Pastor Lauries Blog
In This Blog I endeaver to share the nuggets have received from time spent communing with the lord
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December 29, 2014 Blog As I sit and reflect on all the changes over the last couple of years, I pray and wonder about what's coming in 2015? If I track back to 2013, which I called the year of change, and summarize 2014 as the year of adjusting to all the changes, I begin to see a pattern that has happened in history before. 2013 to me was a time of monumental shifts and changes. We had to move twenty years of ministry stuff out of our church building in less then 5 weeks time, due to huge rent increases from a new landlord. We then had to quickly find a new place to meet as a church, and also find a place to store all our church equipment. Some of the members did not transition well into the new building and location. In the summer, my husband had to care for his ailing mother, and on the heels of all this, had a stroke in July of 2013. My husband was healed miraculously, but there were many personality changes that needed to be adjusted to after his stroke. It created more insecurity within the church, and a few more members left. Despite these shifts and changes, God continued to provide for us supernaturally. As the end of the year approached and we eagerly awaited the birth of our first grandchild, my mother, who was battling cancer, took a turn for the worse and passed away 3 days before our granddaughter was born on 12/16/13. In comes 2014, and I felt like I had been struck by a stun gun! It was a whirlwind of change that could not be assimilated all at once. On the heels of all this change, Obamacare is forced on our country, and our health insurance is dropped. Great timing! In my short time on this planet, I have learned that when there is so much shifting change all at once, something of a heavenly magnitude is about to take place. Some changes are just too big to try and control. It requires a faith and resilience that comes from knowing how to live in the rhythms of God's grace. It requires knowing how to be instant, in and out of season, as Paul told Timothy in 2 Tim. 4:2. It requires really listening and hearing what the voice of the Lord is saying in each situation, for ourselves! No longer can we get away with trying to do what God has told someone else to do. No longer can we get away with trying to please people. It is time to grow up into the fullness of Christ. Carnal, or baby Christianity will not cut it in the days to come! Eph. 4:13 So what is coming in 2015? In order to see where we are going, it's good to take a look back at other times in history when there were extreme shifts taking place. This being the Christmas season, we get a glimpse of what Mary, Joseph and the wise men dealt with, during seasons of extreme change and danger. Encoded in these stories are lessons for us today. God moved upon Mary to bring in not only our savior, but a completely new dispensation on planet earth. This new dispensation created a seismic shift in the heavenly realm, the cosmos, the spiritual realm, as well as the political realm. To summarize, there was a convergence of change in all three realms that we live in. Sound familiar? How did they Manage? They listened to the voice of the Lord, and obeyed His directions. Matt. 1:20 - But while he (Joseph) thought about these things, Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,"Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. The wise men received divine instruction as well in their search for the King of kings, through following the signs in the heavens. Matt. 2:10 - When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding joy. Vs. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. Matt. 2:12 - Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country ANOTHER WAY. These wise men were instant in season and out of season, and that meant being able to be pliable to go another way then they had planned! Obedience to divine instruction is going to be paramount this year, in staying protected and remaining in the blessing of the Lord for our lives. Joseph receives divine instruction for protecting Jesus. Matt. 2:13 - ... an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." Again, hearing the divine instruction which came from heaven and doing it, was pivotal in saving the lives of Jesus, Joseph and Mary. I believe this will be imperative in 2015 as well. So in summary I see many similarities with what happened with Mary and Joseph during their time, and what is happening on the earth now. Let's compare with our time now - 1. Many unique signs in the heavens- three consecutive blood moons lining up on Jewish holidays starting in 2014 and into 2015. Also lunar and solar eclipses around the time of these blood moons. 2. Lots of rapid political changes. Many being detrimental to freedom and life. 3. Inconvenient moves and changes for our church and family, as well as many others in the body of Christ. But what was the outcome then? - The dispensation of God with us, Emmanual, born of a virgin, could not be stopped. The Angels heralded His coming as a move of peace towards men. Not towards the systems of the world, but to those who received the precious gift of our Lord and Savior. The gift of God was protected by listening to divine instruction and carrying out what was heard. What's coming for us? Maybe we are on the cusp of another dispensational time shift? In Ephesians 1:10 - it states in Vs. 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He (God) might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth - in Him. (Christ) The word fullness denotes maturity and completion. When a baby is due to be born they are called full term. When prophecies are about to come on the earth they come when the fullness of time is determined by God. I believe we are coming into the season that the earth has been groaning for. The unveiling of the sons and daughters of Glory. (Romans 8:19). These sons and daughters will be fully matured disciples of Christ, that have learned how to be led and controlled by the Holy Spirit, in line with rightly dividing the Word of God. This will be happening alongside very dangerous times in the earth. Isaiah speaks of this time- Is. 60:1 - Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His gory will be seen upon you. So for this upcoming year, let's wait on the Lord, and only say what He says, and do what He tells us to do, and seek His glory alone! John 7:18 - He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
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Pray for God's purpose in the Church Hey everyone, Pastor Laurie here just reminding everyone that today is the national day of prayer. Let's pray for those in authority, governments to be saved, and for Oasis and the whole body of Christ, and our families. Let's pray the Word over all our situations! Eph 1:17 - 19 - that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, May give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, (which is Christ in you, the hope of Glory) what are the riches of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who Believe, according to the working of His mighty power! Eph 3:10 - to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the Church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. We need everyone as the Church to come together with this vision in mind. That as we come and bring our supply of The Spirit of God, we would be fitted together and grow into a holy temple in The Lord. Eph 2:21 - 22. In whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. So God wants us to know that, the riches of His inheritance are connected with us, His saints ,coming together as the household of God for a number of purposes. 1. He fits us together so we can grow up into a holy temple corporately. 2. So God himself will have a dwelling place on earth in the Spirit! Why? 3. So that His wisdom would be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places! Why is this important? Because this is where all our breakthroughs come! We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers, etc. When there are wars and rumors of wars in nations, and even in our families, it will not be worked out by our flesh or soul. Let's take our place in the heavenlies, (in the Spirit at the throne of grace), before our Fathers face, and learn of Him. In these last days, let's not get lax in our coming together, but stir up the vision and purpose of why its so important, and how each of us need each other, so God can fit us together for His purposes. None of us are perfect, and we in the natural can grate on each other just like in families, but it's time to go higher, for His purposes. Time to come into the stature of the fullness of Christ. Time for the Church Triumphant, full of Glory to arise! Eph 4:13 May 11th, 2014
I want to highlight the importance of prayer and the Word of God, along with the wisdom to rightly divide the Word of God, in raising children. Why is this so important in mothering? Because we are raising up the next generation for The Lord. If we don't pour the Word of God into our children, or grandchildren, we could lose a generation. God said in Genesis 1:27- 28, that He made male and female in His image, blessed them, then commissioned them to "be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it." This purpose has never changed. Also in Malachi 2:15 - it describes Gods purpose of the marriage covenant of being one together. "He seeks godly offspring." I was speaking about church to extended family members, (who used to go to church), and their young child asked, "what's church?" Just because we may go to church and read the word, does not mean it is automatically transferred into our children, or grandchildren. When God was raising up the nation of Israel, He told them of the importance of sharing their bible stories with their children. They were to share with them when they rose up in the morning, and through out the day, and when they would go to sleep at night. Does this mean they would do a line upon line dictation of the scriptures? No, children can handle only little bite size pieces at a time. The Israelites would share the Word in story form.When my children were little, and even around their cousins or friends, I would pray in the morning and ask the Holy Spirit to sensitize me to their needs, and help me transmit the love of God into their little spirits. I was always looking for an opportunity to reveal how good God is, and how awesome His creation is. When the birds would sing, I would tell them that they are praising The Lord, because the bible says, everything that has breath praises The Lord! I would teach them how God made their body and their hands to clap, so they can praise God too! I would have them listen to the wind as it would make the leaves to rustle, and tell them that the bible says, even the trees of the field clap their hands! I would teach of His seasons and cycles that He made, to grow the food that we eat, and to make the land to rest like we do. I would teach of all the celebrations we have, like Christmas, and Easter, and family gatherings, that we are part of Gods family and He loves "when we are "all together as a family!" It takes tremendous wisdom to know the world and thinking of little ones. Each child has their own personality, their own gifts and abilities, and way of learning. Each one learns and develops at their own pace. It takes a lot of prayer in the Holy Spirit to access this wisdom from God, to know and understand our children. We need to take time to slow down as well, so we can study them. It is hard for God to download His wisdom, if we are not in a position to receive from Him. So now we understand the importance of knowing the Word of God to share with the next generation, and the power of prayer in accessing the wisdom of God to transmit His love and knowledge to the next generation. Now I want to focus on the prayers and faith of some famous mothers in the bible. It takes both prayer and faith in raising up the next generation. One example is Hannah, the mother of Samuel the Prophet, from the Old Testament. 1Samuel 1:27 - For this child (Samuel) I prayed, and The Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 Therefore I also have lent him to The Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to The Lord." So they worshiped The Lord there. The next two mothers received words from visitations, and received their miracle children by faith. Sarah, the mother of Isaac, who is called in Galatians 4:26 - (the freewoman) which is the mother of us all. The Lord, and two angels appeared to Abraham, in Gen. 18:1 & 2. Vs 10 and He (the Lord) said, behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son. Vs13 - and the Lord said to Abraham, "why did Sarah laugh saying shall I surely bear a child since I am old?" Vs. 14 - "Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time, I will return to you, according to the time of life and Sarah shall have a son. By faith Sarah conceived. Hebrews 11:11 - by faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was passed the age, because she Judged him faithful who had promised. The next mother I want to study is Mary, the mother of Jesus. Luke 1:28 - The angel said to her, "rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women. Mary responded in faith to her angelic visitation. This was her faith response. Luke 1:37 - 38 - The angel said, "for with God nothing will be impossible." Vs. 38 then Mary said, "behold the maidservant of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word." This is faith's response to the word of The Lord. Now I want to highlight the fruit of these mothers children who they all received from The Lord, and raised in the nurture and admonition of The Lord . 1. Hannah's son Samuel became a great prophet who received the word of The Lord after a long season of silence in Israel. He anointed Saul, and eventually King David, who was the beloved of God, and greatest king in Israel. 1 Sam. 2:18 - But Samuel ministered to The Lord, even as a child. 2. Sarah became the mother of Isaac, which the Nation of Israel came out of, and she is called, "the mother of us all". From this Nation we have the entire old Old Testament written down, as well as our Messsiah, The Lord Jesus Christ. Gen. 17: 16 - " And I will bless her (Sarah) and give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her. 3. Mary found favor with God and became the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 1:31 - 33 - "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus. Vs. 32 - "He will be great, and will be called the son of the highest, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. Vs. 33 - "And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there'll be no end." John 1:14 - and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. So in summary, we see three woman in the bible, who against all odds believed God, and received either answers to their prayers, or the Word of The Lord that came to them through the administration of angels. Each of their children changed the world in which they lived, and their words and examples are still changing the world even today. Each of these woman were going through their daily routines when they received a suddenly from God. Now many of us mothers may never make the history books, but as we through prayer and faith in the Word of God, continue to speak words of life over our children, grand children, and great grandchildren, will see the blessing of The Lord manifest wherever they are destined to go. Never ever despise small beginnings. Never underestimate the ways of God in bringing big impact to His Kingdom through your heritage. All the mothers I spoke of were not well known in their day, and were either barren, or not even eligible to have children. At great risk of their lives or reputations, they became great woman of faith, to which we owe them a debt of gratitude. We are all still receiving the benefits of their faith and love of God! Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers laboring in love for their children and spiritual children, in increasing the Kingdom of God here on earth! A special thank you to my mom, Marylee Loughlin - Dombrowski, who is spending my first Mother's Day without me, in heaven! I was blessed to be raised with such an example of grace, love, sacrifice and humor. Through the many trials of life, I learned from her not to take myself so seriously and laugh a lot! Her child like faith made it easy for me to believe in a loving God and savior! I miss her terribly, but am so thankful for all the warm memories, and family traditions she has transmitted to her whole family! In everything I do, and everywhere I go, her heart prints of love are etched within me, and are now being passed to the next generation! The love and prayers of a mom never die! They are seeds that last for eternity! I love you mom! I'm glad we will be spending eternity together with Jesus! To Mom with Love June 5th 2014
December 13, 2013 came and went like any other day on the calendar. For me, however, it was the day that turned my life inside out and upside down. A date that will forever be etched in my memory as a turning point like none other. On this day, at exactly 10:30 pm, but marked officially at 11:10 pm, my beloved mother, Marylee Loughlin Dombrowski, went to heaven! Now in our fast paced society, with people coming and going everyday, it may seem silly that this cycle of life and transition holds such an intensity with me? I mean, it's been going on for millennia? Cognitively, we all know this day is coming, for some sooner then others. So why the intense impact on me, and my family? Why the constant revisiting of memories, both good and bad, cycling through my mind? Why the feverish pitch to learn and chronicle all the facts that are still fresh in my mind? Maybe in some way , it's like what the scribes in the bible days would do ? In order to ensure the memory and accuracy of events that impacted humanity, they would, through the telling of stories, and the written word, pass on their memories to the following generations. We owe these scribes a debt of gratitude, for their diligence and detail, in transcribing history for the rest of us to enjoy! I now see how important it is to slow down, reflect, and feel the impact that the vacancy of a loved one leaves us. This process enables us to share and transmit the stories and lessons of a life that has been lived alongside us, in our own journey of life. Each life interconnecting us with the preceding generations. Why is this so important? It's part of our own personal history that contributes to our story, which in turn gets passed on to our own children, whether biological, or spiritual. We hear so much about the negative impacts of generational iniquity passing effortlessly from one generation to the next. The ease in which mindsets and patterns of thought are passed through the laws of transmission, just by being in close proximity to someone for a prolonged period of time? Maybe it's time to highlight the importance of how this also happens for the good, in passing on a legacy of blessing and hope for the following generations. The apostle Paul said that each life is a living epistle, seen and read by all men. Each day declares the Glory and wisdom of God, to him who has ears to hear the parables of life? Knowledge can come to those who live life at a feverish pace. The wisdom of God, however, only comes to those who are led by "the still waters", and "lie down in the green pastures" of life, as spoken by King David, in Psalm 23. With each life lived around us, especially family, there is a wealth of wisdom and knowledge that can be assimilated and transmitted, if we take the time to have "ears to hear?" Even with the negative impacts on our lives, if we take the time to learn from our stories, and our family's story, without getting bitter, we grow! In the spirit of focusing on the positive attributes of my mom in passing on her legacy of love to her family, I would like to share a little about her and some of what I have learned from her. She has imprinted her love to her family in so many ways. First she was a survivor of polio, abuse, a failed first marriage due to the violence of drugs and alcohol in her spouse and almost lost her life a couple of times due to medical reasons. Each time she faced a crisis, mom rose to the occasion, confronted the problems with a sense of humor and grace, and kept moving forward. She was not a quitter, but a fighter! Her siblings used to refer to her as "General Lee"! Mom refused to remain a victim, and helped many others overcome their trials through encouragement and love. I have seen many people in life become hardened and bitter when suffering losses. My mom had a way of turning losses into compassion and acceptance towards those less fortunate or misunderstood in society. She was the most non-judgmental person I ever knew. Mom was gracious and accepting of everyone she met. Of course if you crossed her, or did wrong by her family, mom would speak up and hit you between the eyes verbally before you even knew what hit you! She was very comical in the way she did this as well. I could write so much more about my mom but for the sake of space and time, I will summarize her impact on my life. I attribute my going into ministry with my mom and her mother's (my grandmother) simple childlike faith in a loving God. The love I have for my children, and now first grandchild, can be traced to her imprint. So many of her family traditions have now become a way of life for my family. My Mom's legacy of faith, love, forgiveness , and always hoping for a better day, has been realized in my life! I am now a continuance of her heart print of desires and prayers, that maybe she didn't even get to finish seeing in her own life? My prayer is that this same legacy will continue on for generations to come. I want to have the same hope, that whatever I am not able to finish in this life, will be continued through my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Hebrews 12:1 - says, Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, (those who have gone before us) let us lay aside every weight, and sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. God has a destiny and a race for each one of us. Our relatives that have gone before us, leave us with both negative and positive emotional spiritual DNA imprints. It is our job through Christ to face, overcome, and learn from the negative traits, and continue with the positive ones. In essence we are all running a relay race in which our loved ones hand the baton of life, love, dreams and prayers, to us on earth, as they travel home to heaven for eternity. This is our blessed hope. That our destinies in Christ would be realized, blossom (or manifest), and advance for generations to come. 20 Years of Ministry Reflection !!
Habakkuk 2 : 2 - Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, "that he may run who reads it. 3. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. In this blog I want to reflect on 20 years of ministry and how it all started. I also want to share what The Lord has spoken for the next decade. In 1979 my husband John was attending Oral Roberts University and was given this scripture as a prophetic word from a Rev. Dick Mills. A short Summary of who Rev. Dick Mills was - Rev. Mills was a father in The Lord to many during his life in ministry. He was born Feb. 5, 1922 and passed into heaven May 25, 2012 at the age of 90. He and his wife Betty graduated Life Bible College in 1949, founded by Aimee Semple McPherson. Aimee Semple McPherson's ministry has roots that trace back directly to the 1906 Azusa Street revival that touched the world! She was one of many woman to be launched into ministry by the move of the Holy Spirit at a time when woman had little rights! Rev. Mills was born, raised and passed away in California. His ministry however took him to indian reservations and churches throughout the USA, Canada, Central America and Cuba! He was a prolific writer, authoring many books and lectured and taught at many Christian colleges. Rev. Mills was also an occasional guest on TBN and the 700 Club. (Christian television networks) As you can see, Rev. Mills had a profound effect on not only my husband at that time, but many others in the world, including myself! How we connected with Rev. Mills and his impact on our ministry. My husband went to ORU at the same time as Dick Mills daughter, Debbie. She ended up marrying my husband's friend and dorm director Kyle Booth. When I transferred my job from Manhattan to The Williams Company in Tulsa, January 1980, we all became friends and double dated! We have stayed in touch ever since. Our Journey in Ministry Training - In September of 1980 my husband and I attended Rhema Bible Training Center, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. We sat under the teachings of Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin, and many others! During our time in Oklahoma, we were members of Faith Christian Fellowship. Our pastors were Buddy and Patsy Harrison, (Kenneth Hagins daughter and son-in-law). Before we moved back to New York, they laid hands on us and prayed for our journey in The Lord! Much was transmitted supernaturally into us during our season in ministry training! I'll get into more detail at another time! Marriage, children, then Ministry - Our Marriage - John and I were married during our Christmas break December 20, 1980! Yes, we came back to New York, got married, celebrated Christmas with our families, and went back to Oklahoma to finish school at Rhema Bible Training College! After finishing school in June of 1981, we packed our bags and moved back to settle in New York! (Long Island, New York). Two of our Children - Two years later we gave birth to our first son, John Michael Curcio III, January 26, 1983. Three years later we gave birth to our second son, David Matthew Curcio, June 3, 1986. The Ministry - In January of 1993, we received official licensing from Rhema Bible Training College, and Oasis Christian Center was born. We incorporated and became an official 501 3 C ministry with the State of New York, June of 1993. We celebrate this date for our ministry anniversaries! Upon this writing, we just celebrated 20 years in ministry! Our third Child - On March 21, 1994, we gave birth to our beautiful daughter, Grace Ann Curcio. The ministry is actually one year older than her! Ordination from Rhema Bible Training College- On February 1995 we received an ordination certificate from Kenneth E. Hagin. We needed to be licensed and in ministry for a couple of years before receiving the official ordination certificate. In the spring of 1995, we both went to the official ceremony for ordination in Oklahoma, with Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin laying hands on both of us and praying for our ministry! More of our Ministry and a reconnection with Rev. Dick Mills After entering into ministry officially in June of 1993, Kyle Booth asked us if we would want Rev. Mills to come and minister at our church in New York? We were delighted! It took some planning and the right time,but he eventually came April 27, 1997. Rev. Mills gave the same scripture (Hab. 2:2) to us as a couple for our Church. It was exactly 18 years earlier that he spoke those words to my husband in college! Amazing how The Lord gives us words to encourage us in completing His plan for our lives! In Spring of 2011, my husband and I had the privilege of being part of an ordination service in California by Rev. Dick Mills. We were ministered to, and ordained by Rev. Mills before he left the earth a year later. So there are three major streams of ministry that have been deposited into our lives and ministry. 1. Oral Roberts Ministry 2. Kenneth Hagin Ministries 3. Dick Mills Ministry We have been graced to receive a rich supply of anointed ministry in the body of Christ. As we celebrated 20 years this past June, we have been going through many changes. We moved out of a location we were in for almost 13, and looking to purchase a place of our own. During this season of transition, The Lord defined the shutting of the door to one season, in order to make the way into the next season of ministry. Our ministry could be defined as going into our third decade, Here's how it was defined to me by The Lord. 1. The First Decade - Was the birthing of the ministry, and the seed time season. The time of growing up. 2. The Second Decade - Was a season of testing, more growing, and a straightening of crooked places. 3. The Third Decade - Will be the season of maturity. The time of harvest of all the seeds sown. February 24th 20014
Romans 8:18 - 21. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 21. Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. I am passionate about allowing God to reign over our services, and we learn the art of flowing with Him. He is our healer, our provider, the need meeter, our peace, the builder of the house, Lord supreme, the power of the gospel, our light and salvation, our love and our life! With out Him reigning in our lives and ministries, we become heady, dead and dry. God wants us to have His eyes and ears and heartbeat for each other. I believe the vision is simple. It was encoded in worship songs that The Lord gave my husband and Son many years ago. Psalm 24 : 7 - lift up your heads, O you gates, (look into the face of Jesus). Even be lifted up you everlasting doors, open the chambers of our hearts, and the King of Glory will come in. Vs. 8. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. He is looking to come in and be seen in all His Glory. We will be changed as we behold Him, and have ears to hear Him. The shackles of bondage will be broken off His people and much will get done in less time, as He is highly exalted among us! The more we carry, the more we try and accomplish out of our intellect and natural reasoning, the harder ministry and life becomes! Love was never meant to be so hard! But the less we are around the atmosphere of love Himself, the less we are able to handle the frailties, weaknesses and shortcomings of humanity! The more ministry switches the gear to "our" giftings to humanity rather than God through us to humanity, the more carnal and earthbound our services will remain! It will remain man to man, rather than God to man. This is why there is such a divide between ministers who use their giftings, gain great popularity among the people, but behind the scenes they are miserable failures in relationships, and love. Self consumed, self absorbed, selfish in their ambitions. God will still use whatever He can to bring in the innocent into salvation, but I believe this is why the world is so disillusioned with the culture of Church going. Many love and respect God, but reject the hypocrisy of the double standards. It is time for the real life and love of God to be manifest by His church in reality not just in letter. So many are hurting and dying inside. There is really not much difference between the pain the world suffers and the people in the church do. The difference is that we have eternity in our hearts . How sad that most in the church know how to give answers to the world, and hurting people within the church, but can't even live out their own answers and advice they give to others?! They'll talk faith, but live in unbelief never expecting miracles in their marriages and homes and families? Both cry out to God for help and deliverance. God's answer to the world is Christ being manifest through the glorious church that manifests and operates in the Spirit, enabling us to really love each other, despite our weaknesses, which is what draws the world! Not perfectionism and walking the tightrope of rules and regulations in order to be accepted and loved! A living breathing God flowing through a humble humanity, willing to get out of the way and let Him be fully Lord in our midst! But too many like the control, they like the praises of men, they like being lifted up, because it numbs the insecurity and feelings of impotence that man made religion brings! Time for real love, real life, and really enjoying the journey God has put us all on! Time to really enjoy the glorious liberty that Christ died to give us by His grace! Time to enjoy his true freedom that only comes by the Holy Spirit within. 2 Cor. 3: 17 - Now The Lord is the Spirit;And where the Spirit of The Lord is, there is liberty . (Freedom) James 4:6 - "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Vs. Therefore submit to God, Resist the devil and he will flee from you. The definition of pride - Arrogance, and conceit, which is an unduly high opinion of oneself. The definition of humble - Meek or modest. Meek = yielded, power under control. These are the most common definitions of pride, and humility. It can evoke images of the big bully in school, who thinks he's better and stronger than anyone else, and the quiet submissive guy who minds his own business, and avoids confrontation at all costs! I want to share another perspective on this scripture that became revelation to me. First of all, Jesus was the meekest, most humble Man that walked the face of the earth. He was by no means weak, nor did He ever lack the fortitude of confronting the religious mindsets of His day! If we are going to really understand what this scripture is saying, and how it applies to us currently, we must look at how Jesus fulfilled His course on planet earth. John 1: 17 - For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Jesus understood the rhythm and flow of His graces and the boundaries God set for employing them. Grace has been defined as God's unmerited favor. Grace is also understanding ones own God given gifts, the purpose of the employment of those gifts, and when, how and who to employ them with! Jesus knew the seasons and times of His life because of His intimate connection with His Father in heaven, which enabled Him to employ and impart those grace gifts to humanity! Jesus operated in humility by waiting on His Father in prayer. He only did what He saw His Father do, and only said what He heard His Father say. Jesus had the power to go wherever He wanted to go, and reach all of humanity at one time if He chose to. The Lord had a boundary even for Jesus. It was to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He also ministered in a circuit, which is a closed circular line around an area. He stayed His course from start to finish, depending on His Father every step of the way. He never went His own way, did His own thing, or spoke His own thing. Jesus brought much glory to the Father by governing His life this way. John 7: 18 - He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. We are now able to have the same relationship with the Father through Jesus, because of His obedience in following God's plan. How does this way of operating apply to us now? - Jesus, through sending us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, has given us the same ability to hear and do what the Father has planned for our destinies on planet earth. It takes the same relationship through prayer, and hearing and obeying the spirit anointed Word of God! We can short circuit our own destinies by falling into the same traps that the enemy has employed since the beginning of time! What is the enemies game plan to side track humanity? It has always been to seduce mankind into operating independently of God! Even Jesus in the wilderness was being tempted by satan to worship him in order to gain all the kingdoms of the earth! All the kingdoms of the earth became the kingdoms of our Lord Jesus! Rev. 11: 15. It happened however, in God's way and His time! Satan will tempt people with what God has already freely given them, or has called them to do. The seducing part is the enemy will try and push us out ahead of God's timing and ways. He will also press us into trusting our own power and intellect to accomplish our destinies apart from The Lord ! When this happens we become our own gods and the pressure on us becomes too intense to bare! God's yoke is easy and His burden is light! When we take the matters of life into our own hands, God is a gentleman and backs off. He will never compete with us over who we assign Lordship to. Satan is the one who presses us into taking control of things, rather than surrendering and trusting the Lordship of Jesus Christ! Another way the enemy tempts humanity is under the guise of trying to help others in genuine need, through our own power and intellect apart from God's sanction and timing. This seduction is the hardest to unveil, because the scriptures teach us to love and help each other? How can helping others get us into a rut? Again, Jesus is our example. He stayed within His calling and boundaries, and God was able deliver the human race in three years of His ministry on earth! Amazing! Helping others is fine when it's within our sphere of authority to do so as well as fits along the lines of the priorities of our lives. Example: Many in ministry would try and help those of the opposite sex alone, only to become emotionally enmeshed and bound up. Many in trying to help extended family members would abandon the priorities of taking care of their immediate family and lose their spouses or entire family. Many in trying to be the saviors of their communities get out beyond their graces and carry the world on their shoulders, only to break under the pressure of trying to meet everyone's needs and demands! God loves humanity. He created us. He knows how to meet our needs as well as the needs of others, best!" He has a way that is higher than our way! Why don't we trust the ways of God? Many are still carnal christians, and immature emotionally as well as spiritually. Therefore we are governed more by the five senses (the soul) then we are by listening to the voice of the Spirit of God in line with His Word. How does God meet the needs of humanity best? He has set gifts within the Body of Christ! Each ministry as well as each person within each ministry has specialized gifts and callings. When those gifts are administered correctly in their seasons and times, we are knit together by the Holy Spirit and we all grow! Each one in their divinely ordered place! This takes each of us doing our part in staying close to The Lord so we can hear and do what He is asking us to. The enemies job is to get us out of bounds doing what someone else is called to do, and we get knotted up instead of knit together! The bottom line: When we yield to The Lord and become pliable to His ways, (which is true humility) we receive His grace to fulfill His plan for our lives! When we stubbornly try and do things out of our own power and strength, (which is pride!) we actually make God our opponent. We are taking His place and becoming a god to ourselves and to others! Even if what we are doing is applauded by society and looks so good on the outside, it is still idolatry! Life becomes hard when we have made the one who loves us and died for us our opponent ! Even when done unintentionally. Nugget from The Lord - We cannot serve two masters! Don't let anything or anyone else become a god before God. That includes you and me! John 10:27. - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
There are so many voices in the world today that is imperative to listen and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit in all that we do. Luke 24:49 -. After the resurrection, Jesus told His disciples He would send them "the promise of His Father",which is the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth and helps us in all we are called to do in life. We need to spend time in prayer and the Word in fellowship with the Lord to sensitize our hearts to beat as one with His. In this Blog I endeavor to share the nuggets I have received from time spent communing with my Lord. Nugget from the Lord - " Pay attention to what comes to your attention!". Romans 10:17 - Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Many have thought this verse to mean we will get faith just by jamming our heads full of the knowledge of the word and then take the action of repeating it over and over again. The logos word by itself will not produce any fruit in ones life unless it becomes Holy Spirit anointed or God breathed to us. I like to say the verse this way. Faith comes by hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit and hearing by the rhema word of God. James 2:20 - Faith without works is dead. Many take this scripture to mean that we are to just repeat a scripture and then prescribe our own faith action that corresponds to that scripture. Example: I knew a person who wanted their eyes to be healed so they began declaring the scripture in mark 11:24, that they could have what they say, and proceeded to throw their glasses away. The problem; they couldn't see while driving! It wasn't based on the direction of The Lord for them. It was based on their desire and God's desire, but not His way, or His timing! It takes time to grow in the nurture and admonition of The Lord. Solution - I like to say the scripture this way; faith without the corresponding action of obedience to the voice of God speaking through the rhema or Spirit anointed Word to my spirit is dead! 2 Corinthians 3:6. - the letter (or logos word by itself) kills, but the Spirit gives life! John 6:63 - It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life. Nugget from The Lord - "Anything from the head is dead"! Following the leading, or the voice of the Holy Spirit, can be a matter of life or death at times! The Holy Spirit always leads in line with the Word of God!
I have had many experiences in my life where listening and yielding to the Holy Spirit has spared not only my life, but others as well. In today's blog I want to share one of those experiences. Before giving birth to my first son, back in January of 1983, I was praying and believing God for a safe, natural, childbirth. I heard other woman confess the scripture, Mark 11: 24- that whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them? And you will have them. In doing so, many had natural births without any complications. I liked the idea of this powerful truth, so I "tried" doing what others had done, to achieve their results. I mentally agreed with this scripture and thought that was all I needed in giving me the desire of my heart. After all, it's in the bible? What I did not understand at the time was that one cannot formulate results by taking on the actions of others. Especially when those actions were born of an individual's personal relationship with God, resulting in faith coming from a revelation of the Word of God! Remember the nugget from my last blog, "anything from the head is dead"? This was the beginning of my journey in learning that mentally assenting to the scriptures, without growing up in faith and intimacy with my Lord, would not bring about the desires I wanted. Only by being totally honest with what was really going on inside my heart, and listening to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, did I receive an answer for my situation. John 8:32 - states, "And you shall know (perceive, understand, recognize, realize) the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Here was my situation. - I was confessing for months that I was going to have a natural childbirth, when one afternoon while sitting on my sofa, the Holy Spirit interrupted me! I heard, very softly in my spirit, "you're having a caesarean "! I almost jumped! I then rebuked what I thought to be the devil, because it wasn't what "I" had been confessing or wanted! I could not shake the velvety feel of peace on the inside of me after hearing those words? I was at a cross road? Do I push what I want, or listen to what was coming from what I now know to be the Holy Spirit? Here was the problem. - I had two doctors giving me two different opinions! Right after hearing the word caesarean, my doctor informed me that I was having a baby well over 9 lbs, and while others could deliver big babies, he felt my frame too small. He advised a caesarean. Something strange happened when he said that. The same velvety feel of peace that I experienced on the sofa happened at the doctors office!? I didn't have to give him an answer right away, and was to see a younger doctor the following week. Another opinion ! - The younger doctor gave me an opinion that my head wanted to hear! He said that even if the baby is big, the doctor could give me what is called pitosin, to bring on my labor and help push the baby out! Now, my soul was happy with what I just heard, but something strange again happened on the inside of my spirit or (heart). Instead of the velvety peace, their was a sense of unrest ? I left the office puzzled, confused, and unsettled! I had a choice to make? Why couldn't I just get what I really desired? I learned that the walk of faith is more than just following someone else's script for my life, and requires honesty as well as humility. The honesty part came when I began to see I was really very afraid of going under the knife. My confession was more an action of convincing myself than really trusting God! The decision - I thankfully decided to go with my heart , rather than with my head. The result - I ended up having a caesarean and giving birth to a 9 lb 12 1/2 oz. baby boy who was also 23 inches long! He was 2 weeks late, and I was 2 days in lazy labor because he could not drop into the birthing position due to a huge head! My baby boy, named John Michael, was also in distress because the umbilical chord was wrapped around his neck. Also, because of my baby's size, he stretched and tore my womb in what is called a "window" on the uterus. If I had been given pitosin like the younger doctor had wanted, I could have ruptured my womb, jeopardizing not only my life, but the life of my baby, already in distress! Thankfully I and my baby were healthy and had no complications! The lessons learned - My Lord answered my prayer for a beautiful healthy baby and for my health! It didn't happen the way I wanted, but God knows the end from the beginning, not me! He also knows our frame, and deals with us according to the truth of where we really are developmentally, not where we want to be. I also learned that the flesh has a voice as well as the Holy Spirit. Sometimes one will get confirmations to back up both those voices, like I did with the two doctors! At that point it's imperative to know the voice of the Holy Spirit, and always yield to Him! The results will be life, peace and safety! The voice of the flesh may gratify our wants for a time, but will produce restlessness, confusion, and sometimes even death! Nugget - "It pays to obey the Holy Spirit"! |
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