Redemption.

Redemption.

For a little while now I’ve been hand copying books of the bible. In hand copying books of the bible I’ve found I take more notice of what’s written there. Things jump out that I hadn’t noticed before. 

I just spent an hour and a half on one page of the bible. Thirty minutes of which was directed towards a semicolon.

I got an awful lot out of it and it all started when I questioned that said semicolon. Who does that? Question a semicolon from a book completed 2,000 years ago? It’s such a little thing; a semicolon. Ah, the joys of being a writer.

Now, explaining what I learnt is the hard part. Putting it all into words is the challenge, but here goes.

The semicolon first…

Ex 12:50 Thus all the children of Israel did; as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

It could also be written as – Thus all the children of Israel did as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron. A slight variation with the self-same meaning. A prerogative of the author at the time.

Then we move down to Ex 13:4 On this day you are going out in the month of Abib, which is March and April. Further study revealed March/April to be the connection between Passover and Easter. Also, that the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt with a strong hand (Ex 13:9), denoting the futility of resisting God, as Pharaoh had tried to do when God sent various plagues upon his nation.

Having struck down the first born of Egypt, the Lord then exacts a return with the redeeming of the first born of Israel (Ex 13:13). This is a foreshadow of the redemption of God’s one and only Son, His sacrificial Lamb.

The first-born son to be given to the Lord. The first-born animal, sacrificed. The donkey, viewed as unclean, could be redeemed by a lamb. That Jesus (the Redeeming Lamb) rode on a donkey, shows an example of humility. A horse was considered an animal of war, a donkey; meekness.

The whole purpose of these passages are to show us how God will deliver His people from the curse of the Law, our prior condition being one of slavery, and what is entailed to set us free. From Genesis to Revelation God’s hand points us to Jesus, moving us out of sin and slavery and into our King/Priest inheritance.

One more thing today; in looking all this up, God showed/reminded me to enjoy where I’m at as I live my dream. We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and the devil cannot defeat us if we’re resolute in our faith. We’re not guaranteed earthly success or prosperity. 

I do believe we are overcomers in the Lord, that success and prosperity are within our reach, for God promises to meet our needs and desires. He doesn’t promise wealth as we know it, but peace, joy and longevity. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36.

We need to be chasing God and not our own prosperity because following God leads to true satisfaction. Psalm 37:4 says; May he grant you the desires of your heart, not He will grant you. If we make God our focal point, rather than riches, it will point us to God and our desire of love towards Him. Delight yourself in the Lord and you won't be disappointed with the outcome. 

Disaster Action Plan.

Disaster Action Plan.

When disaster strikes you have three directions you can take; regress, stagnate or rebirth. The decisions you make following disaster cause you to either turn back, shut down and withdraw, or move you to action.

Disaster is a lesson to learn, to grow and to move through, like a birth canal. Once you get to the other side, you’re stronger and wiser. Don’t let disaster break you. Instead, use it as a spring board to move you forward at a greater pace.

The school or hard knocks are difficult to go through. Better is an action plan, an intention of where you want to head and when you get off course, reset your dials towards your desired destination. It’s better that you decide what you want and need for your life, than to let the disasters of life toss you like a small ship in a large ocean.

Be intentional about who you want to become, where you want to go, who you hang out with, how much money you want to earn. Set goals, make a list and take action every day, for that is the only way you’re going to arrive at your destination. You’ll never get where you’re going sitting in your rocking chair, for you can rock as hard as you like, but you won’t go anywhere. It’s never too late and there’s nothing like today to get started.

You don’t need to be ready; you just need to take one action today which will move you towards your goal. And another action tomorrow and keep going. Don’t quit until you reach your destination. Will you have difficult days to traverse? Absolutely. Pick up the pieces as soon as you can and keep plugging away.

You need to be intentional every day. We’re all busy and some days are busier than others. Write up a schedule which will incorporate your dreams and desires and continue to work towards your action plan. Don’t ever stop. Keep asking the question; “What’s next?” and your world will open up to you.

God is Willing. Are You?

God’s Willing. Are You?

When Elijah arose into the clouds, he dropped his mantle. Elisha had to stoop over and pick it up. When Samson attacked the Philistine’s, he had to stoop down to pick up the donkey jawbone, which then killed a thousand men.

We need to stoop, to bend to the Father, as we pick up what we need in order to defeat our enemies. There’s much trouble and distraction in the world today and we cannot allow ourselves to be railroaded into what isn’t our concern. Yes, pray over matters but don’t worry over them.

Neither Elisha nor Samson had to go looking for what they needed. Both found what was needed close by their side. What we need is also close to us. We don’t have to go looking. Keep your focus on God and He will direct you to the right pathways.

There’s your perceived truth and then there’s God’s truth. Who are you going to believe? The devil is not in charge – God is! And if you’re not liking your journey so far, start to live from a place of joy, for it’s only from a place of joy that we shall hear the Father speak.

God will make you aware of His plan for your life. God will transform your life, as long as you give Him praise, honour and glory. As you praise, honour and glorify God it will also rub off on you for what you behold you become.

God has chosen you to reflect His glory. You are an army of 1. No matter how you feel, God has confidence in you.

Seize God’s power; seize the power of Jesus. You are not the problem but part of the solution. You were born for a time such as this. You are here at the right time and in the right place to make a difference in the lives of others.

The nation of Ester was spared, because of one person, one story. One person can make all the difference. You are that person. Realise: You’ve been chosen!

Billy Graham was just one person and yet he reached over 2 billion people. Billy Graham started because of his Sunday school teacher, who was just one person.

Are you willing to go forth in Jesus name? God’s willing to lead if you are willing to go.

I Am that I Am.

I Am that I Am. I Am the Living God.

Lightning and thunder - fireworks in the sky.

A living light for all the world to see.

I bring you that light.

With it comes joy and wonder.

Awe and majesty.

A showcase of My glory.

The stars in the night sky.

The comeliness of a splendid sunrise.

The marvel of all creation.

The rainbow, the northern lights, the southern aurora.

The magnificent colours of the true and living God.

From My throne these emanate perpetually.

A display of My greatness reflected upon this planet.

A bursting forth from the heavenly realm to the earthly.

That you shall know; I Am that I Am.

I am the living God!

The Hidden Manna.

The Hidden Manna.

What is manna? Manna is substance, bread from heaven, heavenly food. It’s akin to a pool of water, a respite from the midday sun. It’s both worldly and heavenly in form, still being found today in the Sinai Peninsula.

The hidden manna – a reward for those who help Jesus carry out His plan to return the world to its original state. Hidden manna is the help you receive from the prayer you sent out; it’s nourishment to the soul from on high.

Did you know there are rich rewards for those who say ‘yes’ to Jesus and overcome sin? The more you struggle, the greater and more noble the reward, but only if you continue and don’t quit during a tough season.

Your testimony and spiritual truths are the foundations of the Christian life. They are hidden – a hidden hand pours in secret the food and the fuel needed for success.

The abundance of life is in the moral qualities, vitality and energy, not in what we possess.

We come to God spent and weary from the battles we’ve fought. As we enter into God, we enter into peace. In the place of peace, a table is set with a spread to absolute satisfaction of all who hunger.

The wider the heart expands, the more we’re able to receive a sustenance of the Spirit. The tree of life becomes the crown of life, the hidden manna, the bread of life; sweet, fragrant, flavour, sustenance.

Feed on Him. Trust in Him. Give your heart to Him. Obey Him. Think about Him. Tread in His footsteps. Taste, touch, feel, hear and see the angelic food given by Christ. It’s there for all who desire it.

The pot of manna, hidden in the ark; a sacred treasure of the temple which had not perished, but buried in secret spot on the mountain Moses climbed.

The ark, the oil, the stone, the rod, the manna and Jesus himself – hidden and then restored.

The above writing has been sitting in the computer for a few weeks now. I’d forgotten it was there. Today I had a vision, after which I came across this small body of work and I realised how well the two married up.

As I was writing, I got that overwhelming sense of tiredness, the one which tells me God is about to speak. I closed my eyes and a vision came to mind; two hands coming together, forming a circle between arm, heart and chest, converging into prayer. God’s very large hand, wiping away all our troubles.

In this vision, all the troubles were represented within a speech bubble as lots of unrelated chattels, and with one swipe of the Lord’s enormous hand it was all gone.

The circle; the symbol of eternity and never-ending existence. Totality, wholeness, perfection, infinite, timelessness. God; the circle whose centre is everywhere and circumference is nowhere. Zero in number yet full of potential.

I felt God to be saying, when we bring our hands together in conjunction with our heart (the connection to Him), one swipe of His hand will cast aside all our fears.

Who knew I’d get all that out of a quick snapshot of two hands coming together and a speech bubble? It made sense too, as I’d written a snippet only yesterday, called “Praying in the Spirit.” This piece spoke of a greater anointing when we see the Spirit in Him; the complete wholeness of the Trinity together with each of us.

As we open our heart to the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Spirit, the convergence between them and you, the hidden manna stored for this day is revealed; then shall our troubles fade into oblivion.

Praying in the Spirit.

Praying Always in the Spirit.

Before you begin to read this piece, I'd like to point out that God is always with us. As born-again believer's, the Holy Spirit lives in us, whether we feel Holy Spirit there or not, whether or not we are aware of His presence, Holy Spirit resides in us. 

There are things we can do, however, which bring a stronger anointing of that presence, a special endowment from the Holy Spirit. This piece is hopefully going to do that for you; bring in a strong anointing presence, with a greater capacity towards answered prayer.

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

There’s a tremendous spiritual battle with unseen powers. We live in a material world but our citizenship is that of the eternal. Without the strength of the Lord, the devil will pit against us.

Once we realise the reality of the unseen spiritual life and the powers held there, we can then work towards winning our battles, taking captive the unseen and bringing it to the seen.

To overcome and not be cast down is to put on the full armour of God, provided by God, that we may stand in the evil day. We must also pray. And we must know Who we are praying to. To conquer the might and power of the enemy means knowing where to go and what to do and Who to do it with.

So, then, how do we pray?

The disciples asked; “Lord teach us to pray...” (Luke 11:1) It was important enough for them to want to know how to do it correctly. Prayer is not effective so much in general principles but by exactness.

The most essential thing about prayer is that we are to pray in the Spirit.

There’s time and methods for prayer. But it is useless to spend our time on those other things without knowing this first principle …. How to pray in the Spirit.

After Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples met together in the upper room and the Spirit filled them. The great baptism into one body, the body of believers. Let’s not look at this in the wrong way. We’re impressed by the manifestation of power displayed on that day, but the ultimate point is that of salvation. Salvation is simply to bring us to know God.

Christ died in order to bring us to God. That’s the importance of salvation. God’s Son died so we would have it.

The primary function of the Holy Spirit is to bring us to God, worked out by the Son of God; that we know God and have fellowship and communion with Him.

The more excellent way than just prayer alone, is communion, love, knowledge and certainty. We are to pray in the Holy Spirit. Worship isn’t worship unless we pray in Spirit and in Truth. That is to pray with heartfelt sincerity and in accordance with God’s word. A heart motivated by love and gratitude, conforming to the revelation of scripture. And we can’t pray according to the scripture unless we’re reading our scripture.

The partition was torn by the death of Christ and we now have direct access to the Father because of the Son. It is this one and only Holy Spirit, brought through the death and resurrection of Christ that we are to pray. We are to worship God, in or by the Holy Spirit and rejoice in Christ with no confidence in the flesh.

The only true way to pray is in the Spirit. The Spirit is of Jesus and the only way for intercession to occur is through the Spirit in Jesus name.

Prayer isn’t because of a place. It’s not in the rushed and flurry of our morning routine. It occurs in the warm and compassionate centre of the heart. It’s in the reverence and holy fear of the Lord. Know Who you are praying to! Revere Him.

Prayer isn’t in the monotonous repetition of routine. It’s not in the time or the date that you pray, or even the place. Yes, it’s disciplined and directed, but it’s in the Spirit. Mechanical prayer is better than no prayer but it’s not in the mechanical, not in the quiet time but in the heartfelt prayer brought before God through the Spirit.

True prayer comes from the heart, from compassion, from love. To Whom are you praying? Vain repetitions, counting beads, or numbering your prayers aren’t the answer. Being mechanical isn’t the answer. Frantic prayers in crisis, while better than none, is not the answer. Anxious and fear filled prayer won’t move God.

Praying in composure, led by the Holy Spirit, guided by the Spirit, taught and directed by the Spirit. Seeing God as Spirit, seeing Him, really seeing Him as He is in Spirit. Stop and look at Who you’re addressing. The essence of prayer is to know the Eternal Holy God. Pure Spirit, who is in all, above all, through all, below all, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. The Holy Father. That’s a prayer in the Spirit.

Pray with reverence and Godly fear; with awe, wonder and amazement. If we don’t start with that, surely it isn’t prayer.

Whom are you addressing? It is the One for whom the blood of the Lamb was sacrificed. God needs to be great in our mind, with Jesus at the centre and the Holy Spirit at the helm, directing the believer in the way they should walk.

In honouring the Lord, we will have forgotten our supplications and be worshiping the great and mighty God. Realising we’re in the very presence of God, we are then in the full assurance of faith and in boldness and knowledge of the Father.

We’ve been unsure, desperate, not quiet, restless, uncertain, unhappy, with no peace, and feverish, on the off-chance God will hear and that’s not the way to pray.

Prayer in the Spirit realizes the presence of God. We know and feel that Thou art here. Never be content in your prayer life until you know and feel God is there. A living and vital prayer, free, warm and loving.

Not mechanical, not stilted, but with an open heart we come to Our Father, as a child to his daddy. Confident, assured, a prayer which realises the presence of God. Knowing and feeling the He is here. Never rest content until we know and feel that God is here, face to face with us.

Prayer will always be in accordance with His will, when done in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the mind of Christ and His will. A prayer of faith and divine expectation. A prayer led and directed of the Spirit, looking for answers. Not double minded like James, but in faith, believing and expecting answers. Always looking forward with peace and joy.

James 1:7- 8 “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

Now I don’t want to complicate this any more than it has to be. There’s a place for discipline, for discipline brings healing. There’s a place for the mechanical; doing everything we can to do in order to bring us before the Father. Some days all we have time for is a quick “help me" in the morning and “thank You” in the evening, for life can get busy. As it says in Romans 8:28 And we know at all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

If we pray in the Spirit the rest will look after itself. Pray on all occasions. Never give up praying. Methods are not the concern. It isn’t in the way we do it or the order we do it in, as long as it’s done in the Spirit. All prayer and supplication, done as we ought in boldness and assurance, but always in the Spirit. Then we shall stand in the evil day.

Resist the Devil and he will Flee.

Resist the Devil and he will Flee.

Some weeks ago, I mentioned to a friend how lonely it can be going to church by myself week after week. My children have grown, now living their own lives and my husband isn’t a believer. More recently, I also mentioned to laugh at the devil and say; “Is this all you got!”

I remember I also wrote to her describing when 26 years ago, I learned to feel the fear and do it anyway and where only recently did I learn not to feel the fear, but to cast it out. For all these years I’ve been stepping out in ‘fearful faith.’ Stepping out in faith, but with anxiety attached to the hip.

Even though I’ve read my bible through, cover to cover 7 times, I still didn’t connect ‘cast out fear’ to what I was doing. Once I hit on it, I could then walk in courage, leaving sin on the sidewalk, so to speak. No longer in fear filled faith, but in courage and with a sound mind, I now march into my day ready for any battle.

Coming back to feeling lonely; it hit on occasion. Or it did. Not now, as now things have changed. Recently, when I had a terrible loneliness three weeks in a row (funnily enough – only ever at church), I saw it was a ploy of the devil. Him thinking he could stop me attending church, although he never did. I felt the loneliness and went anyway, in spite of my feelings.

Once I realised this, once I realised this was a ploy, I said to the devil; “Is this all you got?” and laughed. I haven’t been lonely at church since.

Now that I have this in hand, the devil thought he’d try a new thing today. While worshipping I got an overwhelming sadness for our beautiful dog, Soxx, as her days are coming to a close (she’s 17 years old now, arthritic, stiff and slow). And who knows, she may go another 2 or 3 years but for whatever reason, today I got teary and again only at church.

Straight away I realised it to be another ploy of the devil. Satan can no longer get me in the loneliness department and so, ever the optimist, he’s trying a new thing. “Ha, ha, ha; is this all you got?” I went right on worshipping and didn’t think of Soxx again throughout the service.

It’s a new tool for the tool kit on battling the enemy, don’t you think? New to me anyway.

When in condemnation; Is this all you got!

When in pain; Is this all you got!

When in poverty; Is this all you got!

When in fear; Is this all you got!

When in illness; Is this all you got!

The list is endless, but I guarantee, when you laugh (a form of resistance) the devil will flee, for as it says in James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Now I’m not saying we should poke the bear. That’s never a good idea. We need to be “prayed up” before we attempt this kind of thing. There are two forces at work in our world; good and evil (Christ and satan). Unprepared, it’s not so easy to laugh at the devil.

We need to be tapped into the wisdom of God, for to laugh at the devil is no simple thing. In this instance, it’s not to be taken lightly. Done the right way the devil’s plans are brought to nought, as we break the chains holding us back, under the guiding hand of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As we look through Christ’s eyes and pray for wisdom and understanding, as we ask for the strength and courage to take us where we need to go, as we hear the Lord’s prompting over our situation, then with His leading and guiding can we overcome the evil one.

Laughter transmutes our perspective on an issue, be it a form of evil, or the mundane of modern living. Proverbs 17:22 states a merry heart does good, like medicine. But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Laughter is good for us. A crushed spirit is the opposite of a cheerful heart. If you would rather joy than sadness, take a moment to laugh. Force it if you have to. Even forced laughter causes the mind to react in a positive manner, lifting our pleasure endorphins.

God’s word says in Job 5:22; You shall laugh at destruction and famine and you shall not be afraid the beasts of the earth.

Laugh at destruction and famine – not an easy thing to do when you’re in the midst of the situation. But God can change situations. Beasts of the earth - satan is a beast and one of whom we should not fear, for God is our strength.

Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, pray, study God’s word, take Communion, worship and stand your ground, have faith, testify to all and you will resist the devil and overcome your battles, in Jesus mighty name.

Remember Baal-Perazim; the God of multiple breakthroughs. He can do what you can’t. Amen.

Mamlaka.

Mamlaka.

Shantelle spoke at church on Sunday night about mamlaka (the Hebrew word for dominion, reign, sovereignty). God gave us the authority to rule and reign on the earth. We are told to take that authority, engaging creation in order to bring about our victory.

Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Shantelle spoke of decreeing to the fish of the waters and the birds of the air, declaring what we want to see happen in our lives. Her main point being this one aspect; to engage creation’s help in bringing that victory to us.

Shantelle had lost her sunglasses. Eight months they were missing. To her they were an expensive pair and she didn’t want to buy another set. One day she took her authority and spoke that creation bring her glasses back to her. The very next day, there they were, sitting on the entry table at church. Eight months missing and returned the day after enlisting creation’s help.

Stepping outside one day, a white cockatoo landed in a tree nearby and actually said ‘hello’ to Shantelle. More than just a little surprised by this, Shantelle replied hello back to the cocky. Shantelle had been thinking about the need for a front fence. She lives on a highway and now has a newly walking toddler. She was also thinking about a problem with a leaking shower.

The bird says hello and Shantelle said to the bird; “I declare my dominion over this earth and I need you to bring me enough money for a front fence and have the bathroom fixed.” As soon as she’d finished speaking the phone rang. And there it happened; enough money for both a fence and bathroom repair.

This is not to take anything away from God. It’s to do as He requested; have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the heavens and over every living creature that moves on the earth.

Dalby in Queensland is eminently flat however I live in a mountainous region. I often walk or cycle around the area, decreeing and declaring as I go. Where my caravan resides is on the fringes of Mares Forest National Park and as I hike the mountains of the reserve, I decree and declare my vision for my life and for those I’m praying for. I sing hymns and recite bible passages, taking the word of God into all creation as God’s asked us to do. Mark 16:15 …Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature…

One day as I was doing this, I heard clapping, lots and lots of clapping. So vivid was this sound, so real, I actually turned around to see who was behind me. I’m out in the bush, miles from anywhere and I’m looking to see who’s clapping. My theory is, in speaking the word of God to His creation, the leaves on the trees clapped their hands; either that or the cloud of witnesses who watch from above were cheering me on. (I’ve also had this happen a second time, as I cycled the streets around town.) It wasn’t a small number of clapping hands, not by any means. It was like a huge auditorium full of people both times.

But; I have never thought to engage creation’s help in bringing my victory. I was decreeing and declaring my outcome, but wasn’t enlisting my mamlaka over the situation. I wasn’t calling out my dominion over creation.

The very next night it was time to put Shantelle’s word to the test. This stay at Lizzie’s I’ve felt my photos have been a little ordinary, a little lacklustre. After hearing Shantelle’s words I went for an evening stroll. I declared my dominion, my mamlaka over the wildlife in the area, stating I wanted them to aid me in getting a ‘most extraordinary shot.’

I was not disappointed as I snapped the setting sun over the golf course with the trees lit up as if in a golden fire. A perfect reflection upon the dam used for watering the course. And the cheekiest juvenile galah at feeding time, plus a well camouflaged Tawny frogmouth with two nestlings.

It was almost dark by now and I was heading for home when I noticed a brown lump in the tree. I felt truly blessed to capture an image of Tawny and babes. However, the light wasn’t the best and I went back the next day, where I felt I got the perfect image.

In taking hold of my authority in greater measure, in enlisting the help of creation, I feel more confident now in bringing about my victory over any and all situations. You might be just as surprised as Shantelle was and as I was at the outcome should you attempt to do the same.

On a little side note; our dog will turn 17 soon. She's become a tad incontinent. The night before Shantelle’s talk, Soxx had me up seven times in eight hours. The night after Shantelle’s talk I decreed my authority over the situation and for the following two nights I only got up to Soxx once each night. Let's pray that continues. 

I feel to add here, one week on and I still haven't had to get up more than once a night for Soxx. Also, as a push-bike rider for pleasure, I've used my mamlaka against swooping magpies, with fantastic results. 

The Fight for Your Wells.

The Fight for Your Wells.

When at church the other week, visiting ministers arrived. A lady and her husband; Cate and Greg. They gave each of us a personal prophecy. Mine was about feeling like I’ve just been bunkered down, as I wait for things to happen and dug deep wells (I had to look up the digging of wells (see below)) during the waiting period. She didn’t know me, but did manage to hit the nail on the head with that, I felt, as I have just been bunkered down waiting for things to move along. Cate said the breakthrough is on the horizon, that there’s a flourishing and a bursting forth on its way.

She also mentioned for me not to worry about anything that troubles, as God is my shield and strength, just as He was for David. That to me is a personal piece; one I often quote to others. I tell people you have to stir up your own faith, just as David did. So, it was compelling to hear Cate say a similar thing, using words comparable to my own.

Greg said he was just getting joy, joy, joy and that he can see people coming up to me in the street, asking what I’ve got and saying they want it. I found that to be intriguing as that’s what I’ve been praying for. No one knows that’s what I’ve been praying for. I walk around town and ask the Holy Spirit to flow with healing, peace, prosperity, love and joy for all. I’ve asked that people could feel and see His presence. These two ministers didn’t know that about me. They don’t know me at all.

I was reading my bible this morning, wading through Genesis once again, but I felt led to read Haggai. Before starting my reading, I was speaking to God about my waning faith over His promises of abundance. It’s been such a long time. Will it ever happen? I feel my entire life has been lived on a shoe string budget. While I’ve always had enough, I do have a tight income and it shouldn’t be. The bible speaks of paths dripping with abundance. With many battles in many other areas overcome, I feel this one is the last frontier and once this battle is won, I’ll be well on my way.

Yesterday, I tried stirring up my own faith as King David did, by listening to the prophetic message from Cate and Greg, which speaks of; not to dismay, not to worry about anything which has troubled me in the past, for God is my strength and shield. God is with me and a bursting forth is on the horizon. I listened to this a number of times, not only yesterday, but other days as well, in an attempt to keep my own waning faith, on the matter of prosperity, stirred.

In reading Genesis and Haggai, church happened to speak on the same two chapters this week. Haggai talks about rebuilding the destroyed temple. A transformed remnant returning and rebuilding the city and their lives. The temple lies in ruins. The people are rebuilding their own houses and not putting God first and it’s leading them into famine and drought. Motivated by Haggai, the people started to rebuild the temple however they aren’t building to the full glory of how the temple originally looked. It’s a half-hearted attempt.

From this temple the world will be redeemed, according to Haggai as he called on the people to work with hope in spite of their disillusionment. The challenge is that only by true repentance and covenant faithfulness, by obedience to God and in all humility, will God be moved towards the efforts of the people in order to bring about His blessings.

God’s waiting for His people to be faithful. God will fulfil His promise to the faithful only. 25 years on and I’m pleased to say, I’m still faithful. In all this time, I’ve never quit and I have been diligent, even if at times having to stir up my faith.

Faithfulness - a challenge to every generation; our choices matter. Faithfulness and obedience of God’s people is part of how God chooses to work out His purposes in the world. This truth should motivate people to humility and action; that humility and action matters.

The point of today’s writing was; in all honestly, I spoke to God about my waning faith in this one promise; that the work of my hands prosper and He answered me. Basically; get back on the horse, have faith and keep going. I do have a measure of prosperity, after all, I retired 10 years early. My dream and desire is that, as an author, my book sales cover my lifestyle. I’m not there yet.

Some time ago I finished hand writing Romans and have recently started hand writing Revelation. As I began the continuation of this work today, Revelation 3:3 says to hold fast and repent. Again; repentance and faithfulness. I got on my knees, in a measure of not being half-hearted and asked for forgiveness, repenting as requested from both readings; yesterday and today, acting on what God was telling me to do.

Yesterday as I was hand writing Revelation I wrote a few verses (Rev 3:7-10) which piqued my interest. Today, ‘The Word for Today’ spoke of that very same passage. Yesterday, I meant to look a little deeper into this passage, but then forgot. By the end of my hand writing, I went on to other things. Today’s word was a good reminder.

The Word for Today writes; mistakes don’t disqualify you, and your inadequacies don’t limit God. When we speak boldly about God, He will open doors for us. Just a simple overview of a greater message, written by this wonderful ministry of God’s (Christian Vision).

Revelation 3:7-10 is quite a captivating passage and I discovered a segment on it within the internet pages written by Charles Spurgeon. What a brilliant author that man was. Oh, that I could write like him. I revere his work. His explanation of the four verses are wonderful. The one in particular I thought to study further was the one about; for you have a little strength… (verse 8).

Spurgeon writes that though I’m only small in influence, God is pleased and He will open doors to a greater measure. Spurgeon writes a considerably long piece about these few verses, but states that I may be small in influence and with little means, plus only a small ability to speak, work miracles, and teach. Though I am not brilliant and have little talent, my faithfulness to the word is precious in God’s eyes. (A Sermon (No. 1814) Delivered by C. H. Spurgeon. Commendation for the steadfast.)

It’s a nice thought.

My prophetic word from Cate says there’s a bursting forth on the horizon. Perhaps it’s the beginning of the open door spoken of in these few verses.

When we’re given a prophetic word, we have to do the study ourselves, to show ourselves approved and to dig deeper into the meaning of the prophecy. God, what are you saying? You do the work to find out what the prophet has said. Is it a ‘now’ word? Is it for the future? We have to work out the timing of the word given to us. The Lord will give us revelation and insight through His prophets, but we have to work on the interpretation.

The devil will contend for your wells, but you will only win and be fruitful for as long as you keep going. Keep digging wells. God will establish and give favour, if you don’t quit but keep trying.

Gen 26 speaks of the Lord giving revelation and insight to Isaac about wells. The wells are the words, the promises and the flow, which comes out of the Living Water and we dig them through prayer and worship and the reading of the bible.

Isaac had to trust God would keep him, his family and all his livestock, in spite of the battles in the land over the wells. I do a lot of this (prayer, worship, bible study) and I know I’ve been waiting for the breakthrough for a very long time. Just as Isaac was eventually able to settle and live in a land of abundance, I too will eventually settle and live in a land of my desires.

We have to figure out what the prophet meant when he stepped out in faith and spoke into our future.

Study the scriptures, digest, read commentaries written by others, eat the scroll (to receive God’s heavenly knowledge and act upon it; a leading from the Great Book with a heart that delights in its truths), and continue until your prophetic word is clear in your own mind.

If you missed it, work out why you missed it. If there is contention or dispute while digging your wells, keep moving until you have peace.

It’s God’s word that will sustain His people. You must discipline yourself in the word of God, so you remain healthy and balanced, as you judge and test that Word for yourself.

Go Therefore!

 Go Therefore!

There’s a difference between the anointing upon and the anointing within. The anointing within strengthens as we strengthen and grow in God. The anointing upon is static and generally unmoving, but given to those called of the five-fold office.

Elijah was anointed. Elisha knew that. The double portion anointing was the transfer of the anointing between Elijah and Elisha. Elisha, the student, received twice the anointing of the teacher, once Elijah moved from earth and up to the heavenly realm. When Elisha asked for a double portion of anointing, Elijah said it was a difficult thing. The one who teaches you, when they ‘sleep,’ you can have their anointing, but only if you’ve been following them closely.

You, as a follower, need to have a spiritual father/mother who walks in a greater measure of the Lord than you. Who has God told you to hook up with? Which church are you attending?

Even so, we can be more skilful within our own anointing, for that will strengthen as we continue to walk with God. If you don’t have a mentor but keep moving on in your own walk, you will receive a fullness. Not everyone needs a double anointing. It depends on what you’re doing and how much you’re moving with God.

Even if we don’t move in the five-fold office (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher), we still need to heed God and walk within our potential. We still need the full potential of the nine gifts of the spirit (wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues) to be operating, even if we’re not of the five-fold.

It’s not just up to the preacher, but also the whole body of Christ. We all have a roll in the flow of the anointing, for we are all vessels to be used by God.

Vessels; we’re all vessels. Vessels of honour or dishonour. You get to choose which you want to be. As a vessel we receive, hold and pour out. Pour good things. As a vessel, what do we receive? Power. Glory. Anointing. Supernatural might and strength.

We need the anointing, so as to give to others. And we don’t know what we contain until tried by fire (hardship). It’s only when we’re tried by fire that we can truly discover the treasure we hold, the anointing we have. Once we know what our vessel holds, then we shall work in that very same power and anointing Jesus has, for He gave us the same authority and power He had. Jesus told us; “Go therefore…” (Matthew 28:19) He wouldn’t have told us to go and make disciples, if we didn’t have the power to do it.

The power of God displays His glory to all the world. We are the hands, feet and lips, through which the power is released. It is only through us that the rest of the world can be reached. Fill your vessel with all that God has for you and then pour it out onto others.

 

 

 

 

Paradise Returned.

Paradise Returned.

Genesis 1; Day 1; God made light. Day 4; God made the sun, moon and stars. Day 2; God separated the waters. Day 5; God filled the waters with sea creatures. Day 3; God created the land, adding plants. Day 6; God creates animals which eat the plants. Parallels right from the beginning; parallels all the way through. Parallels bring a deeper understanding of God’s word.

While this is not an exhaustive list, you can find parallels in the Law, in Samuel, Kings and Chronicles. Isaiah and Micah. Psalms, 2nd Samuel and Chronicles. Matthew, Mark and Luke. Ephesians and Colossians. 2nd Peter 2 and Jude. Revelation and Ezekiel. As seen from the afore mentioned, there are parallels from Genesis to Revelation.

There are also two accounts of God making man; more parallels, in Genesis 1 and 2. The first account speaks of man and his relationship to earth. The second account is more personal, as God breathed life into man, focussing on the relationship between Himself and His created being.

Coming back to the first paragraph in Genesis, Day 1; God said; Let there be light. God made light. God Himself is light. It’s noted that God caused light to be, for He hadn’t yet made the sun, moon or stars. He didn’t do that until day 4.

Another interesting note; the beginning of Genesis 3:24 it is written: “So He drove the out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” This talks about a flaming sword guarding the tree of life, so as to stop Adam and Eve returning after they’d eaten the forbidden fruit.

Revelation 2:7 speaks of the one who overcomes, He will give to eat from the tree of life. Parallels right to the end, circling back to the beginning. Revelation to Genesis. Adam sinned and was kicked out of the garden of Eden. We’re all sinners. Revelation brings us right back into the garden of Eden, as we follow Jesus in a right relationship, where we can once again access the tree of life.

Those who had fallen first (Adam and Eve) lost paradise, communion, fellowship and a loving relationship with God. Kicked out of paradise and given to work in hardship, leading to a death sentence. Genesis through to Revelation speaks of the hardships of not turning and listening to the One True God.

The gift of Christ brings back immortality, relationship, ease and peace. Through believing in Him and following His ways, we overcome all our issues and problems. We get to choose; a crown of life, or a crown of thorns.

The trivial and transient is a subsistence way of living; a substratum life, a life below par and one devoid of peace, love and joy. Fellowship with God is the essence of life and life abundant. No trivial matter. The fullness of the Devine is poured out on him who trusts in God, through Christ Jesus.

A life without Christ is a stunted life, like a tree devoid of nourishment in a harsh land. Transplanted, nourished and watered by the word, that tree becomes a thing of great beauty, pregnant with possibility and purpose.

Jesus Christ, restoring all lost blessings, takes you from the desert wasteland of Revelation, back to the Paradise Garden in Genesis. Life having gone full circle, the victor returns. The victor now richer, fuller, with conflict and wounds healed. Paradise awaits those who walk in His ways. The faithful fighter rewarded, vindicated and given eternal life once more.

Continual communication from the Fountain of Life brings a blessedness and a cessation of struggle and it’s only given to the victor, the one who continues unto the end; the one who doesn’t quit when the battle is fiercest. The elixir of life, poured only into vessels that can hold and not let go. Our struggle’s intention there enables us to enter that heavenly life.

A hardened heart is the precursor to a deaf ear. Spiritual truth need spiritual organs for a sudden awareness in spiritual matters; such as dreams and visions. Seeing via imagination and hearing through the word, bringing revelation and knowledge into our lives; spiritual organs of hearing (reading the word aloud), seeing (reading the word itself), use of the imagination (as the mind meditates and comes into alignment with what we see and hear).

Only as the soul seeks to hear, will they hear the word of the Lord.

Revelation and the Seven Stars.

Revelation and the Seven Stars.

I learned an interesting fact today about the seven stars in Revelation, which Jesus was holding in His hand. In this, John is portraying Jesus as higher than the Roman emperor of the day. Jesus, holding the seven stars in His right hand, the hand of much strength and power. A King of heaven and earth. An outstanding King and a King above all.

At this time in history, a new Roman coin was circulating, depicting Emperor Domitian’s dead baby son as an eternal celestial being, surrounded by seven stars - implying eternal life and deity for not only the son, but also Domitian himself, as the direct ancestor to his god-son.

Whereas John’s portrayal of Jesus is that Jesus is above the stars as He holds them in the palm of His hand, rather than amongst them as the dead son was. Here, John is revealing to us a picture of Jesus, ruling over all with superior strength and power. A greater rule with Jesus at the helm, than even Domitian and his son, is inferred by John.

The baby on the coin, portrayed as bald and naked, sitting on a sphere (the earth) is said to be a depiction of his rule over the earth. Bald; no crown of wisdom or glory. Naked; viewed by those who worshipped the celestial gods, as holy within the gods of the day.

Jesus, on the other hand, with hair white as snow (a display of wisdom and glory), glowing in His long white robe; a picture of purity, judgement and priesthood. The golden sash about His waist denoting superiority, royalty and dignity; a far cry from a bald, naked, small baby to small gods.

This particular coin was minted (AD 82-83) shortly before the time John was sent to the island of Patmos and while at Patmos, John was given the vision. All this after the death and resurrection of Jesus is an interesting point to ponder. The vision John saw of the Deity of Jesus coinciding on the time-line of Domitian’s perceived deity. One King ruling in power and strength, wisdom and glory. The other, naked, poor, lowly and even unaware of his condition.

We, given all authority as kings and priests through Jesus Christ, have the same power, strength, wisdom and glory as Jesus Himself. Let us be bold, in coming to His throne of Grace. Let us be bold in our petitions to the King. Let us praise Him in the worthiness and honour He richly deserves. Amen.

The Fatherless Generation.

The Fatherless Generations Within Your Borders.

Hayman of the bible and Hitler of the 2nd world war, both had something in common. They both had the spirit of Amalek. The spirit of Amalek is the spirit of evil, stirring up hatred and spewing forth their love of lies.

Fatherlessness breeds frustration, terrorism, loneliness, rejection and hate. Hitler’s father was viewed as harsh and distant. God the Father is a loving and near God. While Hitler knew his father, he can’t have met my God.

Studies show an adolescent’s level of violence increases within fatherless families. Fatherless families also exhibit higher emotional problems, deeper levels of anxiety and depression and have a greater propensity to fail school and to end up in jail.

The Muslim too, hasn’t met the Father. He/she knows God as Lord and King, but they don't have that personal father-child relationship. A father-child relationship between the Muslim and God is incomprehensible to many of them. This is why a proportion of Muslims are so hate-filled, for they are a Fatherless nation.

I’m not against Muslims. I know quite a few very nice, peaceable Muslims. But we all know; there’s an element of intolerance, violence and extremism among some. Not just of the Muslim faith but also among other less tolerant religions. With an ever-increasing population entering our borders, and with the ever rising broken families in this country, we need to be praying for peace over our lands, to cover that evil minority; for our benefit as well as theirs.

Pray that hate filled organisations begin to divide and fragment in this country, so that satan’s strategies may not come to fruition.

We should be praying for wisdom within our government, to act on behalf of its residents, that they follow God’s agenda and not their own.

Repent over the land. Repent of the idolatry and secret societies which have settled here before you; particularly against freemasonry and witch covens.

Bring into your area a display of light, love and life – the fruits of the Trinity – for you are the hand of Jesus in your home town and He is the light, while God is the love and Holy Spirit the life. Bless every area you set your feet. Bless your town with stability, growth and prosperity; with health, peace and joy.

We must pray for a shield of protection and faith over our town. We must also become more prophetic; decree and declare His word. Believe and enter into the heavenly dimensions. Bind the accuser whenever he raises his ugly head. Break divisions. Set a bloodline barrier (an invisible barrier against infiltration of previous generations), with at least a 250-kilometre radius to stop any further infiltration and against any earlier evilest generations returning.

Decree a supernatural shield of protection within that barrier. Call out to the Lord that He release His angelic forces, for they shift regions and aid in separating lawlessness, returning the ground unto its righteousness and health. Pray and stay in the faith, as you set a resistance toward lawlessness and evil activities.

Pray your area be a city of refuge. Purify yourself and the ground before you. Use holy and anointed oil. Pray for extraordinary and unexplained healings, miracles, signs and wonders. Ask the Holy Spirit to invade situations you haven’t had breakthrough in.

Remember; the Son of God reigns. He reigned 2000 years ago, in the mountains and in the city of Jerusalem. He reigns now and He’s coming back with heavenly hosts to reign again in the future.

Jesus Christ, who knows the Father, who loves the Father and knows of a father’s love towards His children. Jesus Christ, who abhors hatred, darkness and murder but sets a steady pace with peace, love and joy. Let us pray for this same peace, love and joy to fill our lands.

It's time to arise and stand strong. The battle has begun. The battle is fierce and we need every boot on the ground. Stand. Declare. Pray. And watch the transformation take place.

Are you a bored Christian?

 

If you’re bored as a Christian, then you’re possibly not doing it right.

 

As a Christian, life should be an adventure. If we’re following God, allowing God to lead, then something should be happening. Of course, we all start somewhere and perhaps you’re not ‘there’ yet, but keep walking with God and things will transpire. Life will take on new meaning, if you put the time in and allow God to lead.

A couple of years ago, I was listening to what I call ‘the sound of silence,’ others might call it ‘ringing in the ears.’ If you’re not a practicing Christian, perhaps it’s just tinnitus, or some other such thing.

A couple of years ago, I heard it said that ringing in the ears is the sound of the angels singing to us, that if we listen carefully, we shall hear the beautiful, melodious sound of song. Ringing in the ears, it was explained, was a level of awareness and that awareness can raise, or lower, depending on where our faith is in that moment. At the time, I didn’t know the truth of this, but I did pay attention.

More recently, I heard that if the pitch changes; i.e., goes louder (higher), or softer (lower), that’s your spiritual level, raising at times, or decreasing and if this happened, prepare for a change, expect something to occur within the next couple of days.

Now, as I pondered the truth of this, because it happened to me on numerous occasions in the past (before I understood the full meaning of it) and so this time, I waited. Two days ago, the pitch level rose sharply for about 15 to 30 seconds and I knew: Now I watch and I wait.

A couple of days after the pitch increase, I couldn’t sleep. I woke at 1 in the morning and spent a couple of hours listening to a wonderful (and hilarious) minister – Andrew Wommack – on you tube. He wasn’t talking about anything to do with this, it just happened that he was who I was listening to.

All of a sudden, an eye popped into view, from the inky blackness of the night. It appeared to me as like the eye of a chameleon. The eye could rotate in all directions. This eye popped into view, looked at me, looked up and popped out of sight again, disappearing once more, into the inky blackness from whence it came.

At the same time a biblical verse came to mind and I knew it was the Lord speaking to me. 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

I knew this to be from the Lord and I knew this eye was going to go back to the heavenlies to report to the Lord, that in the early hours the morning I was listening to a minister of His word.

As a Christian we should be having moments like this. We should be having fun, exciting, joyous, blessed and sometimes scary spells, as we step out in faith, trying new things (which I’ve done on many occasions).

As a Christian, if you’re life is boring and mundane, you have to ask yourself: What needs to change? Usually it’s you. Usually it’s your relationship to Yeshua. Remember Matthew 6:33 states: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.

If you’re just going through the motions, putting in your allotted Sunday morning at church and no more, don’t envisage too much to happen. However, if you’re diligently seeking the Lord, life’s gunna be a blast.

*Biblical quotes from NKJV 1994

 

My Testimony

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither,

And whatsoever they do shall prosper.

(Psalm 1:2-3 NKJV)

Photograph: Myall Creek, Dalby Qld.

Some time ago my Pastor spoke about stretching and I wrote this because I’m the living testimony of what stretching can do.

Many of us fall short of our capabilities. If we would only stretch, we could go a lot further in life. Do you know God can bend time? Hezekiah 38:8 says: “Behold, I will bring the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down with the sun on the sundial of Ahaz, ten degrees backwards.” So the sun returned ten degrees on the dial by which it had gone down. (NKJV)

Because God consistently elongates my days, I’m truly amazed at how much I can accomplish and yet never be in a hurry. He bent time for me, as I stretched and needed more of it, to achieve what I set out to do.

God says to give Him a portion of our money and He will add more to it. He does the same thing with time. Give Him the first part of your day and He will make your day last longer. I can attest to this, because this is what’s happened in my life.

God also asks that we trust Him, step out in faith, believing we shall accomplish what we set out to do, and it will happen. For many of us, that’s a stretch of faith.

He states He’s not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). For me personally, that too is a stretch at times.

I have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16 tells me so and I believe it. To win in this life, in this partnership with the Lord, you have to believe every jot and tittle in the bible. For there are incredibly wealthy people out there. Successful people who may make a lot of money, but fail in relationships. Or win at relationships, but fail in the area of finance. If we want to win in every area of our life, we must believe in the bible and practise what it tells us to do.

Anyway, because I have the mind of Christ, you can introduce me to 30 people and I’ll remember 29 names (hey, I’m not perfect, but 29 out of 30 isn’t too bad). Because I have the mind of Christ, you can give me a one-hundred-digit number and I can relay it back to you – forwards and backwards. But I wasn’t always like this. I had to stretch to get there.

Things come at us in life and we say to ourselves; “I’ll never do that again” and we erect a wall. In the end, we erect so many walls, we’ve boxed ourselves in. We’re safely cocooned inside our 4 walls, but we’re not living life.

That was me 25 years ago. Although I grew up in a very loving home, I was still full of fear. Too scared to say boo to a goose. I was painfully shy. I figured I was born that way and there was nothing I could do about it, but I was wrong.

25 years ago, I didn’t like me very much. I didn’t talk to people. I didn’t have too much to say because I wasn’t doing anything. Yes, I had young children then and was doing my best for them, but outside that, I felt I had nothing to offer the world. I believed I was boring to be around and no one wanted to hear anything I had to say.

At that point in time, I was depressed, well overweight, had asthma, arthritis, psoriasis and hay fever. My relationship with my husband was pretty poor and we were pretty poor. Poverty was a constant at that time. Suicidal thoughts were also a constant with me.

One day, I walked out the door with the intention of taking my life but couldn’t do it. My daughters were eight and ten. A week later a work colleague of my husband’s committed suicide. I was so mad at God. Why did He take him and not me?

I hadn’t been a born-again Christian long, when this happened. Just 2 years. My life initially hadn’t changed much in that 2 years. I expected more in becoming a Christian and it didn’t appear to be happening. I also didn’t understand about co-labouring with God. I didn’t understand about stretching, but I was about to learn.

When this colleague committed suicide, I was mad at God. “Why did you take him and not me?” I cried out in my despair. I distinctly remember His reply. It was the first time I heard the audible voice of God. He replied; “Because you’re a lamb of My flock and I never lose one of My own.” I knew then, I’d never attempt suicide again. And it was then I realised – I needed to change.

And so, the stretching began.

I did a speed reading and memory course from home and over the next 2 years, read over 200 books. Everything, from the biblical, to positive thinking, to investing and how to succeed in life. That was me stretching.

Then I stretched again and took a 2-day course, because 2 days was all I felt I could manage. I was so shy, had so little confidence in my abilities that I knew I had to start small and I became a Justice of the Peace.

This tiny step of stretching out of my comfort zone, gave me a little more courage and so I stretched further. I opened myself up to try more and more new things.

As I walked with God, (spent time with Him, reading my bible and in prayer every day) my health improved. I no longer have any health issues. It was like the time Jesus healed the ten lepers; as they went, they were cleansed. Only one leper came back to say thank you and he was the only one of the ten, who was made whole.

I don’t know in what way. Was he made whole in that his fingers and nose grew back? Was he made whole in his finances, as now that he was healed and able bodied, he could work? Was he made whole in his relationships, for no longer was he ostracised from society? We don’t know. The bible doesn’t say in what way he was made whole, but I think he was made whole in every area, just as I have been. For all that, there is one thing I do know; we need to remember to give thanks, when Jesus moves in our life.

So, I no longer have any health issues. My relationships improved, I lost weight, I grew out of poverty and no longer suffer the depression I’d lived with for so many years. Someone asked me recently, how I got over the depression. It gave me pause for thought, because it had gone from my life and I didn’t particularly think I did anything. However, when I pondered further on it, the Holy Spirit brought to mind; I no longer listen to the devil and his negative words upon my life. I take every thought captive. Every thought.

It has been some years since I thought about depression and during those times, I remembered God’s words. The Holy Spirit brought them back to me now. I used to say them: think upon what’s true, noble, right, admirable, pure and lovely and don’t give the devil a foot hold. If I started to spiral downhill, I’d say to the devil: Get lost you gnat. You’re less than a flea and I’m not listening to you. Then I’d recite bible verses, the ones which would edify and build me up. I refused to listen to the devil tear me down. Once the devil understands he has no effect on you, he leaves. He can no longer bother me with tormenting thoughts.

God says to write the vision and make it plain, that he may run that readeth it…though it tarries, wait for it, for it will surely come.

So, I wrote the vision. I wrote what I wanted to see in happen in my life. And I waited. I wasn’t idle though. I was learning all the while, as I waited.

My dream was to trade shares, write and travel as I did so and there were times I felt I’d never make it. Satan did his best, but I kept the faith and I’m now living the dream.

Because I stretched, because I took God’s word as truth, I am now thrilled to say, I no longer feel boring. My dream is in full swing. Where I used to clean motels and wash dishes for a living, I’m now an investigative photojournalist and author, who trades currency and commodities on the global stock exchange, while travelling the countryside; sometimes in my car, sometimes in my little caravan.

I’ve written books that have made it onto Amazon’s best seller lists, taken award winning photographs, had my written work printed in newspapers and magazines. And a blog, which is a lot of fun, even if I didn’t know what I was doing initially. In hindsight, I should have had 2 blogs; one for my written work and one for my recipes, for I do love to cook. But we live and learn.

I managed to retire ten years early (something I never saw coming) and now am seeing my fruit, my grandchildren, prosper and overcome, for the Lord blesses our children and our children’s children to a thousand generations.

One granddaughter is too little yet, but the other is sport’s captain at her school. She’s made the cricket team, the soccer team, went to the regional races for sprinting and has won awards in Jujitsu. She was also one of the few chosen to go to the leadership conference and the writer’s festival. Last year she was environmental officer and library monitor. (None of this, would I have had the courage for at school and yet here she is; going for it all.) God is blessing my family.

We need to practice the principles to partake of the promises. My daughter and I purchased our house together. We weren’t in big income jobs, both being in the disability field at this time. Initially we paid a tithe of less than 10%, until we could afford to pay more, but we were diligent tithers. We stayed within our financial means and didn’t buy anything outside our home with credit, for the Lord states we’re to be lenders, not borrowers.

Recently we sold our home and my daughter just paid cash for her own house. I’m still looking for my forever home and I know it will come, when the time is right. My daughter’s dream was to be a UNI student (which she couldn’t do while paying a mortgage) and she’s doing that right at the moment, now that she’s settled in her own place. My other daughter is studying in a field she never felt she could accomplish and yet here she is, passing every exam. These children are the treasures in my house. They all are.

During this stretching process, yes, I failed at times. But I learned more through my failures than through my successes. God asks us to try, then he refines us through our failures. And He can use everything we go through, the good, the bad and the ugly. So, don’t dismiss yourself as a failure. You may have failed at something, but you’re still a success in God’s eyes, for just having the faith to give it a try.

I’ve heard God speak many times, since that first time. Sometimes He lights the path ahead, sometimes He lights only the next step, but somehow, I muddle through as I continually plug away.

God is all powerful and we can do all things through Him who strengthens us.

He’s geared everything in our favour. If you stretch yourself out of your comfort zone (which although terrifying at times, can actually be quite fun), but if you stretch and never quit, you’ll be surprised just how far God can take you.

I’ve had colossal enjoyment, as I’ve stretched myself out of my comfort zone. I’ve corresponded with world renown trading gurus, artists, poets, photographers of some repute, other authors (big and small) and I’ve even had a phone call from Big Arnie. Yes, that’s right, Arnold Schwarzenegger called, inviting me to a seminar he was holding in Sydney. Okay, it was a recorded message, but it was enormous fun (for we all know his voice is quite distinctive) and it all happened, when I stepped out of my comfort zone.

The crowds left and Jesus asked His disciples; “Do you want to leave too?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, who would we go to? You have the words that give eternal life.”

Don’t ever leave God’s side. Don’t ever quit, for where will you go? God cannot work in your life if you quit. Stick with Him, through all your trials and tribulations. Praise Him in the midst of them and you will come out the other side as refined gold, removed of any dross.

And just a little side note…

My husband had a football sized tumour removed from his abdomen a number of years ago. He initially thought it was just a beer belly, until it was so large, it interfered with his breathing. So off to the doctor he went.

The tumour was removed and found to be benign and no further treatment was necessary, except follow-up checks.

Since then, he’d been going for check-ups every 6 months to be sure the growth didn’t return and at some point, in one of the check-ups, they found nodules in John’s lungs.

During this time John also had a knee replacement. The fellow who took the scans of his knee, couldn’t believe John was still walking. John’s doctor said: “Oh John, this knee is shot.”

Shortly after, I broke my wrist. I broke it in 3 places and crushed the forearm, so no minor thing. I don’t like to say blessing in disguise, because at the end of the day, God doesn’t give us illness, but still, at the time it was a blessing of sorts and a whole other long story.

After his knee replacement, John’s doctor sent the surgeon a letter saying the healing of John’s knee was the fastest she’d seen go through her doors.

Interestingly I had the same surgeon for my broken wrist, as John had for his knee replacement and the surgeon said I had healed very fast. I told him that’s because I’m blessed.

Then he treated John and got the letter from John’s doctor saying it was the fastest healing she’d ever had go through her doors. I put this down to prayer and wondered if the doctor remembered me and did he realise; we’d both healed fast and well.

At the time of one of these 6-month checks, they found cancer nodules in John’s lungs, as I mentioned. I said to John; “Nope. You’ve already been healed of cancer. I’m going to pray they dissipate and disappear.”

At the first check-up they found the nodules hadn’t grown. That in itself was something. At the second check-up they found the nodules had shrunk. John remembered I’d said I was going to pray they shrink and disappear and he told the doctor about it.

I found this to be quite amusing, as my husband is an atheist (who I decree and declare to be the man of God, God designed him to be), and he was witnessing to the doctor and didn’t even know it.

And the third check-up; John was declared cancer free. As I mentioned, John’s an atheist. It wasn’t John’s faith which healed him. God healed John because a believer believed.

You see, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, be thou removed and it shall be cast into the see. Our mountain was moved. It was 10 years between the initial diagnosis and being declared cancer free. 10 years of holding onto faith, until we saw the fullness of our prayers complete.

Never quit, until you see the desires of your heart transpire. For God not only promises to meet your needs, He also promises; you shall have the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

John 15:7 If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you.

Matthew 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.

So, ask away my friend and expect great results.

About the author:

Alexandra Grose – An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.

#Integrity; truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.

I believe one should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it - do it.

If you want to soar like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.

This work is based on the belief of the writer. All she asks, is that you study and form your own opinion, as to the validity of her beliefs. You can’t assume you’re right on any given topic, you have to prove it.

©2023

Books:

alexandragrose@amazon.com

Photographs:

http://www.instagram.com/alex_photographer_author

Blog:

https://alexandragrose.blogspot.com/?m=1

Taking up the Challenge.

Taking up the Challenge.

My Pastor put forth the challenge; to hand write the book of Romans. I took up the challenge and was truly surprised by the result.

Having re-written Romans, I felt it was helpful and without a doubt; relaxing. The experience caused me to consider I continue hand writing other books of the bible. I had a number of choices and after some prayer, chose Revelation.

Initially, I couldn’t put my finger on what is was that I got out of doing this exercise, explaining it to a friend as; not knowing what awaits, but picking up little words, words I might have skipped over before.

It seemed to me, I was taken to another level, not a full level, but a deeper layer. A layer unseen to me before this. Something akin to an onion. You know; it has layers, but also a finer layer. One which is almost imperceptible, but it's there.

I ended looking it up online and found a piece which perfectly described how I felt about the exercise. The piece was written by kairospartnerships.org and included practical tips, should you wish to do this exercise for yourself.

I’ve kind of summarised what was written in the following passages, adding my own experience, understanding and benefits as I went:

They wrote; “Hand copying forces us to slow down and notice details we might otherwise miss when simply reading the text.” He/she said to recognise the process to be unhurried, for it is supposed to slow us down, so as to engage further and more deeply.

Expect to see details you’ve never seen before. Expect questions to arise you haven’t thought about before. And; expect God to meet you on the journey. The writer also suggests to start with a simple prayer; “Lord, teach me something new today.” While details and questions did arise, prayer beforehand was something I hadn’t considered. Although I do pray before reading, I hadn't considered it before writing. I shall add that in when I write next.

The writer also suggests to go at your own pace. (I found this to be true. When you pressure yourself, you don’t enjoy the journey as thoroughly – which my pastor had made mention.) There is no pressure to complete. Nor does the writing have to be perfect.

As the writer of the piece said; This isn’t about perfection, or even legibility, but engagement with the book and with the Father.

The Father wants to redeem, renew, restore and reconcile us through Jesus Christ and we can anticipate to be drawn further into the story, as we devote leisurely and deliberate time to working through it.

Cessationism.

Cessationism;

A Cessationist believes the Christian doctrine that asserts the gifts of the Holy Spirit (speaking in tongues, prophecy and healing) ceased when the original Apostles died out. The belief was rooted in the idea that these gifts were specifically given to aid the establishment of the early church and that once the New Testament was complete and the church established, the need for these miraculous gifts diminished until they no longer existed.

Continuationism, on the other hand, believes the spiritual gifts continue to all future generations.

Cessationists believe God can perform miracles and heal, but not through individuals. They also believe teaching, evangelism, mercy, service and giving, continue to be active and necessary. The role of the Holy Spirit is viewed as critical but distinct (separate) from the miraculous gifts present during the formation of the early church.

They believe the Holy Spirit inspired the authors of the scriptures. That the Holy Spirit aids Christians to understand and apply biblical teaching. That the Holy Spirit sanctifies, guides and enables the spiritual fruit (peace, joy, love), but that the miraculous gifts have ceased. They believe Holy Spirit fosters unity, fellowship and harmony and is primarily carried out through preaching and teaching of the word.

When it comes to the miraculous; Cessationists generally don’t believe in the practice of the laying on of hands for healing, although they do not prohibit it, for they acknowledge touch can be meaningful and comforting. They hold that while God can heal, the role of healers has ceased.

What do I believe? I’ve laid hands on people, trusting in the healing power of Jesus and seen miraculous healing. If this didn’t work, I couldn’t have seen it.

7 Times Reading the Word of God.

7 Times Reading the Word of God. 

I finished my 7th time through the word. I even hand wrote Romans, after Pastor Ingrid put forth the challenge. Writing Romans did actually do something. I must admit I wasn’t sure what to expect. Why write what’s already written? Since doing it; I pick up each little word now, words I might have skipped over before. I know that doesn't explain it well. I just feel writing Romans has taken me into another layer. Not a full level, but a layer unseen to others, and I think I'll give it a go with another section; Proverbs, Ezekiel or Revelation.

This is the first time I’ve read the bible through in a year (13 months). I know it’s because I’m retired. I couldn’t do that and work two jobs, run a house and a garden, plus exercise. Being at Mum’s has opened up more time to me.

What did I gain out of reading the bible for a 7th time? More insight not only into the word, but into people as well. I can see who has the mark of God on hand and head and who doesn't. I can see the mark of the beast and I can see those in the middle.

Finances have improved and I should be able to pick up a little backwards movement from the previous two years. It's not a great gain, but saving is important to me. It will bring me back to where I started this year and next year I’ll move forward.

A greater level of peace and joy.

Zero health issues. (Although I did get migraines for 2 weeks. Don’t know why. They’ve gone now.)

Deeper insight into any area that I might question.

I see more angels and more of the angelic realm.

I have ears that hear what the Lord is telling me.

More frequent dreams and visions.

A feeling of great strength.

More courage. Less fear/anxiety.

A greater level of achievement as my time is elongated even further.

A feeling of flow, where I know what I carry and I impart that wherever I go. A fragrant flow of the Holy Spirit.

And perhaps the greatest of them all; I’m living my dream – trading, writing, travelling and with enough money to do it. I wouldn’t say ‘financial abundance’ just yet. But enough.

I know I could have stopped my charities and I wouldn't have gone that little bit backwards the past two years. I'm holding God to His word; you have to give to get. And He is upholding His end: ensuring I have enough for the desires of my heart.

Hmmm; I wonder what an 8th time will hold?

Designed to Fail. Built for Success.

Designed to Fail. Built for Success.

We are designed to fail until we identify who we are, until we identify our ego. Our ego is what brings about destruction and loss and the only way to move forward is to humble ourselves. Life will collapse, until we create what we deserve and what we desire. And we can only get there through the Saviour. I know this to be true, because I’m living my dream life and it’s a life far from where I started.

For most of us, it’s not until we hit our thirty’s, where we find life isn’t what we were promised it would be. By then, many of us are far removed from the Saviour.

As children we’re told to get a job and save and life will be rosy. We’re not told how to save and until we learn, we’re never going to be able to do it. We’re not told what to do when we don’t like the job or even what to do when life isn’t going the way we wanted or expected. We don’t know how to change it. And until we figure it out, we keep banging away, hitting brick walls and getting nowhere. And unless we read, study and learn, we’ll never figure it out.

Things will not change until we change, until we learn what we need to know and apply that knowledge. And it’s extremely hard to change when our time is limited due to work and family commitments. It’s extremely hard to change when we’re emotionally, physically and mentally spent. It can be done, but it’s going to take a lot of hard work and full commitment.

The success book of life (The Bible) even tells us a double-minded man can expect nothing. You can’t be on one day and off the next and expect to succeed. You have to commit to your desire and not stop. Do not quit under any circumstances. I took this so literally, working so hard my hair fell out and I for a period of time I was wearing a hat to cover the bald patches. Thankfully, I now have more balance and my hair has grown back. But I ask you; are you prepared to pay the price?

We have to keep going. We have to persevere. We have to keep learning and trying different things, new things, until we find the thing that works for us.

Do you remember the 10 plagues that Moses battled through with Pharaoh? Each of us too, have battles to overcome before we can enter the promised land and we only overcome one battle at a time. I won’t list them all, but I’ve overcome health issues, relationship issues, self-loathing, poverty, excess weight and more. My last and greatest battle is prosperity. I’m living my dream and while I’m not in poverty anymore, it is a tight budget. I know God has more. He has more me. He has more for you and for your family as well.

Stay in God’s word. Form a good relationship with God. Draw close to Him and stay close to Him. Don’t quit before all your giants are defeated. And when all those giants are defeated, remember it was Him who got you there. Remember to give thanks.