Stay In God's Peace

Luke 10:38-42 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening to the Lord's word, seated at His feet. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

The Story of Mary and Martha has long been one of the most treasured narratives in the Scripture. Who doesn't identify with hardworking Martha, frustrated with her captivated sister at the feet of the Lord? And who doesn't admire the single-minded devotion of Mary?

I don't know about you, but I can also hear the words of Jesus say, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me”. (John 14:1) He says, “Don't be troubled in heart, don't be agitated, put your trust in Me”!!

This is the portion of Scripture that God led me to when I began asking Him, “Lord, teach me about Your peace and show me how to stay in Your peace when I am overwhelmed by the circumstances of life!!”

This is what will steal God's peace:

1. Whine about the situation

– The first thing we want to do is begin whining and speaking negative about the situation that is happening.

2. Begin blaming others

– The second thing we do is start blaming others for what is happening. It's everybody else's fault.

3. Complain that no one is helping.

– Lastly, we start complaining and become bothered that nobody is helping us with the situation.

TAKE NOTE: None of this accomplishes anything!! It just takes our peace!!

This is how to keep God's peace:

1. Acknowledge God in Everything (Proverbs 3:5-6)

– Our level of peace is directly related to our level of trust in God. If we don't have peace, then we are not truly trusting God. We must acknowledge God in every situation. This helps us to incorporate our trust in Him.

2. Seek God First ( Matthew 6:33-34)

– When we are not trusting God, we are worrying about everything. But we must seek God first about the situation and live right and He will provide all that we need.

3. Pray About Everything With Thanksgiving (Phil 4:6-7)

– Worry and Fear takes our peace. Worry exhausts us mentally and it accomplishes nothing. In every situation we are not to worry or fear but with our whole self be engaged in prayer, and ask with thanksgiving, bringing our requests to God. We need to take everything to God and let Him take care of it. Knowing that God is taking care of everything, the Peace of God guards our hearts and minds.

4. Take Every Thought Captive (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

– Worry begins with a thought. We have the choice to take that thought captive, giving it to God or allow worry to take our peace. We must renew our minds with the Word of God.

5. Focus on God (Isaiah 26:3-4)

– God will keep us in perfect peace if we stay focused on Him. When we get our eyes off of Him and allow the situation to distract us, worry and doubt sets in and we no longer are in God's perfect peace concerning the situation.

6. Cast Your Cares on God (I Peter 5:7)

– He cares about us so much and wants us to cast all of our cares upon Him so that He can take care of everything.

7. Cry Out to the Lord (Psalm 61:1-4)
– David begins with prayers and tears, but ends with praise. Our soul, being lifted up to God, returns to the enjoyment of itself. Wherever we are, we have liberty to draw near to God, and may find a way open to the throne of grace. Though the heart is overwhelmed, yet it may be lifted up to God in prayer. When we cry unto Him, it will be supported and relieved. Weeping must quicken praying, and not deaden it. God's power and promise are a rock that is higher than we are. This rock is Christ. When our heart becomes overwhelmed, as Martha's did, God will lead us to the Rock, a higher place in Him, a place of peace, if we choose the better thing, as Mary did, and sit at Jesus' feet to hear His Word.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”.
-- Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof”.
-- Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.

-- 2 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 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”;
-- Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee”.
-- I Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you”.

-- Psalm 61:1-4 “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah”.

LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED!  TRUST IN ME!!  

(John 14:1)

Purpose of the Church

The main things that I see missing in the Churches today is “The Holy Ghost Baptism (Acts 2)  and the “Equipping of the Saints for Ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-16) Instead, we see many pew warmers being entertained rather than being equipped, only receiving the milk of the word, not growing into maturity.

Everyone has a calling, a purpose, a gift given to them from God. What is Yours?? Seek God to find out your gift and purpose. How? By praying in the Spirit (in tongues) which is when revelation knowledge is being “downloaded by God” into your Spirit. Without the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, you cannot pray in the Spirit, thus never being used in the Gifts of the Spirit. The purpose of the Church is to get a person saved, water baptized, baptized in the Holy Ghost, equipped for Ministry and Sent out with Purpose.

PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH
1. Salvation
2. Water Baptism
3. Holy Ghost Baptism
4. Equipped For Ministry
5. Sent Out With Purpose

Be A Warrior, Not A Worrier

BE A WARRIOR – NOT A WORRIER

1. I am breaking the Worry Habit! I am a Warrior in the Army of the Lord, not a worrier!

2. I take Communion over this decision to break the worry habit.

3. I write down the issues of my life and give them over to the Lord – once and for all!

4. I take every thought captive and say, “Oh No you don't! The Lord has freed me from worry about everything!” 2 Corinthians 10:5

5. I rejoice and praise today, declaring, I am on my way to great victory – free from worry!

6. I do not worry about anything, instead I pray about everything and I am thankful and God's peace that far surpasses my understanding guards my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

7. I seek God first and live right and my everyday concerns will be met. I take no thought about tomorrow. It takes thought for the things of itself. I will live one day at a time. Matthew 6:33-34

8. I cast all my cares and all my worries onto the Lord. I Peter 5:7

My time is too valuable to waste it worrying about things that I have no control over. Worrying accomplishes nothing! Worrying takes my peace! Worrying exhausts me mentally. To worry means one has no faith.

Philippians 4:6-7
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus".

Be Equipped For Ministry

4 Things Paul Did To Establish His Ministry

Galatians 1:1-24

Everything that Paul learned and taught

came directly from God, not man

1. SET APART UNTO HIM

Galatians 1:15 – Paul was separated and chosen from his mother's womb

-- God knew us before we were even born and has set us apart for a purpose.
-- We must come out from among them (the world) and be ye separate

-- Start walking in obedience. God will reveal our purpose and redeem our story.

 

Jeremian 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Psalm 4:3 “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him”.

2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you”

2. SECRET PLACE OF DEVOTION

Galatians 1:17 Paul spent 3 years in the deserts of Arabia receiving from the Lord. All he learned and taught came directly from the Lord, not man.

-- Seek Him diligently, find your course, and run the race given to you with all your heart!

-- We must have a regular time of seeking God to receive revelations from Him.

-- Be Affirmed, Sealed, Commissioned, Transformed & Equipped by God

 -- Spending time in Praise & Worship, Studying of God's Word and Praying in the Holy Ghost will help equip you for ministry.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 

3. GODLY ALIGNMENT

Galatians 1:18-19 Paul went to Jerusalem and stayed with Peter and met James too.

-- We must align ourselves with like-minded people with the same heart/Spirit/Purpose

-- We need accountability from others

-- We need others to pray and speak into our lives, to encourage, edify and build up.

-- If you have no one, get some good Teachings (We receive from Robert Morris at www.theblessedlife.com)

-- Jesus called His Disciples to Himself, then sent them out by twos and gave them power for ministry.

 Mark 6:7 "And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits".

Ecclesiastes 4:12 "And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

4. OPEN DOORS

Galatians 1:21 Paul then went to Syria and Cilicia. Doors opened for him and regions were unlocked for ministry.

When you've been separated unto the Lord, and spending devotional time with Him and you've aligned yourself with like-minded people, God will begin to Open Doors of ministry for you. Opportunities and Divine Appointments will happen.

God is a God of Order, Seasons and Structure. Do not force the doors open. Let God open doors for you. With Open Doors comes Adversity. So be sure to let God open the doors for you , where He gives you strength. 

I Corinthians 16:8-9 "But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries".

Remember and Be Encouraged … “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”: (Phil 1:6)

Heart of Worship

HEART OF WORSHIP

Living A Life Submitted Unto God

During my time with the Lord in prayer and study, He began talking to be about the “Heart of Worship”. Have you ever just been in a service praising and worshiping God, but you're just singing the words and your thoughts are far from what words you are singing? Have you ever rushed off to do “the service of the Lord” without taking the time out to first seek the Lord?

Our ministry should never outgrow our time with the Lord. Our time with the Lord in prayer, His Word and worship should never be compromised keeping “ministry” as the reason. Many are making the mistake today, therefore making way to flesh control. It is our time with God that helps in walking in the spirit. We as ministers and leaders of God should pave way to exalt God, not self.

The Lord is burdened about such kind of people growing in the Body of Christ. He is calling his people back into the HEART OF WORSHIP to walk in spirit and in truth, where it is all about Him!

Our perfect example is Jesus himself. Jesus often withdrew from the crowd to seek the face of the Father. (Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, 6:12, 9:18, 22:39-45) He didn't let his ministry of healing and teaching hinder His time with the Father. He never did or said anything without the leading of the Father. He was a man submitted to God in many ways, most notably by spending time with God in prayer. That is how He did all that He did: A lifestyle of submitting to God, body soul and spirit. He went up to the mountain, did His thing with God, then came down the mountain and did the stuff with the people. By His submission to God, He knew when to stop, and when to go. Sometimes the people's unbelief stopped Him, but other times, the Lord comes in power and does the stuff in spite of unbelievers.

We need to live a life submitted unto God. As we spend time in fellowship with the Father, He sends His own Love, Faith and Hope into us via the conduit of the reborn spirit within us. His “will” is made known to us, first in our spirit. As we progressively comprehend the Father's will regarding any given situation, our spirit begins projecting the “image of hope” onto the screen of our soul. We being to “see what our Father is doing.” We then begin speaking the will of the Father and apply corresponding actions. This speaking and acting “in the name of Jesus” releases the authority for the Holy Spirit to manifest the will of the Father in earth, just as it is in heaven.

“Father, thy will be done in earth, just as it is in Heaven!”

Many “miss it” because they do not live a life submitted to God. Learning and knowing the voice and directive counsel of God only comes from an intimacy of the secret place with Him. He says when to act in power and demonstration of the Spirit and when not to. Memorizing faith scriptures are good but it can't impart that quality in the Believer, without spending time with God. There is no substitute; not even the Word itself, for learning the voice of the Lord for any given time and place. That is what it is to be submitted to God. Just as Jesus' life was one submitted unto God, body soul and spirit, so must ours be. Jesus always sought the will of the Father, not his own. (John 5:30). We must do the same.

Jesus said “...you will ask Me nothing. Ask the Father in My name...He will give it.” (John 16:23). We must yield to the mind of Christ, and be fully surrendered to God's will. Know the will of God. (receive confirmation) before asking. This gives us the confidence to stand, knowing we are not asking amiss (for our own pleasure). (James 4:3), but we are asking in faith (James 1:6, Mark 11:22), according to His Will (I John 5:14). In this there is safety and keeps one from experiencing many disappointments.

When we honor God by living a life of worship, it blesses Him and honors Him! Not only that, but we are shining lights for Him and living a life we were designed to live. For those who don't do this, it is scary because they will answer to the Lord for their behaviors, words and teachings and if they cause another person to stumble, they will be held accountable.

The Lord is all about motives, thoughts and intentions. He knows the depths of every person's heart because He created us and knows every detail of our lives. This Scripture is found several times in the Bible:  

Matthew 15:8 “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

Isaiah 29:13 “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

This refers to the people who were religious but didn't serve God with the right heart. It says in verse 13, “Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.”

We need to reflect a heart after God like David did. This Scripture is a great reminder and prayer to keep asking God to cleanse us and to give us the right heart and right spirit: Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

I like the example we find in Isaiah showing us how important it is to 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. Let not only our lips/words be cleansed but also our hearts – bringing them back to Him. Let not our hearts be far from Him. Get back to the HEART OF WORSHIP where it is all about HIM! Spent time with Him before anything. Seek His guidance. Speak only His Words. God loves when we seek to honor Him wholeheartedly.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpYD7HQo9QQ

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.

Drive Them Out!

Man's influence can be such a stronghold. But thank God that...

"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 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." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

DRIVE THEM OUT!
In Numbers 33:51-55 the children of Israel were told that once they passed over Jordan into the Land of Canaan, they were to drive out all the inhabitants. And if they didn't, those which they allowed to remain would be "pricks in their eyes" and "thorns in their sides" and would vex (afflict, bind, distress) them. Sounds pretty painful, doesn't it? There before them was Jericho, a fortified walled city, shut up tight. But God told them the city was theirs and for them to go and possess it!

Most of us may have finally "crossed over" but now we must face the "giants". Here we stand now before "our jericho" and we find "enemies" that are still living in our "land". We have simply learned to live with certain characteristics, or situations because we've never found a way to permanently drive them out of our lives. But just like God did for the Israelites, He will give us the strategy needed to tear down the walls (strongholds, habits, fleshly desires, wrong influences) that shouldn't be there. He will reveal them to us.

In 2 Corinthians 10:4,5 we read that our weapons of our warfare are not carnal but MIGHTY THROUGH GOD to 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.

The Bible says we are dead to sin (strongholds, habits, fleshly desires, wrong influences) and if these continue to remain after God has revealed them to us, it is not because we do not have the power to be free of them. We have the power to be rid of them!! The problem is, we have allowed them to remain in our life. We have chosen not to use "the weapons that are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." Those not driven out, hinder us from fully possessing and enjoying abundant life. Ask God to reveal your strongholds, and wrong influences, and He will give you the strategy to separate yourself from them, tear down the stronghold, escape them and be free from them forever.

He desires that you be free, because He loves you!

Connie J. Schmoll

Start Your Day Speaking God's Word

What Do You Tell Yourself Every Morning 
As You Start Your Day?

Moses would say, "LORD go with us or before us,
Abraham would say, "The LORD will provide."

Jacob would say, "I won't let go of YOU unless YOU bless me."
Joshua would say, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Samuel would say, "Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening."
Nehemiah would say, "The joy of the LORD is my strength."
David would say, "The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want." and "This is the day that the LORD has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it."
Solomon would say, "Trust in the LORD, oh my soul, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path."
Isaiah would say, "Arise and shine for my GLORY has come." and "No weapon formed against me shall prosper."
Jeremiah would say, "The LORD has plans to prosper me and not to harm or fail me."
Jabez would say, "Oh, that YOU may bless me and enlarge my territory."
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would say, "We will not bow down to any image but will serve the LORD."
Ezekiel would say, "Any dry bones in my life, Live again."
Peter would say, "I will cast my cares upon the LORD for He cares."
Paul would say, "The LORD will supply all my needs and I can do all things through Christ."

Choose your daily statement of FAITH .

After Ye Have Suffered A While

1 Peter 5:10

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you".


After Your Season Of Suffering, God In All His Grace.......

1. He Will Restore You

-- He will bring you back to His perfect and original design for you

2. He Will Make You Strong

-- He will give you strength to overcome your problems

3. He Will Make You a Firm

-- He will make you stable, and make sure you won't fall from any obstacles

4. He Will Make You Steadfast

-- He will make you immovable, no matter what the devil does in your life

Stand Firm

Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. Exodus 14 :13

Many are standing between the long gap of Promise and Fulfillment. You 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. Hold on. Hold on to the promise and stand in the deliverance He is getting ready to unleash.

Today, I'm reminded of the story of Moses parting the Red Sea. God shared with Moses' his destiny and showed him the picture of freedom for the Israelites. The exodus wasn't instant. In fact, the plagues painted a picture of long torment and suffering for many. When Pharaoh finally released His People to go, God sent them "the long way." Short paths seem logical but are often dangerous. After these people quickly packed bags and toted kids down a long road, Pharaoh gathered a massive army to ensure their return to bondage. With intimidation at every turn, they cried out to God in desperate fear. God simply reminded them of the spoken Promise only He could fulfill. Not one ounce of glory for man was possible. His story would brim over with miracles to directly point to the hand of God.

A moment of crisis crescendos. God's people appeared cornered. An insurmountable body of water blocked the path while a mighty army stormed behind. Pharaoh was determined to bring them back to captivity. They had nowhere to go. God reminded Moses of his authority by instructing him to stretch out his hand and part the Red Sea. The impossible became possible in an instant.

God speaks, Moses responds - such a simple formula.

Though the road has been long and hard, keep your eyes on the Promise He gave you. The appearance of "no way out" paves the way for your miraculous "parting of the Red Sea." Deliverance is on its way and He wants all the glory.

The Cost of Following Jesus

The Message From God's Word
THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS
by Tommy Tejcka

Luke 9:57-62 - Jesus had encounters with three of his disciples and challenges them.

1. DISCIPLE OF COMFORT
Vs. 57-58 - And as they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head”
--- He Is Willing To Follow Him Anywhere (but only if it suits him)
--- Jesus states that He doesn't even have a place to lay his head.
--- So are you willing to follow Him even when it may not be comfortable for you?

2. DISCIPLE OF CONVENIENCE
Vs. 59-60 - “And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Permit me first to go and bury my father.” But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God””
--- He Is Willing To Follow At His Convenience. (gives Him the leftovers)
--- Jesus states that to let the dead bury the dead (let the spiritual dead do for themselves) and for him to go Preach the Kingdom of God. We need to reach the lost instead of bury the dead. We need to do what Jesus tells us when He asks us to Follow Him.

3. DISCIPLE OF CHOICES
Vs. 61-62 - “And another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God””
--- He Will Follow Him, But... (Keeps his options open)
--- This man allowed other things to distract him, and Jesus knew that if he turned back now, he wouldn't return to follow Him.

Many of us, after making the decision to follow Jesus, have probably said the very same thing, to be willing to follow Jesus wherever He went. But did we really realize the cost of following Him and doing His will? It takes dedication and sacrifice to follow Jesus.

Isaiah 6:8 “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

We all have a calling to Follow Jesus. What are we willing to give up 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.

<<< I talked with Tommy after service and asked him what he finds the hardest thing to give up or sacrifice to fully follow Jesus. He replied that the hardest thing to give up was himself. Isn't this so true? If we have fully given ourselves over to the call to follow Jesus, then we would not worry about leaving our place of comfort. We wouldn't just follow Him when it's convenient for ourselves and it would be easy for us to obey Him and make the right choices in life. Choose today to stay focused and committed to following Jesus, no matter the cost. >>>

Ministers of the New Covenant

Matthew 28:18-20  
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

We are all called to minister. But do we? It's not just the Pastor that is to do so. He instructs us so we can also minister to others as he does. We are to minister not only in the Church but outside of the Church doors.

2 Corinthians 2:14-14; 3:1-6 tells us that God enables us to be ministers of the new covenant and what qualifies us:

1. HIS PURPOSE. God triumphs over us to use us to tell others about Him, spreading the Gospel like a sweet Perfume. 

2. HIS PRESENCE. We have the fragrance of Christ within us. 

3. HIS POWER. He sends only men of integrity, speaking with God's power with His eye on us.

4. HIS TRUTH. Our life is an epistle written in our hearts read by men.

5. HIS SPIRIT. God enables us to be ministers of the new covenant not by the letter but by His Spirit that gives life.

 Message From God's Word by Pastor Tommy Tejcka

Watch, Write, Wait

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 your/their heart) 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.

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!