Don’t give up

I know times are challenging right now. I know bills are coming in faster than you can pay them. I know there seems to be a heaviness because of the economy and the words/news that is filling the atmosphere. Stop… use your words to change your atmostphere. Your tongue has the power of life and death. Question for you… you’ve come this far and your giving up NOW? You’ve dealt with all kinds of demons, sicknesses, pains, people leaving you, trials, deaths, bills, divorces, jail, drugs, alcohol and your giving up NOW? STOP, before you contemplate quitting again, think on these things… The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is in you. Jesus said you would do greater things than what He did! Your tongue has power. You’ve come through other trials – why not this one? It really doesn’t matter what the trial is as long as you have Jesus you will survive. Don’t take your focus off Him.

Pray God will use them

I was praying for a singer, not my favorite, but I reminded myself that it’s not about her or me its about the people getting what they need released from heaven. As I was praying I went into praying in tongues so that Gods will would manifest and my thoughts would not dominate my prayers. As I prayed for her my tongue was speaking that she would be filled with the presence of God that He would manifest in her, no flesh, and that people would feel the presence of God. Let’s be honest, it’s hard to pray God uses someone else the way you want to be used. But God has always said to me, give it, give the blessing, pray the prayer because I have greater and more for you. I will fill you up again, there’s more that will flow from you. As I prayed I felt my stomach area/body jerk. This has never happened to me before… that jerking that you see some saints do. As God brought forth a confirmation a knowing saying to me… you pray for her like you pray for yourself, she’s not the same as you, your not giving away anything, I’ve still called you to do what you are to do.

What are you delivering to your people

I was listening to the CD from Bishop Long (love song #2 "Give God Something"). Anyway, I realized that sometimes people put out songs, books and sermons because they feel that's what the people WANT. However, that is not what they need from God. When we give the people what we think or know they want, this is not always best for them. Sure they will benefit but how much more would they benefit from a word from God giving them direction encouragement peace hope deliverance healing. Example 1... So your preaching and you HEAR the Lord telling you what to say - awesome. You deliver that word and manifestation of His glory shows up. Example 2... Your preaching and you see this person or that person and words come to you so you speak that forth. I believe Example 2 is the prophetic coming to your mind and not the word for the hour of the sermon (for the masses). Its so important for us to be in tune with God's voice while speaking so we don't deliver JUST what people need but what God wants for them. I guess this is why its so important to have notes or bullet points for sermons so you can stay on track with what God wanted you to deliver. Example 3... your speaking and words, visions, images are flying in at you, items like houses and ministries are dropping from heaven and God is redirecting your sermon and you are obedient to His moving. Awesome God, thank you for leading us, every step and every word.

Delight yourself in the Lord

Last nights service at New Birth Pittsburg California was so powerful. I came home and couldn’t get ahold of myself. Pastor Carl Smith said so many powerful biblical truths we had to get the CD. Its one of those you have to keep hearing until you get it in your spirit so you can grasp every bit of wisdom and be where God wants you spiritually, physically and mentally. If you are no where near Pittsburg get the CD online at www.newbirthcal.org or call the church (925) 439-8989. Get it and grow.

Dream 7-12-09

I woke up at 5am to get ready for church and was reminded of the dream I had during my sleep. I thanked God for bringing it to my remembrance. There were two storms hitting a large mass of water. Each had a funnel coming down to the water. The “tornado” (I’ll call it) on the right was smaller and had a smaller effect on the water causing ripples. The “tornado” in the exact middle of the water was much larger and its billow from the sky appeared huge, powerful and scary. As the middle tornado hit the water it was causing a tidal wave. As it got closer the waves got larger and larger. We were floating on a little piece of driftwood. The only way to minimize the effect was to stay as far left as possible in hopes that we could survive. As the tornado got closer and waves larger, we just slid by the left side and barely felt anything. It was like a small little speed bump. So I get to church and Bishop Gary Hawkins was a guest at www.newbirthcal.org and he says “You’re in it but it won’t affect you” God is so amazing. I don’t know how but I know that I know He will make a way for your and my situations!!!

Suicide and greed thoughts

Have you ever had a thought of suicide or greed come over you? Well, when I drive on the freeway to Pittsburg I feel this. Its at the top of the hill near Bay Point. I can't help but think it is the spirit of God saying "this is the spirit operating here." When I drive through Alamo and Danville a strange feeling comes again. This one is rushed, competitive, anger, power and a money greed. I almost couldn't drive. I had to stop and get ahold of myself and figure out what these feelings were. At first I couldn't identify them. Why am I feeling like this? It was sickening. I prayed and thanked God for His wisdom and protection over me as He revealed the spirit. I connect this to a Pastor being assigned a region and how he must first identify the strongholds of his area so he can address them. Then he can take authority over them by the power vested in him. My God, the burden a Pastor must deal with. Pray for your Pastors.

Are you reading this?

Is anyone reading this blog? Anyone getting anything? Please comment by clicking on word in pink BELOW "comments". I'd really appreciate it. Thanks so much!

What Jesus did

In the midst of the multitudes, He withdrew to pray. He was in submission. He was inquiring of the father and following that direction. We need to die to our own reasoning and pressuring. Always doing what pleases the Father – not people.

Already prepared

Sometimes you just need to hear the words “you can make it” or as it was for me yesterday my Pastor said, “God ALREADY prepared you for the things you are and will go through in life.” This had such great impact on me. I sat there with tears streaming down my face. Kind of like the first time I heard this annointed man speak. I welcomed the tears as I didn’t want to miss anything God had for me. I completely ignored the people around me. Sometimes your fellow Christians are the toughest crowd! How sad. Anyway… “You have the ability to overcome everything that comes against you. God already prepared you for this.” As I sat there, giving the Holy Spirit free reign to do and say what He wanted in me, I had a knowing that no matter what, tho He slay me, yet, yes, yes, I will trust Him.

I was right - so there!

We arrived at the beach in Lake Tahoe to watch the fireworks. As the time got closer people were scrambling around for a spot on the beach. One young couple sat together on their blanket near us. Then a family of six came in and put themselves in this tiny little square next to them. The husband who led this group chose this spot and I thought – its as though he has blinders on – there are several other spots available - what kind of leader is that? The young couple were very put-out by this. They could have moved to their left and had plenty of room. I looked over to the right and noticed a huge spot enough for eight. The young couple could have moved there also to accommodate this mans lack of vision and preparation. Instead the young couple didn’t budge. You could feel their tension and anger. They really ruined their own evening by letting this obstacle push on them and steal their peace. I wondered how often we do this? Do we get so caught up in the fight that we lose the thing we are going after? Do we get so stuck on being right that we can’t forgive an offense cuz we’re right, we were here first. Do we have trouble accommodating others because we think they should have thought of this ahead of time? Do we base our forgiveness to others on “well, I was right, you were wrong, soooo” Help us Lord.

Why do you stay?

Why is it that we can see a way out of our situation but we stay where we are? We know that moving forward leads to victory but fear of this new unknown path keeps us from stepping out. Let’s break it down. What is the fear? Is it fear of being hurt again? Yes? Ok, so lets set a path in our mind for how we will deal with that and how we will recognize it so we can step out of the line of fire. Is it pride? Yes? We know that pride is what brought the d down so we must push past our pride at whatever the cost. Why stay where you know there is no victory? Ok, here it is… part of this I believe is not trusting God – ouch you say? I know it is painful. But can we step out and trust God to give us wisdom and discernment and covering during our stepping out? Yes. Just do it and your part is pray, let the Lord speak to you, fast with a friend and let God have his way. Don’t stay there.