The Gift of Faith in Prayer, Part Three!

God gives good gifts to us--liberally and without finding fault!  And He wants to give us the gift of faith to empower us to reach others for Him.

The gift of faith moves us to simple and restful prayers.  We need to realize the power of simply saying our Master's name!  As we do, the supernatural will just start to flow.

The Word says we prophecy in accordance with our measure of faith, and it is the same with healing prayer.  The more faith we have, the more we'll see, because our own unbelief can hinder God.  We can all acknowledge God's power, and as we do, the more we'll see His power at work.

It's for freedom that we've been set free.  We are free to eagerly desire the gift of faith.  Desire leads to the revelation that God's been holding out the blessings to us all along.

He's Given Us All Dominion...Thankfully!

Yesterday Vanessa and I walked down back to the pond, where we sat on the grass and talked for a while.  See, Tuesday marked our one year anniversary--May 12th, last year, was the day that God told us that we'd be married. What an adventure...time goes by so fast.  It's become even easier to see God's blessings; to see how His power has kept us moving forward.

And we took time at the pond to make new pledges to each other and just look back on all the memories that The Lord's given us so far.   What a year it's been!  We could never have dreamed up a story so dramatic, so beautiful, or so thoughtful.  And we didn't have to, because God did the planning for us.

We were joined on our walk by our cat, Fearless.  He showed up at just the right time, and then followed us down to the pond--he's such a ministering spirit!  He was hanging around nearby during our time together, too.  God has him on puppet strings--that's how often he's used to speak to us.

And after a while, Vanessa and I got into prayer.  We're holding hands in prayer, facing each other, when Fearless came up.  Then he climbed right up onto our laps, right between us, and laid a paw on each of our legs.  Like I said, what a minister!  He stayed there, just resting, for the remainder of our praying.  I think He sensed the Holy Spirit!  Praise God, once we got into really praying and speaking God's heart, Fearless just didn't want to leave.

Anyways, God ensured that all three of us had a wonderful time.  V and I finished praying and stood up, ready to head back.  It was just getting dark--around 8:30--and we were ready to go.  There was a loud crackling noise in the woods, probably 100 feet away, but I discounted it as noise after noticing that Vanessa wasn't too concerned.

We're getting ready to leave when we noticed Fearless acting strange...then all of a sudden, things changed.  I looked towards my left, out into the wood line, and felt the fear sink into me.

There was a large, brilliant white animal running towards us.  It looked like a big cat--like a bobcat or mountain lion. And it was running and jumping, coming right towards us.  I watched, kind of shocked, as it sprinted out from the wood line and into the field we were at the edge of. I said to Vanessa, "Oh my gosh, there's something over there.  It's big.  Run, run, run!"

And we took off running!  It was pretty intense.  I keep looking back towards my left, and I could see this animal coming towards us.  I yelled at Vanessa to run faster--I wanted her to stay ahead of me and away from the cat--and in that moment, my mind started to wander and the flashbacks started coming...

"...Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end...."                 Ecclesiastes 3:11

...And I was thinking to the Lord, 'is this it?' I felt that whatever was chasing us would soon finish me off.  I began thinking of eternity, and noticed peace begin to displace some of the fear that had come on. 'It won't be so bad', I thought.  'I just want Vanessa to run faster and stay ahead of me.'  

In that initial ten seconds of running, the Lord had gotten me pretty well prepared for the end.  But then, all of a sudden, something clicked.  'No, this can't be it!  It's not our time yet.  Maybe there's a way out of all this...'  

Then I semi-randomly remembered some of St Francis of Assisi's epic encounters with animals   (I'll let you decide on their validity for yourselves, but hey, what stories) ....and thought, 'hey, maybe there's hope!'



** SIDE NOTE:

Now, I've seen dogs, cats, birds, and even hornets obey commands given in the name of Jesus.  There was one dog in particular that just wouldn't listen to me--I wanted it to stay inside it's gate--until I commanded it to stay off the porch in Jesus' name.  When I was in the flesh, this dog behaved terribly, but when I was filled with the Holy Spirit, it would literally bow down before me.

"You have made them a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned them with glory and honor.  You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet..."     Psalm 8:5-6 **



So, the flashbacks continued, and I realized what I needed to do.  This current situation was a little more intense than any previous encounter with animals I'd had, but God took hold of me nonetheless. And I remembered to use His name.

Still running, and still urgently shouting at Vanessa to "run faster!!!", I looked back, put out my hand, and commanded that animal--that giant cat-- to stop in the name of Jesus.  I was still scared, but I knew God was bringing me up under His authority.  I was still really scared, actually, but I felt held up by a power greater than myself.

I didn't see any more flashes of white after that.  I didn't see anything chasing us--it must have turned off or stopped.  Praise God.  Still, we kept running all the way back to the house.  I kept telling Vanessa to run faster.  I didn't want her to get eaten or anything! We looked back again and again, and there was....nothing.  It was as if the whole experience had happened miles away.

We got back to the house a little shocked, still having a hard time believing what had happened.  I knew God had protected us.  Our sprint to safety probably took a minute, yet I think that thing could have caught us within 20 seconds at the speed it was going.  In hindsight, God led me to take authority.  And He allowed that situation to begin in order to reveal to us His authority.  He turned a dangerous situation around for the good!

Wow.  Talk about a rush!  We went back inside, and I began doubting what I saw.  I got on the computer and researched white bobcats (they do exist!).  Also, as it turns out, Vanessa never saw anything--she just responded to my shouting and took off.  But I had seen the cat, twice...and so I asked God to confirm the reality of what just happened.  Right away, He gave us via 'random chance' a verse in Genesis, Genesis 1:26:

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

Wow!  What a confirmation--that was my first thought.  God gave us dominion in that situation.  He preserved our lives according to His Word (Psalm 119:25).  What a way to culminate our time at the pond.  God sure makes things exciting.

Vanessa thought it so fitting that this happened right after our pledges, as she said that it showed her that I really would lay down my life for her.  She described to me afterwards that I'd told her, "just keep going, I'll be OK!" while we were running for our lives.  (It's a little blurry to me now.)  She said, as this had happened right after our pledges, that God was allowing us to be in a situation that proved my love for her.  She said that after this, she'll never doubt my love for her.  Like I said, God keeps life exciting and really does work everything for the good!

Snapshot: Purity and Power

For a little while now, Vanessa and I have been talking to others about baptism.  Of course there is the initial water baptism, and then there is a baptism in the Holy Spirit.  What does the Word say about this?

And he was preaching, and saying, "After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. "I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."                                    Mark 1:7-8

So, we have John's water baptism and then Jesus' Holy Spirit baptism.  

JOHN'S WATER BAPTISM
 
John's is of repentance, to allow us to change our ways...to turn from our sins and get ourselves out of the way! Just the basics here, repentance and belief....but awesome basics nonetheless.  In this baptism we show our initial emptying out and belonging to Christ.  God uses the empty vessels.  This is where we die to ourselves and have our 'old man' done away with.  This is where we become a new creation.  We die to the flesh, beginning with water baptism, and pave the way for God to work.   

We have not yet been 'endued with power' yet (Luke 24:49), because humans do a terrible job handling power.  There has to be some purifying, some dying, and some sanctifying  first.  (Of course, with God, all of that can happen in an instant).  The Spirit comes in and makes us more like our master.

Purity (generally) comes before God-given power as a means to keep us safe, humble, and not overly accountable.  Our character by the Holy Spirit has to safely accommodate our gifts by the Spirit.  So the character--and mind of--Christ should come first.  This is a baptism that signifies purity and heart change.  

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

So, we get ourselves out of the way when baptized in water.  We die with Christ, and then also rise with Him.  What's next?  Well, God has made us pure.  And He wants to intensify the power of Jesus' resurrection within us.  He wants to pour into us more of the Spirit--He wants to give us a greater, secondary infilling. Unlike at the start, now we can be entrusted more power.
 
"But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”                            Mark 2:20-22

Jesus said this while comparing His methods to John's.  And this analogy can also apply to the difference between Jesus' baptism and John's.  The second baptism, in the Holy Spirit, brings in a much larger gifting.  It brings in much more 'new wine'.  It enlarges our spiritual capacity, so that we can drink into the fullness of Christ.  This baptism gives us power--not just any power, but the wonder-working power of the Spirit.  This second baptism unleashes the essence of Jesus within us.  It sets us on fire for Him, for the entire world.  

The Lord wants to make us more effective.  He has promised to make His minister a flame of fire. (Hebrews 1:7) He has promised to give us a light, that, if shown, is bright enough for all to see. (Matthew 5:16)  It is time to start operating in the gifts.  It is time to move in His power.  That's what this second baptism is--power of equipping for effective ministry.

"Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power."                              Ephesians 3:7

Good Gates, Bad Gates

God has been teaching Vanessa and I about spiritual territories recently.  He's been teaching us about their boundaries, their influences, and especially their gates.  There are good and bad territories, and there are good and bad gates.  These spiritual territories either belong to God as part of His Kingdom, or they belong to satan as an area of darkness.

These are not areas marked by physical boundaries or gates or fences. Instead, they are marked by rulers, authorities, and powers within this dark world and by spiritual forces in the next (Ephesians 6:12).  Territories are either for or against Jesus--there is no middle ground.  There is a constant battle at the gates--the Kingdom of Heaven versus the influences of hell.

"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."  Matthew 12:30

As believers, we have been given spiritual authority to advance the Kingdom and push back darkness. We have been given power to pull down idols and spirits of idols.  We have been given the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.  And we have been given the sword of the Spirit, which makes the enemy scatter and brings together the good.  This is something Jesus referred to in Matthew 12:30 above. We have been given authority to prove God's cause and cast away anything that opposes it.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."  Romans 12:12

We need to learn "that which is perfect". We need to bring this weapon of truth out into the world.  God can work through us to pull down the gates.  We can dismantle the manifestations of wickedness which were birthed in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12 again), and prevent these things from continuing to have their way with the earth and it's people.  With His Spirit and His power, we can cast down anything contrary to God.  We can prepare the way for the Kingdom.  We can make way for the Lord, and usher in an environment where He can set up His Kingdom.

As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"  John 1:23

This is what John the baptist did, and this is what God wants us to do, each in their appointed way. Through our warfare we should be working through the territories of the enemy and bringing out from within us the Kingdom of God.  We too can pave the way for the Lord.  We too can push back the gates.

How do we do this?  By words of faith and prayers in faith.  It takes faith from God to see our words impact the spiritual world.  It takes faith to move mountains, faith to move spiritual areas, and faith to remove ruling spirits.  Faith is a gift that in itself gives us divine power.

"...for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God,.."       2 Corinthians 10:4-5

John by his words was speaking for the Holy Spirit.  By his words, John the baptist was dismantling religious spirits and changing the spiritual climate in his area.  He was fighting against the old way, against the established authorities, against anything that might set itself up against the true knowledge of God.  The Light that he pointed towards destroyed hypocritical speculation and hardened hearts.

John himself was blessed by God to be used like He was.  His life had such significance--it even served to forcefully advance the Kingdom.  Through the spiritual fighting he did, even the darkness resisting Jesus suffered violence.

"From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force"     Matthew 11:12

God wants to give us faith, authority, and boldness.  He wants to give us divine power.  He wants to make us more like Jesus.  How?  By giving to our lives the fullness of God.  By giving to our words some of the power present within His.  He wants us to speak with His authority.  He wants His glory to back us.  He wants to gift to us attributes, character traits, thoughts, prayers and mindsets that make us more like His Son.

We should be full of the power and force of God.  We need to reach our potential in Christ Jesus. When were are full of spiritual gifts and spiritual tools from Him, then and only then can we be truly impacting in the spiritual realm.  Only when we are full of His Spirit can we speak with enough power to push back darkness and advance the Kingdom.

"How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate."    Psalm 127:5

Snapshot: A Dim Mirror For Now

A few days ago, God started doing a new thing in the visions He gives me.  I think sometimes He likes to throw us off a little.  Our ways are not His ways, after all (Isaiah 55:8) I started seeing words written in reverse, as if I was looking at them in a mirror.  This happened a few times, and seemed to happen when I was praying for others.  The fact that these words and phrases were written backwards baffled me for a little while.  Then, I was praying for a friend and I saw another phrase drawn out in reverse:

"God conquers all"

So, I saw this being written out backwards, and finally I got it.  The Father gave me enough wisdom to understand what He was saying... I realized that these words were going out to my friend as a message from God.  I realized that The Lord was showing me the spiritual significance of my intercession for them.  Through my prayers, a spiritual message was sent to this person from the Light.  What was the message?  That God conquers all!

And I realized that they would see this from their perspective as a message coming from the Lord.  I realized that God was granting me a taste of the spiritual world in showing me that a message from Him was going out from my prayers.

In a way, my prayers--all of our prayers--are marked by the Lord as being sent from His Spirit.  They come labeled with a message from God.  What I've learned from these visions is a new conceptualization of prayer.  I've realized that the receivers of our prayers are getting a message sent from us, to God, to them.  God does this regardless of whether we perceive it or not (Isaiah 43:19).

"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit..."
Ephesians 1:13

God gave me a glimpse of what prayer really looks like.  I understood a small measure of what intercession actually did.  The sender of God's goodness can indeed perceive power going out from Him.  Jesus was finely in touch with this (Luke 8:46).  I, on the other hand, still see dimly.  I needed manufactured phrases to perceive that God was flowing prayerful power through me.  Still, God is so faithful to help us understand a hidden concept.  He is even willing to put the concept into English!  His Spirit is teaching us new things.

The recipient of prayer receives a touch from God.  They receive a message, from God, that often was distributed through the mind of someone else.  They receive from God a message, in this case, that He conquers all. They receive His presence and His love as a reward.  They may not understand this completely or be totally in touch with the spiritual world, but God works regardless!

"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."  1 Corinthians 13:12

Glory to God that if we believe, we will have whatever we ask for in prayer (Matthew 21:22).  The answer may not be immediate.  For now, we only see dimly.  We have a conceptualization of the truth that has not yet reached fullness.  We may not understand exactly what we're up against in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).  But that's OK!  Seeing in part is better than not seeing at all!  I feel so blessed by the Lord for Him to have taught me so well already.  I'm thankful to see in part.

But God can reveal more!  God wants to reveal more!  He wants to give us the Spirit of revelation.  He wants to give us eyes to see.  He wants to cut through any fog or confusion on our behalf.  He wants us to be in tune with the spiritual, but more than that, in step with HIS Spirit.  That's what keeps us safe.  That's what marks us as His own.  That's what seals us.  The Lord is ready to show us more.  Have we received from Him wisdom and the Love required to lead us into all truth?

Victory and Overcoming

As believers, we are in a battle.  We are living in a land that is not our own.  We are living in a constant battle, constantly warring and battling against the powers of this world.  If we are not growing in our walk with the Lord, then we are at risk of missing out.  We are opening the door to the enemy coming in and taking the Word out of our hearts.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Ephesians 6:12

We are fighting in this battle against the attempts of the enemy, which are meant to take us away from God.  Satan is always at work trying to make us slip back to where we were.  He is constantly trying to make us doubt God and believe a lie.  He tries to wreck our bodies and our peace of mind--to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10).

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

We are not immune from the sins of others or the schemes of the enemy.  We are, in fact, destined to have trouble in this world.  We are going to be fighting the enemy until the day we die.  We won't be completely out of his reach until we die and get to heaven.  Satan is intent on trying to cause even the strongest believers to fall away.

But Jesus has won the victory.  He was tempted by the devil, but he came through it.  He achieved the victory by living a sinless life, giving up Himself and conquering the grave.  He embodied love and truth in everything He did.

Yesterday I received a vision where I placed a signet ring on my finger.  The Father has often given me visions of signet rings as a form of encouragement as seen in Haggai 2:23.  In this vision, though, there was a unique twist.  I saw that on the top of the ring there was a small human figure with arms raised.  I was given the 'knowing' to understand that this vision symbolized the Lord's opportunity to LIVE in victory.

Jesus was the first to be victorious, and He was the first to live life to the fullest.  He came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45), but He still came out on the upside of everything He did.  He lived with joy that couldn't be disrupted by chaos, and He lived through so much, yet never lost His peace (John 14:27).

And He died for our freedom.  His sacrifices defeated the enemy once and for all.  He set a template of perfection and showed us a way that we could respond to the world.  He showed us how to make the most of every opportunity.  Jesus Himself gave His authority to us, if we are indeed sons of God.  Satan tried to make Him stumble again and again, but Jesus always came out victorious.  And we now have a life to aspire to.  We can commit our actions to the firstborn of many brethren (Romans 8:29), then observe as He takes us to that place of being His friend.

Thanks to Jesus, we've been made overcomers.  The same Holy Spirit that animated Him is waiting inside us to respond perfectly to any and every situation.  The sinless being that lived His life is living in us, too.  So we can be victorious in every moment of our day!  We can be victorious within our areas of influence and our families, and together form a band of overcomers.

There is power in numbers.  A cord of three strands is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).Within a band of believers is all the power that Jesus ever had. This was His doing--it was His choice to give us authority.  King David loved to see believers band together (Psalms 133:1).  He had experienced such a revelation of what happened in that type of meeting.  He realized that overcoming could be found there.  He realized that's when God comes in (Matthew 18:20), and that's when we wage war victoriously.  He understood from experience that the body is where the Kingdom is built.  This authority in Jesus is what causes us to overcome Hades and this world.

"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."  Matthew 6:18-19

Confirmed:  Later on in the day yesterday, a new word was released from the Elijah list--"Overcoming all in 2015"  Below is an excerpt , in italics...with bolded parts for emphasis, of course.


Whether applied to our personal or corporate lives, there is a need for us to receive of the prophetic anointing to live overcoming lives. In this year be encouraged that God has only good plans in store.

God has called His people to ascend into the high places of His Presence. The enemy would have us stay "earth-bound" keeping us from soaring as eagles in prophetic vision and purpose, seeing from Heaven's view. Worship causes us to ascend in the Spirit experiencing the glory and Presence of God, also simultaneously filling out spiritual tanks to walk in victory.

I recently had a dream where a prophet was singing "Eagles fly and walk the earth" over and over again. The truth is we live in two different realms of existence. In the natural we walk the earth, and in the Spirit we soar and fly with a view being seated with Christ in heavenly realms. With this understanding, we must also arm ourselves with the truth that we need to fight through worship-warfare to take ground in the Spirit.


Here is an added dimension.  Together as one body we can overcome, and we can use our spiritual gifts to do so.  So let's eagerly desire the greater gifts and the spirit of prophecy(1 Corinthians 14:1)!  Let's join together, with each living in His Victory.  Let's do this until the point that we can testify that He's overcome the world.  Let's be victorious in every moment over the enemy and his wishes for us to follow the flesh.  Let's allow His Spirit to work through us and be achieve victory and peace in every single moment of our daily lives.  In the midst of confusion and trouble,  let's make overcoming our lifestyle.

Snapshot: Power Like Lightening

Jesus came set people free.  He came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).  How does He do it?  By the power of the Holy Spirit.  By power like lightening.  God's power is mighty beyond our comprehension, and used for the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4).  It is used for setting the oppressed free.  God is the only person entitled to put on a show.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free..."  Luke 4:18

Many people out there are just looking for a flash of light.  They are looking for the power of Jesus, they just don't know it yet.  So many are led astray by false religions.  And so many are led astray by their own pride...they have a form of godliness, but deny it's power (2 Timothy 3:5). Thankfully, though, there are many who will be saved who have not yet been taken to that point.  These people are in need of a demonstration of God's power.   They need to find the truth, and they need the One true God to take them there.  Only the force of God can break through the powers of darkness that exist between us and God.


The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on 

snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.  However, 

do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 10:17-20



As Christians, we are responsible to play a part in this.  We have been given the power and authority of God.  And we need to use it to destroy whatever might get between others and God.  Are you willing to do God's work and release others from the enemy's oppression? Then you need God's power and the full force of His Spirit.  Are you willing to pay the price for it?  There was a wonderful confirmation of this thematic message on the Quickened Word recently.  I won't link to it here.  Just know that if you haven't already, you really should check this website out!

"I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."  Luke 24:49

Jesus told His disciples to stay within themselves until they received power from Heaven.  This is so telling--we need His power to accomplish anything meaningful for Him.  No amount of our hard work can meaningfully touch others.  Our effort cannot heal hearts or bodies.  But God within us can.  He wants to give us power like lightening.  

"Grin and Bear It"

Two days ago, I was struggling through some inner turmoil.  Like I've mentioned in a few prior posts, the Lord is allowing me some enemy exposure.  He's comforted me by relating my story to that of Job.   There comes a time when we need to accept any and all things from the Lord.  If He gives us discernment, it will lead us to understand what is in His plans and what is simply an unfair attack of the enemy.

"He replied, 'You are talking like a foolish woman.  Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?' In all this, Job did not sin in what he said."  Job 2:10

Now, it's still true that Jesus has made us conquerors and overcomers.  He has given us authority over the enemy and the opportunity to live in the Kingdom!  But don't forget that even the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence (Matthew 11:12). And sometimes God allows us to go through unglamorous trials.  Sometimes He allows a sifting.  Often, our Lord will allow evil so that we have something that we need His assistance with.  It's His perfect will that every trial, every sifting, builds our faith so that we can go from strength to strength.  Look at Simon Peter's situation prior to the arrest of Jesus--it was not the Will of God to actively intervene!

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."  Luke 23:32

So a few days ago God spoke to me about what my response to these trials should be.  I felt Him actually telling me to "grin and bear it".  That surprised me!  It's taken a few confirmations for me to put faith in this message.  But by His wisdom I've began understanding what He means by it.

The Lord wants us to acknowledge His sovereignty in all situations.  He needs us to believe, regardless of the circumstances surrounding us, that He is in control and that nothing can possibly separate us from His Love.  He wants us holding onto His promises, regardless of our feelings.

Because if we know the truth, we will be able to "grin and bear" our way past obstacles.  We will be able to hold steadfast.  With the power of His Love, we will be able to patiently endure all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).  God was speaking to me about the manner in which I should be enduring things.  In this case, I just need to accept that He's allowing me more enemy exposure!  As seen in Luke 23:32, it's His will that I come out of my testing with greater faith.  Then He can use me to strengthen the faith in others!  His will for my attitude is to "grin and bear it" in the midst of confusing trials.  Why wouldn't I believe He is good?  Unconditional joy is the response that we need to take when God allows hardship in our lives.

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."  Psalm 18:2

Even when David was in trouble he could identify the truth.  We need to develop an immovable faith. Lord give us the Gift of Faith!  If we know the truth, we can call on God and trust that He will give us a complete renewal.  He renews us and saves us from trouble, and then we have a platform to build on.

"I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies."  Psalm 18:3

This is always what happens next.  God has promised to rescue us from all our troubles.  He has promised to work all things for our good.  So grin and bear it!

Confirmed:  A unique prophetic word was just released on the Elijahlist.  Here it is.  This message really, really ministered to me, as several confirmations stood out.  Below in italics are some short excerpts, and I bolded what stuck out to me:




"This new WAVE of glory will be released to excite people once again. During these days of crisis I will show you I am here, and I Am. Plus, I'll show you how wonderful I am..."

"...Do not be afraid. Stand and see the salvation of the LORD! For I am going to release FUN to the Church! And you will feel the wind! It's for ALL. Just learn to laugh, and watch the enemy flee!" 

He who sits in the Heavens shall laugh... Psalm 2:4



Just learn to laugh.  Grin and bear it...and have confidence in God, even in the midst of warfare.  Thanks to His power we don't have to be afraid--all we have to do is rest in Him  (2 Chronicles 20:17).  When Elijah was surrounded by the wicked prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, He laughed at them!  I'm not sure that he acted perfectly, but it showed the position of faith he had taken.  He trusted God!  He knew his protection was ensured.  More than that, he knew who he'd been called to--the one true God, the only One who is living and loving right now.  All he had to do was let God take the reigns.  All he had to do was laugh!


At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened."  1 Kings 18:27

And sometimes that's what we need to do today.  God's deliverance will come.  We may be surrounded by enemies and our own confusion.  We may feel like God has allowed a delay.  And maybe He has...but He will break through!

Look at Elijah...He was perfectly content to stand still and wait for the salvation of the Lord (Exodus 14:13).  We need to be the same.  We need to love Him enough to seek Him despite any difficulties He may allow.  We need to be willing to wait on Him.  We need to offer up ourselves for testing, according to God's own will.  And when testing comes, we can rest in the victory that Jesus has already obtained for us.  Glory to God!

Snapshot: Humbled

Humility was a theme last week.  God was putting me through some hardship spiritually and I was wondering why.    So He led me to Psalm 44. This passage reminds me of Job in some senses, where God appeared to let down His people.

When we are set back, we cannot give up.  When we go through that valley, we shouldn't fear any evil.  When we are humbled, we need to accept it.  Despite our situation, God wants us to know that our redeemer lives (Job 19:25) .  We need to know that God is who He says He is...faithful, patient and totally in control.  And so loving!  We need to come out of trials more humble than we were before them.  We need to understand that He is good enough to work all things together for our good.

Confirmed:  On the same day as I read Psalm 44, there were confirming comments on a new post on the Quickened Word.  Here they are.  It amazes me how God speaks similar things to His children.  So synchronized, so timely.  And our Lord wants all of us to "see in part"!

Confirmed:  Here is another faith builder from the Quickened Word, this one from today.  It is God's arm that fights for us, and must fight for us, or else we cannot live in His Victory.  See psalm 44 above for more on that.  The better way to live is in humility!  If we are humble before Him, He will always lift us up.  He lifts us up and gives us His might to live victorious.  God doesn't want His children falling short because they don't have knowledge of who He is and what He's done (Hosea 4:6).  He wants us to use the power and name that called us and justified us in the first place.  God's righteous right hand has lifted us up, and His Word has given us power and authority.

Let's know that God disciplines those He loves.  Let's respond with a Spirit of humility and trust.  Only then can we walk by the power of His arm.  Only then can we help the body.  Only then can we be a "strong and mighty" warrior for Him (Judges 6:12).