Month: July 2006

  • The author, Anita Estes just joined Xanga. I wrote about her talk and book on July 15, 2006, if you would like, please go to her site and make her feel welcome:
    http://www.xanga.com/aestes


    *************************************************************


    Hydrangea Blue asked the following questions:

     

    Yay! Here are my 3 questions:

    1. Have you ever consider writing a book about your testimony?

    At one point I wrote my autobiography, at the time when books about incest survivors was rampant. I actually got back two personal letters from editors and an author, but the market was saturated. When I first met Pastor Don, I gave him the only copy of it and he read some. It is still in his office, but it would not be the message I would want to write about now. I have considered writing a book, and probably will do so, but I still have some growing to do spiritually first. I could share now, but I think God is wanting me to wait a bit until a few more pockets of pain have been dealt with.


    2. Do your children read your Xanga?

     

    If they ever wanted to read my Xanga they could. I do not hide anything I write or share from my husband or kids, but mostly they do not want to do read it. I guess Bible studies are not so interesting to them. More fun to chat with their friends and IM. They do know a bit about my past, but not all the gory details. Some days when they are complaining about the misery of their lives (usually in conjunction with being bored and we parents are not responding to their desire to be taken somewhere, or we have told them that they cannot do something), I have told them that they do not know what real misery is. Mostly I have shared a bit of what it is like to be living with alcoholic parents, and the fear that I experienced, the bruises up and down my arm, and being hurt far too often. But they roll their eyes, and figure that they have it worse. I have not shared the sexual abuse or some of my reactions to the abuse. I would do it in an instant if it would help them to prevent making some of the same mistakes I have, but they seem to have no inkling to make those mistakes. I would answer honestly if they asked, but they haven’t asked. So it is kind of like a need-to-know basis.


    3. In my opinion, it’s getting extremely difficult to bring up godly children, especially girls in the United States. (My fiance and I joked about having boys only. Seriously.) Your teenage children seem pretty OK. How do you do that?

     

    That was one question Pastor Don asked me when we first started talking. I told him that in dealing with my kids I usually thought about what my parents would do and did the opposite. I am blessed with three good and intelligent and fun kids. My husband and I work together raising them. I seem to be the stricter one and he is more their friend, but together we work well. We started early with our kids, not talking baby talk, not allowing certain things, even though they might look cute. We expected them to behave, to obey, and to be nice. They got more punishment for hurting another or being disrespectful. Punishment for them usually meant time out because for them that was a fate worse than death – they hated having to sit still when the others were having fun. Oh, and church is not an option, it is required.

     

    Regarding school we expected them to do their homework and be respectful for teachers, again punishment was more for being disrespectful than for a bad grade. I have explained to them that if they have been trying and get a bad grade we can get them help, but there is no excuse for being disrespectful. They have had to write letters of apology and apologize in person to teachers if a comment is made about disrespect.

     

    The standards have remained constant, and to be honest, teenage years are tough. They are trying out their limits and I really haven’t a clue what “normal” teenage years are like, so I rely on my husband to keep me in check if I am being too demanding. I think that they, because they have limits set early on, just stick with them.

     

    Now my husband and I spend a lot of time explaining things – simple things like, if you treat a person with respect they will treat you with respect. And when they do so and get a response they like, we complement them and let them see that their behavior is what caused the good thing.

     

    Regarding sex and drugs, from early on certain things have been explained. Things like don’t take candy from strangers, don’t take pills given to you by anyone other than us. They saw their grandfather die from smoking and that made a big impact so they do not smoke. In tiny sound bites, during car rides (individually) we have talked about sex – basic concepts like men marry girls, etc. We also talk about marriage being forever, and STD’s. Regarding drugs and sex they roll their eyes, but I use the Russian Roulette idea – that maybe their friends could have 100 good experiences, but it takes only one to kill you – and there is no guarantee when that one will come.

     

    I do try to get them out individually and in the course of doing something drop what I term a “sound bite” a tiny bit of a teaching, not a long lecture. Seems to get through more.

     

    I am not a perfect parent, and I repent of mistakes often, but my kids are good and I make sure to complement them a lot, emphasize the positive, apologize when I make a mistake, and let them know when others complement them to me. I know that they know that they are loved and that their dad and I will be there for them, love them passionately, and will stick up for them. They also are blessed in having two parents who love them when many of their friends are children of divorce and unstable relationships.

     

    I am still learning how to be a good parent, and Christianity helps a lot. I spend time in prayer for them. One of my favorite places to pray for them is folding their clothes when I do the wash. The other day I went with my anointing oil and prayed over their rooms.

     

    More and more I need God’s help in parenting. I can’t believe I tried to do it without God.


    Can I ask more questions?  I love questions, they stimulate me to think and process things. If you have more questions, please feel free.

     

    Have a blessed weekend,

    Heather


  • Pastor Don taught Bible study on Friday. It was a continuation of this Bible Study and as always, very much a blessing.


    Pastor Don reminded us that in the last days, people would not want to hear sound doctrine. The Prophesies in this passage of Isaiah were written about 143 years before they happened, and God named names. It was so specific to be amazing. We have to remember that because the prophesies in the Bible have come true, those few remaining to happen will happen.


    God gave Isaiah a word of knowledge, an accurate prophesy. When the events in the prophesy happened, Isaiah was long dead. Isaiah 44:24 Thus says the LORD, you Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone, who spreads abroad the earth by Myself.”


    Redeemer means one who buys back, gets back, savior who will promise he will buy you back, ransom, redeem from doubt, unbelief. God is not permissive of sin, but he will redeem us. It is important to remember that the redeemer will only redeem the one who repents. We have free will to repent or not, God will not force anyone to come to Him.


    Pastor Don pointed out that the concept of stretching out the heavens was written at a time where there was no Hubble telescope that showed the rapidly expanding universe. Our forefathers thought that the earth was the center of the universe and all the planets and sun revolved around the earth. Later, even in our school days, we thought that the sun was the center and the earth and all planets revolved around the sun. Now we know that the whole galaxy is moving – sun too. And we are also aware that, like when you spin a top at first it spins beautifully, then it slows down, wobbles and topples. Our universe is slowing down.


    It is just incredible that Isaiah was given this image of the earth before the science of his day could have discovered this.


    Verse 25: Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, and drives diviners mad; who turns wise men backward and makes their knowledge foolishness; who confirms the word of His servant, and performs the counsel of His messengers; Who says to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be inhabited’, to the cities of Judah, ‘You shall be built,’ And I will raise up her waste places. Who says to the deep, ‘Be dry! And I will dry up your rivers;’


    Pastor Don asked us if we remembered Jeanne Dixon, the so-called psychic. She used to make predictions at the New Year. Each year, she would have a whole list published. Pastor Don said that she should have at least had a 50-50 (mere chance) accuracy. Instead, if you tracked her predictions (which no one seemed to do) she averaged 30%.


    The prophets in Isaiah’s time were accurate 100% of the time. They had to be, (Heather’s note) false prophets were stoned to death. Wonder what would happen if prophets today were held to the same standard of accountability.


    Verse 28: Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, and he shall perform all My pleasure, saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,” and to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.”


    This is a powerful prophesy – God named names 143 years before Cyrus came. Cyrus wasn’t even born yet. Being a shepherd makes him a sort of Christ figure. This is a powerful proof of God’s prophetic ability. Cyrus was not even a Jew, he was from the Medes and Persians, and he would allow the Israelites to go back to their homeland, and pay for the rebuilding. This is an example of God’s powerful provision.


    Chapter 45:1-4 Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held–to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut. I will go before you and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you (Cyrus) the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places. That you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. For Jacob My servant’s sake. And Israel My elect, I have even called you by  your name. I have named you, though you have not known Me.


    This is a powerful example of how God can use anything for His purpose and will.  The North, Israel, will turn to Idolatry and soon be no more, The South – Judah, will remain faithful to God for a longer period of time. Sometimes things that seem awful are part of God’s plan to rebuild and refurbish.


    Isaiah 45:5-7 I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, that they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I the LORD, do all these things.


    God allows calamity. God calls us by name even though we do not know him by name. God knows what we need to change our lives, to bring us the ultimate happiness and joy.


    The calamity of God differs from that caused by satan. Satan seeks to cause confusion, to exploit, to pull us away from the truth. God’s calamity helps to straighten our paths, to give us a wake-up call, to shake us up when we get stagnant, too comfortable in our situation, or when we have something we need to repent from.


    9-11 was a wake-up call for our country, and we didn’t listen for long. The tsunamis, Hurricane Katrina, earthquakes are all there to get us to reorganize our priorities. We need to listen, we need to pray for our country, to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.


    Verse 8: Rain down, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together, I, the LORD, have created it.


    Salvation and righteousness go hand in hand. God created all in righteousness, we sold ourselves short to satan, now God is reclaiming.


    Verse 9-10 Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands”? Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What are you begetting?’ Or to the woman, ‘What have you brought forth?’


    Potsherds are pieces of broken pottery. When we get too puffed up about ourselves, we have to remember that we are clay, made from the dust of the ground. God breathed life into us. We were probably made from red clay because red clay contains all the colors, black, white, and in between that make the colors of the nations.


    God is speaking in this passage, and he is so far above us, that we pale to insignificance in His presence. Clay yields itself to the hand of the maker. We can say whatever we want to, but pride and ego will take us places we don’t want to go. When we turn to God we will be brought to a wonderful place. God increases pressure on us if we do not yield. If we are prideful, God will release pressure and leave us to sink or swim. God gives us the means to enjoy, and God wants us to be happy.


    Verse 11: Thus says the LORD,” The Holy One of Israel and his Maker; “Ask me of things to come concerning My sons; and concerning the work of My hands, you command Me.”


    We spent a long time on this verse because it contains an important principle. What does it mean, ask me? In The Old King James Version, it says “Command ye me.” Does it mean we can order God around? Not precisely. We cannot give a command until we get our instructions. God tells us that He will give us the desires of our heart. (If you think about it, He puts the desires into our hearts in the first place, and then gives them to us). Because of the prophetic gift of God, we have the Holy Spirit within us. In the Old Testament, not everyone had the Holy Spirit within them, they depended on prophets and priests and kings to hear from God through the Holy Spirit, and then relay the message, just like Isaiah did to the people of Israel.


    Since Christ came, we have been given the Holy Spirit within us, and can hear directly from God. God gives us revelation in dreams, visions, words of knowledge, His Word, tongues, interpretation of tongues. Right now, if we listen, we can hear what “Thus says the Lord.”


    Pastor Don spent some time talking about the prophetic gift in the church, how it is done in order. That someone will speak a word in tongues, and we wait to interpret the message. Sometimes the tongues and messages are for us alone, sometimes for the whole congregation. It is up to the pastors and elders to judge the message to make sure it is accurate. If it is an accurate prophetic interpretation, the messages will all fit together. If all are messages of love – and one person talks about God’s wrath- you can be pretty sure that the lone message is not accurately heard for the congregation (but may be pertinent to the message bringer). Sometimes we do not speak out what we are feeling God is saying to us and the congregation because of pride – we are afraid of being wrong. God will correct us when we are wrong, it is better to share what we honestly feel God is saying.


    One other thing that Pastor Don stated about God’s prophesies is that the prophets in the Bible spoke over a period of about 3,500 years, and there is just about 1,500 pages of prophesy written in that time. God is not verbose. If someone is giving a message, usually the first sentence or the last sentence is the real message, the rest is the person elaborating on the message. We do not do God justice if we speak more than God directs us to speak. We can kill the message by trying in our power to explain it.


    Verse 13: I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city, and let My exiles go free, Not for price nor reward; Says the LORD of hosts.


    This is what God is going to do. God is powerful, he can take someone who does not know him, doesn’t even know God made him, and use him as God’s man. PROVIDENCE, ultimate sovereignty, use power and might to bring about what God wants. God’s Providence may not be in vogue theologically right now, but it is a practical reality.


    God will direct our efforts. The only time He won’t is if we refuse His guidance. Most people pray that they will see God’s face, they do not feel that His hands are enough. His hands are operating 24/7. Don’t reject God’s offering, working out a beautiful life for you.  God wants to meet all our needs in Jesus Christ. He wants to bring us to places we can’t get to on our own. God can’t separate His benevolence from His Glory. Seek God, read His Word, find out His provisions and promises and purpose for our lives. Don’t go off into a ministry until you fast and pray and make sure it is God’s will for you. Nothing God loves stays stagnant. When you find God’s purpose for you life (REMEMBER GOD’S PURPOSE, not your desire) then you command God to do it. But that is commanding God to do what He wants you to do. Remember, Adam gave over the title deed to Earth to satan. God needs us to ask Him to intervene for us, He cannot force Himself on us or on the earth at this time.


    Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.


    God plants the desire of our heart, we then pray, “Lord, I receive by faith, and expect (remember faith is expectation) you to do it, send angels, ministering angels, people into my path to help me to do your will.” This is based on a covenant with Adam, where God gave man dominion.


    Remember that Jonathan Edwards had a man who would go into a town a month before Jonathan Edwards came to the town. This man would intercede for the town and for a powerful revival to occur. When Jonathan Edwards came, he would call down the revival, and it would happen, because of the prayers, and the fact that it was God’s desire to have revival.


    Moses interceded for his people, reminding God what the Egyptians would say if God slayed the Israelites for their disobedience. God wanted Moses to intercede, to talk with Him about the situation.


    We serve a powerful God. Pastor Don always ends Bible study with the following affirmation:


    “Greater is He who is in me, than He who is in the world. I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. God is Love, God is Love, God is Love.”


    May you have a blessed day.


    Heather

  • Someone mentioned the problem of small type. Here is a great secret, hold down the CONTROL button, and move the dial on your mouse and you can increase and decrease the size of the type.


    Pastor Don’s Bible study for Last Sunday.


    Basically we read Zechariah 9 -12


    Note the following


    To the North: Lebanon


    To the East: Damascas


    To the South: Askalon, Gaza,


    To the West: Tyre and Sydon


    God is giving a call back to Israel, and he will reestablish His kingdom in Israel. No other nation that has passed into obscurity has ever come back. We do not know any Jebusites, Edomites, or any of the other “ites”. The nations are gone and their languages are gone, dead.


    Only Israel returned to the Land, and only Israel revived a language that was considered dead.


    There are denominations today that state that Israel is over and done with, they missed their chance when Jesus came. This is not true, and a careful reading of the scriptures will show that Israel will return and a remnant will be saved. God is true to His word, and His word states this. And the end time passages start with “In that day”. That day is what will be happening.


    The Israelites are looking for the “first coming” of the Messiah, and will probably accept the first one who can bring peace to the region – this unfortunately will be the antichrist, and that peace will be fleeting – seven years. But from Israel a remnant will remain.


    This land was promised to the Israelites, and the Muslims came along and re-wrote the history in such a way to state that they feel they have a claim on this.


    A reading of these passages seem to indicate that much of what is written here is happening today. What do you think?


    Heather

  • MyThumb asked about my testimony based on one of the answers below about my at one time being a witch. Here is the link if you are interested in the testimony:


    http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=wondering04&uid=362906464


    A while ago I offered to let people ask three questions and I would answer them. I have been answering questions in between Bible studies and notes from great teachers like Pastor Danquah. Tonight, although I have cool notes from today’s Bible study, I think I am going to answer another set of three questions, and then later on post the Bible study – Pastor Don taught it. It is a lot of notes and I want to take time to write them well.


    My offer still stands about answering questions, personal or whatever, as long as they are not offensive questions.


    Oscar asked the following four questions.



    When was the last time you witnessed to someone?


    I am not sure what you mean by witnessing to somebody. I am not a street evangalist, but tonight during a phone call with a friend who is not saved, I offered prayer for her as her husband lost a job. I reach out to people about Jesus, but mine is more of a friendship evangalism. There are times when I will speak to someone about God’s love that is a causual encounter, but mostly right now I am working with several groups of people who need God.


    First, as many of you know, I go into the High School twice a year and help out with kids and sewing. I have had many God encounters with kids there, and at times have mentioned God to some of the kids, to others I show them a love they have never seen. I really believe that love gets through. Most of the kids know that I am Christian, as they sometimes wonder what I do in my free time and I talk with them about Bible study.


    I am a Girl Scout Leader and involved with Boy Scouts – many of the kids and  parents do not go to church, and so there is ample opportunity to show God – the idea that your life illustrates God far more than your words. But at the same time I make no bones about going to Church, talking to them about God, sharing a bit here and a bit there.


    I belong to a local woman’s book club – this is my most fertile area for dealing with people. Many of the people are into the new age. They know my testimony, they know I am Christian, and they ask over the course of books (some of them I wish they did not select), being a Christian what is my point of view. Because they know that I have also been a witch and pagan, some of the books like Marion Zimmer Bradley’s book about the Arthurian legend, witches, etc, was of particular interest to them. I was able to share what I would have felt about the book before and after I became a Christian. One of the women walked out on God, from a legalistic church, and her father a pastor was caught in adultery. She once said to me, “Heather, what I like about you is that you seem to have a relationship with God, it isn’t about a particular denomination.” It is slow going with people in the new age, but hellfire and brimstone lectures would not reach them as much as curiosity would. Given my past, I know that people who preached at me made little impact, but those who loved me, reached through the barriers. I love these people.


    I talk with tellers in stores and offer prayer if they share problems. I try to be open to people and listen, and be there in love.


    What did you say?


    I think that I answered this above. But if given any moment to talk, I share what seems appropriate from my testimony. If I am talking with someone who is a spiritual healer in the new age, I might share that once I walked into Pastor Don’s office and told him “But, I am a good witch.” and explain that there is a big difference between God healing and healing in new age. It just depends. But most of the time it is friendship evangalism, where you drop a few words here and there. I do not hide Christianity, the people in my Girl Scout troop see me reading my Bible on trips that we take. I sometimes share a Bible story with them if it impacts what is happening. The kids who ride in my car are often listening to funny tapes that are Bible stories told in a way that kids enjoy. It just depends.


    How much do you pray each day?


    That varies, although to be honest never enough. When I wake up I pray, when I take a shower I am talking to God, when I am folding clothes I am talking to God, driving a car, seeing a sunset or sunrise or God shows me great cloud configurations and I congratulate him on his artistry. I pray before going to bed, and sometimes I pray over a news story, or something that touches my heart. I don’t think I spend hours at a time in prayer, but I am constantly talking with God. Lately He has been making me aware that I also have to spend more time sitting and listening. But God is often on my mind and mouth. And if I am not praying, I am singing songs to God. For a period of time God was giving me worship lyrics to common songs like Swanee River. It just varies.


    How much time  do you personally study the Bible?


    Time is such a hard concept to block out. I can’t say “X” number of hours a day, but the Bible studies of my own that I share on Xanga take about three hours to write and study. I read the Bible a lot, listen to teachings, and I can honestly say that I spend some time in the Bible each day – some days it is a half an hour, on wonderful days it could be up to 8 hours when all kids are gone fishing and I have alone time. It is my favorite thing to do. My fantasy is to try and figure out every place that Jesus is in the Old Testament – wondering what Jesus shared on the Road to Emmaus.


    Thank you for these questions,


    Heather


  • Pastor Danquah in front of Living Word Chapel.


     



    Pastor Danquah and his wonderful wife Charlotte – who sings beautifully.


     


    *********


     


    This is a continuation of Pastor Danquah’s teaching on the Fire of God from yesterday. Someone commented that they are happy I am using larger type. I had written this on my word processor, and will in the future try to type in larger type to make it easier to read. I have been so blessed by the visit of Pastor Danquah. Yesterday when I came home, I just sat and thanked God, there was such a peace and rest in my spirit that it was so refreshing. I am hoping that this teaching blesses you as much as it did me. And I thank you for your comments, this makes the teaching even deeper. Remember, God is seeking a deeper relationship with us. Here is the rest of Pastor Danquah’s message:


     


    Five Benefits of the fire:


     


    1.     Fire consumes – in a forest fire deer and animals run from the fire, but some animals get trapped and are burnt up. The Holy Spirit will consume the demons, sickness, oppression, power of the enemy and any entanglements of the enemy. We can be free because the fire destroys the work of the devil. If you are set free, you shall be free indeed. Life will never be the same. Demons cannot coexist with the fire of the Holy Spirit. But so often we give them rooms in our life. As long as we live in the world there are spirits that will tempt us. Even Jesus was tempted. We need to be humble and rest under the mighty hand of God. Resist the devil and he will flee. Then God’s glory will be seen. Let the devil feel uncomfortable in our lives. When the Holy Ghost comes among us, God is strong. We want to be holy for God. Do not let water quench the fire of the Spirit. Don’t quench the fire by your attitude. Remember your attitude determines your altitude. Be focused and serious about God so the fire burns.


    2.     Fire Purifies and Purges – Isaiah 4:4 When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning. God will cleanse his people by the spirit of judgment and burning. Imagine the refining of God. The impurities are burnt away through a process of intense heat and skimming off impurities. We want to let the fire burn away impurities so that we can be the gold that God wants us to be. If you keep the Holy Ghost fire burning inside of you, God will give us the gifts and ability inside of you, the manifestation of the Holy Ghost to chop off the bad things and make you more fruitful. It is a process that is not easy or simple. God will help you through the process and you will show God’s glory.  To make bread, the flour has to be beaten, the bread kneaded, and then the bread is put into the oven. The flour will not feel that the process is comfortable, but the end result is something that is good and refreshing. During church services, when your pastor preaches the Word of God, it can convict – you may feel that your pastor is telling your story to the congregation, but it is just the Holy Ghost helping someone to break free from something binding them. If your pastor is speaking only to you, he would call you to his office to talk, if he seems to be speaking to you in a service it is the Holy Ghost revealing something.


    3.     Fire Generates Power. You receive power when you pray. Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. When the Holy Ghost comes upon you, you will see a manifestation of service and working for the Lord. You will become dynamic for the Kingdom of the Lord. Lay hands on people, God will use you for His Kingdom. God wants to draw us to deeper encounters of the Fire of the Spirit. The fire will push us closer to God. The Prophet Jeremiah said that God’s word was like a fire.
    Pastor Danquah stated that in 1983 he was a school teacher and he had been fasting for a few days. Because of a problem in Ghana there was a curfew and the power of the Holy Spirit came upon him. It was very difficult because he wanted to go out and share God’s word, but had to remain in his house, vibrating with the spirit until the curfew was lifted. Ephesians 2:19-22 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone in whom the whole building, being fitted together grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. The fire lifts us up, and when it is burning inside of us we want to get the fire out of us, to share the Word of God. We can’t sit down without doing something for the love of God. We always release energy when the fire comes upon us.
    Acts 4:31-33 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. They prayed, the fire of God fell upon them, they were filled with the Holy Ghost and preached of God with boldness. The power of God is still powerful today. We want to sharpen ourselves for service, to cause us to be effective for God’s Kingdom.


    4.     Fire attracts the attention of believers and unbelievers. Remember the burning bush caught Moses’ attention. When you have the fire of God within you people notice something that can’t be described about you, you will find favor with people. They will want to be around you. Where there is no light the people perish. When your church has the fire of the Holy Spirit it will attract people. People will flock in. We want our fire to burn perpetually until Jesus comes.


    5.     Fire Brings Light, Divine Revelation, Illumination-Fire helps us to see beyond the natural. We are blessed because we know the outcome – that God wins. Paul said that he knows no man after the flesh, God shows him the spiritual things. Pastor Danquah told us that one time a woman who was into voodoo gave him five beautiful cooked fish for his family. He and his wife did not feel that they should eat the fish, so they threw it out. They did not know this woman was into voodoo, but the Holy Spirit told them that they should not consume the gift given by this woman. A few days later the woman came up to him and asked him why he didn’t eat the fish. Pastor Danquah smiled when he told us that there was no way that she would have known he hadn’t eaten the fish, except that there was a curse connected with the fish and it did not manifest on his family. That when we operate in the Holy Spirit, if we get a nudge from the Holy Spirit not to accept a gift or eat a particular food, it is important to honor that. Our spirit has discernment and will protect us. There are forces out there seeking to hinder God’s work on the earth.


    6.     The Fire of the Spirit Consumes Water. This seems odd because water can quench fire. Elijah in 1 Kings 18 challenged the priests of Baal about which God would accept a sacrifice. No matter what Baal’s priests did, their idol did not come down and consume the sacrifice. Elijah had an altar built, wood placed, and had barrels of water poured over the animal and altar and wood. The fire of God came down and consumed all. The people then acknowledged that God was God. Physical water can quench fire, but Spiritual fire can quench water. When you have problems that beset you, the Holy Spirit comes with the water of life, with the Holy Spirit and Fire, so that the burdens are consumed.



    ********


    Oh what a powerful message this was. When Pastor Danquah was finished preaching the air was vibrating with the power of the Holy Spirit. Many, many lives were touched this night.


     

    Don’t forget, if you are in Florida you can find his church: Christian Restoration Ministries Intl., 19255 NE 3rd Ave., Miami, Fl 33169 or email him at reveyim@yahoo.com If your church is ever desiring a truly blessed speaker, I highly recommend contacting him. He is a very anointed teacher and pastor

  • I am breaking Pastor Danquah’s message into two parts because it was a lot of information about the Fire of the Holy Spirit. Today I will give the preliminaries and tomorrow I will post five benefits of the Baptism of Fire.


    What an incredible evening that began with a remarkable testimony of what God has done. A man who had polio got up and told us that for the first time in years he spent a day without pain medicine. That last night God started shifting his bones around. It is so awesome  to see how God is healing this man. He came with an open mind, ready to be healed, and God came through for him. I am certain that God is continuing his healing as I write.


    Tonight was another incredible evening with Pastor Danquah. We have been so blessed to sit under his teaching and healing and prophesy ministry. Tonight’s message touched the lives of the hundreds of people who attended the meeting.


     


    THE BAPTISM OF FIRE


     


    Matthew 3:11-12 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.


     


    John the Baptist had a baptism of repentance, but Jesus has given us a baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. The word “baptism” comes from a word that means completely submerged. In the Bible there is no Biblical record about baptism by sprinkling – it was total submersion.


     


    Jesus totally submerges us under the Holy Ghost and fire. There is fire residing in your soul. Fire makes you be aglow. When you have the Holy Spirit fire your prayer life changes, your worship changes, how you come to church changes.


     


    So often in our lives when we receive this fire it doesn’t last long. We allow religion and tradition to quench the fiery part of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.


     


    Notice it is Holy Spirit AND fire. So often in our churches we wonder, where is the fire? Religion quenches the fire, tradition quenches the fire, the world system quenches the fire, and the American system of work and an active lifestyle quenches the fire. We get so busy in our lives that we feel we have no time for the Lord, we work too much and we lose what is most important, our relationship with the Lord.


     


    God places His Fire in our spirit. We must always stir up the fire inside of us by receiving a fresh anointing, and not let our oil run dry. God will anoint us with fresh oil. Lack of oil will quench the fire.  We can stir the fire by praying in the Holy Ghost. Jude 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. We can pray in the Spirit in our private prayer lives.


     


    As we keep the spiritual fire in our lives we will climb to a higher level with God. We can pray and have church in our bedrooms, in private. Hear spiritual music, instruments playing from heaven. Read the Bible and stir up the fire, fueling the fire in you. (Heather’s note: Pastor Don has often told us to come to church prayed up – that we need to walk in the doors filled with the Holy Spirit and fire, ready to worship).


     


    Pastor Danquah then told us that it is important to get back the fiery aspect of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes in churches there are religious tongues (tongues that do not proceed from the heart of worship but just for show). Where the fire of the Lord is, the Holy Spirit is in you and makes you fervent for the Lord, aglow for Jesus. No one has to force you to worship, no one has to force you to serve, you look for something to do to help out in the House of God. It makes you humble, you do not look for the honor of a position. You just want to serve.


     


    Fire changes your prayer life, you pray not only for yourself, but for each other. You will find your prayer life increasing. So many people pray for just five or ten minutes and then stop. If you are filled with the Spirit and fire, you take time to pray. You pray without ceasing. You possess a prayerful and powerful walk with the Lord. The devil will fear you, demons won’t touch you. If you are praying under a religious spirit, the demons will not be afraid of you. Remember the seven sons of Sceva who cast out evil spirits by the Jesus whom Paul preaches, and the evil spirit said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? When we know Jesus the devil knows that and will flee. If you are acting religious the demons will know.


     


    It is important for you to understand the benefits of the spirit. In church we should not come to sleep or fraternize, but to come and touch the presence of God, to receive a touch from the spirit. When you have the fire of the spirit burning in your life, your life is different. The passion of God is in your spirit. God wants us to come back to Him, to stir the fire. We want to leave here carrying the fire of the spirit within, and that will impact the world around us.


     


    If you have a stove that is hot, the flies will not land on it, for they will burn up. With the fire in you, you become a danger zone to the enemy. Fire makes ministry change. Fire helps a counselor reach a person with words that heal and a touch that heals. Fire causes our worship singers to reach souls. We need fire to make ministry affect the lives of people. Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of God. God’s spirit causes things to transform.


     


    While tending sheep, Daniel played his harp to God. His heart of worship produced a fire that caused change. He was able to defeat enemies, pray, and had a heart for God.


     


    Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.


     


    Pastor Danquah told us that in Ghana they have no choice but to put their life and trust in God. The country is poor and people have to work very hard to survive. They live maximized lives, having to trust God. They pray in the woods in buildings that have no roof. They walk miles to worship, and have a trust in God. They survive only because of the fire of the Lord.


     


    Here in our country, we want the fire back. We have become lax because we have a life standard that is richer than most countries. So we tend not to pray with the same fervency.


     


    We want the fire back. There is some fire in our hearts and when everyone comes to worship with fire, our worship changes, and our attitude changes. We get lost to the Lord. Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Our fire is quenched when we hide behind our spouse, our kids, the problems we face.


     


    In Acts the heavens were opened and the fire of Pentecost came pouring down. In our country comfort and luxury keep us from seeking the face of God. Muslims are allowed to confess their world view, share their beliefs. We tend to hide our faith because we want to blend in with the unbelievers, not stand out. We end up doing those things which can quench the Spirit.


     


    Wrong desire will be quenched by the fire of the Holy Spirit. If you catch this fire, it will spread like wildfire in the Church. Jesus used 12 disciples to reach the world, and there are many more disciples in our church. We need to carry the fire of the Holy Spirit to the world.


     


    Remember, tomorrow I will give the five benefits of the Baptism of Fire, and maybe a few pictures if Jim downloads them for me.


     


    I hope you have a blessed Friday,


    Heather


     

  • NEW PASTOR DANQUAH MESSAGE:


    I know that many of you are being blessed by what Pastor Danquah has been preaching. I wanted to share with you contact information for him – if you live in Florida you are lucky because you can attend his church. But Pastor Danquah has told me that he is also willing to come and speak at churches. Your church would definitely be blessed by the teachings he brings and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Many miracles have been manifested in our church.


    Pastor Emmanuel Eyim-Danquah
    Christian Restoration Ministries International
    19255 NE 3rd Avenue
    Miami, Florida 33169


    His email address: reveyim@yahoo.com


    THE CALL UNTO A DEEPER ENCOUNTER WITH THE LORD


    Every day Jesus is sweeter and sweeter to us.


    Ezekiel Chapter 47


    The vision of the holy waters


         1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
    2 Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
    3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
    4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
    5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
    6 And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.
    7 Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
    8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
    9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
    10 And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.
    11 But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
    12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.


    God is calling us to a deeper encounter with the Lord, to a deeper walk with Him.


    Psalm 42:7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and billows have gone over me.


    Deep will call us to deep, shallow to shallow. God wants us to come deep to Him. He wants us to have an overflow of His spirit, and go deeper. We can’t be the same when the waves wash over you.


    Shallow encounters with God leave you open to the distractions of the world. Many Christians are in the shallows. The Lord wants you to come deeper. When you are in the deep, you cannot leave His presence. In the shallow waters you are open to anxiety, worry, cares. In the deep your burden is in the hands of God. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 We must cast our cares on the Lord.


    In the shallow water we are consumed about the things around us. When we go deeper into the Lord, we will see the Glory of God. Life will never be the same again. An encounter with a supernatural God is a life-changing experience. To enter into the Glory of the Lord, will change you completely.


    Too many Christians come to church but never enter the presence of God. They stay in the shallows. The see worship, they are present in the physical, but their mind and hearts are not there. If we go deeper into our relationship with God, nothing will distract us, not music, not people, not mistakes, nothing. We come to do business with Jesus. Often in church there are some people who are seriously seeking to touch Jesus, but others are more interested in touching their spouse, talking with others, seeing what others are doing or not doing. We should be caressing Jesus, and not being distracted.


    There are benefits in going deeper. God is calling you, not just to feel good, but to change your life forever. With an encounter with God you will be changed.


    Jacob was a supplanter, deceiver, liar, and one night he had an encounter with an angel. God asked him what was his name (God knew, but he wanted Jacob to acknowledge), and then God changed his name to Israel. He became a priest and leader of the nation Israel. God removed Jacob’s hindrances and made Jacob what God desired him to be.


    Man looks to the outward appearances and condemns you. But if you search for God, God will take away your weakness and raise you up to what you can be. If you have an encounter with God, and with the power of God, nothing is impossible.


    It is not enough to know the seven laws of change, to know the Bible, to read the Bible, you must encounter God, and the Holy Ghost will come on you and change your life. God wants to use us, but we cannot let the things of the world entangle our lives, frustrate us. We must set our priorities right. God has a word to carry you to the next level.When you have an encounter with the Lord, the Lord will bless you.


    The gifts given to you become profitable (not just as in a paycheck), and they will take you places. Deep calls unto deep. God will give you grace and gifts that catapult you into greatness.


    In the above passage, Ezekiel opened his eyes and God showed him the temple, with water coming out from the east side of the altar. Often in the Bible, water symbolizes the Holy Spirit. This water was issuing out from the Lord, and the angel of the Lord had a measuring rod. The angel measured 1000 cubits and brought Ezekiel out – and the water was to his ANKLES, that is one level of encounter. Some will reach this level and stay there. Perhaps they talk in tongues, prophesy, lay hands on someone for healing, but they do not seek to go deeper with the Lord.


    God does not want us to stay in one place, He is constantly calling us to go deeper. If you do not go deeper, if you stay at a particular place, you may fall victim to pride, and end up backsliding. If you are staying in the same place you feel an emptiness, and dryness. If you feel you have ARRIVED, you are in danger of pride and backsliding.


    The angel measures out another 1000 cubits and Ezekiel finds himself in water up to his KNEES. He has gone deeper. God has taught him extra things, deeper revelations, and at each stage of new revelations it is possible to stay stagnant and fall into pride. We must humble ourselves for there are deeper places to go. God has great depths to reveal to us if we allow Him to do so.


    Another 1000 cubits and Ezekiel is in up to his loins. When we go to the Lord it often involves sacrifice in ourselves. We must not let something come between us and God, we need to be fully focused on what God wants to do in our lives.


    God will look at our hearts and desires before he blesses us. If our hearts are right, we don’t need to worry about blessing. Blessing is for all. We need to have faith and know that our blessing will come, no matter what the outward circumstances seem to indicate.


    God removes obstacles in our life so He can work in our life. Often satan will try to give you obstacles so that you miss your supernatural encounter with God.


    Then Ezekiel ends up in a river – where he has to swim. Small water from the altar expands into a river. John 4: 13-14 “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”


    John 7:37-38 If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.


    Rivers of water flowing will affect our lives. Some might call us crazy for our worship, but praise God anyhow. Seek to go deep into God, not into fraternization. God is calling us to swim.


    Jude 20 we are to pray in the Holy Spirit and as Paul said in 1 Corinthians, we need to pray with understanding and pray in the Spirit. Speak mysteries to God, sing in tongues, interpret tongues. God will take you to different realms. We are to wallow in the Holy Ghost.


    Ezekiel 47:8 there is benefits to being in the presence of God. The Holy Spirit will bring life to a desert situation, causing the desert to bloom again. When we feel dry with no fruitfulness, we can walk with God and pray and praise Him. Then the rivers will overflow into the dry situations.


    The waters will reach the sea, and the waters will heal. God wants lives to feel the effects of the healing waters that flow from our lives.


    Ezekiel 47:9 anything that the waters touch will overflow with blessing. When we go deeper with God it will overflow into our business, our marriage, our ministry, our children, and whatever you touch. God wants us to be like a tree planted by the living waters.


    Personalities and people will not make you prosper, only the power and favor of the Lord will prosper you.


    A dry Christian walk without the presence of God is like an empty box. It has nothing.


    Remember the Ark of the Covenant. God’s presence was with the Ark. During a war with the Philistines, the Israelites were defeated. The priests, who had profaned God with their sinful actions, began to believe that power rested with the Ark – and during defeat, they called for the ark to be brought into the battle. But, because of the abominations of the priests, the Glory of God was not with the ark, it was just an empty box. They lost the battle and ultimately lost the ark for a period of time. The Israelites had made an idol of a box (the ark), instead of seeking God.


    Samson, spent time with a Philistine girl and was seduced to admitting that the source of his strength was in his hair. He had lost the presence of God, and did not even realize that the Glory of God had departed from him. He ended up being blinded by the Philistines. When we lose our deep encounter with God, we are subject to spiritual blindness.


    Sometimes believers carry on as if they still have a close encounter with God and don’t realize that the Glory of God had departed. We cannot stand up to the devil with an empty box, for the devil can then slap us down. When our vision is taken away we are useless. Where there is no vision the people perish. We need the anointed presence of God, which gives us vision. Then satan cannot prevail.


    Don’t be a powerless Christian without the anointing. Live in God’s presence. David asked God to not take the Holy Spirit away from him. The anointing of the Lord helped David to face the Philistines. God is our strength, and the source of our fruitfulness.


    We want to swim in the river. God wants us to have a craving for Him, as the deer pants for the water. The desire for God will help to turn a dry Christian walk into fruitfulness and blessing. Then wherever the soles of our feet tread we can possess. What matters is not how you look, but it is the presence of the Lord that makes a difference.


    Call unto deeper encounters with God. Hearts desiring for deeper things of God are united. And as it says in Ezekiel 47:10 there are many fish in the river. Fish are people, and we are to be fishers of men. The anointing will attract people to the Church, to be saved. Every fish wants to be in the water. When the water recedes, the fish seek the deeper water. God wants us to put ourselves into a place where God can use us.


    Verse 12 – Rivers produce trees for meat. When we avail ourselves for God, God makes us fruitful. We will be meat for the people and people will see how fulfilled our lives are. These trees are also medicine for the healing of the people. People who are broken and hurting can come to the waters to be healed.


    Dry Christians find fault with many things, with each other, they gossip, they complain. When they heed the call to the supernatural encounter with God, their focus changes. They will never be the same when the power of God flows through them. Their hard hearts will be broken, and they will have the heart of God. Let God change you, don’t fail the call. The past is the past, the old is past, God comes to encourage you, to change you. Step out of the old life and into the next arena that God has provided for you. Let God use you. God is not a respecter of persons, he will use any and all who open themselves up to Him. He does not care who you were before you were born again. The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy, but God wants to use you for good. Do not fall pray to the American system, don’t get entangled with the things of the world. Have a deeper encounter with God and have a life-changing experience.


    **************


    This was another awesome and empowering teaching. So often we can stay in one spot, resting on our accomplishments instead of seeking a deeper encounter with God. The faith to let God take you into deeper water is so necessary for our usefulness to Him. I pray that God helps me to let go of the things that hold me to the shallows, and let me trust Him to take me into the deep where I have to depend solely on Him.


    Have a blessed night,
    Heather

  • NEW PASTOR DANQUAH TEACHING!!!


    I wish you could be here to listen to the teaching of Pastor Danquah. He is an enlightened prophet and evangelist, and when he spoke, the Holy Spirit moved strongly in church tonight.


     


    DILIGENT SEEKER


     


    Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.


     


    The Lord wants us to put more effort in seeking Him, and when you seek Him, you will find Him.


     


    Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?


     


    In our area we have an abundance of deer. When a deer is thirsty it will cross the road regardless of the danger. It may get run down by a car, but if it is thirsty it goes toward the water with a singleness of purpose. In the winter it will walk through ice and snow to seek water. And it will keep seeking until it is satisfied.


     


    God has placed a desire for Him in our heart, and we are looking for God. We are yearning to see God. The flesh fights against this desire. And yet our hearts are asking when shall we come before God?


     


    Matthew 16:26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?


     


    If we seek God first, the rest will follow. We are to call upon God in times of trouble and He will answer. But we should not only seek Him in times of trouble or need. We have to daily seek Him.


     


    Psalm 91:15 He shall call upon me and I will answer him. I will be with him in time of trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.


     


    God will answer us and deliver us in the times of our trouble. We will call God, He will hear, He will answer, He will deliver, and He will honor us.


     


    SEEK DILIGENCE


     


    This is not a casual seeking, a seeking only in need, come to church at our convenience, pray when we want to pray, avoid fasting, and live life as we seek.


     


    Diligence is showing a strong, steady, endless care and effort. If you seek in one place and it isn’t there, you seek in another place until you find what you are looking for.


     


    God does not always reveal him self in an obvious fashion. Sometimes he hides and we must seek Him. He will hide to see how diligently we will seek Him, how much effort we are willing to put out to find him.  The promise is that we will be able to find God when we seek Him. It is a matter of faith to find God, of not giving up no matter what the circumstances appear to be, of seeking after the Lord continually. Your miracle is around the corner.  Don’t give up on your desires and visions.


     


    Diligence means denying the self of comfort and investing the extra effort to obtain your goal. You cannot diligently seek God lying on a sofa with the remote control in your hand.



    Remember Jacob wrestled with an angel. He did not let go of the angel until he got blessed. The angel touched Jacob’s hip and put it out of joint, but Jacob still held on. He kept holding on until the angel blessed him. The angel changed his name from Jacob (heel snatcher) to Israel.


     


    The solution is God. Help comes from God not man. We must keep seeking God, and if we do, we will see miracles that blow our minds.


     


    Jacob wanted a change in his situation, a change that God could provide. God will bring change, if we seek God. God will reward anyone who comes to Him with diligence.


    God is an expert in changing people’s names. God lifts people’s lives up when they are sunk in despair.


     


    Jesus, after his Baptism in the River Jordan, went into the wilderness for 40 days of fasting and seeking God. One drop of God’s anointing changes you. It is not by might, or by power, but by God’s strength that change occurs.


     


    Moses went up into the mountain for 40 days and received a touch of the Lord. When He came back down his face was glowing and the people could not look at him.


     


    If we seek God diligently we will never be the same again, and the Glory of God will shine through us.


     


    Daniel prayed for 21 days before the angel of the Lord came to him to answer his prayer. Had Daniel given up praying, the angel would not have come. The angel was delayed by demons.


     


    We have to realize that there are demons in America, demons that would like nothing better than to destroy a person’s relationship with God. All we have to do is look at what is happening in our country, look at the spiraling divorce rates, the violence that is rampant, and the new age phenomenon. These demons are here to seek and destroy our faith, and it takes diligently seeking God to put the demons in their place. We must realize that our God is greater than any demon. The spirit of antichrist is ready to step forward, to take us away from the truth of God.


     


    We must be serious Christians, under prayer, and seeking after God to navigate in this world. The devil wants to destroy our joy.


     


    The disciples sought God for many days after Jesus was risen from the dead. He told them to seek and be of one accord, and the Holy Spirit came to them in the upper room. Had they not sought God, they would have missed this blessing.


     


    SEEK GOD, faith is a conductor. We can’t see God physically, we see God with our spirits.


     


    Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.


     


    God is with us, even when we don’t see Him with our senses. We do not live by sight and feelings or we will miss God. We will spend our lives asking why was God not doing that, why did God not intervene, Why, Why, Why? We cannot look at our circumstances, we have to look at God through our faith. To believe that God is with us. If we have faith in God, we can move mountains. God is alive. We have to walk by faith, live by faith, and believe God.


     


    Luke 5:18-26 is the story of the four men and their paralyzed friend. The faith of those men was so strong that they wanted to get their friend to Jesus for healing. They ended up cutting a hole in the roof, and lowering their friend down. Their faith caused the man’s healing.


     


    Your faith must be seen by God, not something that you hold secretly inside. Faith has action, faith has legs, faith walks. Faith without works is dead. We have to take a step in faith and God will honor and reward that faith.


     


    Some days we will seek God and not feel anything. Even so, we must keep seeking and keep looking for God. At the end of it God will reward us. We have to watch our attitudes, watch our desire and our zeal.


     


    Often we receive our blessing by faith in the spirit, and it may take time to see it in the physical. The world was a thought in the mind of God before it became a physical world. Often changes happen in the spiritual before they occur in the physical.


     


    2 Peter 1:3-4 As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.


     


    God HAS GIVEN (past tense), he is not going to give (future tense). This is a done deal, it has already occurred. God declares that the thing is done. It is up to us to believe God and take by faith what belongs to us. Reward is about to come.


    Mark 5:25, the woman with the issue of blood, went to many doctors for her healing and they could do nothing. She diligently sought Jesus, saying that if she could just touch the hem of His garment, she would be healed. We cannot seek from man our healing, it is God who provides our healing, we must reach out to God to grab our healing.


     


    I KNOW I WILL BE HEALED, she said. With God nothing is impossible.


     


    BELIEVE WHO GOD IS. Without faith it is impossible to please God, we have to believe that HE IS (present tense), not was, not a has been, GOD IS. God IS a PRESENT help in our need. He is there to help us with our lives, our business, our families, our marriage. He never changes, he is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.


     


    He is Jehovah Rapha, the healer, he is Jehovah, the God of Victory, He is our protector, our shepherd, our guide. He orders our steps, and if we are guided by God our steps are ordered for our good. Many of us are losing our blessing because of disobedience.  We need to sacrifice our pride. We need to be humble even with a person who gets on our nerves, someone who is not a pleasure to be around. If we treat them right, we do not close doors that might be necessary for our blessing to come.  God knows our future, and knows the connections that we need. The connector is the Holy Ghost, and his power is within you. God will reward you for diligently seeking Him.



     


    I have to tell you that this talk blessed me and touched on a few areas that I need to work in in my life. I guess as I hold my life up to the concept of diligence, I see that I am not always as diligent as I could be. There are times when I give up too easily.


     


    I am still working at the idea that God would want to bless me. I think there is still a fear that if I asked God my heart’s desire, He might refuse and I am afraid of a refusal. I guess there are still areas to work on.


     


    And yet, when I take a peek backwards in my life, I realize just how far God has brought me, and I am grateful. Not only that but I get to sit under the teachings of great teachers like Pastors Don and Danquah, and Ted. I have to believe that God will continue healing my inner hurts, and give me the knowledge I need.


     


    My biggest heart’s desire is just to be a blessing to others and help them to learn about how much God loves them.


     


    Have a blessed night,


    Heather


     

  • Are you ready for a feast of Bible studies??? Right now I have notes from many things to share with you and there will be more. Pastor Danquah is visiting from Florida and will be speaking Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. He spoke today. Between him and Pastor Don’s Bible study, we have wonderful teachings.



    Here is a picture from Last Year – To the left  Pastor Danquah, to the far right is Pastor Don Moore, and in the middle is Rev. Pat Roach.


    I am going to post Pastor Danquah’s study today.


    THE PRIORITY OF CHOOSING A MAXIMIZED LIFE


    If we put these concepts into practice we can turn around our life.


    1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.


    Pastor Danquah pointed out that the passage does not say WHOMSOEVER, but WHATEVER.  This passage is applicable not only to human beings, but to our missions, desires, and what we do for God, our dreams and visions. Remember, once we are saved we are under God’s protective covering. Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph. See tomorrow’s victories and successes, not today’s challenges.


    As God’s servant, the Bible mandates our overcoming the world. You cannot afford to fail. There is a Higher Power (The Holy Spirit) behind you to help you succeed, no matter what the obstacles are. You can overcome any situation because your God is bigger than your situation.


    Our faith and trust in God is what will give us the confidence to overcome the obstacles. When we come to Christ, we were not promised a life without persecutions or challenges, but we can overcome these obstacles and live a maximized life.


    Pastor Danquah reminded us that we have a limited amount of time on the earth. Psalm 90:9-14 For all our days have passed away in your wrath; we finish our years like a sigh. The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years. Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away.  Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? And have compassion on your servants. Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!


    We have to realize that if we want to get the most out of our lives we cannot fritter away our time, we have to maximize our days. Ask God to show us how to number our days, how to order our days to the the most service for Him. We want to use our days to the maximum for the church, to shine God’s light to the world outside the church, to make an impact in this life, to have a life full of meaning.


    Maximize means strength of character that enables us to keep believing, planning, thinking, working to experience your fullest potential in the face of less than optimal circumstances, against the odds. Don’t let anyone take or destroy or hinder what God has for us.


    Potential that is not used is dormant. Don’t give up until your full potential is realized. Keep praying, working. Keep on until you reach your promised land.


    The devil will not let you have it easy and will try to make difficult for us to implement God’s vision. If God is with me, I can make it! Only God’s word opens up understanding.


    There are four steps to know how to get the understanding of what God’s vision is for us.


    1. Revelation of the Lord from his Word. A revelation from God means that a miracle is about to happen. We must obey the revelation, let the Holy Spirit guide us. The gift of miracles is preceded by revelation. Before faith can work, we have to have a revelation from God, and then obey this revelation, and a miracle will follow. God is our leader.


    2. We need a role model. To see revealed truth lived out in the life of somebody who you can model yourself after. One of our best role models is our pastor, for we are the sheep and he is the shepherd.


    3. Regimen of faith, a systematic application of truth. We need to apply our truths systematically, over and over. Follow the precepts of the Lord, not give up after a few tries and say to yourself that it isn’t working. I prayed once or twice and God didn’t answer my prayer, so stop praying. The Bible works, scripture is truth. God cannot lie.


    4. A righteous resolution. Decide that for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Follow our vision, the guidance of the pastor, what God shows us. When we get a vision, the pastor can’t make it happen for you. You must do the necessary steps in obedience to God in order for the thing to happen. Resolve to follow Jesus’ plan for your life.


    To make your vision come true there are seven laws that need to be put into application.


    1. The Law of Perspective: we tend to believe what we see and focus on consistently. If you focus consistently on your adversity, on the challenges, on your failings, that is what will occur. If you focus on the Word of God, on the truths taught in the Bible, on what your vision and goal is, you will begin to make that happen. Psychologists say that it takes four years for things that we see and hear to affect us. So the changes in us are often a process, taking time. That is why we have to keep our focus, our perspective no matter what the circumstances. You have to create and maintain a vision of where you want to go before you get there. Don’t look at the obstacles or problems. Only look at what God showed you. The laws and God’s plans were set down before you were born. Make sure what you watch and take in edifies your spirit. Sight deals with the eyes and vision with the heart. We have to look at what is inside our heart.  Given our short time period of life, we do not want to be distracted from our vision by focusing on things that do not promote our vision. Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen


    In Genesis, Abraham, after Lot departed, was told to lift up his eyes and he would possess all that he could see. God wanted Abraham to expand his vision. When Abram asked God about his seed, God pulled him out of his tent and expanded his vision by having him count the stars.


    Don’t look at the problem, that is the small vision, look rather to God’s grand vision for us.


    2. Law of Passion – pursue with all your might and you will find the initiative and urgency to accomplish your goal. Passion will see you through the tough situations.
    Jesus in the flesh would not like the experience of Calvary, but Jesus’ passion was to save us, and when He prayed, He saw our salvation, and that gave Him the courage to take those steps to the cross. Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus kept the goal in mind, our salvation, and also the reward.


    3. Law of Priority. What you choose as an object of your focus, arranging your life to give maximum attention to your vision, increases your chances of success. Don’t spend time on things that don’t help your vision. If you want to be a millionaire, you will not get it just listening to a sermon, or watching soaps on the TV. You need to apply God’s principles and action to achieve your goal. Don’t focus on the minimums. If you put God first, the rest will follow. God and serving God must be your first priority. God will never disgrace us if we put Him first. We should not put our own agenda before God’s agenda. We can’t live out the Christian walk without following our shepherd. A measure of respect to your pastor will be met with a measure of blessing to you. Put God first. Phillipians 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Forget what is behind you and focus on your future goal.


    4. The Law of Petition. God wants us to pray and talk with Him about those things we desire. Matthew 7:7-8  Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.


    When we pray, make a righteous cry unto God, He hears us. Psalm 34:17-19 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.


    We have to remember to call upon God in the day of our trouble. When we have great trials and troubles we have to remember that God can do great things, things that we can’t even conceive of in our own minds.


    Remember the prayer of Jabez, 1 Chronicles 4, where Jabez asked God to enlarge his territory, to make a change in his life. God is more than able to do what is seemingly impossible. When you have troubles and God doesn’t seem to be answering, don’t throw in the towel. Keep petitioning Him.


    5. Law of patterns: Using a proven plan of action, out of a pure heart, and you will attain similar results. Evaluate your priorities, and keep doing what has been proven to work, even if circumstances do not seem to be changing. We have to follow Him with faith and patience.  Learn from a person who has had successes in your area of vision, learn from Biblical, historical, and contemporary patterns. Apply them in your life,


    6. The law of  profession. Words which are spoken can affect our outcomes. The power of life and death is in our tongues. We will have what we speak. And we will eat the fruit of our words. If we are speaking positive things, positive fruit. If we are critical, condemning, negative, that is the fruit of our tongue that we will eat. Far better to speak God’s promises and Words. into a situation. Mark 11:23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.


    Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful.


    7. Law of progression. Consistent effort of a person’s plan of action will gradually cause your plan to succeed. Praying in tongues, going to church, reading the Bible, listening to a sermon on it’s own will not help. What needs to happen is a consistent putting what you have learned into practice.


    Moses was a maximizer – he followed God’s direction in the face of adversity – the Red Sea, etc.


    Jehosephat faced four nations against him.


    Paul was put into prison and persevered in getting the truth out.


    If you are determined to go with God, God will go with you. Sometimes the circumstances do not seem all that victorious, being in prison, Jesus being led to the wilderness after the Holy Spirit came down after baptism. When satan realizes that we are effective for God’s kingdom, he will send circumstances to try and stop our growth, to stop our victory. We have to stare down our adversary, and know that we have a greater God. Philipians 1:28 …and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.


    I hope these notes bless you as much as they have blessed me. I think over the next few days Pastor Danquah will be sharing more on these topics, but this is a good overview of a lifetime’s worth of work.


    Have a blessed day.


     


  • Becky asked what was meant when God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you.” I thought I would give you what Pastor Don Moore wrote about “grace” in his book Christianese /’kris-ch  n-’eze/ language of the believers. (You can see more about the book at http://www.ihnministries.org/publications.html )


    Page 39-40 “The Bible says, “ye are saved by grace” )(grace is empowering ability of God bestowed upon the believer as unmerited favor of the goodness and the kindness of God) “through faith, lest any man should boast”. (Ephesians 2:8)


      Grace: In the church “unmerited favor” is the most common definition, but further clarification is needed. It is God’s pleasure to empower us, show us favor and give us exceedingly wonderful gifts. Holy Ghost power is a demonstration of grace in the life of the believer. The church would be much stronger if it would realize that unmerited favor is mercy but grace is the ability to access and demonstrate the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Jesus told the Apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you”. Therefore, grace is not just favor but is the bestowed blessing that is given due to favored status. Jesus was telling Paul to use his own Faith to bear up under the attacks of satan’s messenger and go on to defeat his enemy.


       Mercy:  is defined as God’s kindness and favor to the undeserving. Well, this is no different than “unmerited favor”. This error (of using the same meaning for grace and mercy) has been overlooked for years; probably because another definition for grace would force a change in theology and thinking. Many denominations teach a Gospel of suffering and salvation through poverty, illness, weakness. So we end up with “God is merciful and gives grace to suffer through to a Heaven we don’t deserve. Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” is often cited as evidence of God’s reluctance to heal and the suffering fate of believers. A careful reading of the passage, 2 Corinthians 12:7-12, shows that Paul was troubled, tormented, afflicted and opposed by a demonic spirit that influenced the people in the places he went to preach. There is no evidence that his “thorn” was physical illness. In verse 9 the Lord tells him, “My grace is sufficient for you.” The Lord says is sufficient. In the Strong’s Concordance, we see the word grace is 5485 “Charis…the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life including gratitude, acceptable, benefit, favor gift.” God affects man’s heart by giving him grace as defined above and this is then reflected in the man’s life. This grace comes with gifts and benefits – empowerment, not suffering. True grace can impart to one a supernatural ability to be longsuffering, but one can also be an overcomer. Paul states in 2 Timothy 3:10-11 “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at (Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra) – what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me”. We see that Paul was delivered, showing that God’s grace was sufficient once Paul received it and acted upon it. God’s grace empowered Paul and God’s mercy qualified Paul to receive the power.


    *****************************


    Hope that is helpful. Sometimes I think we sell God short by not realizing the fullness of the Words that He uses in His Scripture.


    Have a blessed Sunday,


    Heather