH  GOD WILL JUDGE THEM FOR THEIR DECISIONS, ITS OUR FAULT FOR LACK OF PRAYER AND POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, TO STOP SATAN.

REVIVAL IS AMERICA’S ONLY HOPE.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY HAS TAKE OVER MAINLINE  DENOMINATIONS. SIN RULES IN THEIR LEADERSHIP.  LEADERS WHO DONT’ KNOW CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOUR. THEY RULE THROUGH SATANIC AUTHORITY AND DENY THE AUTHORITY OF THE WORD OF GOD.

THEY CALL GOOD EVIL AND EVIL GOOD, THEY DO SOCIAL WORK BUT NO WORK OF THE CROSS.

I THANK THE LORD FOR THE REVIVAL GOING ON IN MOBILE ,ALABAMA. I HOPE THIS REVIVAL SPREADS AROUND THE WORLD.

2CHRONICLES 7:14 IF MY PEOPLE WHICH IS CALLED BY MY NAME, SHALL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY, AND SEEK MY FACE, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS; THEN WILL I HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN, AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND.

HOW AMERICA NEEDS A HEALING IN OUR LAND. AFTER 9-11 OUR LEADERS PRAYED ON THE CAPITOL STEPS AND YET WE CAN’T PRAY IN OUR SCHOOLS IN JESUS NAME. THEY SANG GOD BLESS AMERICA. GOD HAS ALREADY BLESSED AMERICA, AMERICA NEEDS TO BLESS GOD WHIT REPENTANCE.

I THOUGHT AFTER 9-11 WE WOULD HAVE REVIVAL, BUT THE CHURCHS FILLED UP FOR ABOUT THIRTY DAYS AND THEN IT WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I THOUGHT IF THERE IS A RECESSION, PEOPLE WILL COME BACK TO GOD. BUT THAT DIDN’T WORK EITHER.

AMERICA WHAT WILL IT TAKE?

 

   

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DON’T WORRY

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS  SON JESUS, GOD BLESS YOU THIS DAY BE HAPPY GOD LOVES YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME OF THE MESSAGE GOD GAVE ME FOR THE PRISON SERVICE WE HAD LAST NIGHT IN COLUMBIA, S.C.. PRAISE GOD MANY SOULS WERE SAVED AND SET FREE FROM WORRY AND ANXIETY . GOD IS OUR SOURCE ALWAYS .

HE SAID HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE  US HIS WORD IS TRUTH  WITH HIS GREAT POWER.

MATT: 6:25_34 – GOD IS AWARE THAT WE HAVE THESE NEEDS IN OUR LIFE, BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS: AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.

IF YOU HAVE WORRY IN YOUR LIFE IT PRODUCES FEAR. GOD DID NOT GIVE US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR BUT OF LOVE, POWER  AND A SOUND MIND.  PRAISE HIS MIGHTY NAME.  THINK ON THESE AND ASK GOD TO GIVE YOU PEACE. PUT ON THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD.  IN EPHESIANS 6:13-18 –   PUT ON THE HELMET OF SALVATION, SO THE ENEMY CANNOT COME AT YOUR MIND;  THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT,WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD; AND PRAYING ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION IN THE SPIRIT.

CURE WORRY WITH PRAYER, PERMIT THE PEACE OF GOD TO KEEP YOUR HEART AND MIND.   HAVE FAITH IN GOD, RENOUNCE ALL WORRY.

READ PHILIPPIANS: 4:5-8  PHILIPPIANS 4:7  – AND THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING, SHALL KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.

LET’S PRAY ABOUT THIS MATTER. FATHER I ASK THAT YOU GIVE ME THIS PEACE THAT YOUR WORD SPEAKS ABOUT, I RENOUNCE WORRY IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN

GOD BLESS YOU

THE SERVANT OF THE LORD

EVANGELIST RICK BAGWELL 

 

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