Follow Your Hunger

Today too many Christians have lost their hunger for God. Instead of coming into the Lord's presence hungry for more of His fullness, our thoughts are held hostage to worldly pursuits and fleshly distractions. At best, we are merely curious about spiritual realities, but not truly hungry. Let me tell you a story that illustrates what I mean:

We had a little dog named Sophie. Sophie loved people food. To her, eating people food was the culinary equivalent of entering the Kingdom of God. She loved our food. She even had a Bible verse that she claimed in faith: "Even the dogs feed on the crumbs" (Matt. 15:27).

When my wife and I shared a meal, Sophie would sit at our feet, squint her eyes, and stare at us (she thought squinting made her cuter). Any food that fell to the floor instantly vanished into her mouth. No matter how much of her food she had already eaten, she was always hungry for ours.

Our home had a small, fenced-in yard outside our porch where Sophie played. Although the fence surrounded the area, there were gaps where the pickets didn't quite reach to the ground. If Sophie wanted, she actually could squeeze under the fence and get out, but she normally had no reason to try. Occasionally she would get curious and go as far as the gate and stand there a while and look out, but she didn't leave the yard.

One day, though, my wife decided to feed a few slices of stale bread to the birds that nested on the other side of the fence. When Sophie went out an hour later, she immediately noticed a human food smell in the air, which she tracked to the bread. In less than a heartbeat she found a little gap under the picket fence, flattened herself to the ground, and then shimmied through the fence to the bread on the other side. It was gone in less than a minute.

My point is this: hunger will take you where mere curiosity would never go.

My friend, God is looking for hungry people. Blessed are they who hunger. He is seeking people who are truly seeking Him. Indeed, He has bread from Heaven for us, and it is eternally satisfying. We cannot afford to settle into the routine of a fenced-in reality, not when God has eternal food prepared for us. Let us, therefore, follow our hunger as we pursue the presence of God.

-- Francis Frangipane

Knowing God's Plan

How Can I Know God's Plan For My Life?

Before you were ever born, God placed a specific calling on your life. His heart for you is that you would find your purpose and walk it out with passion. But the sobering reality is that if you don't answer that call, He will raise someone else up to fulfill it.

Look at the words of Mordecai to Esther as he pleads with her to go before the king on behalf of their people. “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews FROM ANOTHER PLACE.” (Esther 4:14)

God will carry out His plans and purposes on the earth. The only question is, will you be a part of them, or will you let another fulfill what He has called you to do?

One day, we will all stand alone before God and give an account of the way we lived as believers. Did we fulfill the role He scripted for us, or did we ignore it and try to play the part of another? I for one want to fulfill everything God has for me in this life.

It is NEVER too late to begin walking in your God-given purpose. Seek God diligently, find what He created you to do, and do it with all your heart! How Can You Know God's Plan For Your Life?

1. Seek God With All Your Heart

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

2. Be Planted In The House Of God

Psalm 92:13 “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.”

3. Avoid Entanglements

2 Timothy 2:4 “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

-- John Bevere

Warriors of Weightloss

CLEANSING THE TEMPLE

Matthew 21:12-17
"And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them".

The Bible says that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Our body and spirit no longer belong to us, but to God and we are to glorify Him in body and spirit.  (I Corinthians 6:19-20) WE ARE HIS TEMPLE! So we should have just as much zeal about keeping our Father's house pure. I think, we as Christians can take this as an example that sometimes one can use the necessary means to accomplish the task, that there is such a thing as righteous anger. We have the authority and right to use spiritual force, through warfare prayer to cleanse our temple, just as Jesus did in cleansing God's temple of those who used the temple as a place of merchandise.

Look at what happened when the temple was cleansed: Healing Came!  "...the blind and the lame came to him in the temple: and he healed them." (Matthew 21:14)

When we begin to cleanse our bodies of things that should not be there, through direction from the Spirit through Prayer and God's Word, healing and weight loss will begin to happen! 

I shared this today to announce that I am starting the Warriors of Weightloss group, using the "Take Back Your Temple" Program by Kimberly Taylor.  You can check out her website HERE.  Any of you that have a Facebook account and are interested in participating or just checking us out, can join our Facebook Group:  Join "Warriors of Weightloss".

A Warrior: a person engaged in warfare, a struggle or conflict, who shows great vigor and courage and who fights the good fight. Our weight loss struggle is real! BUT SO IS GOD!! We, as Spiritual Warriors, come together to embrace courage, compassion, discipline and training. Many people with weight and health issues need to realize that it is a spiritual battle that we fight daily! We are not going to be just a social club! We who have struggled for years need to be completely set free! And it is ONLY THROUGH GOD, that we can be. Aren't you tired of the enemy controlling you in this area!?! Together with God, we can be victorious! LORD, "TAKE BACK YOUR TEMPLE!"

Our meetings will begin after the first of the year, after all the holidays.  You have time to purchase the two books that are needed. On the "Take Back Your Temple" website, you will see several books, but the two that you need is the Members Guide and the Members Journal.  
  
Come and join the Facebook Group. Get prepared for the first of the year. If you are very interested but cannot afford the books, please contact me and let me know. We will see what we can do to help you get the books needed.  Contact me on Facebook or Email Me at cjschmoll@gmail.com

Hope You Will Join Us!
Connie J. Schmoll
cjschmoll@gmail.com 

Facing The Giants

FIGHTING GIANTS IN OUR LIFE

“Every battle we fight in the flesh is one which was already lost in the spirit”

We as Christians are in a daily war. It's a spiritual war. And we have an enemy. (Ephesians 6:12) says that our struggles are not against human opponents, but against spiritual forces in the heavenly realm.

Bible Text : 1 Samuel 17:20-58

SIX STEPS IN FIGHTING GIANTS

STEP ONE: Expose/Acknowledge the Giant. Give a name to the enemy who stands in your path.

I Samuel 17:26 “...Who is this uncircumcised Philistine who defies the armies of Israel, the living God?”

Acknowledge there is a struggle/giant.  I Peter 5:8 "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour".

STEP TWO: Cast Aside Naysayers. Be Careful Who You Listen To.

I Samuel 17:28-29 David's brother, Eliab said “...Why camest thou down hither? With whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.”

David answered: “What have I done? Is there not a cause?”

I Samuel 17:33 Saul said to David “Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou are but a youth, and he is a man of war from his youth.”

You've got people who will join in with “the giant” with all the taunting. Be careful of the voices you listen to and the thoughts you entertain. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) Cast down, take captive thoughts.

STEP THREE: Create Comparisons. Remember Your Memorials.

I Samuel 17:34-37 “...thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear. The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion and the bear, will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine.”

God came through for me before. He will do it again. (Rom. 8:31, 37) If God be for us, who can be against us? We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

STEP FOUR: Be Armed with God's Armor

I Samuel 17:38-40 “...And Saul armed David with his armor. David attempted to go. He said to Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them.” And he put them off him. And he put them off him. He took his staff in his hand and chose him five stones out of the brook....and his sling was in his hand. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

STEP FIVE: Speak To the Giant

I Samuel 17:45-46 “...Thou comest to me with a sword and a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou has defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand.”

The Bible tells us that if we speak to the mountain (our problem), to be removed, it will be cast into the sea, if we believe. (Mark 11:23)

STEP SIX: Count on God. The Battle is the Lords.

I Samuel 17:47 “...for the Battle is The Lords! He will give you into our hands.”

For the LORD our God is the one who goes with us to fight for us against our enemies to give us victory (Deuteronomy 20:4)

David knew He was not alone. And that the battle was the Lord's battle. He counted on God. He acknowledged the giant, he cast aside the naysayers, he remembered God had helped him before, he was armed with God's armor. He used what God prepared him with. And he spoke to the giant!   

"Sometimes God will place a GOLIATH in your life for you can find the DAVID within you"! 
"And for every GOLIATH, there is a STONE!"

ARMOR OF GOD

Ephesians 6:10-18

“Finally brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand".

STAND FIRM – BE ON GUARD – DO NOT UNDER ESTIMATE THE INFLUENCE OF THE ENEMY. HALF THE BATTLE IS RECOGNIZING WE HAVE AN ENEMY LURKING, SEEKING.

1. BELT OF TRUTH – Build armor on Truth to stand firm. We can be confident in battle. Be truthful to ourselves. Truth binds you, surrounds you – ties everything together.

2. BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – It boxes the enemy out and away from the heart. We are given the righteousness of God. We will make mistakes but God sees us righteous. We must know who we are.

3. FEET SHOD WITH PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE – Forward motion. Advance forward to take back territory the enemy thinks he stole forever. The hobnails on the bottom of shoes gave better traction, kept you well planted in unstable soil. When we become discouraged, we have that peace and hope that keeps us anchored – to keep up upright during our battles.

4. SHIELD OF FAITH – Belief is one thing but faith is belief with feet....in action. You're doing something about what you believe. Faith erects a shield over our life that blocks out and deflects and even distinguishes all the fiery darts of the enemy. Faith is being willing to fall back into the arms of God. When darts of discouragement or insecurities come, we are able to rise up despite them. Fiery darts are used to distract (set something nearby on fire) Resort your attention to it, causing us to lose focus.

5. HELMET OF SALVATION – Our salvation is so much more than a ticket to eternity. Our mind today is not over some distant land, but it's a battle of the mind. Helmet is over the mind blocking the enemies lies that we're not valued, worthy, etc. Protects the knowledge of the security of our salvation. We need to unpack the inheritance, all that comes with our salvation.

6. SWORD OF THE SPIRIT – Living and active Word in us. We must speak the Word to our enemy. It alerts them that we are armed and dangerous. It's a defensive weapon and it belongs to the Spirit. It's not our sword, it's the spirit's sword, He gives a Word in the exact time of need. He hands you a dagger so you can do business with the enemy. He gives directive and clarity to your situation.

7. PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT – Activates all the other pieces of Armor. If we do not pray, we have no relationship with God. Having a relationship with God is most needed for us to even be able to align our behavior with each piece of armor. Be must be girded and armed daily. Praying in the Spirit makes that possible.

Rise Up and Walk!

I was reading Acts 3:1-11...

Peter and John were on their way to the temple to pray. A lame man was sitting at the gate of the temple, called Beautiful asking for alms. As Peter and John reached him, Peter fastened his eyes upon him with John and told the lame man to look upon them. And the man gave heed unto them expecting to receive something of them. Peter spoke, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." He took him by the right hand and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God!

God is speaking to many today, this very Word to “Rise Up and Walk”. Rise Up and Walk into that calling He has been preparing you for. Many of you are sitting out, because of wounds of the past. You have been carrying many disappointments and hurt, feeling too overwhelmed with the challenges to even stand anymore. But God has come to heal the pain of the hearts that have been broken from disappointments. He is here to give you the strength needed to Rise Up and Walk into what He has planned for you.

God has given each one of us gifts and talents. We are nobody without a purpose. I believe that when many fall back from their calling, they lose sight of what God has for their life. When hurts and disappointments come, it's so easy to cloud our vision, to where we feel we no longer have a purpose. But God has a purpose and a plan for everyone. 

Maybe God has spoken to you what His purpose is for your life, but you've been feeling inadequate, or unworthy so you've sort of tucked it away for a time. There's excitement yet you're a bit skeptical.

What if Peter had not risen up and walked into his calling? What if Peter had not been obedient to God and stopped and spoke to the lame man at the gate of the temple? This lame man was expecting to receive something from them. Somebody is out there waiting on YOU!!

It is the same with the woman in Luke 8:40-48 with the issue of blood who touched the hem of Jesus's garment and was healed. So many times when reading the story, we put ourselves in the place of those who witnessed this or the one being healed. We identify with everyone else but Jesus! But He sent us to be His witnesses, to imitate Him, and to stand in His place, not everyone elses. We are to put ourselves in the place of the one wearing the garment - the anointed one. We have been anointed by God - we have His Spirit living in us - we have a miracle inside of us for someone else! 

In Luke 4:42-44

When it was day, Jesus departed and went into a deserted place. The crowd sought Him and came to him and tried to keep him from leaving them, but He said to them that he must go preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because that was the purpose he was sent.

Jesus had stated, “For this purpose I have been sent.” Jesus knew His purpose. I am sure the people meant well, but they tried to distract and divert Him from that purpose. Jesus knew His purpose therefore He did not stay.

People, distractions, even hurts and disappointments can divert us from doing what God has called us to do. It is only when we really truly know our purpose that we will not allow ourselves to be sidetracked or distracted that easily.

Even Apostle Paul knew his purpose. In fact, he said that he was running straight to the goal with purpose in every step. He was not about to get distracted from God's purpose for his life. (1 Corinthians 9:26)

Our lives are not to be aimless but they are to have purpose and direction and we are to stay focused, running straight at that goal. Begin to pray every morning for Divine Appointments from God and go throughout your day, expecting God to perform a miracle through You!! Praise God!! Let God turn those disappointments into divine appointments.

God is calling you today to Rise Up and Walk! Be strengthen by His healing power and stay focused on the purpose for which He has created and prepared you. It's time to leave those things behind and begin reaching forth unto those things which are before, pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

Rise Up, Take Courage and Do It! (Ezra 10:4)

Rise Up and Walk!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqwpli3On2U

RISE UP!

I wanted to share this with the Church! Please read and listen! I've really been hearing the Lord speak to the Church to RISE UP and STAND FIRM!

Churches all around are being called to prayer for America and the upcoming Election through Dr Robert Mawire's site, The Up-Rising.

God has spoken to me through the book by Lisa Bevere, "Lioness Arising"!
"The lioness is dangerous when she is fully awake. What about us? What would happen if we were dangerous and fully awake? Then and only then would we pose any threat to the darkness that holds so many around us captive."

As Romans 13:12 says, we must wake up, rise up, remember who we are, and confront the evil in this world with light. When we are awake to what God is doing, then we will know what we are to do.

God is telling us to RISE UP!

The MESSAGES we've been taught at Church the past couple months have been preparing us.
It is of great importance in these last days “Coming To Terms With Who You Are” in Christ. How can one even be used by God if we never come to terms with who we are in Him? We need to start identifying ourselves with who we are in God, in order to walk in His Power! We are not servants. We are the Sons of God!

When we come up against anything, all we need is that kind of faith, knowing “It's Gonna Be Okay!” “God Wants Us Free” from every stronghold that keeps us bound. When “Storms In Your Life” come, we have the authority to speak peace over that storm. “Are We An Approved Worker” of God, where we flee from evil and only follow righteousness? We need that stamp of approval of God! God has enabled us to be “Ministers of the New Covenant” by His Purpose, His Presence, His Power, His Spirit and His Truth. “Living For God” can be tough but rewarding. But we must live it for Him, not ourselves, letting His light shine through us. There is “The Cost of Following Jesus” but we all have a calling to follow Jesus and we must be willing to give up some things to follow Him. What things might be keeping you from fully following Him? We must not let comforts, convenience or our choices distract us from our devotion to Jesus. We have to remember “We Harvest What We Plant”. The two battles that fight within us, which do we feed? The good or the evil? We must practice love and feed our spirit with the Word of God, for we are as “Treasures of Jars of Clay” for the Lord lives in us and is working within to mold us, shape us, change us into what He wants us to be for Him.

Then I came across a song, by Danny Gokey, titled “RISE”. 

Many have experienced brokenness, and wounds that keep trying to pull us back to our past hurts, you start feeling defeated, but you can't deny that CALLING from GOD, commanding you to RISE to what He's made you! You were made TO SHINE, not live in the darkness. But to bring HOPE to the world with a RADIANT LIGHT from HIM, TO SHINE THROUGH YOU! You were made to RISE above life's circumstances. Bring HIS LIGHT to a dark world. HEAR THE CALL OF YOUR CREATOR and open the door of your heart and let Him RESTORE you to GLORY. So RISE!!!

Again...God is telling the Church today to RISE UP and BE WHO HE'S PREPARED YOU TO BE IN HIM! STAND FIRM! Many are standing between the long gap of Promise and Fulfillment. You've heard the Lord firmly declare new destinies over your life. Much like Isaiah, you enthusiastically declared "Here am I, send me." However, a daunting shift has occurred. Alignments are not happening quickly and discouragement is knocking at your door. Many who are struggling with some strongholds will struggle no more. Breakthrough is coming! Hold on. Hold on to the promise and stand in the deliverance that He is getting ready to unleash. PRAISE GOD!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eUGUC4Ko30

Jesus Established The End Results

JESUS ESTABLISHED THE END RESULTS
– By What He Spoke

– By Speaking Only His Father's Words

EXAMPLES:

– Luke 13:11-13

Jesus first spoke “Thou art loosed from thine infirmity” THEN He laid hands on her and she straightened.

– Mark 4:37-40 During a storm, Jesus spoke first, “Peace, be still” THEN the wind ceased and there was a calm.

– Luke 17:11-19 Jesus spoke first to the ten lepers to “Go show yourselves to the priests.” AS THEY WENT, they were cleansed.

– Mark 5:21-43 (verse 22-23)Jairus speaks words of faith to Jesus concerning his daughter, “Come lay hands on her, she will be healed”. Then (verse 35) a negative report from another ruler of synagogue, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Master any longer?” (Verse 36) But when Jesus heard what was spoken, HE SPOKE to the ruler, “Be not afraid, only believe.” He's saying to Jairus, “Let your words stay!”

REQUIREMENTS:
1. We MUST BELIEVE

JESUS spoke in Mark 11:23-24 “Whoever says to the mountain, be removed and cast into the sea, and shall NOT DOUBT IN YOUR HEART, but SHALL BELIEVE, what they say, shall come to pass and they shall have it.”

“What you desire WHEN YE PRAY, BELIEVE that ye receive and ye shall”.

GOD spoke Romans 4:17 GOD calls those things which be not as though they were.

God wants us to speak what we can have (IN HIM), but has found so many of us speaking what we already have (NOT OF HIM).

For us to begin calling those things which are not as though they were, first believe AND we must:
2. PRAY THE ANSWER (instead of the problem)
3. DECLARE/CONFESS THE WORD OF GOD (concerning our situation)

4. CALLING THINGS BY OUR ACTIONS (like the lepers) Our actions must correspond to the faith in our hearts

Our words are seeds that produce what we say. We reap what we sow through our speaking so...

– Our Words Must Change
– Our Prayers Must Change

– Our Words Must Stay Said

– Our Actions Must Fall In Line With What Words We Speak

ANGELS ACT ON GOD'S WORDS SPOKEN

Hebrews 1:14 Angels are ministering spirits sent forth for the heirs of God
We are the heirs of God (Romans 8, Galatians 3 and Titus 3)

One way they minister to and for us is by taking heed to our words WHEN WE SPEAK GOD'S WORDS after Him. If we are giving voice to God's Words of Promise, the angels have an assignment to see to it that the promise is eventually fulfilled in our life. They are to do God's Pleasure (Jesus wants in Matt 21:21,22) 

Psalm 103:19-22 says.

19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

I believe that the Word of God, conceived in the human spirit, formed by the tongue, and spoken out of the mouth, is creative power that will work for us.

One of my favorite Scriptures that encourages me is...

Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

A MISUNDERSTANDING:

There can be some misunderstanding for some, thinking that we are denying what is existing in the physical, when we speak differently, but we're not. When you speak, “I'm sick, I'm sick”, you most likely will continue to be sick. When you speak the words “I'm not sick, I'm not sick”, of course you are speaking a lie, but also there is no power in those words, so don't speak them, but there IS power in God's Words. When we begin speaking God's Words, we are not negating the circumstance, we are calling forth what we want from the Spiritual realm that already IS. God wants us well. We need to begin seeing ourselves HEALED, DEBT FREE....etc. Whatever the case may be. If you need healing, Begin confessing that the sickness has no power over you but the Word of God does and start speaking, “By His Stripes I am healed, and I call wholeness to me”. But understand......

WORDS ARE IMPORTANT BUT OUR ACTIONS ARE ALSO.

Our actions must line up with what we are speaking. Our actions should fall in line with God's Promises. It does you no good if you speak wholeness and health to your body, if you continue to put harmful things into your body. It does no good to speak prosperity, debts be paid in full, if you continually go out and accumulate more debt.

When you begin speaking that God supplies your needs, and you start calling your debts paid....

– Let your words stay said!
– Support what you've said with your actions
– Be open to God's voice to receive whatever wisdom or instruction He may give to help you get moving and to get things flowing.

THE FIRST THING TO DO IS...
Begin your day speaking PEACE and CALMNESS in your life and begin speaking God's Word:
“I dwell in the secret place of the most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty where no foe can withstand”.

You are stating your claim in the secret place, in the tent of the most High God. If you're there, what can hurt you? You stake your claim there. That is where you dwell everyday.
When you begin speaking these things everyday, and BELIEVE them, you produce an energy of faith all the way around you. Your entire personal space, your house, your workplace.

Just as with Isaiah 6:1-8
PRAY – Spend time in God's Presence first thing
-- Isaiah 6:1-8
Isaiah goes into the temple and worships God and sees a vision of the Lord and the first thing that comes to Isaiah's mind when he sees the Lord, is his mouth. It's the first area of his life that he is convicted about. An angel brings a live coal and touches his unclean lips saying his iniquity is taken away and his sin purged. The Lord asks who He shall send and who will go for them. Isaiah says to send him. He will go. He did not say this until he had an encounter with the Lord.
We need to begin our day, seeing the Lord, coming into His presence, confess our faults and weaknesses, so that God can touch our mouths, cleanse us for going out for the day, to help our community, those with unclean lips. Every day, have an encounter with God! Let God touch your mouth, cleansing you.
Remember before speaking, to PAUSE, PONDER and PRAY. Let God touch your lips to speak His Word, to speak LIFE not only into your own life, but in the lives of others.