The box vision

Years ago when we were at a church where the music pastor was not behaving right, I had vision I guess you would call it. One night at rehearsal he said, “Let’s bow our heads and pray that…” and that’s all I heard. A vision appeared in my head of me walking and there was a box around me, it was large and clear. There was plenty of clearance for me to move. As I walked the box moved with me, not touching me, just around me, as a covering. Then rocks and pebbles started coming toward me, lots of them, and they hit the box and bounced off! It was a most amazing thing. I believe God was showing me He was protecting me while we were in that place being obedient to the call for that season. He’s so awesome.

Sunday's Sermon

Some great highlights from yesterday’s sermon by Pastor Carl Smith www.newbirthcal.org. “The Valley is your place of decision and is not to become your hangout. God calls you to high places and this puts you in the valley. The valley is the testing time. The teacher/God never speaks during the test.” Now we can understand why when we are in a trial we feel alone. I guess God is waiting for us to make the right decision based on what He has already taught us.

James - a great friend

James is one of those books that’s straight up and very convicting. I like this writing – tells it like it is. Don’t sugar coat it for me. Tell me. I have tons of friends that are “yes” people. Oh, that looks great, oh buy it you deserve it, oh its ok if you forgot your tithe God forgives, oh go ahead and do that girl its ok. What!? We should have friends that will tell you the truth even if they think it will hurt you. Friends that will sacrifice the friendship by telling you the truth (in love and in line with Gods word) because they want the best for you. Friends that are causing you to grow physically, spiritually, and mentally. I once gave my closest friend free reign in my life to speak forth to me and told her I would receive from her anything she had for me. Nothing ever came forth and that made me very sad. I had to ask myself, am I so overbearing that she is afraid to tell me, does she not feel qualified, or what could it be? All I know is the friendship shouldn’t be more important than each others growth. We shouldn’t be laughing and carrying on about things that we are both bound by. We need to receive from each other without anger. Let’s cultivate friendships not out of dependency but out of desire to make one another better. Is there a James in the house?

Who's waiting on who?

Pastor Carl Smith www.newbirthcal.org said something last night that I say all the time. We’re not waiting on God, He’s waiting on us! Come on. Why would He want you in that wheelchair? Countless people have told you they see you walking. Countless prophecies. Why would He want you dealing with that cancer? An anointed man of God even came to the church and spoke on how unforgiveness is keeping you from your healing. Come on! Who’s waiting on who? Put pride aside and whatever else you need to lay down, arise, receive your healing and get on with your life fulfilling your call! He's waiting on you.

Fear Can Stop Destiny?

I’ve been chatting with a friend who has a call on her life and God is guiding her ever so gently to her destiny. However, in the midst of His guiding she is fearful of stepping out and answering the call. I know hundreds of people who would LOVE to be in her shoes right now, where God is taking you to the next level and you see your dreams coming to fruition and you have confirmation of what God said about you - wow. It’s so sad to me how much power fear has. Or perhaps I should say how much power we give fear. Ask yourself what exactly am I afraid of? Identify what it is – exactly. Then you’ll know what you’re dealing with. Could be pride, could be fear of the unknown… Fear is not of God so right there you KNOW that this is an attack from the enemy trying to keep you from your destiny. What do you do when attacked by the enemy for any other issue? You pray, fast, stand, pray in tongues and advance forward and take ground from the enemy. Press on and don’t let fear keep you from your destiny.

In the wait

So you have a calling on your life. Now what? Do you feel as though God is preparing you (like that Daryl Coley song?) How do you go from this level to the next level? Fast, pray, make sure you are connected to the right church/pastor, but still nothing happens? Feel like you’ve been in this place before? I think the better question is… what are we not getting that He is trying to teach us? OR, if you’ve done all you can do and you’re still in the wait then the rest of the song goes like this… He's preparing me for something I cannot handle right now; He's making me ready just because He cares, He's preparing me to carry out the next matter in my life, He's arranging me, rearranging me. He's preparing me because He cares for me. He is raising me. He's maturing me. We should say, “Lord have your way.”

Holy Convocation

Years ago we had a Pastor who called the leaders to a “Holy Convocation”. We stayed locked in the sanctuary for the entire day. This was an incredible time for me. God brought a word through me. I remember how God moved in me and how I felt so amazed by His awesomeness. We were fasting, praying and all of us where in different parts of the sanctuary seeking God. The Pastor left the mic open for those that had a word of direction or knowledge. The power of God was very heavy. I believe this type of scene can be manifest in our homes. As a family set aside a day of lock down. Or perhaps set a week of fasting for the family and on the last day have lock down and share, pray and speak forth. Watch God reveal your future, give you direction and give you strength for your journey.

Healed by one word

Years ago, out of the blue, my body started manifesting signs of a migraine. My eyesight started to disappear and my friend Cherie rushed me from work to the doctor. He gave me meds. A couple years after that it happened to me again. This time I was at home getting ready for bed. My eyesight started to disappear again! I began to panic as I stumbled to the bed to wake my husband. I could not wake him! MORE panic set. Then as my eyesight just went to black I fell to my knees and said one word, I called on one person… “Jesus” and in that instant my sight was restored and all manifestations were gone! THEN, on last Wednesday morning I was getting ready for work and all of a sudden I started having signs of this again. I began praying in tongues and took mental note of my mind. Thoughts were coming into my mind of the manifestation. Like… ok, that happened and now this will happen and then that will happen and I said out load NO, and then another thought came of doubt and I said NO and began speaking in tongues out loud. It was amazing to me how the thoughts/mind is connected to our healing. The bible says take every thought captive. This is crucial if you are believing God for a healing or really anything at all.

Seeing through the window

I often tell people, when they are in a trial, to see past it. Meaning picture yourself on the other side of this thing that has you bound. Start to visualize what life is like after the trial is over. See yourself healed. What does that look like? You would be able to … Or see yourself without hurt and living fully. What does that look like? Start to make plans in your mind of what will take place when the trial is over. This is building your faith in God to believe He will do what He says He will do. This is giving you hope. Hope will make the trial bearable. Stand at the window of your life and see through to the other side. Look with expectation and create a vision of your future.

Chasing after what?

So you desire a house, a car, finances, stuff, you want stuff. You’re chasing after His blessings. However, you realize during the chase that you need Him. You begin to put those pursuits aside and set your mind on Him. Wake up praising Him. Go about your day being a servant. You tithe regularly, you give offerings, you participate in the building campaign. You become a good steward. You volunteer at the church serving the people of God. The most remarkable thing happens in the journey you discover He is all you need – how awesome is that! That stuff is not even a thought. Then, God sees you can be trusted and He wants to bless His child. There doesn’t need to be a struggle in the blessings. Focus on Him.

Not about me

I’ve always been able to go to battle for someone else. If someone else needed prayer and fasting I could do it. If someone else was trying to get a discount on something I could be the master negotiator. If someone else needed to make a phone call, to get favor and their point across I could do it for them. However, when it comes to my stuff or getting what I wanted I couldn’t always do it. I would feel sorry for the person I was trying to get the deal from or I would think, ah, it’s not that big a deal if I don’t have that. I always want something for someone else soooo bad. I so badly want them to get their breakthrough or healing. Some identify this as low self-esteem, some say weakness towards others, some say giver. What about it’s in my nature to be a servant? To ensure other people’s breakthrough? For me it’s usually easier to do something for some else’s benefit. So I’m certain once again of God’s calling on me. Sometimes I have to be reminded God chose the right person because ministry is not about me.

Live in the now

Sometimes we get so busy with life, trying to make it, dealing with this problem and that one. Time seems to be flying by. Another week gone. Yet if we look back at that week we will see several opportunities where God intervened on our behalf. Where God carried us. Where God healed us, sustained us, gave us the right words to say to a co-worker. However, at the end of the week you feel dissatisfied. Why? It was an awesome week. I think its because we don’t’ live in the now. I have a habit, being a "planner", to always be looking ahead and sometimes I miss enjoying my now. Enjoy your now.

Made in His image

Its so amazing to look at yourself and see “Oh, I have my mothers hands, my dads feet or I say that like my mom does” etc. Also be reminded we were made in the image of God. Jesus Christ was the living example. What traits of God do you have? What things have you yet to tap into? God, in all His greatness, made you like Him. Search out the great things He placed in you. Then begin to speak forth in prayer these things. Lord, thank you for the gift of creativity, thank you for the gift of song, the gift of healing, etc. Speak these things aloud and fulfill your destiny.

No weapon

No weapon formed against me shall prosper. This is a great promise to you from God. It means no matter what comes against you it won’t work. That thing coming against you won’t succeed in hurting you, taking your joy, tearing you down or stealing from you. The weapon being used won’t affect you. How awesome. God has promised that whatever weapons come nigh you it won’t harm you. Ahhhhhhhhh hallelujah. That depression that was assigned to you, no, that sickness, no, that cancer, no, the economy, no! Instead YOU shall prosper not the thing sent to destroy you! Don’t get distracted with the issue in front of you. We have our focus on the wrong thing. We give the d too much credit. (I call him d, you know who I mean, he doesn’t deserve a name except that we can address him to tell him to get outta town.)

Overcome things easily (part two)

To overcome stuff easily you must first be in a place where the leaders are flowing from God’s direction. Secondly, you must submit to the authority of these people. They will bring you words of direction, encouragement, confirmation, overcoming strategies, battle instructions, etc. Without being under these people or submitting to their leadership you actually make things harder on yourself. You are keeping yourself from your destiny. Your journey will be awesome, perhaps challenging, but so rewarding when attending this type of church. You can find it at New Birth California. www.newbirthcal.org

Overcome things... easily

When you have an understanding of the issue it sheds light on the situation. You’ll begin to understand and think, “Okay this is happening because of that. I see, now I can deal with this not only because I know what caused it but because I understand what it will lead to.” This topic stems from a word that came from Minister Dasha saying that we would encounter things at our jobs that we needed to overcome. The next morning I was hit with some unbearable, or so I thought, stuff at work. Then I remembered her words and it all made sense. She said we need to overcome issues during the week so we can take the congregation to overcoming on Sunday and Wednesday. As I sat at my desk overwhelmed with this obnoxious manifestation I was reminded that this was before me because of the victory ahead. So I began to rejoice. I smiled and did my job with joy. It was so amazing how easy it was and how quickly God intervened when I lined up with His word. www.eldamolive.com

Complain not.

If you are thinking you’re alone, God has forgotten you, or perhaps how did this mess come upon you? Then I’m begging you – complain not. Moses being obedient led the people through the desert. The bible says God provided manna from heaven as food for them. He even provided drink for their thirst AND He led them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go. All the while they continued to be dissatisfied, sinning, complaining. Don’t live this way. See each obstacle as a learning process and/or God purifying you for service. You could continue on your way complaining - God is ever merciful and keeps his covenant with you. You will only hurt yourself. Not rising to your full potential. He is still awesome and merciful no matter your path and decisions in life. Also, He always offers you a chance to turn it around.

You can do miracles

Jesus said we (the believers of Jesus) would do greater things than He did. While He walked the earth as a human being, created in the image of God, He did miracles. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, raised the dead, nothing was impossible. Yet in the book of John 14:12-15 He says WE would do greater things than what He did! These are the stipulations… if we believe in Him, if we ask things praying “in the name of Jesus,” if we ask things for the purpose of glorifying Almighty God and not ourselves, if we love Him and if we keep His commandments. Sounds simple right? Five little things and yet the first one… believe in Him can cause us to stumble because of lack of faith. Lord help us!

Rising up greater

For years I’ve been saying, “As the enemy comes stronger and stronger against us the Spirit of God will be rising up greater and greater in us. We will be seeing and performing miracles, wonders and signs.” However, it seems as though this is slow to manifest. It must be us. Seems like the Body of Christ/the believers, are so weak. God Almighty is full of power and greatness and creativity and He created us in His image and said we could tread on serpents and scorpions and nothing shall by any means harm us. He said that the spirits are subject unto us. (Luke 10:19) We have power over darkness, evils, temptations, and manifestations of the devil. What are we doing wrong? Is it our lack of belief/faith, our lack of discipline to fast, our lack of prayer? Lord help us to walk in your power that you said was available to us. Help us hear your voice loud and clear so we can be lead by you and draw people to you.

What keeps us going?

Here’s my take on it… We come to church on Sunday and Wednesday and it’s similar to getting a burst of energy, strength, wisdom and power. Not just because you assembled with the saints but you heard the word of God spoken. You even spoke the word of God as Pastor had you read scriptures with him (brilliant to get you in the word) and you might have even spoke in tongues and released and gained power. You probably witnessed miracles at the altar and received a prayerful hug from another believer. How could you not leave stronger? Please for your sake, for your life, get to church when church is happening its crucial, not just to your development but to your life and gaining strength for the battle.

KNOW THAT YOU KNOW

If you know, that you know, that you know, then why not take steps toward making it happen? Why not put things in order in your life for the coming of the thing YOU KNOW? Why not be journaling what you know so when it manifests you can refer back to your notes for strength, insight and putting yourself in remembrance? Why not be expecting the thing YOU KNOW to manifest? Why not be speaking it aloud in your private prayer time? Why not be ready so when your time comes you can walk right into your destiny and fulfill the mandate on your life? YOU KNOW.

Hang on and pray

New Years Eve God said to me “this will be a year of great loss and great gain.” I believe this is not just for me but for the people. We should prepare for a storm and KNOW THIS… God will carry you through if you stay with Him, and then, you will have great gain. Don’t think just material things, think souls, restoration of marriages and relationships, children reconciled to their parents, kids coming out of destructive situations, addictions being broken, manifestations of healing and miracles, people fulfilling their calling, new beginnings for people and businesses, a powerful move of God in the earth. Let’s stay in prayer for our futures.

Key… for those seeking their calling

The right connection can bring your destiny to fruition. If you are attending a church where the pastor is not plugged into the spirit of the one and holy God through Jesus Christ – this will affect you. The further along your pastor is the more you will benefit. Do you see how crucial this is? Do you feel you have a gift of teaching but it fails to manifest? Or perhaps a gift of preaching but you fail to walk in your anointing? A pastor with an apostolic anointing can activate gifts in his people/congregation. If you are not being challenged or having new gifts arise in you or you don’t have greater revelation of the spirit of God then for your sake, move on. Fulfill your destiny at www.newbirthcal.org.

Keep me Lord because I want to be kept

A prayer our Pastor/Apostle/Prophet/teacher/mentor Carl Smith, New Birth California, prays. More about this awesome church at www.newbirthcal.org. I found myself praying “keep me Lord because I want to be kept” this morning, fervently. It had special meaning this morning as I thought, Lord, there are trials and devastation and during those I may be hurt or act stupid and Lord PLEASE keep me because I do want to be kept. Help me behave right in a storm. Help me keep my eyes on you when the trial comes. Help me pray instead of complain. Help me go to YOU for my encouragement and help. Keep me Lord because I DO want to be kept.

Prophecy

Have you ever received a prophecy or word of knowledge you DIDN’T want? There are so many questions this can raise in your head. God was that you? Is that really what you want to do? Why? Why me? Why now? When will this happen? How will I go through this?

Also, with that word came more words from God saying He will never leave you nor forsake you. He said during the trial you won’t even have to ask He will be there for you. He said restoration follows quickly and new beginnings. What an awesome God we serve!

Have you ever heard God… talking to someone else?

Watch for my book titled “The Prophecy” coming soon.

Pastors, do you want a multi-cultural congregation?

Then you can’t tell jokes or give analogies that only your race will understand. If your congregation is Chinese then jokes and references to Beijing won’t make sense to non-Chinese. They will feel disconnected and not want to attend your church. You might as well speak Mandarin. If your congregation is African-American there are some things other cultures won’t get. They will also feel like “we don’t fit in here” and “we feel stupid” or “what did he say, why is everyone else laughing”. Really, love on and joke with your people off-line, one-on-one, that’s more personal and real anyway. Then that person will feel a connection with you personally. Also, if you are Japanese but you are able to be like and joke with the Chinese then joke with them in their cultural way off-line – that will connect you to them. Also, you must train your leadership (ushers, greeters, elders, ministers, musicians, teachers, your biological family and extended family - ouch, etc.) to be unbiased toward ANY race. What’s at the top will flow to the people. If there’s a problem trying to grow your congregation multi-culturally then look at the top. Prejudice is ugly and painful.

Push

There are opportunities that arise and in the journey through it, during the completion of that opportunity, there are obstacles. At this point we usually fall back and say, is this necessary? Do I really need to do this? We question the very reason we pursued the opportunity in the first place. Key… if we push through this obstacle or pain we could be on to a great success. When these obstacles arise, put yourself in remembrance of WHY you started to pursue, then ENVISION the opportunity in its full completion. Seeing past the trial will help you complete the goal.

Key to leaders, husbands, parents, teachers…

If you, as the leader, do not have drive then your people won’t. You need ambition, creativity and a vision. You should always be looking forward. Lack of drive causes your wife to sit on the couch with you, lack of drive causes your kids to do as you do. Is that really what we want? To teach and lead people into apathy? Lord help us. We should be striving to better ourselves in our gifts, in our mental abilities and physical abilities. Our prayer should be Lord help me to lead with your ideas, strength and with passion. Enable me to help people, grant me gifts of wisdom healing and allow your words of life to flow through me and bring change and growth in people so they can fulfil their destiny. In Jesus name, amen.