As I was praying and worshippng this morning I started writing what I was hearing in the spirit...
"Return, return, return oh you people to your first love. Seek Him while He may still be found. Run hard, run fast into His waiting arms. Let Him strengthen and refresh you, let Him cradle your hurts and your wounds away in His love. Don't allow your ears to grow dull to His voice. There is a place of refreshing and of strengthening and there is not time to waste... run, run, run to Him while there is still time!"
Time is promised to no one- run into the waiting, longing and loving arms of Jesus. His table has been set and readied for His guests. He beckon's- "come and feast with Me, be filled and made ready".
You may feel that you've already been through a battle or several battles. Many of God's people have been enduring many difficulties and grown weary. It may feel like a rollercoaster and you're dizzy, confused and tired. But know this- the battles will only increase as time closes in to the great culmination of all time. The Lord is coming- He is coming soon!
We need to seek hard after the Lord, our Beloved. We cannot make it without Him, without His love, without His refreshing hope or without His strengthening. We cannot make it without His preparation purposed to feed and strengthen our spirits for battle. He has invited us to feast in His presence, in intimacy. Feasting in His word, feasting in quiet intimacy with Him, drinking deeply of His love as He sings His love song. Quiet- intimate communion with Him feasting on His goodness.
I see in the spirit that a number (a remnant) have been with the Lord at His table, joined in that intimate place with Him. Also, together as were the disciples in close intimacy with Him and one another. He is pleased. But there are others that still have not come at His invitation. He's been calling, the word has gone out and He is still waiting for those to enter in. I see the first group filled, full, joyful, emboldened with the new wine- strengthened... They are in the armor room suiting up. I see helmets, shields, swords, etc... I see this group suiting up, laughing, talking, sharing and preparing. I see the table with the feast- there is still food, still drink but it is obvious that guest have already come and moved on. But the Lord is still waiting- not wanting any to miss His invitation to join Him, His special guests dearly beloved. He's waiting for those who hunger, who thirst, those who have grown weary, those who have ears to hear and eyes to see... He's waiting...
Soon the door will be closed. The battle cry has already gone forth. But there are some who still need to be filled- FILLED, fueled, replenished and recharged. That may be readied to suit up and engage the battle. The battle is only ramping up, intensifying. Heaven, Earth and Hell are ramping up. Seek Him while he may be found. Answer His invitation- you've been invited. Breakthrough awaits those who have ears to hear and those who answer His invitation to dine/sup with Him. He desires your presence... He's waiting. But soon... very soon...
I see a window of time- it is small. Don't be left out and don't leave any behind. Join and engage- readied to ENGAGE. People- GET READY! Seek Him while He may be found.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Friendship in Vain
By Tamara “Tami” Blue
9/18/09
Imagine for a moment that the Lord offered His friendship to you and me in vain. Imagine that He accepts your hand of friendship or seeks your hand of friendship but it is either empty or for selfish gain. Imagine that He sees Himself as being too important to really call you friend. Imagine that He sees His friendship to you as a means to His success or prominence. Imagine He calls you, spends time with you but its in private because He’s embarrassed to publicly call you friend. Imagine Jesus keeping you around as friend only to use what you posses.
The word “vain” as outlined in the dictionary means this: 1. Not yielding the desired outcome; fruitless: a vain attempt. 2. Lacking substance or worth: vain talk. 3. Excessively proud of ones appearance or accomplishments; conceited. 4. Archaic Foolish. –idiom: in vain 1. To no avail; without success. 2. In a irreverent or disrespectful manner. The word “vain” is listed 52 times in the New King James Version Bible, 102 in the King James Bible, 31 times in the NIV, 41 times in the NASB, 6 times in The Message, 67 times in the Amplified… Words have significance and this ones holds a certain heaviness.
Again, imagine everything we’ve been taught about Jesus and His great love for us, His compassion, His sacrifice, His yearning for us… Imagine it all being in vain. No words can express the pain of that thought. Yet… yet, those of us who are a new creation in Christ- do that to one another.
I praise God that this scenario with Jesus is not so. I praise God that Jesus is the best example of a pure and loyal friend. I praise God that His friendship is unconditional and pure of love. If it weren’t for His loving hand outstretched always to us, all would be lost. Somehow though, we forget that we are new creations “in Christ”, having taken on the very image of Christ Himself. So why is it that we continue to offer vain friendships, why is it that we hold ourselves at a distance not fully committed or engaged with those we call “friend”? I can answer this question in part. But still, somehow it perplexes me and yet I know that I too fall short when it comes to being the kind of friend I know I should be. As I am writing I am reminded of Paul’s words:
“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” Romans 7:15…
Though, our sin nature, our flesh wills against our spirit we must remind ourselves to go back to the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ to help us press forward in His goodness which He has placed inside each of us…
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know that his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
These things I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:12-17
Our Heavenly Father is and has been separating the wheat from the chaff. The chaff is the stuff around the seed that covers it as well as the stem. It is the stuff in our lives that is not of Him. He wants to separate the chaff from our lives, clean up and clear away anything that is not pleasing to Him. He is looking for those who would love Him, serve Him and worship Him in spirit and in truth. He’s looking for His true friends- those who love Him and love those He loves and calls His friends. I want to be one that He calls His true friend. I want to be more and more like Him and less like me; the me that is displeasing to Him.
Let us all take a deeper look into the way we treat “friends”. Because when we mistreat our friends, we mistreat the greatest of all friends, Jesus Christ. What we do to others, we do to Christ- Ouch!
“A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17
9/18/09
Imagine for a moment that the Lord offered His friendship to you and me in vain. Imagine that He accepts your hand of friendship or seeks your hand of friendship but it is either empty or for selfish gain. Imagine that He sees Himself as being too important to really call you friend. Imagine that He sees His friendship to you as a means to His success or prominence. Imagine He calls you, spends time with you but its in private because He’s embarrassed to publicly call you friend. Imagine Jesus keeping you around as friend only to use what you posses.
The word “vain” as outlined in the dictionary means this: 1. Not yielding the desired outcome; fruitless: a vain attempt. 2. Lacking substance or worth: vain talk. 3. Excessively proud of ones appearance or accomplishments; conceited. 4. Archaic Foolish. –idiom: in vain 1. To no avail; without success. 2. In a irreverent or disrespectful manner. The word “vain” is listed 52 times in the New King James Version Bible, 102 in the King James Bible, 31 times in the NIV, 41 times in the NASB, 6 times in The Message, 67 times in the Amplified… Words have significance and this ones holds a certain heaviness.
Again, imagine everything we’ve been taught about Jesus and His great love for us, His compassion, His sacrifice, His yearning for us… Imagine it all being in vain. No words can express the pain of that thought. Yet… yet, those of us who are a new creation in Christ- do that to one another.
I praise God that this scenario with Jesus is not so. I praise God that Jesus is the best example of a pure and loyal friend. I praise God that His friendship is unconditional and pure of love. If it weren’t for His loving hand outstretched always to us, all would be lost. Somehow though, we forget that we are new creations “in Christ”, having taken on the very image of Christ Himself. So why is it that we continue to offer vain friendships, why is it that we hold ourselves at a distance not fully committed or engaged with those we call “friend”? I can answer this question in part. But still, somehow it perplexes me and yet I know that I too fall short when it comes to being the kind of friend I know I should be. As I am writing I am reminded of Paul’s words:
“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” Romans 7:15…
Though, our sin nature, our flesh wills against our spirit we must remind ourselves to go back to the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ to help us press forward in His goodness which He has placed inside each of us…
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know that his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
These things I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:12-17
Our Heavenly Father is and has been separating the wheat from the chaff. The chaff is the stuff around the seed that covers it as well as the stem. It is the stuff in our lives that is not of Him. He wants to separate the chaff from our lives, clean up and clear away anything that is not pleasing to Him. He is looking for those who would love Him, serve Him and worship Him in spirit and in truth. He’s looking for His true friends- those who love Him and love those He loves and calls His friends. I want to be one that He calls His true friend. I want to be more and more like Him and less like me; the me that is displeasing to Him.
Let us all take a deeper look into the way we treat “friends”. Because when we mistreat our friends, we mistreat the greatest of all friends, Jesus Christ. What we do to others, we do to Christ- Ouch!
“A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
9-9-09 Can You Feel the Shift?
Can you feel the shift? Today marks a new corner turned and a new season entered... Enter through the narrow gate that leads to the Lord's glory. You will find it ripe with abundance to carry you through the times to come. I feel an electrictiy in the spiritual air, a time of rest and of fullness but also of great change that will position us for things to come. Do you feel it, do you feel the spiritual air? Its full of God's Glory!
I wanted to share a picture that I snapped yesterday...
The apples are from one of our four apple tree's at our new home. In the picture is also one lone Asian Pear and Wheat. The wheat is the one that utterly stunned me...
As we were headed up the hill on our street to our Pastor's home for fellowship on Labor Day I noticed wheat growing in an empty lot! Mind you, I live in Western Washington in the Greater Seattle area- wheat does not typically grow here! The only place I've seen wheat grown is in Eastern Washington where the climate is perfect for its optimum growth.
But in this empty lot staked out for new home developement seemingly springing up from no-where was wheat! My spirit is buzzing with its symbolism and the fact that this lot is in-between where our home is and where our Pastor's home is... coincidence... Wow!
To me this picture is one of proof of God's abundance and goodness. We are coming into a ripe harvest season of which many of labored and we get to reap! I'd like to share a few scriptures- may they fill you with an anticipation and excitment for the greater things to come.
"...Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! and he who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you the reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labors." John 4:35-38 NKJV
"...For the open pastures are springing up, and the trees bear its fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their strength. Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; For he has given you the former rian faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you- The former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locusts has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locusts, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wonderously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame." Joel 2:22-26
Glory to God in the highest! "Welcome the King of Glory!"... We welcome You Lord! May your day, week and season be blessed with fullness, abundance, rest, hope, new levels of joy and most of all with his abundant love! In Jesus Christ's wonderful and mighty name- AMEN!
I wanted to share a picture that I snapped yesterday...
The apples are from one of our four apple tree's at our new home. In the picture is also one lone Asian Pear and Wheat. The wheat is the one that utterly stunned me...
As we were headed up the hill on our street to our Pastor's home for fellowship on Labor Day I noticed wheat growing in an empty lot! Mind you, I live in Western Washington in the Greater Seattle area- wheat does not typically grow here! The only place I've seen wheat grown is in Eastern Washington where the climate is perfect for its optimum growth.
But in this empty lot staked out for new home developement seemingly springing up from no-where was wheat! My spirit is buzzing with its symbolism and the fact that this lot is in-between where our home is and where our Pastor's home is... coincidence... Wow!
To me this picture is one of proof of God's abundance and goodness. We are coming into a ripe harvest season of which many of labored and we get to reap! I'd like to share a few scriptures- may they fill you with an anticipation and excitment for the greater things to come.
"...Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! and he who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you the reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labors." John 4:35-38 NKJV
"...For the open pastures are springing up, and the trees bear its fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their strength. Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; For he has given you the former rian faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you- The former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locusts has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locusts, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wonderously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame." Joel 2:22-26
Glory to God in the highest! "Welcome the King of Glory!"... We welcome You Lord! May your day, week and season be blessed with fullness, abundance, rest, hope, new levels of joy and most of all with his abundant love! In Jesus Christ's wonderful and mighty name- AMEN!
Monday, September 07, 2009
"Pray for the Rain"
Though we Seattleites dread the rain when it comes, I keep hearing in my spirit over and over “Pray for the rain”. I noticed that one of my Facebook friends recently posted to her status “Rain, rain go away…” Something in my spirit protested that notion even though I understand the plea full well. Once the rainy season starts in the Seattle area it seems to last for a very long time. Fall marks the beginning of the rain and hence those of us from the Greater Seattle area feel the dread of a very long season of rain.
But, I know when God speaks I better take notice. Again this morning I heard “Pray for the rain”. Well, its been raining and harder than normal for our area. We even had a funnel cloud that tore up a few farms south of Seattle. So this morning as I was hearing this word again I also kept hearing “latter rain”. So I looked up the scripture correlating with what I was hearing in my spirit…
“…For He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you- the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floor shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.” Joel 2:23-24 NKJV
For those who do not know, this month starting on the 18th to 20th will be Rosh Hashanah or the New Lunar Year of 5770. The rains are coming, the winds also… ushering in a new season and change. Go beyond the natural dread of the rainy season and ask Father God to show you what He is doing. Ask of Him for your spiritual senses to be made alert to His move in this time. Truly, welcome the King of Glory in this new season and New Lunar Year.
Holy Spirit has spoken many things to my spirit about this season that I have both understood and not fully understood. Causing me to realize that I need to pray more diligently for interpretation of what He shows me. I think this is the one area I’ve neglected to pray and until now I didn’t even realize this. But my spirit is a buzz right now with the pieces to the puzzle that God’s Spirit has been showing me. On Aug. 23rd at 2:30-AM I was woken up by a repeated word I was hearing over and over in my sleep. It would not let up until I woke up and wrote it down. I heard over and over “Blow the Shofar, Sound the alarm!”. I heard it a few more times after I wrote it down and then finally fell back to sleep.
I am not fully knowledgeable about the Jewish High Holy-Feast days but over the years am becoming more and more aware of their significance. God truly does speak powerfully during these times or celebrations. After I read the above scripture I felt led to look on my calendar to see when the first month of the Lunar New Year began. To my surprise it just so happens to be this month and Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the New Lunar/Jewish Year.
I decided to look up the meaning of Rosh Hashanah and learn more about it. To my surprise I came upon a paragraph that spoke to the significance of the Shofar during Rosh Hashanah. During Rosh Hashanah the Shofar is blown 100 times each day. I still don’t have full understanding of why I was woken up hearing “Blow the Shofar, Sound the alarm!” But, I feel a “WOW” in my spirit and that what I was hearing tie’s into this new season, this New Year.
In my last blog post I also shared that I felt this was a new season ripe with fruitful harvest and abundance. While reading about Rosh Hashanah I also discovered that it is customary to eat new fruit for the new season… WOW! I know the Lord will bring more revelation as the days draw nearer to these High Holy Days and I can’t help but feel such an excitement deep in my spirit and a drawing closer to God’s Spirit. I am utterly amazed by Him!
May we eat fully of the fruit of God’s Word and be filled by the good fruits of the Holy Spirit. May we walk in and see God’s fruitful abundance, may our spirits become more alert than in the past. May the Bride of Christ come alive with new awareness seeing past the natural gloom and into the spiritual hope of this new season. In Jesus Christ’s mighty name- AMEN!
But, I know when God speaks I better take notice. Again this morning I heard “Pray for the rain”. Well, its been raining and harder than normal for our area. We even had a funnel cloud that tore up a few farms south of Seattle. So this morning as I was hearing this word again I also kept hearing “latter rain”. So I looked up the scripture correlating with what I was hearing in my spirit…
“…For He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you- the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floor shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.” Joel 2:23-24 NKJV
For those who do not know, this month starting on the 18th to 20th will be Rosh Hashanah or the New Lunar Year of 5770. The rains are coming, the winds also… ushering in a new season and change. Go beyond the natural dread of the rainy season and ask Father God to show you what He is doing. Ask of Him for your spiritual senses to be made alert to His move in this time. Truly, welcome the King of Glory in this new season and New Lunar Year.
Holy Spirit has spoken many things to my spirit about this season that I have both understood and not fully understood. Causing me to realize that I need to pray more diligently for interpretation of what He shows me. I think this is the one area I’ve neglected to pray and until now I didn’t even realize this. But my spirit is a buzz right now with the pieces to the puzzle that God’s Spirit has been showing me. On Aug. 23rd at 2:30-AM I was woken up by a repeated word I was hearing over and over in my sleep. It would not let up until I woke up and wrote it down. I heard over and over “Blow the Shofar, Sound the alarm!”. I heard it a few more times after I wrote it down and then finally fell back to sleep.
I am not fully knowledgeable about the Jewish High Holy-Feast days but over the years am becoming more and more aware of their significance. God truly does speak powerfully during these times or celebrations. After I read the above scripture I felt led to look on my calendar to see when the first month of the Lunar New Year began. To my surprise it just so happens to be this month and Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the New Lunar/Jewish Year.
I decided to look up the meaning of Rosh Hashanah and learn more about it. To my surprise I came upon a paragraph that spoke to the significance of the Shofar during Rosh Hashanah. During Rosh Hashanah the Shofar is blown 100 times each day. I still don’t have full understanding of why I was woken up hearing “Blow the Shofar, Sound the alarm!” But, I feel a “WOW” in my spirit and that what I was hearing tie’s into this new season, this New Year.
In my last blog post I also shared that I felt this was a new season ripe with fruitful harvest and abundance. While reading about Rosh Hashanah I also discovered that it is customary to eat new fruit for the new season… WOW! I know the Lord will bring more revelation as the days draw nearer to these High Holy Days and I can’t help but feel such an excitement deep in my spirit and a drawing closer to God’s Spirit. I am utterly amazed by Him!
May we eat fully of the fruit of God’s Word and be filled by the good fruits of the Holy Spirit. May we walk in and see God’s fruitful abundance, may our spirits become more alert than in the past. May the Bride of Christ come alive with new awareness seeing past the natural gloom and into the spiritual hope of this new season. In Jesus Christ’s mighty name- AMEN!
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
New Season, New Home(s) and New Hope
New Season, New Home(s) and New Hope
8/13/09
As Fall quickly approaches I am coming to the realization that the seasons seem to change more and more quickly. But yet, the spiritual season can sometimes feel as if it has no end or it can unexpectedly fade quickly. In the spiritual and the natural this past season has been a hard one. A battle under the surface of life seems to have been shaking and rattling so many and causing very real uncertainty. But yet, many know and can plainly see that God has also been shaking that which can be and needs to be shaken.
Despite this last season being one with trials of various sorts, I have sense of a new hope filled season ahead ripe with harvest. But it involves some permanent and even challenging change. Some folks are sliding into this new season unscathed and or unaware of the intense battle of this season or even past year. Some are battle weary and wondering where their legs to stand are. Some are a little bruised by misconceptions, misunderstandings that have been rampant. Some have had to have their hands forced to make permanent changes. Some are hopeful. And, some are worried that this next season will be more of the same. I don’t believe so, but we all must be willing to submit to God’s change in our lives for His best to come. We must partner with His changes, His shifting and sifting. We must align our thoughts and our will’s with His so that He can position us for the coming blessings and promises.
I am one who is a bit bruised from this past season and even year, feeling a sense of sadness and loss. It is more my heart that is bruised and my head that is slowly ceasing to spin. I see a new hope but yet it has meant much pain of which didn’t always make sense. My husband’s and my hands have been forced to make a permanent change. We had prayed about being able to make this change for quite some time but could not see a way, it seemed impossible any time we looked at it. At first, I was rattled by this force of hand. Fear of how this change would take place and how it would affect us did run through my mind. I misjudged who was actually causing this force of hand. Now I see it was God orchestrating things for our best interest for this new season we are on the verge of stepping into.
8/24/09 Continued…
I am sitting in my new home office as I continue to share. The change that came for my family came in the form of a new residence. We have prayed for what seems forever for God to move us from where we were. We were in our last residence for 5.5 years and never quite felt safe in the area we were in. So we petitioned everyone we knew over and over to help us in prayer that God would make a way for us to move. It finally happened! Praise God!!! But it did not come easily or the way we expected, our hands were forced in order for this change to occur. It was a needed thing and now I can see some of what God was preparing on our behalf.
Though we did not feel safe in our other home, by God’s protection and grace we never experienced any crime towards us. But the day that I started writing this we had a near break in. It was early afternoon, I had my front door open because it was a warm day but the screen door was closed and locked. I was in the kitchen and I heard someone rattle the screen door. I thought it was one of my children but our dog was barking and growling loudly. She wouldn’t let up until after I spoke to hush her from the kitchen. She eventually let up and I went to investigate but didn’t see anything (praise God). I later found out that 5 homes on our block had been broken into during the day over the week and a couple folks were face to face with the intruder.
Then the next horrifying news came the second night of our move. My husband called me to tell me that he would be home a little late. He and the neighbor were investigating a foul odor coming from the small strip of greenbelt across the street from our home. There was a dead human body! The police believed it to possibly be a drug abuser or transient.
We had seen things that were alarming over the years, drug deals in plain sight, a prostitute or two being dropped off on our street by a john. We had heard gun fire several times and because of the neighborhood watch dog alerts that I received I had knowledge that there were over 20 rapist/pedophiles within a 1 mile radius of our home. What stunned me most is this is an area that was very close to where I grew up and was at one time relatively safe and quiet. But talk about God moving us out right in the nick of time! All I can say is “WOW!” and “Thank you God!”
What I felt to be impossible, God made possible. Not only did He make it possible but He blessed it abundantly! I’m still kind of pinching myself in excitement over His hand in our lives over the last month. It was just over a month ago that we found out that our landlords either needed to raise our rent or sell the house we were in. We were already paying a fairly high rent for that home and could not see paying more. On top of the declining neighborhood this home had rats in the basement, mold, flooding in the basement and on-going moisture issues and was a 80+ year old home in need of much repair. We just knew we had to move and that we could not go another winter in that home paying a higher rent with our already very high utilities. My husband was expecting a bonus from his job and we had been praying about what it was to go towards. Upon this news it suddenly became obvious. Though it wasn’t enough to cover our move- we knew we had to step out in faith. It was two days after that phone call from our previous landlords that we looked at this home that we are now in. It was the first home that we viewed and applied for. But my husband doubted that we’d qualify for it. We looked at several and were offered two others but I knew in my spirit that this was the one. But God told me that we were going to have to war for it in prayer. This was after I told Him that I was tired of second best, I was tired of being stolen from and that I wanted His best for our lives, that it was time!
I was a little demanding in my plea to Him, but I felt a surge of strengthened resolve come up in me to demand it. God’s Spirit spoke to my spirit and told me that He’s always had His best in mind for us but that the enemy has often snatched it away from us. He told me I would need to war in prayer and not let up. He also told me that I was to demand it out the enemy’s hands. I did and even continue to because I know there is more to come. I can feel it, I can feel the shift of circumstances, I can feel a shift that involves abundance- a fruitful harvest.
The Lord has shown me some amazing things about this shift and change that has been brought about for my family and my life in particular. The new home we are leasing is owned by a God fearing and loving couple who have bathed this home in prayer. The house was on the market for sale for 9 months but no takers. So the realtor suggested that the couple try both to sell and to attempt to lease the home out and whatever came first that they go with. Along we came to inquire on the posting to lease the home… The home is beautiful and better suited to our family. It is in a wonderful family oriented neighborhood where kids ride their bikes, people walk their dogs and it is peaceful and quiet for the most part. We loved it from the moment we looked at it. My children remarked at how it felt like home.
This home has several fruit trees that are on the verge of harvest. A few of the trees are dripping with fruit (abundance). I told my husband one night about a month and a half ago out of the clear blue that I believed we were about to come into our season of abundance. And, that our wilderness time was just about over.
With this new home the Lord showed me the correlation between the natural and spiritual symbolism of harvest. This is also the 9th year, 9 being the number of Holy Spirit but also of the spiritual fruits as well as gifts. 9 is significant to me because my birthday is the 9th day of the first month of the year, and again, this year being the 9th year…
I see promise, I see abundance and I see an abundant fruitful harvest. The Lord spoke to my spirit and said “New Season, new home(s) and new hope”. All while showing me the reason for the shifting and permanent change. What once seemed hopeless and sometimes fought through tears to get through now seems hopeful and exciting.
It was also 9 months since my Grandfather passed on the 9th day of October. Before he passed he mentioned as he always had about how badly he wanted us to purchase a home. I promised him that what he has left to me would go towards a home for my family. The wonderful thing about this home is that we could potentially buy it and this is also the owner’s prayer for us. As I was sitting on our deck a few days ago and praising God for blessing us it occurred to me how pleased my Grandfather would be with our new residence and how he’d push us to buy this home. I don’t know at the moment if that will happen but the hope is there, a new hope that I did not have a little over a month ago.
Also, this past weekend we visited a new church which could potentially be our new spiritual home. I found this church 4 to 5 years ago while searching the internet for local churches. Every so often since then I have run across this church listing but was always confused by the address. Its address seemed to be in the area we were living in but I knew there was not a church at that address. I realized awhile back that the church was in a different location a good distance from our home so we never visited and that this was simple the church office. That is until a week before we moved. I did a search for churches around the area of our new home and happened upon this church listing once again. But this time it led me to the website for their new church plant which just so happened to move into our new city this past Mother’s Day! The name of the church is “New Hope”! And after visiting yesterday and getting to know some of the members and Pastors we came to the knowledge that this Pastor of this new church plant lives two blocks away from our new home in the same neighborhood! WOW God! I’d say it’s premature to say this is our new church home but yet- there is a sense that this is where God wants us for this new season. During the service they mentioned that they all just came back from church camp and that the message during camp was on “Abundance”. Coincidence? Again, WOW God!
New season, New home(s) and New Hope…
Don't fear the changes ahead, press on and into them with the Lord’s strength. It may not make sense, it may hurt a bit, your hand may have to be forced but God has always had His best in mind for our lives. Move forward into this new season, into a fruitful harvest. We did not plant the trees on our property that are just about ripe for harvest. But we sowed much through prayers and tears and now is our time to reap of a ripe, abundant and fruitful harvest. I feel this is not just my family’s time but also for the Bride of Christ. It’s our time, its our season… move forward into God’s best and watch what He does. He’s repositioning, rearranging, shifting and changing circumstances so that His best can manifest in our lives for His Glory! Move your mindset out of the way of for the King of Glory to come in and bless your life! Allow God to position you for His abundance. May your faith be stirred and built up in this new season ahead!
8/13/09
As Fall quickly approaches I am coming to the realization that the seasons seem to change more and more quickly. But yet, the spiritual season can sometimes feel as if it has no end or it can unexpectedly fade quickly. In the spiritual and the natural this past season has been a hard one. A battle under the surface of life seems to have been shaking and rattling so many and causing very real uncertainty. But yet, many know and can plainly see that God has also been shaking that which can be and needs to be shaken.
Despite this last season being one with trials of various sorts, I have sense of a new hope filled season ahead ripe with harvest. But it involves some permanent and even challenging change. Some folks are sliding into this new season unscathed and or unaware of the intense battle of this season or even past year. Some are battle weary and wondering where their legs to stand are. Some are a little bruised by misconceptions, misunderstandings that have been rampant. Some have had to have their hands forced to make permanent changes. Some are hopeful. And, some are worried that this next season will be more of the same. I don’t believe so, but we all must be willing to submit to God’s change in our lives for His best to come. We must partner with His changes, His shifting and sifting. We must align our thoughts and our will’s with His so that He can position us for the coming blessings and promises.
I am one who is a bit bruised from this past season and even year, feeling a sense of sadness and loss. It is more my heart that is bruised and my head that is slowly ceasing to spin. I see a new hope but yet it has meant much pain of which didn’t always make sense. My husband’s and my hands have been forced to make a permanent change. We had prayed about being able to make this change for quite some time but could not see a way, it seemed impossible any time we looked at it. At first, I was rattled by this force of hand. Fear of how this change would take place and how it would affect us did run through my mind. I misjudged who was actually causing this force of hand. Now I see it was God orchestrating things for our best interest for this new season we are on the verge of stepping into.
8/24/09 Continued…
I am sitting in my new home office as I continue to share. The change that came for my family came in the form of a new residence. We have prayed for what seems forever for God to move us from where we were. We were in our last residence for 5.5 years and never quite felt safe in the area we were in. So we petitioned everyone we knew over and over to help us in prayer that God would make a way for us to move. It finally happened! Praise God!!! But it did not come easily or the way we expected, our hands were forced in order for this change to occur. It was a needed thing and now I can see some of what God was preparing on our behalf.
Though we did not feel safe in our other home, by God’s protection and grace we never experienced any crime towards us. But the day that I started writing this we had a near break in. It was early afternoon, I had my front door open because it was a warm day but the screen door was closed and locked. I was in the kitchen and I heard someone rattle the screen door. I thought it was one of my children but our dog was barking and growling loudly. She wouldn’t let up until after I spoke to hush her from the kitchen. She eventually let up and I went to investigate but didn’t see anything (praise God). I later found out that 5 homes on our block had been broken into during the day over the week and a couple folks were face to face with the intruder.
Then the next horrifying news came the second night of our move. My husband called me to tell me that he would be home a little late. He and the neighbor were investigating a foul odor coming from the small strip of greenbelt across the street from our home. There was a dead human body! The police believed it to possibly be a drug abuser or transient.
We had seen things that were alarming over the years, drug deals in plain sight, a prostitute or two being dropped off on our street by a john. We had heard gun fire several times and because of the neighborhood watch dog alerts that I received I had knowledge that there were over 20 rapist/pedophiles within a 1 mile radius of our home. What stunned me most is this is an area that was very close to where I grew up and was at one time relatively safe and quiet. But talk about God moving us out right in the nick of time! All I can say is “WOW!” and “Thank you God!”
What I felt to be impossible, God made possible. Not only did He make it possible but He blessed it abundantly! I’m still kind of pinching myself in excitement over His hand in our lives over the last month. It was just over a month ago that we found out that our landlords either needed to raise our rent or sell the house we were in. We were already paying a fairly high rent for that home and could not see paying more. On top of the declining neighborhood this home had rats in the basement, mold, flooding in the basement and on-going moisture issues and was a 80+ year old home in need of much repair. We just knew we had to move and that we could not go another winter in that home paying a higher rent with our already very high utilities. My husband was expecting a bonus from his job and we had been praying about what it was to go towards. Upon this news it suddenly became obvious. Though it wasn’t enough to cover our move- we knew we had to step out in faith. It was two days after that phone call from our previous landlords that we looked at this home that we are now in. It was the first home that we viewed and applied for. But my husband doubted that we’d qualify for it. We looked at several and were offered two others but I knew in my spirit that this was the one. But God told me that we were going to have to war for it in prayer. This was after I told Him that I was tired of second best, I was tired of being stolen from and that I wanted His best for our lives, that it was time!
I was a little demanding in my plea to Him, but I felt a surge of strengthened resolve come up in me to demand it. God’s Spirit spoke to my spirit and told me that He’s always had His best in mind for us but that the enemy has often snatched it away from us. He told me I would need to war in prayer and not let up. He also told me that I was to demand it out the enemy’s hands. I did and even continue to because I know there is more to come. I can feel it, I can feel the shift of circumstances, I can feel a shift that involves abundance- a fruitful harvest.
The Lord has shown me some amazing things about this shift and change that has been brought about for my family and my life in particular. The new home we are leasing is owned by a God fearing and loving couple who have bathed this home in prayer. The house was on the market for sale for 9 months but no takers. So the realtor suggested that the couple try both to sell and to attempt to lease the home out and whatever came first that they go with. Along we came to inquire on the posting to lease the home… The home is beautiful and better suited to our family. It is in a wonderful family oriented neighborhood where kids ride their bikes, people walk their dogs and it is peaceful and quiet for the most part. We loved it from the moment we looked at it. My children remarked at how it felt like home.
This home has several fruit trees that are on the verge of harvest. A few of the trees are dripping with fruit (abundance). I told my husband one night about a month and a half ago out of the clear blue that I believed we were about to come into our season of abundance. And, that our wilderness time was just about over.
With this new home the Lord showed me the correlation between the natural and spiritual symbolism of harvest. This is also the 9th year, 9 being the number of Holy Spirit but also of the spiritual fruits as well as gifts. 9 is significant to me because my birthday is the 9th day of the first month of the year, and again, this year being the 9th year…
I see promise, I see abundance and I see an abundant fruitful harvest. The Lord spoke to my spirit and said “New Season, new home(s) and new hope”. All while showing me the reason for the shifting and permanent change. What once seemed hopeless and sometimes fought through tears to get through now seems hopeful and exciting.
It was also 9 months since my Grandfather passed on the 9th day of October. Before he passed he mentioned as he always had about how badly he wanted us to purchase a home. I promised him that what he has left to me would go towards a home for my family. The wonderful thing about this home is that we could potentially buy it and this is also the owner’s prayer for us. As I was sitting on our deck a few days ago and praising God for blessing us it occurred to me how pleased my Grandfather would be with our new residence and how he’d push us to buy this home. I don’t know at the moment if that will happen but the hope is there, a new hope that I did not have a little over a month ago.
Also, this past weekend we visited a new church which could potentially be our new spiritual home. I found this church 4 to 5 years ago while searching the internet for local churches. Every so often since then I have run across this church listing but was always confused by the address. Its address seemed to be in the area we were living in but I knew there was not a church at that address. I realized awhile back that the church was in a different location a good distance from our home so we never visited and that this was simple the church office. That is until a week before we moved. I did a search for churches around the area of our new home and happened upon this church listing once again. But this time it led me to the website for their new church plant which just so happened to move into our new city this past Mother’s Day! The name of the church is “New Hope”! And after visiting yesterday and getting to know some of the members and Pastors we came to the knowledge that this Pastor of this new church plant lives two blocks away from our new home in the same neighborhood! WOW God! I’d say it’s premature to say this is our new church home but yet- there is a sense that this is where God wants us for this new season. During the service they mentioned that they all just came back from church camp and that the message during camp was on “Abundance”. Coincidence? Again, WOW God!
New season, New home(s) and New Hope…
Don't fear the changes ahead, press on and into them with the Lord’s strength. It may not make sense, it may hurt a bit, your hand may have to be forced but God has always had His best in mind for our lives. Move forward into this new season, into a fruitful harvest. We did not plant the trees on our property that are just about ripe for harvest. But we sowed much through prayers and tears and now is our time to reap of a ripe, abundant and fruitful harvest. I feel this is not just my family’s time but also for the Bride of Christ. It’s our time, its our season… move forward into God’s best and watch what He does. He’s repositioning, rearranging, shifting and changing circumstances so that His best can manifest in our lives for His Glory! Move your mindset out of the way of for the King of Glory to come in and bless your life! Allow God to position you for His abundance. May your faith be stirred and built up in this new season ahead!
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Unnoticed Among Us...
By Tamara “Tami” Blue
7/27/09
There are people all around us daily with various struggles. Some of those struggles are much more obvious outwardly and others less so but no less troublesome. Yet, do we notice?...
What about that person who one look at them and you say to yourself “wow, their life seems good and they are so well put together”. But is that truly the case? Have you ever pondered this and have you ever sought to look further than outward appearances of another? This thought has crossed my mind several times. In part I’ve pondered this because of my own experiences in this area. Most people who have just met me in person or who know me but haven’t really taken the time to really know me assume my life has been easy, stress free and or free from real tragedy and trials. It almost always blows my mind hearing them say that. There are times I have to say honestly that I don’t feel I have it all together. There are times where I don’t feel like I can put a right outfit together to mask the struggles in order to present myself as “put together”. Yet, this is the game we often have to play in order not to be shamed.
I’m sorry if my real-ness is making you a little uneasy right now. I’ve learned that it is okay to be real, true and honest. Yes, it might just make someone feel uncomfortable and that is okay. I don’t purpose to make others feel uncomfortable. On the contrary I wish that people would take the time to truly see my heart which is often missed by those who really aren’t paying true attention. Sadly, most of us aren’t truly paying attention. Transparency is okay and good and very needed. Exposing truth is just as necessary and sometimes the truth is uncomfortable but delivered in love with a right heart makes a world of difference in many areas of life.
I am so very thankful for the Word of God! What amazing testimonies, stories, genealogies, etc… So many triumphs but also many trials, and God’s grace woven throughout. There are many not so perfect and honestly kind of messed up individuals mentioned, even within Christ’s own lineage. They were real people with real life struggles. Even the greatest in our eyes from the Bible were some of the most messed up individuals. The next time you are struggling and no one seems to notice- go to the Word of God, the Bible. Read of the many imperfect and very real people mentioned, read of their very real trials, tragedies and struggles. It’s okay to be real, its okay to have struggles because that is life and life was never promised to us free from trials or struggles. It is okay and you are okay. Just don’t stay in that place. Do all you can and know to do to press on in faith trusting and believing for God’s promises for your life. His sure promise to us is that He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us, He is always with us.
Honestly, the world would be an awfully sad and lonely place without the Word of God and our dear Brother, Friend and Savior Jesus Christ. He never shames us when we struggle. He never talks down to us or tells us we’re not doing it right. He just gently puts out His hand towards us and say’s “I am here, I know, and there is no condemnation because I only see the blood that cleanses you”.
As Believers, co-heirs, co-laborers and as eternal siblings how often do we pay attention to one another? My challenge to you this day is to look a little deeper, care a little more and look beyond what the outer appearance says about another. Look into the eyes, watch a person’s mannerisms as you are with them. And really listen to a person’s words to find out how they truly are. You might just end up surprised by what you find out simply by paying closer attention.
My challenge to you is in your face to face interactions. More times than not I find myself misunderstood in what I share in writing. I also find that people don’t always read every word written and end up reading something into a message, note or comment shared that wasn’t there. There have been many times where I have been truly happy and at peace and have had people read the exact opposite. Or even struggling a bit but not under the circumstance. I often go back to what I wrote or have another check to try to understand where a wrong conclusion could be read. And more often than not there was nothing there to indicate anything of the sort.
How much time do you spend seeking to understand those around you? Is your life just too busy to really listen to those in your life whether there are obvious struggles or just in casual conversation. How closely do you pay attention? Do you seek the best interests of others; do you seek to lift them up to all that God has for them? Or is your focus about you and your busy life, your great gifts, etc… We all fall short. But my challenge is to try a little harder to be a better you for the benefit of others especially an unnoticed somebody in need.
Ask Father God who are the unnoticed ones in your life. Ask Him to show you who may seem to have it all together but who is breaking inside, ask Him to show you. Sharpen your ears, your eyes and your listening skills to those around you, the ones you come in contact with and those in your life. Ask and be ready for Him to show you. You might just be the answer to someone’s prayers this day and a friend to one in need.
Let me leave you with these:
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. John 15:13-17 NKJV
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17
7/27/09
There are people all around us daily with various struggles. Some of those struggles are much more obvious outwardly and others less so but no less troublesome. Yet, do we notice?...
What about that person who one look at them and you say to yourself “wow, their life seems good and they are so well put together”. But is that truly the case? Have you ever pondered this and have you ever sought to look further than outward appearances of another? This thought has crossed my mind several times. In part I’ve pondered this because of my own experiences in this area. Most people who have just met me in person or who know me but haven’t really taken the time to really know me assume my life has been easy, stress free and or free from real tragedy and trials. It almost always blows my mind hearing them say that. There are times I have to say honestly that I don’t feel I have it all together. There are times where I don’t feel like I can put a right outfit together to mask the struggles in order to present myself as “put together”. Yet, this is the game we often have to play in order not to be shamed.
I’m sorry if my real-ness is making you a little uneasy right now. I’ve learned that it is okay to be real, true and honest. Yes, it might just make someone feel uncomfortable and that is okay. I don’t purpose to make others feel uncomfortable. On the contrary I wish that people would take the time to truly see my heart which is often missed by those who really aren’t paying true attention. Sadly, most of us aren’t truly paying attention. Transparency is okay and good and very needed. Exposing truth is just as necessary and sometimes the truth is uncomfortable but delivered in love with a right heart makes a world of difference in many areas of life.
I am so very thankful for the Word of God! What amazing testimonies, stories, genealogies, etc… So many triumphs but also many trials, and God’s grace woven throughout. There are many not so perfect and honestly kind of messed up individuals mentioned, even within Christ’s own lineage. They were real people with real life struggles. Even the greatest in our eyes from the Bible were some of the most messed up individuals. The next time you are struggling and no one seems to notice- go to the Word of God, the Bible. Read of the many imperfect and very real people mentioned, read of their very real trials, tragedies and struggles. It’s okay to be real, its okay to have struggles because that is life and life was never promised to us free from trials or struggles. It is okay and you are okay. Just don’t stay in that place. Do all you can and know to do to press on in faith trusting and believing for God’s promises for your life. His sure promise to us is that He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us, He is always with us.
Honestly, the world would be an awfully sad and lonely place without the Word of God and our dear Brother, Friend and Savior Jesus Christ. He never shames us when we struggle. He never talks down to us or tells us we’re not doing it right. He just gently puts out His hand towards us and say’s “I am here, I know, and there is no condemnation because I only see the blood that cleanses you”.
As Believers, co-heirs, co-laborers and as eternal siblings how often do we pay attention to one another? My challenge to you this day is to look a little deeper, care a little more and look beyond what the outer appearance says about another. Look into the eyes, watch a person’s mannerisms as you are with them. And really listen to a person’s words to find out how they truly are. You might just end up surprised by what you find out simply by paying closer attention.
My challenge to you is in your face to face interactions. More times than not I find myself misunderstood in what I share in writing. I also find that people don’t always read every word written and end up reading something into a message, note or comment shared that wasn’t there. There have been many times where I have been truly happy and at peace and have had people read the exact opposite. Or even struggling a bit but not under the circumstance. I often go back to what I wrote or have another check to try to understand where a wrong conclusion could be read. And more often than not there was nothing there to indicate anything of the sort.
How much time do you spend seeking to understand those around you? Is your life just too busy to really listen to those in your life whether there are obvious struggles or just in casual conversation. How closely do you pay attention? Do you seek the best interests of others; do you seek to lift them up to all that God has for them? Or is your focus about you and your busy life, your great gifts, etc… We all fall short. But my challenge is to try a little harder to be a better you for the benefit of others especially an unnoticed somebody in need.
Ask Father God who are the unnoticed ones in your life. Ask Him to show you who may seem to have it all together but who is breaking inside, ask Him to show you. Sharpen your ears, your eyes and your listening skills to those around you, the ones you come in contact with and those in your life. Ask and be ready for Him to show you. You might just be the answer to someone’s prayers this day and a friend to one in need.
Let me leave you with these:
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. John 15:13-17 NKJV
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Holy Spirit Given Wisdom & Revelation
By Tamara “Tami” Blue
June 23, 2009
I came across something this morning that I really appreciated and felt to share as encouragement to others. As I was reading my Bible I ended up flipping from where I was reading. Sensing Holy Spirit lead me to look up a specific word that stood out (this happens often). In my searching I ended up reading from 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:11:
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written:
“ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:1-11
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The Bible I've been using for the past 7 or so years is the New King James Version - Spirit Filled edition. I love this Bible because it has in it "Kingdom Dynamics" & "Word Wealth” which go into specific passages or words to further explains. It’s a great study Bible. I also often use Biblegateway to reference other Bible versions which provide other insights into a passage via different wording. I love exploring the Word of God. But how Holy Spirit has led me may be unconventional to others because it is often random and something that is on-time needed for my own spiritual growth or God showing me something in His word that I've felt in my spirit but maybe did not have reference to before hand. I love how He's taught me and confirms Himself to me. *I have also read through the Word chapter by chapter.
I wanted to share as to give encouragement maybe to those who've not been to seminary. For those who've wanted to attend. But who also may have felt disqualified by those who have. I am one who has not had the opportunity to attend seminary but have wanted to in order to fulfill the call upon my life. But I am realizing more and more that the place where I have been taught is actually quite adequate and very special. It has been in my alone time with God near daily for the past 14+ years of my submitted life (I've been saved much longer but not submitted fully until that point) praying, seeking God's will and reading His Word. Holy Spirit has been my teacher and has filled me to receive of God's goodness, love and truth via His Word. And also in learning to hear His voice and seek His will. If this is where you've been too- be encouraged that this is a very special place and no inadequacy should be felt. And as I have often heard for quite some time now: "God does not call the qualified, He qualifies [and teaches] those He calls". In this I can fully give to God alone all my thanks & praise for teaching me His ways. I've been set apart alone with Him, what a beautiful place!
Please don’t misunderstand me though. I have nothing against anyone pursuing seminary and if it is God’s will for me to go He will pave the way. My mother-in-law sat at the feet of the Lord and was taught by Holy Spirit for years before the door finally opened for her to pursue her dream to attend seminary. She just recently obtained her BS in Biblical Studies. We as a family are very proud of her and happy for her.
Back to the great share… I ran across this as I was reading from the passages above. This share came from the "Kingdom Dynamics" regarding vs. 3:1-5:
True Spiritual Growth Requires God's Word, THE WORD OF GOD.
Beginning in 1 Cor. 2:10, Paul elaborates our need of Holy Spirit-given wisdom and revelation, and he ties this very firmly to our receiving the "words... which the Holy Spirit teaches" (2:13). He immediately turns from these observations to an outright confrontation with the carnality of the Corinthians, attributing it to the shallowness of their intake of God's Word ("not able to receive [solid food]," 3:2, see also Heb. 5:12-14).
The demanding truth of this passage is that no amount of supposed spiritual insight or experience reflects genuine spiritual growth, if it is separated from our basis growth in the knowledge of God's word in the Bible. Without this rootedness in the Word, we may be deluded about our growth. Such "rootedness" is in truth and love, not merely in learning knowledge or accomplished study. In order to experience true spiritual growth, we must spend time in the Word and separate ourselves from the hindrances of lovelessness, competitiveness, and strife.
Be blessed today regardless of where you've been taught the Word of God. Each place has worth, value and validation, including seminary of course. There are many good teachers out there and I have gleaned from many in God's kingdom. I’ve also gleaned from close friends who are full of God’s wisdom and understanding. Take joy in where ever you've learned and received the Word of God knowing that it was God who led you to that place. Compare not- because to do so is to bring judgment on God's ways for each of His children individually.
Let us have grace for one another knowing that we are all apart of the same body though different parts, having different purposes, callings and paths to take. We all have purpose in Christ, we all are called and when submitted to God Himself- we can trust Him to lead us where He wants us. Our path may not be the same in our Christian walk as with others and that is okay because it is God who orders our steps. Whether in learning His Word & truths, in our daily lives and or in serve Him. Let us look upon the fruits of ones life, testimony and message shared. God/Jesus/Holy Spirit is more than sufficient to lead, guide, groom and teach! His ways are higher than our ways, glory to God!
June 23, 2009
I came across something this morning that I really appreciated and felt to share as encouragement to others. As I was reading my Bible I ended up flipping from where I was reading. Sensing Holy Spirit lead me to look up a specific word that stood out (this happens often). In my searching I ended up reading from 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:11:
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written:
“ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:1-11
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The Bible I've been using for the past 7 or so years is the New King James Version - Spirit Filled edition. I love this Bible because it has in it "Kingdom Dynamics" & "Word Wealth” which go into specific passages or words to further explains. It’s a great study Bible. I also often use Biblegateway to reference other Bible versions which provide other insights into a passage via different wording. I love exploring the Word of God. But how Holy Spirit has led me may be unconventional to others because it is often random and something that is on-time needed for my own spiritual growth or God showing me something in His word that I've felt in my spirit but maybe did not have reference to before hand. I love how He's taught me and confirms Himself to me. *I have also read through the Word chapter by chapter.
I wanted to share as to give encouragement maybe to those who've not been to seminary. For those who've wanted to attend. But who also may have felt disqualified by those who have. I am one who has not had the opportunity to attend seminary but have wanted to in order to fulfill the call upon my life. But I am realizing more and more that the place where I have been taught is actually quite adequate and very special. It has been in my alone time with God near daily for the past 14+ years of my submitted life (I've been saved much longer but not submitted fully until that point) praying, seeking God's will and reading His Word. Holy Spirit has been my teacher and has filled me to receive of God's goodness, love and truth via His Word. And also in learning to hear His voice and seek His will. If this is where you've been too- be encouraged that this is a very special place and no inadequacy should be felt. And as I have often heard for quite some time now: "God does not call the qualified, He qualifies [and teaches] those He calls". In this I can fully give to God alone all my thanks & praise for teaching me His ways. I've been set apart alone with Him, what a beautiful place!
Please don’t misunderstand me though. I have nothing against anyone pursuing seminary and if it is God’s will for me to go He will pave the way. My mother-in-law sat at the feet of the Lord and was taught by Holy Spirit for years before the door finally opened for her to pursue her dream to attend seminary. She just recently obtained her BS in Biblical Studies. We as a family are very proud of her and happy for her.
Back to the great share… I ran across this as I was reading from the passages above. This share came from the "Kingdom Dynamics" regarding vs. 3:1-5:
True Spiritual Growth Requires God's Word, THE WORD OF GOD.
Beginning in 1 Cor. 2:10, Paul elaborates our need of Holy Spirit-given wisdom and revelation, and he ties this very firmly to our receiving the "words... which the Holy Spirit teaches" (2:13). He immediately turns from these observations to an outright confrontation with the carnality of the Corinthians, attributing it to the shallowness of their intake of God's Word ("not able to receive [solid food]," 3:2, see also Heb. 5:12-14).
The demanding truth of this passage is that no amount of supposed spiritual insight or experience reflects genuine spiritual growth, if it is separated from our basis growth in the knowledge of God's word in the Bible. Without this rootedness in the Word, we may be deluded about our growth. Such "rootedness" is in truth and love, not merely in learning knowledge or accomplished study. In order to experience true spiritual growth, we must spend time in the Word and separate ourselves from the hindrances of lovelessness, competitiveness, and strife.
Be blessed today regardless of where you've been taught the Word of God. Each place has worth, value and validation, including seminary of course. There are many good teachers out there and I have gleaned from many in God's kingdom. I’ve also gleaned from close friends who are full of God’s wisdom and understanding. Take joy in where ever you've learned and received the Word of God knowing that it was God who led you to that place. Compare not- because to do so is to bring judgment on God's ways for each of His children individually.
Let us have grace for one another knowing that we are all apart of the same body though different parts, having different purposes, callings and paths to take. We all have purpose in Christ, we all are called and when submitted to God Himself- we can trust Him to lead us where He wants us. Our path may not be the same in our Christian walk as with others and that is okay because it is God who orders our steps. Whether in learning His Word & truths, in our daily lives and or in serve Him. Let us look upon the fruits of ones life, testimony and message shared. God/Jesus/Holy Spirit is more than sufficient to lead, guide, groom and teach! His ways are higher than our ways, glory to God!
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