Free to be me

The Gospel means good news. Do you really live your live believing that you are truly free, forgiven from your sins? Or do you struggle from day to day, living in doubt, and wondering if the Lord has really forgive you? Do you look at your weakness and struggles fearing that God is displeased and angry with you.  Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. For the Father himself loves you dearly because you love and believe I came from God.  When you trust in me to take away your sins, you are made right in God’s sight. I bore your punishment for sin at the cross and I satisfied God’s anger against you once and for all. (Romans 4:25)

Do you in reality live your life as if you believe the Savior? Have you shed your burden and found rest for your soul? If your answer is I am not sure or I find no peace, God wants you to turn to him.

You must understand it is GOD’s mercy that has cleansed you of your sins. No, you’re not deserving of forgiveness on your own merit. “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” Romans 3:10-12.

Some Christians today believe they will find forgiveness and God’s approval by working harder in His kingdom, when in reality they received forgiveness when they receive Christ. GOD’s grace is a ‘free gift’ based on GOD’s mercy and our trust in His promise to cleanse us with the “blood” of His Son Jesus.

It is our belief that GOD forgave us because we trusted His Word enough?

No amount of works you do will gain a entrance into heaven or earn God’s blessings. It was because of his great love for you that God made you alive with Christ even when you were dead in transgressions– it is by grace you have been saved this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by your works, so you can not boast. Ephesians 2:4-9. You are not righteous because of how morally upright you are. You are not righteous because you exercise self-control. You are not righteous because you read 10 chapters of the Bible daily. You are not righteous because you feel righteous. But you are the very righteousness of God in Christ solely because the sacrifice of Jesus made you so. When you believe this, your faith is accounted for righteousness.

If you are righteous by your deeds, you don’t need faith. You also don’t need faith to know that you are sinful. But you need faith to believe and declare that you are the righteousness of God in Christ, in the midst of your struggles with temptation and sin. For example, when you feel lousy because you have just shouted at your wife, God wants you to exercise your faith to see yourself as still righteous in the midst of that failure. This living revelation that you are still righteous will give you the strength to love your wife and reconcile things with her. The devil may remind you of your foul temper and question your integrity: “How dare you call yourself righteous when you just did that!” Just ignore his lies and boldly declare, “I am not righteous because of what I have done or not done. I am righteous only because of the blood and finished work of Jesus at the cross!”

God is pleased with you.! He [God] made you accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:6 …

When you begin to see God’s passionate love for you, you will have the confidence to say, “I’m free to be me.”

United in love,

Amy

Turn on the Light

Just because you can’t see something doesn’t mean it isn’t there. For example, you can look outside on a moonless night when it’s dark as pitch black, and you won’t be able to see the trees outside. But it doesn’t mean the trees are gone. It simply means you can’t see them. You need to turn on the light.

At times we may feel concerned that we can’t “see” God’s promises coming to pass in our lives. But that doesn’t mean His Word is of no effect. We just can’t see it because we’ve allowed the view of darkness to distort the truth. When we meditate on God’s promises the light of God’s love will pierce through the darkness bringing truth and light into your situation.

Jesus asks many times the question, “Why are you worried.” Don’t you remember when I feed the five thousand with five loaves, and the baskets of food that were left over?

Can you recall God providing and helping you?

Refuse the voice of reason, it’s a dangerous trap to you. The voice of reason will always point you to look at things from a human perspective prompting you to say what you see. But the kingdom of God works just the opposite. God’s word calls us to call those things be not as though the were. In other words God asks us to recognize that the trees are still present even in the darkness.

When Jesus spoke, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Whatever you are facing today choose NOT to fear. Ask the holy spirit to help paint of picture of the promise’s of God coming to pass in your life. As you turn to God for strength courage will overwhelm your fear.

God said He’ll never leave or forsake you! He said He’s meet all your needs! He said He’s the God that health thee! He said He would make your enemies to be at peace with you! He said all your sins have been forgiven! He said He’ll never be angry with you again! He said He’s got a good plan for you NOT for evil but for good!

Look to the Word of God and find a promise for your situation and refuse to allow the appearance of darkness to change what you’ve seen in the light. God has promised in Proverbs 12:28 that in the way of the righteous (that’s you) is life and in your pathway there is no death.

You are precious to God. He is near you now and is just waiting for you to turn and ask for His help.

Isaiah 40:28-31 The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of all the earth. He never grows faint or weary. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Those who look and wait on the Lord will find new strength.

The Lord has recused me, healed my wounds, restored my joy, and given me hope for a great future. He will do the same for you. Reach out and take His hand and trust.

United in Love,

Amy

Get the Principal Thing

How many times have you prayed and failed to receive your answer? I can tell you it’s not because God missed it! You need to ask for the right thing. That means you need God’s thoughts about the situation before you can pray effectively.

You need God’s wisdom! How do you get it?

 

 

James 1:5- But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

When you cry out to God asking Him for intervention, He always responds. The Word of God is very clear about the faithfulness of God to his children. In 2 Corinthians 1:20, we read that every single promise God has made to us in His word is Yes and Amen through Christ Jesus.

You may be reading this and saying yes I believe God’s Word but my prayer is still unanswered.  I too have recently faced the appearance of unanswered prayer but I would like to appeal to you to take another look into the heart of your heavenly Father.

It’s wrong to say God doesn’t listen or to say God Almighty isn’t concerned. And it’s even more false to say he doesn’t see what you are going through. He will bring justice if you will only wait upon Him.  The hardest situation you and I  face is making the decision to live a life of completely dependance upon the promises of God.

So let the Word of God, the wisdom of God, begin to influence your thinking. After a while, you’ll begin to understand things in a new way. You’ll begin to have a whole new interpretation of the problem.  Above all your heavenly Father desire you to trust Him and to understand how much He loves you.

As you dig into God’s Word you will begin to see that God doesn’t temp man with evil, nor cause evil.  You will discover that God created a plan before you were even born to send His beloved Son Jesus to redeem you from all the strategies to bring death against you. Rescuing you from the grave, and now filling your life with light.

You can have confidence that your prayers have been heard and will be answered through Christ Jesus. He is your special messenger from heaven, there to intercede for you, to declare your pardon and treat as innocent and pure before God.  The Lord sees you as complete and receives you with joy.

You are not standing alone. God has kept you. He will strengthen you and he will develop the full character of Christ in you. Dear friends, Lift up your hands which hang down. Renew your courage. Your heart may be sinking under burdens and your knees are to give way to disappointment. But take confidence in God. Remove all obstacles. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left. From God alone comes help! He knows the right way to the right ends. He knows what benefits us. He is able to free us. Therefore it’s our duty and our safety to place our confidence wholly in Him, and to trust not to our own judgment.

Our judgment sees only the present circumstance. But know that God sees the whole picture. As you look to Him you can be sure he will work everything thing out for your good.  As His plan begins to unfold you see just how faithful, loving, patient & good He is!  Not a single word in a single promise will fall to the ground unfilled.

Trusting God is loving God and knowing He is faithful to His word. He always keeps his promises. Patience is the key to endurance.

Love-

Amy

Dancing in the rain

Ever prayed about something asking God for guidance, wisdom, provision, healing, or protection only to find yourself struggling to believe he will help?

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to trust God. The verse, It’s impossible to please God without faith has me pondering life from God’s point of view. This morning I was thinking about the children of Israel and how God lead them out of Egypt, only to realize I’m a lot like them “slow to take God at his word.”

God offered them the Promised Land and rest from their enemies.  He said he would go before them and defeat their enemies so that they could live securely in the land he had given them.  All they had to do was trust him and go into the land and he would protect them so that they could settle in the land and live securely. They forfeited this rest because they refused to trust God.

Jesus shares with us that he has provided rest for us too in Matt.11:28-30 (read).  What a beautiful image!  He calls out to people who are weary from trying to pull loads that are too heavy for them.  He is obviously not speaking of physical loads but rather the burden of living in this broken world by our own inadequate resources.  He says that he is able to pull this load because he is strong, and he invites us to come to him.  Christ offers ‘rest,’ not in the (next) life only, but also in this life.  Rest from the weight of sin, care and worry, from the load of daily anxiety and foreboding.

The key to entering God’s rest is faith, believing in his promise of provision in every area of our lives. Faith involves ceasing from your works and efforts. It requires passivity in the sense that you stop depending on your own resources and depend instead on God’s resources.  Faith is saying: “I cannot do this only God can do this.”  We instinctively rely on our own efforts and resources instead of on God’s but I challenge you to choose to depend on God!!

When we find ourselves at the end of our ropes we realize we can’t change the impossible in ourselves that we find ourselves Crying out to God, help! Our eyes are open and we no longer want to forfeited God’s transforming presence in your life by saying I don’t trust you” in a specific area.  God’s Word  searched your heart and motivated you to cry out to God,” I have not been trusting you, God.  I have been calling you a liar. I’ve allowed the situation to appear bigger than you.  I want to trust you again.”  It’s the love of God pulling you exposing your need and motivating you to humbly entrust yourself to God.

Jesus is our High Priest, and that therefore personally depending on him is how we enter into God’s rest. All you have to do is come to God through Jesus and ask him for help, believing that he is willing and able to give it you.  The more regularly you do this, the more you experience his undeserved help, and the more humbly confident you become that he will always help you.  This is entering God’s rest and it is a life of peace and hope and even joy in the midst of life’s storms.  Let’s all enter this rest today and learn how to dance in the rain.

Love you all,

Amy

Questions Answered

Today I heard someone say,”Job sinned against God and that’s why all those terrible things came to him.” As I listened to those words another set of words came bursting in my heart,” You don’t have to worry about terrible things come on you Amy because of your sins because I took care of all your punishment for you when I died on the cross.” I’ve heard many messages about the story of Job and many try to find out why all these things happened to him but I think we miss the whole story when look for those answers. As I think about the story of Job their is one thing that really sticks out in my mind.  At the end Job realized questioning and accusing God was foolish and he sat in repentance, changing his mind about God’s character.

Today we can stand in complete confidence in the character and wisdom of God because of Jesus. When life begins to throw us obstacles instead of trying to figure out why it’s happening look to Jesus. When things come against you some would say you are reaping what you sowed or you must have sinned against God and that’s why all things are happening. But friends I have good news for you! If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior you are no longer under the old covenant of the law but you are now under the new covenant of God’s grace. The law demanded our obedience in order to receive BUT because of Jesus Christ we are now under the new covenant of grace, which means that today God does not assess us based on our performance, but God blesses us on His goodness and faithfulness. Today God does not remember your sins or hold them against you because He has already judged them on the body of  His Son, Jesus.  We get confused when they do not realize that the cross has made a difference.  When we don’t understand that God’s grace is His undeserved, unearned, and unmerited favor, we will depend on our own efforts to keep the law to deserve, earn, and merit His favor. Similarly, when we don’t understand that righteousness is a free gift, and that it’s about “right standing” and not “right doing” we will depend on our own effort to earn this gift.

Yesterday, the passage  in John 16:23-33 came to mind and as I looked at who I am in Christ the light of this passage came. Let’s look at it together. ” Jesus is speaking, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full. “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. “In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.” His disciples said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. “Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.”These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Praise the Lord! When we go to the Father we can have confidence that our prayers will be answered because Jesus has paid the full payment for all our sins. Hallelujah!  The bibles says, Jesus became sin who knew no sin so that you and I could be made the righteousness of God.  Let’s look at verse again, Jesus tells us that we can use his name ourselves because the Father loves us. The Father accepts and loves us because we love Jesus and believe that he came from God.

Jesus speaks of joy coming to us when we ask the Father for something in his name. I’m thankful that Jesus loves us, died for all our sins, and has brought reconciliation so we could have fellowship with God. My heart is joyful that the Father no longer counts our sins against us but sees us righteous, holy, and forgiven through the blood of  His dear Son Jesus.

Romans 4:13,16- The promises, blessings of God on not based on obedience to God’s laws, but on the new covenant relationship with God that comes by Faith in Jesus.

Will this struggle end?

When I think of the word struggle it remains me of a fight, kind of like the tug of war game I use to play as a kid.  I remember lining up on one side and the opposite team lining up the other side with a muddy ditch dividing us. The target of the game was to avoid being drug into the mud. The team that entered the mud first was the loosing team.  In order to guarantee a win and avoid being dirty, I would pick the team that appeared to be the strongest.

Does this game of tug of war sound like the struggle you are facing today? Do you see yourself pulling with all your might to avoid falling only to find yourself sliding closer to the ditch?

In my Christian walk I have come to understand that the struggle that takes place within us is in fact a tug a war, it’s a war between the flesh and the spirit.  Galatians 5 states, “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would.”  If you said to yourself when I was describing the flesh, “Well, I have a lot of that still left in me,” it does not mean you aren’t a Christian. A Christian is not a person who experiences no struggle in the flesh. A Christian is a person who is at war with those desires by the power of the Spirit.

For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps weakening my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

The only power sin has over you is deception. Without a knowledge of the Grace of God and understanding that sin has lost it’s power in your life you will find yourself fighting against the desire in your body with your body. It’s like arm wrestling against yourself.

How do I with stand the temptation and struggle that is at war within me and avoid falling into the ditch?

The bibles tells us the law gives sin power in your life but But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. You see, we cannot change ourselves, and this is something we all need to come to realize no matter how strong your will power maybe.  The more you rely on the your own will power, strength the more you will find yourself in that muddy ditch. However we are not meant to sit there and sulk in self condemnation. No, we are meant to run into the loving arms of Christ, where his blood has cleansed us.

You do not have to continue to be in a tug a war match. If you will let go and turn the fight over to Jesus you will not only find peace but freedom to live in His grace without struggle. Satan wants you to think that the war isn’t over But I have good new for you today. Jesus has defeated every temptation you are facing. He not only defeated it but he has striped it’s power from ruling your life.

Friends remember sin only has power when deception is received. Deception say’s you have to do something in yourself to overcome the struggle But truth say’s Jesus has already done it all!

Confession of Faith:

I believe the message of the cross and I choose to run to God focusing on truth that the struggle I’m facing has been defeated by the precious blood of Jesus.

I will trust in you Lord

“HE gives power to the faint; and TO THEM that have no might HE increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD [minister to, wait upon, turn to, focus on, pray to, believe in] shall RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; THEY SHALL RUN, and not be weary [get tired] ; and THEY SHALL WALK, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31) If you can RUN and not get tired and walk and not faint, isn’t that healing???

Sometimes healing come in an instant like the miracle at the Beautiful Gate. When healing is instantaneous that is what the Bible reveals to be a miracle, a sign, a wonder. But more often healing comes by degrees. Many people lose their faith because they see no instant change.  Surprising to say, but people forget miracles quicker than a healing because a miracle-wonder happens in a flash, and soon we are on to other things or even on into doubt and then we can lose the miracle easily. But a healing comes slowly and we spend so much time cheering God on, by our faith, that we don’t easily forget, and our faith can grow stronger in the process and stay stronger.

Through the old testament we can see how the Lord preformed miracle after miracle for the people but as soon as the enjoyment of the miracle pasted their hearts turned against the Lord complaining and demanding more.  The heart of God beacons the people in Numbers  14:11. The Lord says, “How long will these people reject me? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them?”

God desires for healing to take place in the heart of man. Healing in the area of trusting in Him, putting Him first, and desiring His ways. God’s heart is for man to love Him, not for what He will do for us but simply because He is good and worthy. A heart that trust Him to know that His ways are better and that His plan and purpose for us is for good and not evil. He shares with us that if we seek first the kingdom that all the other things Will be added to us.

As I think about the precious blood of Jesus this morning I’m reminded of what His blood paid for me. Through the Love and sacrifice I can come boldly to the throne of grace and receive mercy, healing, answers, peace, joy, deliverance from fear, forgiveness, and eternal life. Oh how grateful I am for that precious blood of Jesus and the love of the Father for sending his son for me.  Zechariah 9:11-12 say’s, Because of the covenant He made with us sealed with the blood. I’m now free from death. And He promises to repay us double for our previous suffering (trouble).

In fact healing is already granted and is already ours.  We can therefore thank God for healing in advance. We know that it is His will to heal. We don’t have to pray “thy will be done,” on whether or not God wills healing, BECAUSE THE WORD OF GOD CLEARLY REVEALS GOD’S WILL THROUGH JESUS TO HEAL ALL WHO ARE OPPRESSED BY THE DEVIL. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and HEALING ALL that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38)

In Luke 5 12:13, we can see the Lord wants us to be healed.

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

The point is that healing is God’s ultimate will for believers, no matter what.  We never have to beg for healing. We simply ask, thank and expect.

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear HIM, upon them that hope in HIS mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; HE is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in HIM, because we have trusted in HIS holy Name. Let your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in THEE.” [Psalms 33:18-22]

Dear friends, if you are waiting on the Lord today for healing in your body, emotions or relationships make a decision today to set your “Why’ or “When” a side and wait patiently for the Lord to act.

Lay down the “WHY?”  and ask God “HOW?”. “HOW?” can this be used to help me be CONFORMED to the image of Christ. Does that mean it is wrong to ask “why?”  certainly not, for even the most perfect Man on the face of the earth asked “why?” “My God, My God WHY have you forsaken Me.” THE LORD JESUS cried while upon the Cross. But there comes a time when the “Why” must be CRUCIFIED and replaced with the emphasis of thought and heart on the “HOW?”

How do you want to work this thing for my good? Pray “Lord help me see the treasure in this.”

God is made strong when we are weak.  He desires us to believe and receive his love. I pray you surrender and release the situation in the hands of God.

Prayer: I will trust in, rely on, and be confident in you O Lord; I will say you are my God. My times are in your hands.

I love you all. God is love and love never fails!

What does love mean to you?

Everybody seems to believe that love is a good thing. However, not all agree what is love. Is love that warm touchy-feely feeling a person has when he is with a familiar person? According to the Bible, love is caring in action. Love isn’t what we feel, but what we do.

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. (1 Corinthians 13:1-8)

• Love never gives up
• Love cares more for others than for self
• Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have
• Love doesn’t strut
• Doesn’t have a swelled head
• Doesn’t force itself on others
• Isn’t always “me first”
• Doesn’t fly off the handle
• Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others
• Doesn’t revel when others grovel
• Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth
• Puts up with anything
• Trusts God always
• Always looks for the best
• Never looks back But keeps going to the end.  Love never dies.
• Doesn’t expose faults but covers

I would like to challenge you today to open your eyes and ears and listen to the needs around you.  The heart of your neighbor is telling you what they need but we must be willing to listen, put needs a side, and ask God, ” What would you have me do Lord?”

Friends please remember that deception is birthed when love is denied.

Ephesians 5:19- address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.

Proverbs 18:20-21- Words satisfy the soul as food for the stomach; the right words bring satisfaction. For the tongue can break down others or nourish life!

Speak Up

Jesus say: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.”

Speak up, declare out loud, cry out, and consistency, all these words have been  apart of my journey over the last three years.   As I studied the word this morning the Lord began to really impress on my heart the importance of these words and how breakthrough come only as we continue in his word and seeking his presence.

Three years ago the Lord spoke to my heart to change my way of thinking and to trust him, he shared that during the process of letting go of my selfishness and embracing grace that I would experience pain but that he would never leave or forsake me. You see I was seeking to have a more understanding of God, my place in him and how to embrace the future plans he has for me.  I believed he had called me to  ministry speaking the truth about his grace, seeing people receive Jesus, healed, delivered and set free to trust, believe and dream again but nothing seemed to be happening on the outside.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

One year later God opened the door to begin teaching a woman’s discipleship class for woman who were once involved with prostitution, alcohol and drug abuse, adult sex industry, sexual abuse, depression, cutting and other life controlling issues.  Even though I haven’t experience all of their issues we had one thing in common; understanding that the counterfeit would never fill and only receiving God’s love could change and heal the broken heart.

I didn’t understand during the waiting period why it was taking so long but after being with those precious woman, I got it! Unless I allowed God to heal me and help me understand how to receive his grace I wouldn’t be able to help anyone else. I’m very thankful for the year I spent pouring into these woman and seeing the love of God change them from the inside out.

Today as I write I find myself in the place of waiting again but this time the process seems more peaceful and joyful because I know if I’m not in the place yet that God is working something out of me and pour more of himself in me. But as I wait in expectation for the Lord, I must continue to speak up, declare out loud, cry out, and be consistent in speaking his promises over my life.  Hope deferred makes the heart sick but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, that is, the object hoped for; if it is not enjoyed so soon as expected, at least if it is delayed any length of time, the mind becomes uneasy, the heart sinks and fails, and the man is dispirited and ready to despond, and give up all hope of enjoying the desired blessing; whether it be deliverance from any evil, or the possession of any good; but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life; when that which is hoped and wished for, and has been long expected and desired, comes; when there is an accomplishment of men’s wishes, it is as grateful to him as the tree of life was in Eden’s garden; it gives him an unspeakable pleasure and delight.

The desires, goals and dreams spoken to us from God is actually his work he wants to do through us, we do not have to figure out how to make them come to pass, all God asks us to do is believe, receive and listen for his voice.  The bibles says, by faith Sarah conceived and gave birth. Conceived means to become pregnant with, to form in your mind, dream or to imagine.

This past week the Lord whispered this passage of scripture to my heart,”Blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

Whatever season you are in know that God sees you, loves you and at the appointed time the vision will be fulfilled. I would like to challenge each one of you not to abort or induce your dream but make the decision to deliver naturally, being  patient and wait for that appointed day.

Blessings,

Amy

Cry Out

For My heart is open to your cry; yes, when your crying out to Me in the night seasons, I am alert to your call, and when you search after Me, the darkness will not be able to hide my face, for it will be as the stars which shine more brightly in the deep of night.

And in the night of spiritual battle there will I give unto you fresh revelation of Myself, and you will see Me more clearly than you could in the sunlight of ease and pleasure. I will make your midnight a time of great rejoicing, and I will fill the dark hour with songs of Praise.

Just like Paul and Silas, when darkness surrounds, the pain is deep, and no light is near; IF you will lift your heart to me in song, Joy will break loose the chains and you will go free from the inside out.  For he who lifts the shout of faith and praise in the night, to him verily there will be joy in the morning.

For I have won each battle your facing, if you will cry out to me I will show you the way to the eye of the storm. So yield to Me the very inmost consciousnesses. Offer me not some random portion but give to Me that deepest portion of your heart. Oh how I love you, I will send showers of blessing upon the waiting heart. Before you call to me, I will answer you, while you seek Me, I will come to you. I love you will an everlasting love and nothing can separate you from Me.

Peace of mind and heart- It’s really possible!

For many Christians, a life characterized by God’s peace seems out of reach. It’s a great goal, but it never seems to materialize. It seems possible on Sunday, but when Monday rolls around, it’s just doesn’t happen. Life is just too hectic. Thankfully, the Bible reminds us that peace and harmony can be the rule rather than the exception.

I remember the story of Daniel, he was faithful and honest and always responsible, yet he experienced a time when the peace he found in God would be put to the test. In the 6th chapter of Daniel we see how Daniel’s character proved himself more capable than all others and the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.  Shortly after the king placed him in charge others became jealous and schemed up a plan to remove Daniel from his place of leadership. A law was passed that Daniel was no longer able to bow down and worship the one true God any longer without persecution. However, Daniel knew his position in God and that when fear of man approached, he couldn’t bow down to them.  Daniel knew the importance of keeping his eyes on God. In verse 10 we find Daniel going home and kneeling down as usual in his upstairs room, with it’s window open towards Jerusalem. He prayed giving thanks to God. I believe Daniel was face with the same situations we are faced with daily, we can either remain at peace and give thanks when trails come or we can fear. As the story continues we see that Daniel’s decision  to continue to remain at peace cost him suffering. In Verse 16 Daniel was arrested and thrown into the Lions Den for breaking the law.

When we face the suffering of doing right we may feel abandoned but know God is right there and he promises to vindicate you for choosing him and remaining at peace. Isaiah 41:10 says, fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

The next morning, the king hurried out to the lions den. When he got there he called, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God. Was your God, whom you worship continually, able to rescue you? Daniel answered, My God sent his angel to shut the lion’s mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. Not a scratch was found on him because he had trusted in his God.

Whatever situation you may be facing this day, know that you have a God who loves you and is faithful to shut the mouth of the circumstances you are facing.

Why do you worry?  Why concern yourselves with things that are in my control?  Allow Me to fight your battles for you, didn’t I promise you I would? I called you, vengeance belongs to Me, don’t say a word. I will do the talking……

I am God

Today I will be handling all of your problems.

Please remember that I do not need your help.

If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it.

Have a great day! I Love you -God

Do not be fearful about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus. Friends remember when trouble comes your way to call out to God, he promises to answer and deliver you. Claim the cross of Christ as your sign of victory. Satan has no power over you! Only when you neglect to focus on Christ do situation seems bigger than they are.

 

Love your sister in Christ,

Amy

Break Loose the Chains

Behold with a strong and mighty hand will I bring My people out. Yes, as I brought the children of Israel our from the bondage of Egypt and Pharaoh, thus, and with a yet greater form of liberation will I bring My people out from under the yoke and the shackles of legalism. For My people shall obey Me (not human leaders) said the Lord. My people shall not labor in vain in the straw and stubble of the works for the flesh. But My people shall walk in newness of life and they shall be energized and led by My Spirit, said the Lord.

Through the Red Seas, through the wilderness, through the Jordan, through the Promise Lands of spiritual conquest, I am with My people. Let no fear dismay. Let no aspect of the past be a hindrance or stumbling block. For I bring you out of the dead into the living reality. I bring you out of traditions of the past into fresh revelations of Myself in this Present Hour.

The Past I used for your instruction, but now as a blueprint of the present or guidance for the future. Be not afraid to follow Me. Indeed, if you knew how close I am standing next to the you, you would draw near and be filled with expectancy.

For adversities must of necessity come. They are part of the pattern of life’s journey for every individual; and who can escape them? But I say unto you, that for those who walk in Me, and for those who are encircled by prayer, I will make of the sufferings, yes I will make the trails a steppingstone to future blessings.

Draw close to me and I will draw close to you. Oh how I long to fellowship with you. I know the things that fill your thoughts, the worry about tomorrow, the future events, and the pain of rejection. I see the wounds inside that you try to hide and pretend it doesn’t exist. I am here to apply the ointment of my love to those places, I stand waiting to be invited in. Oh how I long to hold you and reveal myself to you.  My arms are around you, and never have I loved you more! I will make you like a garden of fountains whose streams are fed by the mountain springs.

Though you didn’t choose me, I chose you to be my child. I have great plans for you. I am asking you to let me come into your day. I want to take the things that weigh you down and show you what I have planed for this day. I have goodness and mercy lined up to guide you. Come, Let me show you..

Love your strength & defender,

God

No limitations

Do you have a dream inside your heart and know it’s only a matter of time before you see it unfold?

If so I have a word of encouragement for you today.

Write what you see in your heart. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming.
It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie.
If it seems slow in coming, wait.
It’s on its way. It will come right on time!

Joshua was a young man that had a dream to enter the promises land with the rest of his family. Joshua was just like you and me, he was excited to finally experience what he had waited on for years. The Lord knew their was one obstacle Joshua need to overcome first.  Fear was facing Joshua right in the face. The Lord knew in order for Joshua to walk in and claim what was already his that he needed a little encouragement.

The Lord spoke to Joshua saying, “I promise you what I promised Moses: everywhere you go, you will be on land I have given you. No one will be able to stand their ground against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous, for you will lead my people to possess ALL the land I swore to give their ancestors. Be strong and very courageous. Obey my word. Do not turn away from it and you will succeed in everything you do! Study and meditate on my word day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written. Only then will you succeed. I command you! Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For I the Lord your God is with you where ever you go.”

Wow, what a promise! When you understand your position in Jesus nothing can stop you.  You have everything you need right now on the inside of you to take possession of your dream. The Lord promises never to abandon you, all you have to do is believe and step forward.

How much do you want it? God will not take you any further than you choose to go but he will take you as far as you want to go.

Their are no limitations!

The Lord commands Joshua to be strong and courageous. I love this verse because it doesn’t say it’s an option but a command. In order to walk out your dream you have to understand who’s team your on and that God promises that no one can stand their ground against you.

How do we gain confidence and refuse fear?

The Lord makes a promise to Joshua but leaves the conversation with giving Joshua a part to play. God will never force you but he will empower you if you will trust him.

The Lord knew fear would try to conquer Joshua and in order for him to fight off insecurities, he needed to keep his eyes on the Lord and his promises. He tells Joshua, Do not let my word depart from your mouth. You must speak to your giants and not about them. Remember life and death are in the power of the tongue.

Meditating on the word of God produces transformation! For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23

When the thoughts come that your dream will never come to pass, speak up and refuse to accept that lie.  Speak up and give thanks saying, Lord I’m thankful for the dream you’ve put in my heart and I thank you Lord that it’s not by my might but it’s by your spirit.  Lord strengthen me to hope against hope because I know in due season I will reap the harvest .

Respond to every situation with words of faith instead of words of unbelief.

The garment of praise, thanksgiving is the antidote for the spirit of worry, loneliness, depression, and any lack you need today. Praise is hope in action, an expectation of coming good.

All of us have our weaknesses, but God’s strength upon which we can choose to depend never diminishes. The Scriptures ask, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator.. does not become weary or tired… He gives strength to the weary. And to him who lacks might He increases power… Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up like eagles…” (Excerpts from Isaiah 40:28-31).

I encourage you to be aggressive, stay determined, stay focused and keep declaring his word out loud.

Love your sister in Christ,

Amy

He Is Greater

2 Corinthians 4:7 – We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

The power of Jesus resides on the inside of us and their is no amount of debt, no disease, no problem of any kind can defeat you. When your inner image of Jesus who lives in you becomes bigger than your image of the problems around you, you’ll conquer any challenge the devil brings you. The answer to everything is inside you right now! Everything you will ever need is on the inside of your spirit. All the money, health, strength, wisdom is in you because that’s where Jesus is.

Hebrews 4:1, God’s promise of entering his place of rest still stands today. The good news is that God has prepared a place of rest has been announced to us, for those who believe can enter his place of rest. But those who formerly heard the good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So their is a special place of rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who enter into God’s rest will find rest from their labors, just as God rested after creating the world.

You may say, ” I want to rest but it’s not working for me.”

You see Jesus has done all the work for us and he is seated at the right hand of the father. For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.  Seated with him represents our position in Him, a place of authority. The Lord continues to share with in Luke 20:43 that he will bring every circumstance under your feet as long as you stay seated in Him. Friend the Lord Jesus loves you so much and he has defeated every giant that tries to rise against you this day. The choice is yours, will you rest and trust him or will you choose to believe the lie and try to figure it out yourself.

I make an appeal to you today to trust in him again. When you try to work, figure out how to solve your problem it just causes  frustration, worry, and fear because you were not designed to carry that portion. Jesus has bore each one of our problems whether it’s you health, finances, your marriage, your job, or your kids, let him carry it.

As you pray, I encourage you to go boldly before the throne of God. Tell Him the things that are on your heart. Tell Him your hurts and your pains, your disappointments, the things you struggle with, the things that you are tempted by. Do not hesitate. Do not think, “Well I can’t tell God this. He doesn’t want to hear it.” He already knows anyway.

I Peter 5:7 it says, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” God gives us permission to come boldly, to cast our cares on Him.

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.  He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation. Psalms 91;14-16

I will turn their mourning into gladness. I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.- Jeremiah 31:3

Love your sister in Christ,

Amy

Four types of storms that blow into our lives

Storms of correction

Jonah is a perfect example of why a corrective storm rise. The Lord has given Jonah a message to deliver to the people of Nineveh but Jonah refused to follow what the Lord asked.  His rebellion caused him to be thrown overboard but in God’s mercy he reached down to Jonah bringing him into a place of safety. After Jonah finally came to himself and repented, the word of the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time asking him to do the very last thing which was deliver a message of judgment to the people of Nineveh.  This time Jonah was quick to obey. His obedience turned into a deliverance for the people, they repented and the Lord withdrew his judgment.  For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes.

Storms of perfection

Sometimes the Lord sends us into a storm not for correction but for perfection because the way you react to the storm will tell you where you’re at spiritually. Storms provide unique opportunity for us to see where we’re at and to grow in understanding that the Lord will come through at the right time. Matthew 14 allows us to see the storm of perfection in action. The disciple had just witnessed a miracle with the five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish feeding five thousand. Immediately after this miracle they were sailing across to the other side of the lake and a storm rose quickly. The disciple began to panic and questioned if that was indeed Jesus walking towards them.  It wasn’t until Jesus spoke to the wind and the storm ceased that the disciple believed that He was really the son of God. When trails and circumstances seem to come at us full force like the winds and waves in this story, we must remember that God is faithful, he will not let is drown.

Sufferings, pressure, affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.  And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. (Romans 5:3,4)

Hebrews 10:35-36 is another example of our sure victory. Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised. We are His and He loves us beyond any hang up and fear. To receive all He asks of us is to believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek, trust Him. He loves you and you will cross over to the other side.

James 1:3- Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

Storms of protection

In Genesis 6:8, the Lord sent a storm to drown out all the carnality, sin, and iniquity. He has promised to never flood the earth again making a covenant of the rainbow as our sign of promise. However, when we refuse to heed the Lord’s correction to turn from sin, he will allow storms to rise but he will always protect us because he is merciful.

Storms of direction

The Lord will allow us to be blown off course because there is something he wants you to do for Him, something you never would have thought of on your own, something that wasn’t part of your agenda. It may look like you’re blown off course but he allowed it to rise and will put you in the very place he wants to use you.

Don’t jump ship!

Their are times maybe you’re in right now when the wind is howling, the waves are rising and you find yourself wanting to jump ship, saying,” I’m out of here,” I can not take this marriage, job, my parents another minute.

The temptation maybe knocking hard right now don’t quit! You maybe saying, ” It’s easy for you to say, You don’t know the storm I’m in. You don’t know how strong the wind is blowing and how violent the waves are pounding, You just don’t understand!”

You’re right, I don’t. But there is One who does, his name is Jesus and he promises to never leave or forsake you. He say’s if you will call to him, he will deliver you and give you peace.

I’m asking you to listen to the One who says, Trust me, Don’t jump ship or all will be lost.

Precious people,  Jesus will come in a way that will blow your mind if you don’t jump ship. I don’t care what society is saying about breaking commitments, bailing out, and giving up. Cut the ropes and let the lifeboat crash in the sea. Lay your disappointments down at the foot of the cross and choose stay on board. Just like Paul you will see the faithfulness of God shine the light on the darkness, remove the impossible and set you free to walk in his grace.

You may be asking, “Why did I loose my job?” or “Why did she dump me?” Don’t be blown away. Realize that the Lord is changing your direction because there’s something he wants to do that will ultimately be a blessing.

How can you know which storm your in? Talk with the Lord.

“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” Isa 65:24.”It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer.

“Why am I in this storm, Lord? Is it correction or are you perfecting me for what you see is coming my way? Is there a new direction for my life? or are you protecting me from something that would be very damaging?

Clear your schedule, seek Him, and you will be blown away by His goodness rather than by the storm.

Jeremiah 33:3- ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’

Love your sister in Christ,

Amy

I Will..

I pray each one of you are encouraged and strengthened as you stand for your loved one to return home to the Lord.  For the next few minutes I want to share with you how to fight, regain confidence, and walk in victory.

Regain Confidence: Stop blaming yourself

One of the biggest lies of the enemy is get us to think if we have done things differently our loved one would not be lost to drugs, alcohol or sexual immorality. First of all I want to let you know the statement “IF” is a lie from the pit of hell. If is a statement of regret, condemnation and self righteousness. When we allow these lies to take up residents it give a foot hold for fear to take over and paralyze faith. We then began to focus on current condition instead of focusing on what the Lord says.  When we doubt the existence of God, the power of God, the love of God or the Sacrifice of Christ, we give the enemy a foothold in our minds.

• Doubt says, “I don’t think that can happen.” Unbelief says, “No way can that happen.”
• Unbelief grows out of doubt and produces a harvest bitterness, anxiety, fear

Once we decide to seek the truth, we regain control of our minds and we can pursue those things that would reassure us in our faith.

Mark 11:23-24-“Have faith in God.  I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

Let go, give the situation to the Lord, stop trying to change your loved one.

Jesus  said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground, and the he went on with his other activities. As the days went by, the seed sprouted and grew without the farmers help. Mark 4:26-27

All that the lord requires of us is to plant the seed of his love for them, the Lord is the one that will cause their heart to soften.  We are reminded several times through scripture that he chose us we didn’t chose him. As we lift up the name of Jesus which is love, he will draw your loved one to himself.

We must forgive ourselves and our loved one:

• Unresolved anger reaches our innermost being with its corrupting poison. Instead of experiencing the peace and joy of Christ, we become filled with frustration and anxiety. A critical, judgmental spirit leads to belittling others with unkind words. Hostility makes us disagreeable, argumentative, and easily offended by even minor incidents. Imagined threats or insults take root and shape responses that are out of proportion to the situation.

John 10:10-The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

Proverbs 13:12-Hope deferred makes the heart sick

Fight: God’s promise:

Ezekiel 34:11-16- For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep.  I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.  I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills.  I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord.  I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak.

Isaiah 55:11- Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth,
Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do; they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.

Hebrews 11:14-Therefore, angels are only servants–spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

Hebrews 4:12- For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Hebrews 6:17-19- God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

• Sailors do not see the anchor that grips the bottom of the harbor. But they are certain of their safety b/c of it.
• Greek: anchor means- does not slip

Hebrews 10:23- Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Hebrews 10:35- So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

Romans 8:28- And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Walk in Victory:

Faith Speaks: Call those things be not as though they were. Romans 4:17

1.   Speaking positive things over their life.

They are called, chosen by a loving God who has a good plan for their lives not for evil but for good to give them a future and a hope.

2.   Believe what you speak.

Proverbs 18:21- Life and death are in the power of the tongue

Mark 9:22-24-And [Jesus] asked his father, How long has he had this? And he answered, From the time he was a little boy. And it has often thrown him both into fire and into water, intending to kill him. But if You can do anything, do have pity on us and help us. And Jesus said, [You say to Me], If You can do anything? [Why,] all things can be (are possible) to him who believes! At once the father of the boy gave [an eager, piercing, inarticulate] cry with tears, and he said, Lord, I believe! [Constantly] help my weakness of faith!

Ask God to help your children to love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. (Mark 12:30)

♥ Ask the Lord to give your children the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they would know Him better. That their eyes would be enlightened that they would know the hope of His calling. (Eph 1:17-18)

♥ Intercede for your child’s character. Ask that they would be humble and willing to put the needs of others before their own. (Phil 2:3-5)

The root of your loved ones unbelief in Jesus is deeper than the things that surface such as drugs, alcohol, and sexual immorality. I would like to challenge each one of you to seek the Lord for clarity of the root issues, maybe it’s loneliness, insecurity, anger or rejection. Once you see past the surface acts of rebellion you will begin to effectively prayer against the root instead of the fruit. Once the root is cut off, the fruit will dry up.

3.    Trust in God-  Rest

I know you have an idea in your head on how everything should unfold in your life. Even today you have an agenda. Because the Lord loves you, He is asking you to give him back all your plans for today and for all your tomorrows. If you will let Him have your day, He will intervene with something special. His intervention will give you more joy in your journey then your good intention. He knows all that your heart longs for, and he wants to do more for you than you could ever do for yourself. So give him a chance to change your agenda from ordinary to extraordinary. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The Lord answered us in Numbers 11:23, ” I can do anything!” Watch and you’ll see my words come true!

Hebrews 3:19- So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.

Proverbs 3:5- Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Hebrews 11:1- Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Philippians 4:7-Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 23:29- Does not my word burn like fire?” says the LORD. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?

Jeremiah 31:16-17- The Lord says:  “Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you,” says the Lord. “Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy. There is hope for your future,” says the Lord. “Your children will come again to their own land.”

Prayer:  I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Love your sister in Christ,

Amy

Finding My Life

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good at just the right time we will reap a harvest if we don’t loose heart.  Don’t weary of being patient and kind and good and faithful and gentle and self controlled. Don’t weary of manifesting your peace and joy in all kinds of acts of love to your neighbors and associates and family. In short, don’t lose heart in spending yourself through love. Over the past few years the Lord has been sharing His heart with me and helping me see clearly just how important it is to love your neighbors as yourself.

Thinking back I can remember when I began to understand the scripture that says, If you want a life you must loose it! Oh the joys of finding true life, the life He designed for me all along.  I have known in my heart for many years the calling on my life to go into all the world and preach the gospel.  Their have been a few times I have tried to make it happen myself but in His love all doors were closed. The timing was off and I wasn’t ready.

Today I write to share with you that the Lord has opened the doors. Today I received news that the Lord impressed on a churches heart to send me. In November I will be traveling to out of the country for the first time to the country of Denmark.

One and half month ago the Lord pressed on my heart to prepare a message for the church in Holstebro, Denmark. I ignored the Lord’s prompting  because it didn’t make sense to me. One week after leaving the Dream Center while in Oregon the prompting came again to prepare a message. This time I listend and in a matter of a few days the message of forgiveness was written.

My heart is excited to see the dreams He’s placed in my heart start to unfold. When my mind begins to wonder and thoughts of doubt try to creep in, I hear the Lord whisper, ” Just follow my lead.” My heart melts and the tears begin to form as I recall where the Lord has brought me from.  I made a promise to the Lord back one night in 1998 that I would serve him all the days of my life but I never thought he would choose me to share about the power of forgiveness and the grace that was given to me so freely. It is truly a gift that I will cherish all the days of my life.

Thank you friends and family for being my support team. As I continue to grip His hand tightly and walk I know I will see things I could only dream of. Your prayers mean the world to me. Thank you all again for believing in me.

Love your sister in Christ,

Amy

Thank you for your support. Your gift allows me to spread the Gospel around the world sharing hope, healing, and love through the power of the Holy Spirit;  making an appeal with hearts to hope again, believe again and trust again, pointing them to Christ’s unconditional love.  I also long to encourage the Church to walk in the authority of the Holy Spirit, bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth.  Jesus has given us the keys to unlock the doors setting the prisoners free.

Forward March

The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those who hearts are fully committed to him. The hearts that beat in harmony with God’s not relying upon themselves but say, “Lord I’m depending on you.”

Do not despise these small beginnings for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. I’m going to complete that which I began says the Lord. Your hands will be used to do it. Be patient! Don’t despise the process if it seems slow, just be faithful.

How will all this happen? Not by your efforts but by my spirit says the Lord. I will work apart from anything man does. You will finish with shouts of grace at the end. It’s all by my grace. Don’t give up for I’m your protection. Many times you wonder where I am in the midst of the battle that is raging against you. Don’t be afraid, don’t lose faith. Take a firm grip with your tired hands. I am here, I am always victorious. I will protect you but you must trust me. Sometimes I will lead you to shelter for safety and restoration. Other times I will ask you to join me on the front line in the heat of the battle. Truth is I can kill any giant that threatens you. It’s up to you to march forward pick up the smooth stones and face your giant. I love to prove my strength when the odds are the greatest and hope is the smallest. I will protect you no matter where you are.

Psalms 110:5-The Lord stands at your right hand to protect you. He will strike down many kings when his anger erupts.

Psalms 121:5-The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.

Psalms 5:8-Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

Over and over in scripture the Lord speaks to us to not cower down to fear but to face it and keep walking because he is with us. No matter how big the circumstances are the surround you God is bigger. Elisha was faced with the enemy surrounding him but he knew God’s army was bigger than the natural army he saw. His servant however doubted and began to fear. Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

God’s provision and power had been there all along, but the servant hadn’t been able to see it. Remember, Elisha’s own crisis of faith had concerned whether he would see the chariot and horses of fire when they came for Elijah. Already he had faced the issue, “Will I trust God, see the invisible, and believe in the strength and authority of heaven even when it cannot be measured with my physical senses?” In like manner he prayed for his servant to apprehend truth that required faith to see.

It’s a marvelous privilege to be able to pray for a struggling friend, for the believing heart next to us that is fearful and beaten down. “I’ve tried to tell them as much as I can, but, O Lord, you have to make it real.”

In the Lord’s loving kindness, He will always reveal himself when we ask.

Love your sister in Christ,

Amy

Clothed in Righteousness

He’s coming Awake, Church wake up to His love!

Look first at Me, then I will share with you my true perspective of the world and its treasures, of circumstances and their significance to your growth, and of people and their part in your completion. Infinitely happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall find complete fulfillment.

Ephesians 5:26-27-Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, that He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].

• He makes us holy- cleansing us by the washing with water through his word to present us without spot, stain, or wrinkle or nay blemish but holy and blameless
• We are cleansed when we receive him/ we don’t have to achieve him, we receive him
• “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” 1 John 1:7
• “All have sinned” Sin results in spiritual uncleanness. Water and many other solvents are used to wash away physical dirt, but only the blood of Christ can cleanse us from sin. Romans 3:23

We are his bride waiting for the marriage feast

• Spiritual – we are before our groom NOW, united with him, no separation

1.       And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Ephesians 2:6

2.       What a nice expression – “the grace of God.” It prompts pleasant and peaceful thoughts about our Father, the great Creator But Paul’s use of “the grace of God” phrase in Titus 2:11 appears to be with a specific purpose There the expression refers to the Savior of mankind. That four word phrase “the grace of God is a synonym for Jesus: “For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men.” (RSV) How beautiful! The sequence of phrases puts in good perspective the reality of His manifestation. He is the gift of God’s grace by which all men may be saved. How wonderful to know it! “The grace of God has appeared!”

• “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared ["God our Savior" - a reference to the Father, of which more to be said later], he [God] saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the holy spirit which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savio.” (Titus 3:4-6 RSV) “The goodness and loving kindness of God” another synonym for Jesus, a companion phrase to that in Titus 2:11 – “the grace of God.”
• “For out of His fulness (abundance) we all received – all had a share and we were all supplied with – one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped! upon gift. For while the Law was given through Moses, grace - unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual bless- ing - and truth came through Jesus Christ. " - John 1:16,17,

Vision: train flowing down from the throne of Grace

• Desires us to come to the wedding camber and commune with him. He wants to be intimate with us.
• Blood covenant: he shed is own blood for the remission of our sins to make us a bride without spot or wrinkle- Past tense
• Desires us to PUT on the wedding garment that he made for us: his righteousness

1.       Put on (accept, receive) so he can present us before the Father without shame and guilt: receive ALL blessings.

2.       I put on righteousness, and it clothed me or clothed itself with me; my justice was like a robe and a turban or a diadem or a crown!

• Blameless and upright as Job had been--and God had so pronounced him--his misunderstood afflictions had caused him to get dangerously off-center. Instead of keeping his mind stayed on God and justifying Him, he is giving his whole thought to justifying himself. Instead of humility there is only self-righteousness. But when he was able to see himself as God saw him, he loathed himself and repented "in dust and ashes" Job 42:6.

When you the bride let him dress you in his righteousness then the Father will say, “ Son go get your bride and bring my people home to prepare for the wedding feast of the lamb.”

Acts 10:15- And the voice came to him again a second time, What God has cleansed and pronounced clean, do not you defile and profane by regarding and calling common and unhallowed or unclean.

• Non-believer- hidden from God (sin separates)

1.       Worlds sin is unbelief, not receiving the Son

There are those that continue in their unbelief, refusing to accept the plan of salvation and to live a holy life. They cannot find any good thing for which to hope in the seconding coming of Jesus Christ.  The preaching of His return can only cause them to fear.  He will not be coming back as their Savior, but as their judge 2 Thess. 1:7-9.

• Believer: don't resist, grief the Holy Spirit (not receiving full grace), does not see as equal, son ship, heir, friend and servant

1.       Friend/Equal: Break down the separation mindset, He gave us ability/power, we can do ALL things he wants us to do

2.       Son: Unconditional love, never forsaken, Total trust

3.       Servant: Command to obey, Duty, Everything is His, No rights

“As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”  Romans 3:10–12

We were dead in our sins and trespasses and God made us alive by grace alone!

He sees us as His bride

• For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 2 Corinthians 11:2
• For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32
• “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,” 1 Corinthians 1:30

How do we come in his righteousness?

• By understanding our good works will not make him proud but it’s his work, his righteousness and love being made perfect in us
• Act like a bride not a beggar- understanding what we already have in us/what we can do because of  his blood and his promise: acknowledge the power in us yet knowing it is not ours but his
• Come like a bride and the Father will grant everything you ask b/c of our inheritance/ his name, his blood, his covenant

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Galatians 3:13

“He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,” Colossians 1:22

“But with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” 1 Peter 1:19

Jude 24 – “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.”

Ephesians 1:4-6

Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]– [So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Fasting worldly things and feeding on spiritual things

• Spot and wrinkles are your own righteousness/worthless
• Must receive grace: free gift
• Surrender
• Watch the gates to your heart

Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also]. Matthew 16:24

• Deny: refuse to agree, recognize, acknowledge, disown
• Stop living a selfish lifestyle. We were bought with a price, we are not our own.
• Live above the soulish realm (mind, will, and emotions): your feelings
• Live by the Spirit: word, faith, trust
• It’s the Word that divides soul and spirit

1 Corinthians 7:22- Therefore, esteem yourselves as the servants of God, as bound by his laws, as subject to him, and as really serving him, while you yield all proper obedience to your master.”

1 Corinthians 7:23- God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.

Hebrews 4:12- For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts desire, and purposes of the heart. Therefore my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted exceedingly; moreover, my flesh also will dwell in hope [will encamp, pitch its tent, and dwell in hope in anticipation of the resurrection].

Acts 2:26-28

For you will not abandon my soul, leaving it helpless in Hades (the state of departed spirits), nor let Your Holy One know decay or see destruction [of the body after death].

Jeremiah 29:11-14-You have made known to me the ways of life; You will enrapture me [diffusing my soul with joy] with and in Your presence. For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and plans for welfare and peace (health, happy, prosperity) and not for evil, to give ( restore, send out, appoint, bestow) you hope (expectation) in your final outcome. Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will release you from captivity and gather you from all the nations and all the places to which I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I caused you to be carried away captive.

You have been completely saved by grace and the present result is that we are in a saved state of being. Our past, present and future state of salvation is dependent upon one thing alone, our appropriation by faith of Jesus Christ as our Savior the we first believe on Him. We receive salvation by that initial act of faith in Christ.

We have been “reconciled to God”, made partakers in His spirit, as the principle of everlasting life. We have been adopted in to His family and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God both in this life and the one to come in glory. This is a change worthy of expressed by saying, “He has quickened us, and raise us up and made us to sit together with Christ in heavenly place.”

Speak your vows to your groom:

I, (name), take you, Jesus, to be my husband, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner; I vow to trust you in good times and in bad regardless of the obstacles, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you and receive your love, to support you, proclaim your truth, the word of God, to honor and believe you are guiding me along the best path, to laugh with you, and to cherish you forever.

“I am ready to perform My Word.”

For the past couple of days the Lord has keep bringing me messages about dreaming a bigger dream.  One of the keys to seeing your dreams come to pass is to see them come to pass in your mind’s eye first. Their is phrase that I heard my spiritual father say once that I have grabbed a hold of, “Seeing through the eyes of faith.”  For me this means believing his promises and the dream inside knowing those desires are actually His heart wanting to be displayed through me. Jesus says,” Blessed are those who believe and who have not seen. “

When your mind is in agreement with God’s Word, it will help guide you toward your destiny. You will have a supernatural strength and power to see those dreams and desires come to pass in your life! Grab hold of his promises and trust in due season you will reap the harvest of the dream. Refuse to give up for at the appointed time the dream will come to pass.

I would like to ask each one of you to be in prayer with me, on December 4th the Lord spoke to my heart Wales and the Sydney Opera House.  Not really understanding I prayed for understanding but the Lord was quite. Nine months later I began praying about the next season but the direction seemed so distant. Two weeks before I went home for vacation I was running at the beach listening to Kim Walker and talking with the Lord. I began to share my heart to Him and I believe he dropped Hillsong in my heart. While Hillsong made no sense to me at the time, I kept praying for direction.

Two days after being back in LA the Lord spoke to me to let go and trust him. Wow, now this is hard to walk away and not know what’s next but I knew deep within me that He was faithful and would not fail me, so I let go! I made the decision to leave the Dream Center and the very next day the doors began to open. While I’m just in Oregon for a month helping the Dream Center here I believe this is part of my journey.

Over the last week or so reasoning has tried to creep in to steal my peace and confidence but God! Tonight I felt in my heart to look at a map of Australia and I believe the words, Wales, Sydney, and Hillsong are true and that it’s the next step I will take. I would like to attend the Pastoral Leadership school at Hillsong and evangelize throughout New South Wales. This next step will require me look at what he has done for me financially and trust that all provision was made before the plan was revealed. In the next 3 weeks I will preparing for my religious visa.

Partnership with me involves a covenant connection. By no means is partnership just an avenue by which to raise finances. Instead, it is a mutual exchange of faithfulness. Every soul saved and every life changed would not happen without your help.

Thank you for your prayers and continued support!

Mt 18:19…….. “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”