Tuesday, January 31, 2012

THE VISION OF THE END William Booth (1829-1912)

He was founder and first general of the Salvation Army. He had a passionate heart of an evangelist, and felt the special vocation of the poor in London. The structures of the British churches have not been able to find a place for this man and his ministry. Together with his wife, William began an intensive campaign aimed at attainment of the poor in London with the Gospel and meet their practical needs. The Salvation Army William Booth was a huge success, and today operates throughout the world. With a lot of prayers, hard work and perseverance watched many thousands of people coming to Christ and strengthened in the faith.


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During one of my last trip I was led to consider the spiritual condition of the crowds that surround me, people who live independently of his eternal vocation in the most open and shameless rebellion against God. I thought about the millions of people around me, treated drunkenness and pleasures, interests and worries, policies and problems, in many cases ongoing in blasphemy and anger. During these considerations, I had a vision.

I saw a dark, stormy ocean. Hung over it, heavy, dark clouds, and from time to time they clear cut the lightning and thunder rolled. When the howling winds blew, the waves rose and foam. In this ocean I saw a lot of human beings in the vortexes sucked and floating, screaming, squeaking, blaspheming and struggling, and each of them was falling more and more. As I cursed and screamed they were once again elevating the surface, they shouted again, and then drowned, would no longer proceed.

I have also seen emerging from this dark, evil mighty ocean rock, whose top reached higher than the dark clouds hanging over the stormy sea. Around the base of the rock, I saw a flat platform and watched the delight of these poor, struggling, drowning the poor escaping from the ocean and climb the platform. I saw that some of those who have already helped to secure these poor creatures that were still in the water, climb a safe place.

Looking at the more I saw a group of those who survived, using ladders, ropes and boats, struggling to pull out of the water yet. There were also those who jumped into the water without paying attention to the consequences, wanting to save the drowning. I was not sure what made me the most joy - a view of poor people climbing the rock and found a safe place or the dedication of those who were fully committed to efforts to free their comrades.

However, surprised me one thing: even though each of which are on the rock has been rescued from the ocean, nearly everyone seemed to forget about the horror of this darkness and danger, which did not concern them any more. What seemed to me both strange and shocking was the fact that these people have not revealed the absolutely no concern for these poor, lost creatures, who struggled and drowned before their eyes, even though many of them were family members of survivors. This lack of concern was certainly not the result of their ignorance, because they once lived in this situation, regularly attending lectures, where he reported the status of these poor drowning creatures.

While on the platform were busy with different performance characteristics. Some days and nights were involved in their interests by making their savings in banks and vaults. Many spent their time admiring the flowers, paint, playing instruments or imposing nice clothes in the hope that they will be admired.

On the platform were some who were mainly food and drink. Others spent the time to quarrel about the drowning people, discussing what will happen to them in the future, while others rejoiced that it fulfilled its duty towards the lost interest by the organization of religious ceremonies.

Some of the crowd who had found a place of refuge, they found the road leading up the cliffs, to a higher platform located above the layer of clouds hanging our ocean. They had a good view from there to the central part of the land, where they hoped to find someday. At this higher platform, they spent time thinking about pleasant things, congratulating each other this luck that they were rescued from the stormy depths, and singing songs about the joy that will inherit when they are taken to the mainland. All this happened while the masses of struggling, screaming people drowned in the dark, choppy water in the eyes of those who are happy sitting and waiting for the day when they leave the rock.

How much I wanted to see crowds of people involved in the rescue of others, instead of that small handful! The few workers that I have seen, it seemed to do little beyond crying and helping people. Gave themselves up without reserve and stubbornly held around begging people for help. However, this was regarded as nonsense by many normal and religious people. After all, they continued to work, giving everything they had to buy a boat, ropes and other equipment are helpful to save the poor drowning people.

And then I saw something miraculous. Suffering, danger and sorrow of these poor, struggling in the dark sea creatures have caused sorrow in heaven God - touched him so much that he sent a wonderful essence to free them. This one came straight from his palace through the dark clouds, straight into the raging sea between the drowning people. He began to rescue them weeping and tears, until the sweat poured down his pain with the blood. When he took the arms of drowning, trying to put them on a rock, still wept and cried out to the survivors - those who have already been helped blood his hands - to help in this difficult, demanding task, which was to rescue their comrades.

The most frightening thought is that those located on the platform, which called, they were so busy with their own affairs and problems, saving money and pleasures, family and religious obligations, or preparing to travel to the center of the land that did not pay attention call this Being, he loved - the one who himself went down to the sea. When you heard the cry of ignoring them completely or just not pay any attention. And in this way more crowds struggled, cried, and sank into darkness.

And then I saw something that gave me even more terrifying than anything he had ever seen. Some of the people on the platform, previously asked by this great Being, to come and help in this difficult task, all the time praying for that someone to come. Some wanted to come and stay with them by giving time and strength to make them happier. Some wanted to come and help them feel more secure on the rock, as it was known that some went so carelessly that they lost the ground under his feet skidded back into the water. These people met, comprised as high as they could and looking towards the mainland, where they thought that there is a great Idea, shouted: "Come to us! Come and help us. " All this time he was at the bottom, between the struggling, splashed creatures. Surrounding them with their arms trying to pull them, looking imploringly, but to no avail for those in the rock. His voice was hoarse from cries of "Come to me! Come and help me! "

Then I realized this vision. It was quite clear. The sea is the ocean of life - the sea of human existence. Lightning sparks of acquiring the truth coming from the throne of God. Thunder is a distant echo of God's wrath. Countless people who tibia and struggled in agony in the choppy waters, were thousands of thousands of poor sinners from every tribe and tongue and nation.

How is the sea was black! And what multitudes of rich and poor, educated and uneducated were in it all so differently comprehending the circumstances and conditions, but so alike in one thing - all sinners before God, held back by their iniquity, fascinated by some idol, the slaves evil concupiscence, deceived by a cruel enemy of the infinite abyss!

They were similar not only in his iniquity, but if you have not been rescued, including those that drowned going down to the same place. This great, protects the rock represented Calvary, and people are located on it were rescued. The manner in which its energy benefits, gifts and time, showed activities of those who claim to be saved, redeemed from sin and hell, to be followers of Jesus Christ.

This handful of passionate, determined to rescue the soldiers of salvation. Being powerful is the Son of God, the same yesterday, today and forever, which is still struggling to save the dying multitudes from the bottom of this terrible destruction. His voice is still heard over the music, machinery, and rebellion of life, he urges survivors to come and help him save the world.

My friends, you are rescued from the water, you are on a rock. He is in the dark sea calling on you to come help him. Did you go? Raging sea life filled with endangered souls move about to the place where you stand.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is in the midst of this decaying crowd, struggling to help them. He calls you, you jumped into the sea, you immediately went over to his side, helping him in his holy struggle. Can you jump? Did you go and give in totally to him? Are you who still linger on the shore, put away his pride, concern for the opinion, the love of all that simple, and other selfish pleasure, where you been so long attached and you run to save the endangered multitude of souls?


Is it a sea swirl does not look scary? Of course, yes. There is no doubt that this act will be for you and for others taking the challenge, marked difficulties, pain and suffering. For some this may mean even more - death. He who calls you into the sea, however, knows what it will mean, and still calls and invites you and me to go.

Satisfaction long enough to secure religion. We already had pleasant feelings, pleasant songs, pleasant meetings and fun ideas. There have been a lot of luck, much clapping of hands and a lot of heaven on earth. And now we go to God and tell Him that we are prepared to, if necessary, to turn away from it all and that we want to spend the rest of my life dealing with the multitude of endangered, regardless of price.


Going down to the dying - this is our calling. Our happiness at this time will consist of share in suffering, our facility will be sharing their pain, wearing the crown of our cross, and our skies will arrive in the same gates of hell to save them.

Did you go?

Monday, January 30, 2012

Entrusting ourselves to Others

Studying this morning I came across a good piece of scripture.

But Jesus did not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. John 2:24

Some definitions

Entrust: to confide, to deposit for responsibility
Greek paratitheni: to place beside or set before, a banking term "to deposit for safekeeping"
Hebrew להפקיד : deposit

This made me ask How much of ourselves do we give others for safe keeping? How much do you give someone else responsibility for?

Some things you make others responsible for:

1. happiness
2. peace
3. fun

So I would have to say I am guilty of giving someone else the responsibility of keeping me happy. Have you ever done that?

What about peace?? Have you ever said I would have peace if only the kids would listen?

What about fun?? I can't have fun unless your having fun?

A big one I hear all the time is, if moms not happy then no one is happy! How dumb is that??

Those are just a few things that came to mind that I know I have said or ways I have felt. But is it really fair to put that responsibilty on someone else???

No its not and Jesus tells us he did not entrust himself to man at all. Why?? well simply put "he knew all men". So he is talking about the heart of man and whats in our hearts?? Some basic characteristics we all suffer from:

- prideful
- shelfish

so those are 2 that are huge and tells me I do not want to be entrusting any person with me. And is it really fair to entrust someone else with your happiness or peace?? Not really because it is impossible for them to fulfill that.

So thinking about this is there someone in your life you need to release from this responsiblity??

Only God knows what truly makes you happy so we need to be entrusting ourselves to him completely. Not only can man not please us but I think we are doing an injustice to them by giving them the responsibility for things they cannot even control.

Father, I think you for wisdom and knowledge and for Jesus giving us the example of how we should live. Giving us the example of how we can truly be happy, have peace or even have fun. You want only the best for us and I pray anyone who reads this will entrust themselves to you. For you knew the heart of man and it cannot please us. I ask for forgiveness Father for giving others the responsibilty and it was not fair of me to do that. I love you Lord and am thankfully for the revelation of my responsibilites. Thank you Lord! In Jesus name Amen!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Getting Stuck

Have you ever felt stuck? Have you ever felt like God was speaking to you and revelation was coming but then it stopped? Like everything you hear was going over your head? Almost like he stopped speaking to you? I know I have and I am pretty sure its common on the adventure we have with God. Growing up isn't always easy but as I come to know God more and more, I become more responsible for the revelation he has given me.

Knowledge = Responsibility

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. - James 1:22


I don't know about you but I know he corrected me for this one. I was clearly in the scripture that if I had an issue with a brother to leave my offering and go reconcile the situation.

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24


Whats interesting is with this scripture there is really no hidden meaning, I think of the parables Jesus spoke in but this is not a parable this is a commandment. There are no options here he says to leave the offering there and take care the situation before coming back.

I read that many times and at that time there was conflict with my sister and I had not spoken to them in 2 years. So first time I read this I knew what God was saying, I really understood, I mean how can you not? I do not think it gets easier to understand than that. So what happened? Now I did not know this at the time, or maybe I did but cannot remember it but I reasoned my way out of it. I actually made excuses as to why its not the right time to make peace with her. "I was not grown up enough in Christ", "There just isn't enough light in me for God to use it" etc etc. I was telling people those things for months!! Oh boy how I was deceiving myself.

One day I was hanging out with the Lord and doing my studies and he told me Jennifer if you do not do the basics of my word then it will hinder our relationship. He said that and the switch goes off, I knew what he was talking about instantly, it didn't matter what lies I had been telling myself I knew what i needed to do. I was really believing the crap I was telling myself and it was like in one ear and out the other when he spoke to me. Now realizing this of course I had to obey and be the peacemaker, humble myself to apologize even if I didn't feel I did anything wrong and not expecting anything from their side.

So I think it took a week or so (maybe longer) but I did it FINALLY! Sent an apology letter and said okay Lord I am sowing that seed and one day it will reap a harvest. So this plant grew faster than expected, took maybe 30 minutes and I got a response. So the harvest was yes lets talk this out. So I wasn't expecting that and was honestly hoping that was going to be a slow moving harvest LOL. To my surprise it was quick, I guess it was time to humble myself. I hear the Spirit say either you humble yourself or I will do it for you. So now I have 2 choices and honestly door number 2 did not sound that great. I was going to do what I was told.

Everything turns out great, God really gave me the strength to do what was necessary and he could not start to repair some relationships. I understood what the pain of dying to self was because I felt it deep within my gut for hours but once it was over I felt God release me from something. Removed a chain and I was fine.

I realized that humbling myself and being the peacemaker allowed God to heal me. I still remember him saying the more you say I am sorry the easier it gets and it was true. Freedom in being the first to say that.

Was it worth dying for?? Yes it was. God knows what we need to do to be happy. His word commands us to do certain things for a reason. I am pretty sure God didn't leave his word for himself so its important we do not just merely listen but do what it says. After all that I am now free, healed, not angry or living with unforgiveness in my heart.

One last thing I want to point out that Jesus said

I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? - John 3:12


If we cannot do the simple things in His word how can he expect us to do the heavenly things? I think our purpose is much more than the basics, and if he cant trust us with the basics how can he trust us with more?

Monday, January 23, 2012

You Could Not Handle It Right Now

A little note about me I am married to a non-believer so I am sure you can figure this house gets interesting sometimes. God told me long ago I needed to learn to keep my mouth shut, which I must say is not that easy.The scripture I actually keep on my desk is

Set a guard over my mouth O'Lord; Keep watch over the door of my lips. - Psalm 141:3

I also do a lot of confessing and one of my favorites is "I do not always have to be right" and "I do not always have to have the last word". I truly believe God has been helping me with this, even though its not easy and I am definitely not always successfull, I have seen progress! Thank you Lord for changing my heart!

Tonight I got to exercise it, now I did not catch it right away but about a second into it I got it and mouth was shut, told myself "I do not always have to be right" and the sick feelings started to subside. Hallelujah! thank you Jesus, I didnt totally blow this one. So God promised me years ago of his salvation and I have held onto that ever since. As I get closer to God I see the enemy taking him further away. I start to study my bible and he will do something completely opposite, I listen to my sermons he listens to his of course they are opposite. Interesting how the enemy is taking him in the opposite direction but that only means the greater the miracle my God has to perform and I worship the Almighty Jehovah and with Jesus all things are possible so its easy for Him.

So I thought tonight well Lord maybe this year is the year, I can believe it will happen sooner than later. Now I usually don't pray for it I just thank the Lord and it will happen in the right time. So I am thinking yes this is the year and I cannot wait, I will believe for that Lord and I hear the Lord say "You couldnt handle it right now". Now that would not be the first time I feel the Spirit telling me this. I understand most of the authority (not all of it but most) and submitting to your husband. Right now we have complete role reversal in the house and I know I have spirtiual authority but I also know I have a very hard time now even listening or humbling myself, can you imagine when he starts knowing God? I myself know me and we love to take that authority when we learn about it. Just think about it, God says they have to listen to me because I am the head of the house. Serious I have had those thoughts in my head, silly as they are I know what its like to be immature in God and I can admit right here and now I have thought that way. God gave me a beautiful word and I took it and turned it into something selfish. No wonder we look like our enemy sometimes because he was just as selfish.

Anyway I dont feel that way now but it made me think about God's timing and how perfect it is. I believe its not only perfect for that specific person but I also think its perfect for all those around them. If you think about it, it's a lot of work dealing with me but can you imagine 2 people working out their salvation at the same time and at the same level?? I can see how it could be difficult with 2 snot nosed little Christians running around. Not that I wouldn't prefer it but I do believe when it happens it will be perfect for everybody in our house. Until then I hold onto that perfect promist God made me and I will let him use all of this to sharpen and change me. Hey you never know that could be the key to winning him over, a nice loving and submissive wife. That in itself is a miracle but I have the perfect God to do it!

For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. - 1 Corinthians 7:14

I want to leave any person who is married to an unbeliever with this that God spoke to me "You should be honored that God trusted you enough with the unbeliever in hopes that we could be used to win them over to Christ".It's a big job but if you let God just take control the situation can be used to sharpen you and really show you how to love them unconditionally.

Thank you Father for trusting me enough with someone you love so dearly. I ask that anyone who read this blog post and find themself in a similar situation find encouragement that you are the God of Gods, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That all things are possible for you no matter how dark it may seem. I ask Lord that you speak a promise of salvation for all who read this and show them they are not alone. I love you Father for everything you have done for me and I know and trust that when the day of salvation comes to the non-believers that its the perfect timing for everyone! I love you God more than life itself! Thank you for your love and mercy and I ask you show us how to share that same love and mercy to all we come across. I love you Lord! In Jesus name Amen!

Shekinah Glory Come!

Great song I wanted to share with you!


Thursday, January 19, 2012

A Must Read Counterfeit Conversion by Winkie Pratney

This is a must read, I got through part one and the difference between me now and 2 years ago is in here. I didnt know God's love or even really know him just thought I did. I knew about Jesus but didnt know him and while I am of course still learning I am officially not counterfeit anymore! Thank you Lord for your light and really lifting the veil from my eyes.

Click the link below to read!
http://moh.org/WinkPrat/DTM/CounterfeitConversionPart1.htm

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

God is Love

Hey everyone! Been a few days so I thought I would stop and share some thoughts. I was listening to Winkie Pratney yesterday and a few things just stuck out of my mind. We know God loves us but do we really know how much God loves us?? I think we say yes God loves me but do we really understand??

I know for me it took me a bit but I actually had to accept his love, I didn't think I was worth loving, I would say God loves me but did I really believe it? Not really. Not because he didn't love me but because I couldn't believe anyone could love me in such a way (a lie from the devil). As I have gone on this journey I have discovered his love around every corner.

Winkie was talking about the earth and how it was created and how God spoke everything into existence but why did it take 6 days?? Surely God could have winked his eye, said a few things and it would all be in place. He did that because he loves us so much and he was thinking about us that whole time he was creating it. He thought of every color, every body of water where it began, where it ended, he decided what color the trees would be and what time of the year they would fall. Those are just a few points but think about if it took God 6 days to make all this then he really put his all into it. Science today actually shows how perfect it actually is, did you know if we where any closer to the sun we couldn't live? He picked the perfect place for everything!!! And if he spent 6 days making this beautiful earth and universe with all that thought put into it, how much thought do you think he put into you??

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. - Jeremiah 1:5


God thought about you before Moses walked the earth, God thought about you before Abraham, you where the apple of his eye as He was speaking the world into existence. He knew your hair color, eye color, personality EVERYTHING! What I think is even cooler is our finger prints they are all different, there is no 2 finger prints that are the same. Now what about Jesus?? Jesus was with Him when it was all created and since God already knew what Adam and Eve would do he had already set things in place for the Messiah to come.


You are worthy, our Lord & God, to receive glory & honor & power, for you created all things, & by your will they were created & have their being. - Revelation 4:11


he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure & will ... And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ - Ephesians 1:5,9


God created us for His pleasure! God is pleased with us, not pleased with our sin or things we do but he is pleased with us because of Jesus. God is 100% all LOVE all the time! I have heard many say God gave me this disease to teach me something, God did this to show me that etc etc. No he didn't. Do not forget what happened!

How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit. - Isaiah 14:12-16


God cast satan out of heaven and he is roaming around on the earth. God gave man dominion but man gave the dominion over to satan. So satan has dominion over the earth. Do not forget who has dominion. So Jesus was sent to take back dominion, he took back the keys and the authority but you need to use it. If you don't have Jesus then you have no authority, once you get Jesus you get his authority but then you need to learn what it is, how you use it etc etc. Jesus came to fulfill the law but there are still spiritual laws that exist and this is one of them. Man gave dominion to the evil one, man loved the darkness more than light. Evil is around every corner. If you do not know Him then you do not know what you have and how much he loves you.

This is a new thing for me and I have been seeking God diligently for 2 years now every day. I thought God allowed people to get cancer and maybe he would heal them. Jesus NEVER refused to heal anyone, they would say if you are willing and he would say I am willing. Jesus said in the perfect prayer on earth as it is in heaven. Who is sick in heaven? For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son. If he gave his son to be brutally beaten and murdered for our sins but is giving people cancer?? That doesn't make sense. That sounds like something us humans would do and God is not human he is God.

God loves us soooo much we cannot grasp it! Love when Winkie says "Do you even realize how much God has to dummy things down when he talks to us so we understand?" We think we know better than God. We place anger and blame on God when its the enemy who is doing it. Think we fell into that trap that was laid for us and then I am mad at God for letting it happen. How convenient we get to blame someone else for our choices? Sound familiar? God it was that women you gave me. Let go of everything you think you know about God's love and open your heart for him to show you how he really feels about you. He love us sooooo much its not even funny! He thinks of us daily and he has been since before we where born. God can do anything he wants but he chooses to watch over you, guide you, correct you and clean up after you when you make a mistake.

Sounds a like a good Father to me! :)

Thank you Lord for your everlasting love! The love you showed the Israelites even though they complained all the time, the love you showed by sending your precious Son to the cross for us while we where still sinners, the love you showed by sending your Holy Spirit to live within us so we can have the power and authority to walk in righteousness, the love you show when we can come to know you and talk with you face to face, the love you show by NEVER leaving us or forsaking us and of course the man other occasions we see written in your word. God you are sooooo awesome! Forgive me father for not seeing that before and thank you for the revelation of your love and I ask that everyone who reads this can get revelation also about your love and it draws them into a beautiful encounter with you Lord! I ask this in Jesus name Amen!