Abide In Him. His Word Abides In Me

One of my most difficult struggles in my walk with God is, Why does God heal one and not others...like me? I felt many times that my faith was strong, and that my healing would happen, but it didn't. I was so disappointed. I trusted God (at least I thought I did at the time) for 3 years to heal my body, but it never happened and I let fear enter in, so I turned to the doctor, believing his report instead of God's and had the surgery. I try not to let my decision then, mess up my faith in God now, as far as His healing department, but it's hard. I feel that decision set me back in my walk with God. But since then, I've been searching for answers and God is showing me many things that have helped me understand.  God spoke to me through this Scripture:

John 15:7 “If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you”

Wow! Powerful Scripture, huh? Why then when I get prayed for, for healing in my body, it doesn't happen? The key words in the Scripture? Abide. Abide in Him and His Word Abides in me!

Abide means to stay, remain.

We must remain in Him. Daily communication. A relationship. And His Word must stay or remain in us. Especially when storms come. But it seems we allow the word to be stolen from our hearts when tribulation comes. That is why we don't receive.

The number one thing that we must believe is that God wants us well. He does not want anyone sick. He is not a respecter of persons and just like the other healings we have seen happen to other people, He also wants to happen to us!

You see, we have spoken words contrary to God's Word for years, so it will take time to renew our minds and develop faith in our own words as well as God's Word. The things that we continually confess becomes a part of us.

It is true that God has provided healing for us through His Word, but we must learn to appropriate that healing by making the Word a part of our daily vocabulary. What are we speaking concerning our health issue, after believing and receiving our healing?

There are numerous Scriptures in God's Word that shows us how important it is what we allow to come out of our mouths. Just read Proverbs. It mentions a lot about the tongue. One being that Death and Life is in the power of the tongue. Also our tongue can be a snare to us.  If we are taught properly and by practicing our faith, we can grow to a point where it will be a common thing for us to receive healing through the Word of God. But it doesn't happen overnight. It takes time to develop our faith, so if we have a life and death situation where the doctor says we need surgery immediately or we are going to die – in other words, the disease has a head start on our faith – then it is advised that we have the surgery and believe God for a quick recovery.

Operating in the principles of God's Word isn't easy. It takes discipline and commitment. It is not good enough to just read the confessions but we must confess God's Word audibly over our body 2-3 times a day just as you would do when taking a medication. God's Word is medicine to our body. We receive it in our spirit sooner by hearing ourselves speak it instead of somebody else.

In my own personal situation about 4 years ago, I gave in to having surgery, not only because of fear, but God showed me some other things of why I did not receive my healing:

Misguided Faith – I was 'believing' God for a healing which actually meant I was waiting on God to heal me; I was 'hoping' He would heal me, which is misguided faith. I actually needed to not only believe it but RECEIVE that healing, knowing it is already done! By His Stripes We WERE Healed. (I Peter 2:24) I was actually believing for a progressive healing. Instead I should have believed and received it and continued to speak God's Word concerning healing. But I know that there were times I misspoke.

The Lord will meet us where our faith is, but His best is now. “Now Faith is” (Heb. 11:1) Faith must believe that God is (Heb 11:6), not that He was or is going to be. Faith is now! We have to aggressively take the authority God has given us and bring that healing into manifestation

The Forgotten Key – I had forgotten the Key, the authority that was given to me by God to lock out anything that tried to enter my body. My body is the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 6:19) and I also have the authority to evict anything that has managed to slip past the door of my mind through doubt or fear and taken up residency in my body that I had allowed to remain.

Relationship – I have a lot of knowledge in my head and I know intellectually that by the stripes of Jesus I am healed, but I needed to know this in my heart. I was having trouble with it. “God, I want to know you. I want to know your Word.” I needed to know that He did this for ME! “God, I want to know YOU!” I needed to know THE GOD of the Word instead of just the Word of God! This can only come by relationship, spending time in prayer, praying in the spirit, and meditating on His Word Daily. Abiding in Him and His Word Abiding in Me! Then anything I ask, I will have! We need to let the Word of God paint a picture for us of who God is and through that revelation have fellowship with Him and know Him. Get that revelation of who He is to YOU personally. The Lord told me that whenever I have a difficult time believing, it's because I doubt His Love for me. HE LOVES US!!

Be Prepared – I had neglected to apply myself to the Word like I should have been doing. We can't wait for the storm to hit and THEN build the house! We're in big trouble if we do. The storm may be too severe and we'll need to run to the neighbors who are prepared and weather the storm there. We need help to survive, wait until the storm is over and start establishing ourselves in the Word, by confessing the Word.

Understand though that confessing the Word does not make it happen. We are not creating it. We are not making God do anything. It's already been done. It's present in the spiritual realm, but doing no good for us until it's brought to the physical realm which is done by us believing, receiving and speaking it.

Warfare - There are times when we're doing what we know to do, but realize that something is there hindering the manifestation. There is a warfare going on that can only be taken care of through prayer and fasting. Keep in mind though that Prayer and Fasting does not move God. It moves YOU! If your body has controlled you for a number of years, and you've been giving it all that it wants and then suddenly decide to attempt to be rid of that control, a warfare erupts! The flesh is not going to give up easy! The devil is not going to give up easy! He's had you for a long time! But now...you know what needs to be done. You just draw on the spirit man to sustain you. You start living off the spirit man and it will take your focus off the physical realm. It is the same with prayer. If you focus your attention on the spirit man through prayer, fasting, studying the Word, etc, it becomes more real to you than the physical. You'll reach a place in God where what He says is more true than anything you can see. That is the way a victorious Christian walks. Make it a priority to never remove the Armor of God (Ephesians 6) that He provides for us. And do not give up! Keep believing!

Harboring unforgiveness in your heart towards someone for whatever reason can also hinder you receiving your healing. Ask God to bring to remembrance of anyone you need to forgive in your heart.

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

We Have Hope In The Waiting

Don't Hate The Wait

Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His Word, do I hope.”

We all have something that we have been waiting on God to answer. You need a healing? Salvation for your children? A financial need? Whatever it may be, we find that the seasons of waiting can be some of the hardest seasons. It is so difficult not to get impatient and go ahead of God. It can be tough in “God's Waiting Room”.

In Hebrews 11, which we refer to as the Faith chapter, there are many mentioned who graduated from “faith university”. Many who waited: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab...to name a few. In verse 36-39 it mentions that there were some who..." having received a good report through faith, waited yet received not the promise".

If you read Psalm 6 and Psalm 13, you can see how David became impatient with the waiting. But you see, it's okay like David, to “lament to God” about the wait. It's okay to “ask how long”. If you're there in "the waiting room" and growing weary, Pray what David prayed. Pray the Word. When you pray the Word, you can be sure you are praying the will of God. Cry the tears. But when you get up, be sure your trust and faith is steadfast.

The one thing we need to be careful of is not to fall prey to the danger of the waiting. Because you see, with John, it was a different story. In Matthew 11, John questions, is Jesus really who he says he is or should we send for another? Jesus is healing MANY, yet John remains captive, growing weary in waiting. And Jesus sends a message back to him in verse 6, “Blessed is he who is not offended in me”. You see, it was complaining, that David did, but it was the danger of the offense in the waiting that Jesus sensed coming through John's question. You noticed that Jesus healed MANY, not all. So I am sure that there were many standing by waiting, yet He passed them by, healing the person next to them. Doesn't seem fair, does it? BUT...God always has a plan.

In Matthew 13, we read about the Parable of the Sower. In verse 21, the seed (Word) is sown on a stony heart, does not take root, it dureth for awhile, but when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended.

You see … Life, time and circumstances try to overtake during the waiting. We get impatient because we don't see anything happen. We start to feel like God isn't even hearing us. We can even begin questioning if what He says is really true. That is where the danger lies, “in the waiting”. We become offended towards God because He is doing this and that for someone else but not for us. Please be careful! Don't let the danger of the waiting overtake you to the point you develop an offense toward God.

Hebrews 12:12-13 “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down; and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you; and thereby many be defiled.”

Pray, lament to God. Cry the tears, but get back up still believing and with the attitude of “Thou he slay me, yet I trust in him”. Job 13:15

We must remember that we have HOPE in the waiting........and GOD HAS A PLAN.

 I Have Hope

Psalm 33:20 "We wait in hope for the Lord. He is our help and our shield".

We are all familiar with Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end.” (8615)

Let me share a little bit here from Strong's Concordance.

Expected End - 8615 tiqvah from 6960; lit. a cord (as an attachment - comp. 6961); fig. Expectancy: - expectation, hope, live, thing that I long for.

6960 to bind together, to expect, gather (together), look patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon)

6961 a measuring cord (as if for binding)

Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His Word, do I hope.”

Hope - 3176 primitive root; to wait; by impl. To be patient, hope: - (cause to, have, make to) hope, be pained, stay, tarry, trust, wait.

Now I want to share about Rahab. Read her story in Joshua 2:15-18

In Joshua 2:21 take notice that this verse of what Rahab said, is similar to what Mary said to the angel when he told her she was going to have a child (Jesus) verse 21 - “And she (Rahab) said, according unto your words, so be it”, she sent them away, they departed. She bound the scarlet line in the window. (she activated her hope)

Luke 1:38 Mary said, “behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed. She agreed with the Word, establishing that fact upon the earth, and it came into being. The Word of God came into Mary, and said, “it will be so” and Mary received it by saying, Let it be done.

That is why it is important what we speak, during our waiting. And definitely speaking and declaring His Word is speaking the will of God.

It is important to speak His Word back to Him (praying the Word) because we have that promise in Isaiah 55:10,11 that His Word will not return void but will accomplish what it's sent forth to do.

As we learned in Strong's Concordance, the Greek word Tiqvah is Hope. And Hope is a whole lot more than just wishful thinking. It's not just a state of mind. It's a covenant He has made with us. We may wait and may even die before seeing the promise, but if we will “hang our cord out” for all to see, no matter the ridicule, if we may not see the promise, know that there is a new world coming and we will be a part of it.

This is where it gets exciting. The Scarlet cord means HOPE. Rahab was to hang out the cord from the window. That Cord was her line of hope!

God gives us Hope but we have our own responsibility as Rahab did. She put the cord out and her family was saved. It took her act of believing, and trusting and standing on the promises. Visibly and physically, it took a physical act of displaying (the cord) her hope to any who cared to see.

Her acquaintances and loved ones saw the cord and had no clue what it was or why she was doing it but she did it anyway. She knew that the cord was not just a nice gesture. She knew it was a matter of life and death. That red cord either meant the end or beginning of her lineage. It either meant end or death OR hope and a future.

We don't know how long she waited. We don't know how many came in to her home and was saved.

The red cord activated her hope. Her promise. The cord did not mean that war was not going to come. War came. It meant though that her household was saved. It didn't mean that she was going to escape the circumstances of war, but it meant that she would be counted worthy to suffer in His lineage and His bloodline.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Tribulation is going to come but take heart for He has overcome the world!

Tiqvah (hope) doesn't mean it will happen because we “will it” to happen. It just means that when we connect with it and we declare it and we activate it and audibly claim His promises, and join with His Hope, we join with an eternal future, and the bloodline and lineage of Jesus.

Once you get the revelation of HOPE, doubt cannot stay. Stress is no longer allowed. We have a guaranteed investment of His Promises.

There might be something that you've been waiting on for a very long time and you feel God has forgotten you. He hasn't. He knows. (Psalm 139) He knows you. He knows where you are at. He knows what you are going through.

He offers you HOPE, but you have to activate it! Live by faith, not by sight. Trust the word even when you don't see the promise. Activate your portion of the promise!

Here are several Hope Scriptures for you to read and hide in your heart, daily praying back to God.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end.

Job 6:8 Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant me the thing that I long for. (hope for)

Psalm 9:18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, the expectation (the hope) of the poor shall not perish forever.

Psalm 71:5 For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.

Proverbs 24:14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off

Lamentations 3:22-26 22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

Psalm 62:5 My soul wait thou only upon God, my expectation (my hope) is from him

Zechariah 9:12 Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;
Jeremiah 31:17 And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

vs 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

We have a scarlet cord (hope) of eternal promise! Our Hope! An Expected End! A Hopeful Future!

The answer is not in what you see, feel or wish for, but our hope is what has been declared in His Word from the foundation of the world.

Let me ask you this: What if the healing never comes? What if you die before you see your children come to God? What if life circumstances are rough and you aren't seeing things getting better? Are you still going to serve Him? Why do you serve God, for what He can give or for who He is? 

Now I understand this Scripture, that Hope is the Anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast!

Hebrews 6:19 "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil".

If you are reading this from email, visit this link to listen to the Song, by Kutless "Even If" (The Healing Doesn't Come)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiYAUNJPrMU

Guard Your Heart

Psalm 4:23 "Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it comes the issues of life."

Life can be full of hurts and disappointments. Do not hide away from people for fear of getting disappointed or hurt again. This keeps you from loving others as God has commissioned you to do. To love as God loves, you have to always take risks.  God wants you fully dependent on Him, but He also will place people in your path for a purpose, whether it be for a long period of time or for just a season. Refusing to acknowledge them may cause them to miss out on great blessings, and an opportunity to learn of and experience the love of God through you.  You also can miss out on what the Lord has for you and what He may be trying to teach you.

When hurts, disappointments and offenses come, do not receive them! Stay prepared for when those times come. You have the power through God to stop it!  It all starts with a thought.  Take every thought captive and cast them down before they even have a chance to take root.  Keep your heart guarded.  Give it to Jesus, forgive, move on and love them anyway.  This will keep you on the right path with God and it is also very liberating!  

Fear of disappointments or hurt can cause you to miss out on some good friendships and some divine appointments set up by God. Guard your heart because it determines the course of your life.  What you allow in your heart eventually shows on the outside through your actions.  A large part of guarding your heart means learning how to control your thoughts, your words, disposition and general outlook.

The answer for past hurts and disappointments that you have already allowed to settle in the heart is to FORGIVE.  If you do not take care of your heart, instead of your life affecting others in a good way, it will start infecting others in a bad way and begin destroying your own life. Making the choice to forgive breaks satan's power over you in that area and God's healing touch is free to move.

In order for you to love others as God loves them, you must first learn how to forgive, for it is impossible to love if you are bitter and harboring unforgiveness in your heart.  When hurts and disappointments come, guard your heart and let forgiveness flow!!

You achieve inner health only through forgiveness - the forgiveness of not only others but also of yourself.  You will find that it can be hardest to forgive self.  Having the ability to forgive is an admirable quality.  Choose to forgive so the healing can begin and the pain can die.  Be determined today to live to forgive.  Then do your best to stay prepared by guarding your heart!

Psalm 4:23, 2 Corinthians 10:13,  Luke 6:45, Hebrews 12:15

Do Not Doubt His Love

Make a daily practice of sitting quietly with the Lord. Begin your day with Him! If you are one that has allowed fear and worry to imprison you for many years, Release them to Him! There in the Light of His Presence, they will dissipate. However, some of them will attempt to return throughout your day. Do Not Let Them! When fear or any thoughts of worry attempt to assail you, capture them and cast them down with the Light of His Word.

Do not doubt His love for you. For perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.

When you allow fear to dominate, faith is not there. When you bring fear into your day, you have left God out. You just have to acknowledge Him and keep your mind renewed by speaking forth His Word. Do not be fearful, for He is with you always. He will help you and make you strong. You have let Him live in your spirit, now it is time that you let Him reign in your soul.

I Peter 5:7; 2 Corinthians 10:5; I John 4:15-18; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 41:10

Let God Take Care Of It

Do not be quick to get defensive when things are not going well and seem unfair. If you find yourself “a victim of circumstance”, the Lord will be your defense. Let Him take care of it. When you trust Him to take care of it, you are hidden under His grace and judgment, for there is no safer place. “Who shall bring a charge against My elect? It is I who justifies”.

When you try and defend yourself, you come under the jurisdiction of your accuser and their judgment and thus forfeits God's divine intervention. You “tie His hands” when you try to do things for yourself instead of letting Him take care of them for you.

Read and meditate from His Word, Psalm 37 and hide it in your heart. Comfort will come as you await either true repentance or His righteous judgment. He will take care of you no matter what the circumstance is that happens in your life. Trust Him. He will work it out for your good.

Romans 8:28,33; Psalm 37:6-9

Tears In A Bottle

The Lord has heard your prayers and seen your tears. Not a tear escapes your eyes that He does not notice. They do not just dry up into nothingness, as you may think. Take great comfort in His Words for He knows all your sorrows and each tear you cry is being collected in a bottle. He takes note of every reason, every situation that brought you to tears. You are that important to Him!

Every time you are going through something so heart-breaking that brings you to tears and you think that no one understands, He is close by and does understand! He knows exactly what you are feeling.

All the tears that He collects become “healing waters” that He pours into your life working all things for your good, restoring every place that is broken. You are precious to Him and He cares about what you are going through. He will be there to help you through it.

Never feel shameful for crying. Tears bring powerful results. When you cry out to Him, your enemies will turn. But remember that weeping is but for a short time, then comes joy. Tears pave the way for His joy to be ushered in.

Psalm 56:8; Psalm 34:18; Psalm 30:5; 2 Kings 20:5

No Condemnation

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

Be aware of the difference between condemnation and conviction.

 

 Condemnation leaves you feeling hopeless and worthless and NEVER comes from God. 

 Conviction is from God and invites you to make positive changes in your life.

Songs of Deliverance

This Scripture is really a favorite of mine:

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance".  Psalm 32:7

Often times when I am troubled about something, I can hide away in the presence of the Lord, and get lost in worship, listening to music and a certain song will totally deliver me from whatever I was troubled about.  That is why this Scripture means so much and reminds me of those times. His Word always gives me Hope.

Here is a quote I came across several months ago. It's so true!
"MUSIC softens the pain, increases the joy and opens the heart." -author unknown

When you are troubled, He IS your hiding place. He WILL protect you from your troubles and He WILL surround you with songs of deliverance!   Praise Him!

Remember The Vision!

Don't let a temporary setback throw you off your path. Keep going! Remember that vision God gave you when He spoke that promise to you?  If life knocks you down, once again, focus on that vision!

This reminded me of when God led Abram (Abraham) out to see the stars. In God's plan for Abram, which came first? Hope or faith?

First came the image of hope as He led Abram out to see the stars. By that method, the Father painted hope on the canvas of Abram's heart. He now had a vision! First comes vision - that image of hope. A lively hope imparted. A hope more real than the natural circumstances.

YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN IT BEFORE IT HAPPENS!

Instructions came to Abram by the Spirit that they change their names. By following these instructions, faith then appropriated what was first obtained by hope. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Romans 12:1). They are not seen in the natural but they are most certainly seen in hope. If hope cannot see, faith cannot bring.

We have always put so much importance on the changing of the name of Abram than to the vision imparted to him by seeing the stars. Know and understand that the confession alone, without the vision of hope, would never have produced Isaac.

On the other hand, the vision alone, without following the instructions of faith would only have caused hope to be deferred indefinitely to make Abram's heart sick. (Proverbs 13:12). Both are required. Hope, a living hope must come to the people. The vision must be strong and the image alive. Let us never discount, nor place below faith, the importance of hope.

 

What has God spoken to You? Do you SEE it? Do you BELIEVE it?

 

AGAIN...do not let a setback in life get you down. Remember the vision God has promised!

 

Connie J. Schmoll

Glorious Day!

I just listened to this song and I've been sitting here just revisiting the early moments of where it all began for me with GOD.  I am so thankful He freed me from the ways of the world and even the legalism in the church.  I truly believe that the path I've been on is all for a reason and GOD has His purpose for everything that I've gone through.

I came across this Scripture from GOD'S WORD the other day and had one of those WOW moments.  I don't know how many times that I read the book of Acts but never saw this Scripture so clearly as I do now.

“They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:10-11).

Starting out so new in the LORD, we just don't know how important it is to search the Scriptures daily, praying in the Holy Ghost, so that we may understand what the Scriptures are truly saying.   If we do not study the Bible for ourselves, that is when there is a danger of getting caught up in false teachings.  But of course, with being new, I believe that it's the responsibility of the leader to instruct new converts how to pray and study the Bible for themselves.  

I was taught a doctrine,when I was first saved, that insisted that we have to do certain things (follow the steps of salvation) to be saved.  I found myself constantly trying to work to keep my salvation and always lived with the fear of losing it if I didn't follow those teachings.

It is SO HARD for some to actually believe that something happens within before they do anything!  If it is required that we contribute anything for our salvation then why did Jesus have to die? 

I am so thankful that GOD gave me the TRUE revelation of GRACE.  How very excited it is for me now to HEAR the Gospel!  Do YOU remember the first day you actually HEARD and RECEIVED the Gospel? That is the moment salvation comes. That is the moment your heart is regenerated.  It all happens way before YOU do anything.  All it takes is HEARING and RECEIVING by FAITH.   Then righteous WORKS shall follow those who have TRULY believed and received!

In the book of John, chapter 3, when Jesus tells Nicodemus that "Ye Must Be Born Again", He wasn't suggesting that Nicodemus had to do anything.  His statement was referring to what HE must do IN him.  To be BORN AGAIN is to be BORN OF GOD, not anything that we do, but all because of what HE did for us and what HE does IN US.

It is as simple as this:

1. First....we are dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2)
2. Then....God speaks His Gospel into the darkness of our sinful heart. (We hear the Gospel preached)
3. The Spirit works in the heart by the Word – awakens the heart to the truth of the Gospel - regeneration (2 Cor. 4:6)  THAT is how powerful God's Word is.
4. When we see the light of the Gospel of Jesus we embrace it by faith (Romans 10:17)
5. And God justifies or counts us as righteous for Jesus' sake. (Romans 3:26)

6.  As a symbol of death - to the world, the flesh and the devil, we are baptized in water, which is our identification with Christ's death on the Cross. Baptism is where we count ourselves as dead with Christ
7. After being born again – regenerated – given a new nature, the Holy Spirit moves in and begins to create a language inside of our spirit. 

8. Once filled with the Holy Spirit, the gift is given – supernatural gift of tongues. Tongue and mouth will begin to shape the same words being created inside and must be spoken out. 

Sharing the Gospel with someone is so simple.  Why do we make it so difficult?  If their heart is ready, they will receive.  Just know that God's Word will not come back void but it will accomplish what it is set out to do. (Isaiah 55:10-11) So, remember this promise for when you share with someone and it doesn't seem like they are receiving. You may be the one who is suppose to plant the seed of God's Word in their heart by sharing it, and then others come to them to water the word in them, then it is GOD who gives the increase, causing the seed of His Word to grow in them. Just be obedient to God when He directs you to minister the Gospel to someone.  He will do the rest!!

Here is the song I was listening to today and usually listen to it everyday now.  It's a great reminder of ALL God has done for us and what we have to look forward to.  This song is the first song that I have heard that proclaims the full GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.

If you are one who has not yet heard the Gospel and received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of your life, listen to this song!  THIS is what He has done for you and what you have to look forward to.  Receive Him Today! 

LIVING, He loved me!  DYING, He saved me!  BURIED, He carried my sins far away! RISING, He justified FREELY FOREVER!  One day He's coming! OH GLORIOUS DAY!!  

"Glorious Day" by Casting Crowns

Here is the link to the song if you are viewing this from email:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqrqPGt11bA

Battling The Giants

Before you read any further, open up your Bible and make sure you read I Samuel 17:20-58. My lesson was inspired by this portion of Scripture. And also, I want you to keep this in mind. A very powerful and thought provoking quote that I read today:   

"Every battle we fight in the flesh, Is one which was already lost in the spirit."

Yes, we are in a war, but our war is spiritual. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Our weapons are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds."   THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S!

FOUR STEPS IN FIGHTING GIANTS

I've just been looking back over the past several months and I see all the "meat" from God's Word that He has provided through other individuals and to me personally. And I've been amazed how it's all there - any answer - any strategy - any weapon that I need to tear down a stronghold, to move a mountain, to rise above circumstances, to be lifted to higher heights in GOD and especially how to fight physical "giants" in my life that seem to be continual attacks from the enemy.

So I have been taking EVERYTHING that I've RECEIVED AND LEARNED and been applying it to MY situation. And this is what got me thinking on the Scripture of how GOD DOES know what we need before we even ask.

Phil 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Matt 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

And I've realized that if we are "tuned in" and REALLY listening to GOD, that He is SO faithful and cares SO much for us, that He provides what we need before we even know we need it. He provides the answers before the questions even begin. HE IS AMAZING!

I THANK GOD.....like His Word says...that He KNOWS what we need before we even ask Him.

Just think about people who do not keep in communication with the LORD and miss out on the answers to their very problems that were right there waiting when their situation came upon them...but they didn't see it. I believe this is why some of our situations can become worse than what they were meant to be...because we do not apply the right "antidote" but do our own thing, go our own way, messing it all up to the point where we have no choice then in the end to CONSULT GOD, who then once again...brings the answer. BUT this time, our heart is prepared to receive it.

SO MUCH that we may miss out on, all because we MISS OUR TIME WITH HIM.

Help battle these "giants" in my life...will ya? When "Battling The Giant - Goliath" we see the four things David did in I Samuel 17. I will share here so you can join me on the front line:

1. Expose the giant. Give a name to the enemy who stands in your path.

David: "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine who defies the armies of Israel, the living God?" GOLIATH

I SPEAK TO THE "SPIRIT OF INFIRMITY" COMMANDING IT TO GO. ALL I NEED IS THE FAITH THE SIZE OF A GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED TO MOVE A MOUNTAIN - TO CAUSE THE GIANT TO TUMBLE. AND I'VE GOT THAT FAITH FOR WE ALL ARE GIVEN A MEASURE OF FAITH.

2. Cast aside the naysayers. Be careful who you listen to.

The next thing David did was to cast aside the naysayers. Just as with David, he was asked by his siblings, "Why comest down hither? I know the pride and the naughtiness of thine heart?"

David answers, "Is there not a cause?"

You've got people who will join in with "the giant" with all the taunting. Again...be careful what voices you listen to and the thoughts you entertain.

I DO NOT ENTERTAIN THOUGHTS THAT DO NOT LINE UP WITH THE WORD OF GOD. I DO NOT LISTEN TO THE TAUNTING VOICES OF LIARS. I CAST DOWN IMAGINATIONS AND BRING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST.

"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 to the pulling down of strong holds; ) 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;" (2 Cor 10:3-5)

Whose report am I going to believe? I will believe the report of the LORD!

3. Create Comparisons. Remember your memorials.

David created comparisons by which to compare this unique situation that he had to deal with, with other situations he had dealt with in his past. "I killed lions. I protected my sheep. I've dealt with the bears". And if we work hard with the obstacle, that giant that's in our way, we can do that as well.

I'VE CONQUERED OTHER GIANTS IN MY LIFE, AND I CAN CONQUER THIS ONE AS WELL. IF GOD BE FOR ME, WHO CAN BE AGAINST ME? HE MADE ME MORE THAN A CONQUEROR. Rom 8:31,37

4. Count on God. The battle is the Lord's.

David created those comparisons but above all, he counted on God. He called out the name of this giant. He cast aside the naysayers. He created comparisons and he counted on God to do what he could not do by himself. Sometimes we have to speak to that giant!!

David: "You have come to me with a sword and with a spear and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have defied."

THE BATTLE IS NOT MINE....IT'S THE LORD'S. HE WILL FIGHT FOR ME.

1 Sam 17:47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.

Do we count on God? In the face of all the other things we trust in, is God underneath and around in everything we do?

I AM COUNTING ON GOD. IN FACING THIS GIANT IN MY LIFE, I DO PLACE MY TRUST IN HIM AND HE IS UNDERNEATH AND AROUND EVERYTHING THAT I DO. HE IS IN CONTROL. AND I KNOW THAT WHEN THE ENEMY SHALL COME IN LIKE A FLOOD, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD SHALL LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM. AND HE WILL ALSO GIVE ME PERFECT PEACE WHEN MY MIND IS STAYED ON HIM! 

Isa 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

If you want peace? Well...look how you can have PERFECT peace.  Keep your mind on HIM and only what HE wants, and only what HE says. 

Connie J. Schmoll

Our Place of Safety

With all that is going on in the world, and knowing that there are worst times coming for us, we wonder, when things start to really get bad, where is the safest place to be (live)?

The truth is, there won't really be a safe place to live. BUT THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE IS IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST. 

Psalm 91

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

King James Version (KJV)

Do You Believe All You Just Read In Psalm 91?  Can You Say All Of This For Yourself?  Are You Safe IN HIM?  If not, SALVATION IS YOURS TODAY!   

Receive When You Believe

We can believe God for something, yet not receive it.  Many times we find that we have the head knowledge, yet have not received it in our heart.  True faith which is believing in the heart = receiving. 

There have been many times when it troubled me that I wasn't receiving what I'd asked for, thinking, ..."well, I believed!"  But did I?  Did I truly believe to the point that I received it in my heart or was it just mental assent = head knowledge?   That is the question that we have to ask ourselves.  Maybe you believe that God will do it, but do you believe He will do it for YOU?  If you have a hard time having faith to believe it for YOU, then it's because you doubt His Love for you. But that's a whole other lesson.

Here is the lesson  that really inspired me to receive when I believe.  Don't just "believe it" (have head knowledge) but also receive it in your heart to stay (true faith). It's done...the minute you ask.  

After I read this lesson, God lead me to go tear off the leaf of the tree in our backyard. So I did.  Did the leaf look dead? No. But I took the leaf inside and set it up on my desk and watched it daily. It took several days for it to completely dry up and crumble into pieces in the palm of my hand.   Detaching that leaf from the tree, killed it. But it was not noticeable until it completely dried up after being detached for some time,  because it was no longer being nourished from the tree.

The Lesson:
Matthew 21:19 "And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away."

The Greek word for presently means "instantly; immediately; soon." However, the disciples didn't realize that the fig tree had died until the next day. If the tree died instantly, why didn't they notice it until the next morning? The answer to this question is found in Mark 11:20. The tree was dead from the roots up. The tree did die instantly just as the Word declared, but what had happened to the roots wasn't visible until the next morning.

There is a spiritual lesson here that applies to us receiving things from God. When we ask, we do receive, but it may take a period of time before we perceive it in the natural realm. God's answer comes before we see the manifestation of what we have believed the Lord for when we prayed. Just as with this fig tree, the answer lies beneath the surface, and therefore we don't "see" what God is doing until the answer manifests.

Not all answers to prayer are manifested instantly. Satan can hinder God's power even after it has been released. In Daniel 10:1-13, God answered Daniel's prayer instantly, yet it took 21 days for Daniel to see God's answer manifest, because the prince of Persia (a demonic power) withheld the manifestation.

Prayer that meets the requirements outlined in God's Word is always answered.

We can be the cause of our own unanswered prayer.  Maybe we are harboring unforgiveness in our hearts concerning somebody or a situation.   That can be a hindrance in one receiving a healing.  Forgiveness is a powerful thing.  It brings freedom within.

Many times we don't perceive the answer because it always comes in the spiritual realm first then is manifested in the physical realm. If we waver from our confident faith, then we abort the manifestation of our answer to prayer. But God did answer. Everyone that asks receives. 

What is hindering your answers to prayer? What could be the cause of your detachment from the Source of Life? 

Connie J. Schmoll
 

Goliath Had A Brother

Wow!  This lesson ministered to me so much that I could not help but want to share it with you all! 

Ministries of Francis Frangipane

GOLIATH HAD A BROTHER

Here's the scene: You are in a battle against sickness, oppression or some similar struggle. You seek God, and in some special way the grace of God touches your life. Your victory may have come through a word or prayer or some other encouragement, but you absolutely know the Lord has delivered you. Using the five smooth stones of divine grace, you defeated your Goliath.

But then, a few weeks or months, or perhaps years later, all the old symptoms suddenly return with a vengeance. If you were struggling with an illness, it manifests worse than ever; if your battle was regarding a relationship or a particular sin, it seems as though all progress has been lost. You are back to square one.

Have you ever been there? These negative experiences can drain the life from your heart. You lose the anticipation and power of faith, and a quiet spiritual paralysis immobilizes your soul. You may still attend church, but your faith is unresponsive. When others testify of deliverance, you worry secretly that they, too, will "lose their healing."

For many, the result is one of faith-shaking disillusionment.

Scripture says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Prov. 13:12). This "heartsickness" is a spiritual disease that can cripple your walk with God. Remember, faith is the substance of the things you hope for. If you lose hope, your faith becomes hollow. How can you trust God when it seems as though He let you down? You wonder: Did I lose my breakthrough or was I only deceiving myself and never really had it?

Dear one, it is very possible that what you are experiencing is not a loss of God's blessing but an entirely new spiritual battle. This new tactic is a very clever and effective deception that Satan uses to try and worm his way back into the lives of those delivered by God.

I had been praying about this very thing, this recurring battle, when the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart: "Goliath had a brother." I was immediately reminded of David's war against the Philistine giant. We all know that David became a great hero by trusting God and defeating Goliath. However, things changed as we see in 2 Samuel 21:

"Now when the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David went down and his servants with him; and as they fought against the Philistines, David became weary. Then Ishbi-benob, who was among the descendants of the giant . . . intended to kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine and killed him" (2 Samuel 21:15-17).

Years after David conquered Goliath as a lad, after he became king he had to face other giants. In fact, 1 Chronicles 20:5 reveals that at least one of those warring against David was "the brother of Goliath," and four were Goliath's children (2 Sam. 21:22). We can imagine that these giants, being Goliath's kin, looked like Goliath, boasted like him, dressed like him and probably even smelled like him. The Scripture says that while fighting one of the descendants of Goliath, "David became weary" (2 Sam. 21:15). The Bible is silent as to what might have been going through the king's mind as he battled these giants. Perhaps he wondered, "I thought I killed Goliath. What is he doing back?" But Goliath had not come back; he really was dead! David was actually fighting the giant's kin. It just looked like the same battle!

Likewise, you also have had many successful victories. Just because the current giant you are facing looks like one you defeated in the past, do not accept the lie that you never really won the first battle! By the strength of God's grace, you trusted the Almighty and conquered your Goliath. The first giant is dead. Satan is masquerading as your former enemy so he can slip past your shield of faith and thus regain entrance into your life. Resist him. Do not accept the lie that you were never delivered. Stand in faith. Remember: Faith is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4).

The living God who helped you conquer Goliath will empower you to overcome his brother as well.

Prayer: Father, I come to You as Your servant. Like David, I have become weary with fighting an enemy I thought I had defeated. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, however, I expose the lie that this is the same foe I previously conquered. In Jesus' name, I rebuke the enemy. I ask You, Lord, to send angels to strengthen me supernaturally, just as angels often strengthened Jesus. In the name of the Lord, Amen.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Adapted from a chapter in Francis Frangipane's newest book Spiritual Discernment and the Mind of Christ. 

The Master Plan

“Many are the plans in a man's heart but it's the Lord's plan that will prevail” - Proverbs 19:21

It is God that gives you the plan for your life and God gives the provision for the execution of the plan. A man without a plan, plans to fail because he has no purpose or direction for his life. God has a purpose for your life. A Mission. He knows the plans He has for you.-  Jeremiah 29:11

You are fulfilled, happy, and joyful if you are fulfilling God's purpose for your life. Life is exciting...a celebration. But you live a continual life of frustration and disappointment if you're not.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10

With all the trials that we go through, this verse should comfort us. Before time began, God knew where we would be and what we would be doing. We are all handcrafted by God for good works. The most comforting thing about Ephesians 2:10 is that we don't have to fear the road that we have ahead of us, because Christ prepared it specifically for us to walk. Though the road may be treacherous and narrow, especially at the speed life has been going lately, at the end of it is Christ!  This is why in every situation that we encounter, we need to "acknowledge God" in it.  Acknowledging God in every situation helps us incorporate our trust in Him and He'll direct our path.  - Proverbs 3:5-6

When you gave your heart to God, He filled you with greatness and a purpose, a master plan for you to fulfill. You must find out what it is. Do you know??

How can you discover the plan? How can you embrace that plan? How can you walk in that plan and how can you live out your purpose in life?

You were created with the capacity to fulfill that plan for your life. You were born at the right time, to the right family, living in the right city. Everything can begin right where you are, because tomorrow begins today.

Change your thinking, for as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. -  Proverbs 23:7 The way you think, defines who you are. A new attitude determines your altitude, how high you go. Develop a new attitude of gratitude.

Know who you are! Know your purpose!

The only plan that works out, is God's plan for you.

Discover it!

Live It!

God has placed the DNA in you, and in you is written the mission for your life!

The way that you find out that mission is to Pray in the Holy Ghost. When you pray in the Holy Ghost, God begins to “download” His Plan into your spirit. He downloads great revelations. And in His time, they will come forth through YOU.

Prepare, then Be Ready!

Connie J. Schmoll

Watch, Write and Wait

"...without a vision, people perish" (Proverbs 29:18)

A Vision is an experience in the life of a person, whereby a special revelation from God was received. It's purpose may be given for immediate direction or given to develop the Kingdom of God by revealing the moral and spirited deficiencies of the people of God in light of God's requirements for maintaining a proper relationship with Him.

“If there is going to be the establishing of vision, first it has to be planted in our hearts by God's Spirit and through His Word.” – Alastair Begg

Every dream fulfilled begins with a vision – Today I stopped for a moment and revisited those dreams and refocused on seeking Him. Matthew 6:33 tells us to “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else will be added unto you.”

When seeking God first and foremost, the rest of our life will fall into place, piece by piece. Before pursuing a dream, talk to Him about it first. We can have all kinds of plans and dreams for our life, but it's God's purpose that is going to prevail. (Proverbs 19:21)

He will give you the desires of your heart if you delight yourself in Him. By putting Him first, His and your desires become one and the same. (Proverbs 37:4)

I remind you of God's plan for Abram. Which came first? Hope or faith?

First came the image of hope as He led Abram out to see the stars. By that method, the Father painted hope on the canvas of Abram's heart. He now had a vision! First comes vision - that image of hope. A lively hope imparted. A hope more real than the natural circumstances.

YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN IT BEFORE IT HAPPENS!

Instructions came to Abram by the Spirit that they change their names. By following these instructions, faith then appropriated what was first obtained by hope. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Romans 12:1). They are not seen in the natural but they are most certainly seen in hope. If hope cannot see, faith cannot bring.

We have always put so much importance on the changing of the name of Abram than to the vision imparted to him by seeing the stars. Know and understand that the confession alone, without the vision of hope, would never have produced Isaac.

On the other hand, the vision alone, without following the instructions of faith would only have caused hope to be deferred indefinitely to make Abram's heart sick. (Proverbs 13:12). Both are required. Hope, a living hope must come to the people. The vision must be strong and the image alive. Let us never discount, nor place below faith, the importance of hope.

What has God spoken to You? Do you SEE it? Do you BELIEVE it?

I remember when God spoke to me through Habakkuk 2:1-3 and told me to Watch, Write and Wait.

Habakkuk 2:1-3

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will WATCH to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the Lord answered me, and said, WRITE the Vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the Vision is yet for an 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.

WATCH

Stand at your watch, set yourself on the tower and give both ears and all your heart to understand what God would have you to know and to learn what He would teach you. We must always be attentive to His Word (Proverbs 4) Watch to see what God will say to you. First SEE the vision and hear what God has said unto you.

This is merely a withdrawal of the whole soul from the earthly, and fixing it upon the heavenly. (Colossians 3:2) Setting your affection on things above.

WRITE

Write the Vision (make it known) upon tablets (the table of their hearts) He who writes, addresses a larger audience than the man who merely uses his tongue. It is a happy thing when the tongue is aided by the pen of a ready writer.  Put up a Vision Board. 

Maybe the Vision is given to you for someone else, Write it on the tables of man's heart. Say things that will strike and stick and give permanent impressions on their heart. Make it plain. Don't drudge up all the difficulties of the Word, raising a cloud of dust. Make it practical that he may run that reads it- a message that concerns him personally and will strike a desire in him to run to Christ. THEN....

WAIT

Every promise of God's Word has its own appointed time of fulfillment. The tarrying of the truth becomes a testing of the people. We must run with a vision. Be FULLY PERSUADED as Abraham was. (Romans 4:20-22)

There will be many obstacles that we may stumble upon that will try to destroy that image of hope. Without hope, there is nothing for faith to give substance to. We must allow hope to be painted on the canvas of our hearts, for without a vision people perish. If the vision dies, the dream dies. If you stop seeing it, it's not going to happen! Being fully persuaded is the only way it will get you over those obstacles when they come.

AGAIN...What has GOD spoken to YOU?

A friend of mine (thanks Roberta) gave me the idea of making a Vision Board. Place Scripture and Photos upon a board of the visions, dreams and desires that God has spoken to you, and hang it up to where you can see it everyday. When we begin speaking our dreams and envisioning them everyday, the vision enters our heart, becomes real and it makes it much easier to become fully persuaded and to tarry for it, until it's appointed time.

DON'T GIVE UP!  KEEP BELIEVING! Revisit those dreams and visions that God has given and spoken into your life. WATCH - Always be attentive to His Voice, and WRITE that vision - keep the dream alive by allowing God to plant it within your heart through His Spirit and Word and WAIT with an expectancy for it's appointed time to be fulfilled!

When God gives a Vision, He makes Provision.  So Believe God for the Provision of the Vision!

WATCH, WRITE and WAIT!

Connie J. Schmoll