Words of Knowledge

I was reflecting on some of my first few words of knowledge and the stories behind them.

My first word of knowledge:    SORE BACK

We were in church and we were asked to look around the room and see if the Lord impresses on us anything for someone in the congregation. I looked around and over the other side of the room I saw an older gentleman (55yrs approx.) who I hadn’t seen before sitting next to a couple who went to the church.  I felt that he had something wrong with his back.  We were encouraged to get up and call out what we were getting but I was fearful. At the end of the service I was talking to the girl of the couple and she said that the older gentleman was her dad, visiting for the first time.  I asked Angelina that when I looked around the room my sights stopped at her dad and I felt that he had a bad back.  She said to me that he has a very bad back and she was excited because the Lord had picked him out.  She ended up telling him what I saw and he was encouraged that this took place.  It was his first time in church and hence he was also very wary about the things of God.

My second word of knowledge:   YOU ARE PREGNANT

It was again a church setting and this couple was in my home group. They were having trouble conceiving and it was causing some heartache.  They already had one child but dearly wanted another. In the meantime I had bought a book from Koorong called ‘Healing the Sick’ by TL Osborn and it really impacted me. One day I felt to lend this book to the lady to read.  So I left it with her.  A few months later I was sitting in church, Marissa had finished reading the book at this stage, and we were on other sides of the room.  I had such a great urge to stand up in the middle of the service and the congregation and yell out to her ‘you are pregnant, you are pregnant’ but I didn’t.  A few weeks later they told everyone that she was pregnant and she ended up having a girl.

Another word of knowledge:    YOUR CALLING - TEACHER

It was at a time where I was on a trip to Adelaide for a church conference. I had met one of the girls new to the church, who I didn’t know really well, and it so happened that she ended up being my flat mate for a couple of years following on from this.  During the ride home from Adelaide to Sydney, going through the inland road home, I asked the Lord, ‘what do you see for Imelda’. And I instantly got a picture of her sitting on a chair with children around her and some of them with their arms raised like they were in school.  I thought, wow, she is a teacher.

So during and from this time she was not sure what she wanted to do in life. She worked, and years on, once we stopped sharing, she started studying. First she went to bible college and then she did a counselling type course, but now, just now, 16 years after that picture, she is heading toward her final year of study for a teaching degree for primary school children.  I emailed her last year, I felt to encourage her to keep going with what she was doing and told her the picture I had all those years ago.  She was very encouraged.

There is more, but that is all I can think about right now.

With the first word of knowledge, it would have been best for me to pray for him.  But, still, in him knowing, he was blessed that it was revealed, as he was seeing that it was God that did the revealing.

In the 2^nd word of knowledge, because I had such an excitement and urge bursting in me, I don’t know if it would have been right for me to get up in the middle of church, but again I think I spoke to them after.  But it truly was a God miracle.

With the 3^rd word of knowledge, I think it again is an encouragement, both to me and to my friend, especially at the place she was at when I revealed that vision to her. But also I can see that the Lord will give me other prophetic utterances for people.

The key in this one was to remember to ask!

Favourite preachers at the moment

I've been enjoying some encouraging preaching lately.

I've been listening to Graham Cooke - prophetic ministry encouraging people to keep their eye's on Jesus and to see their prophetic promises come to pass, and to operate in the prophetic.

I've been listening to Dan Mohler.

What started me listening to Dan was the wife of one of the pastor's of my church. She had been listening to Dan. I was talking to her about generational curses and curses in general and my concern with regards the emphasis which people have in searching out curses and looking for the demonic in people.

I read in Exodus where God was giving the 10 commandments and He said the following

For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

When I saw this I immediately thought, 'of those who hate Me' the generational curse extends. So I thought that for those who love the Lord there is mercy and to thousands. And I thought about Jesus who is cursed for us, so we could have relationship with God, joined to Him.  I have also other scripture that say that God will not punish the fathers for the iniquities of the son's or the son's for the iniquities of the father.  Plus other scriptures.....

I do believe that the enemy can have a hold of people, and I have see deliverance take place, but I would so encourage people to be renewed in their thinking and to let the Word transform them. And to even be careful of what they believe, as you can enforce and idea based on what you think.

I also have seen the work of the Holy Spirit in peoples lives bringing clarity and truth for the Word to transform, so I am not necessarily separating the Word from the Spirit.

Just some thoughts I've had, which go much deeper than this, but this is enough for tonight.  :)

This is an 8min video where Dan is discussing curses.

Peace Presence Power

I kept getting the words ....

Peace    Presence   Power

 

 

I was thinking about this, as a born again believer we need to remain in His peace for others and ourselves.  We have been given the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, the word of God directs us to walk in peace, live in peace, be in peace with each other.  The enemy wants to try to steal our peace. 

 

I am not sure if it should be in the order with peace first, should it be presence, peace, power?

 

I can see that too.

 

But I think in what I am trying to reflect, when we see other's going through things or ourselves, if we don't get caught up in the situation but remain in His peace, we can know His presence and His power into the situation.

 

When situations arise around us and we get out of peace we can tend to loose the thought and idea of His presence.  We get out of our spirit and into our head and emotions.  As a born again believer we must remember that we have His presence already within us by the Holy Spirit.  But we can loose that sense of His presence when our soul's are being driven by situations.

 

So if we remain in peace despite what is happening, and look to His presence in any given situation, then we can be assured and know His power and see God work.

Now I just quickly want to touch on.....

 

Presence   Peace   Power

 

To even walk in the peace of God we firstly need His presence.  We must be born again of the Spirit of God where he will give us a deposit of Faith.   The word of God then tells us that He will give us the peace that surpasses all understanding and there are many references to the peace of God, it being a fruit of the Spirit.

 

So, as born again believer's as we walk in Him, we should manifest peace, and there is power in this. Knowing that God is God. The same God who created Mankind, the same God who delivered the Israelites out of 400 years of bondage and took them into the promised land.  The same God who gave His Son Jesus Christ to be crucified, so that many could come to faith in Him and receive the Spirit of God and His presence.  This Spirit living in you is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.  This very Spirit makes us alive to God. It is so important to be born again of the Spirit of God through believing in the Son whom God sent.

 

If you have not been born again or are unsure that you are - that you are saved only by the life of Jesus Christ, then feel free to say this prayer which will help you acknowledge that you want to live this new life in God, connected to Him, walking with Him - and then look for a bible believing church that will help you grow in the knowledge of who He is and help you become all that God intended you to be and walk in Victory in Him.

 

Prayer of Salvation

 

Clicking the above link will take you to a website that will explain all about the steps that you are taking.  I encourage you to take the step as it is the only true freedom you will ever know. 

Little Leadings

A friend posted something the other day. It was how the Lord led him and it reminded me of something that the Lord led me with the other week.

On Thursdays I get to hang out with some very inspiring people and I am honored to be able to take them through a couple of modules for a program they are in.

I had been wanting some one on one time. That morning I felt promoted by the Lord to take all my notes for the 12 sessions for the courses. I usually only take what I need.

I left the folder in the car and when I was about to start the second course one of the administrators asked if I had time to do a one on one with one of the guys so he could finish that part of the course. Therefore, it so happened that I brought my notes and was able to go to the particular lesson with preparation because the Lord had prompted me that morning.

So I did 3 courses that day which included a one on one, my prayer answered and I was prepared.

God is good.   Listen for His voice and those inner promptings.

He often prepare us before hand!

There's a Season and a Reason

 

I was thinking about this earlier today whilst walking.

That God takes us through seasons and in it, He's working out the reason.

(Not that He doesn't know the reason, but it's effect is being worked out in us).

To teach us, shape us, change us, grow us, to remove things, to instil things, to prepare things. He aligns people, uses circumstances, and we can trust Him with and in the process.

 

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”  Eccl 3:1a

 

#Jesus  #growth  #trust   #Hispurposes   #life

 

 

Picture taken at Burleigh Beach

01  July  2016

Leave your baggage behind

During a group worship time this week I saw this picture.

It was of a person carrying an old suitcase. The person walks to the kerb and in a short moment a bus comes along. The person, 'leaves that old case on the kerb', gets on the bus with a looking forward not looking back. The doors shut, and the bus pulls away on to the next destination.

It was a picture where people can at times carry a bag holding things of the past and still be defined by them; shame, things that created pain, memory of sin, etc.

So, to me it was an encouragement for people in their journey with Jesus to leave those things behind. I love the word in Isaiah..."don't remember the former things, don't consider the things of old, behold I do a new thing" (Is 43:18).

Sometimes it seems hard to not pick up the old stuff again, and sometimes, to even let it go in the first place. But trust God's word when He says you are a new creation. Let Him do the work in you.

So if you are carrying some stuff, step into the freedom that is yours in Christ. Leave that old case there on the kerb.... don't look back and don't go pick it up again.

And for some help, some lyrics of an old song came to my thoughts as I wrote this..
If the enemy starts to remind you of your past (don't listen), you just remind him of his future.

(Carman - Revival in the Land).   :)

 

Encouragement - I am unlocking you!

Word of encouragement from Leon Bites.   06/2016

I heard the Spirit of the Lord say,

 

‘There is unlocked potential in you and promises spoken over you that have been unfulfilled. But see now ...that I am taking the keys and unlocking the dusty chest to release these things. You are going to form new skills and abilities that you never knew you had, even in areas that you struggle in, and promises once spoken over you are going to come to pass.’

 

This is a journey that He wants to take with you.

 

That you would sit with him when He opens the chest, to find the hidden potential together. And that you would co-work with God, to move and grow in these previously unknown abilities and know the promises that are going to be fulfilled.

 

For, just like a parent, God enjoys and loves seeing you thrive and do well with what you have. He wants to share in the joy with you as you rediscover yourself, and see blessings come into your life......Lion Bites

 

..................................................................................................................................................................

This was an encouragement that I saw on my FB page and it spoke to me.  I can see the Lord doing things in my life now, and thankfully I am responding like I have not done in the past.  I am responding with FAITH, and with obedience more than fear.

 

I have been asked to facilitate and share with new Christians and people who have gone through tremendous tough times the foundational studies in God.  This is all wonderful but I have always felt like...

 

Moses:        'Lord, I can't speak'.

 

Jeramiah:    'Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth'

 

even though Jeremiah used the reason for I am a youth I have only just now seen that reason.  All I could see were my reasons... reason's why I can't speak.  Why I am not qualified.

 

But God said to  Jeremiah:

 

"Do not say, 'I am a youth' (or I am this or that), For you shall go to all to whom I send you. And whatever I command you, you shall speak.  Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you," says the Lord

 

But God said to  Joshua:

 

"Be strong and of good courage, Only be strong and of good courage, and finally...

Have I not commanded you, "Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go".

 

 

It must be the Lord as I am walking through the fear and stepping out in FAITH.  I prepare the lesson and each time I drive to the ministry centre I am praying, Lord, today, give me the anointing to teach, to speak, to comprehend and share what I know is in my heart and spirit.  Holy Spirit, speak through me the words that the class needs to hear and be encouraged with.

 

Last week, although I have notes as a guide it was important to asked myself, what do I know that is real to me on this topic, so that insight flows from my heart to the heart of those here.

 

So, at the end, as we were packing up I heard one of the guys say 'that was mad' but meaning GOOD.  And I thought, thank you God, thank you.  Thank you Holy Spirit.

 

I was reminded of a time (approx. yr 2002) when I was listening to a visiting speaker and in his sharing a scripture, I knew that God was speaking to me as I felt the fire of God from the top of my head to the tip of my toe and it sat on me for a short while.  I was emotionally moved and thought, God, what are you trying to tell me, and I believe that God was encouraging me way back then but it really has taken me all this time to really trust and put aside my own view of inadequacies.

 

1 Cor 2:1-5

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God, For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

 

I still am not sure what God is doing as I am not a natural teacher, but often God will use people where they are not necessarily 'natural' in, for His 'supernatural' purposes.  But, to be confident in who my God is and to know that I am a vessel.  To not be afraid of the faces, and to do my best, and if I fail... it is OK.  It is OK.  To trust God.  He is working.  He is doing something.  I know this is God leading me to this moment.  To let Go and Trust God.

 

Amen.

 

 

Miracles

You, every one of you are God the Father's special miracles. His miracle working power has given you life where there was no light or life in or of yourself.

 

He formed you and then (in Christ) He transforms you.

 

 

 

 

 

I wrote the above on my FB page and had the hashtag   #believe

 

Here I will elaborate further...

 

The scripture that I was going to add to #believe was Rom 10:13

 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved

 

It is very important, although a miracle - our birth - who we are - we being thought of before time by God, and our form and frame fashioned by Him, the miracle of a new birth still awaits us.

 

Salvation in Christ.

 

Yes, He formed you and then (in Christ - the new birth) He transforms you.

 

Like the picture below

 His miracle working power has given you life where there was no light or life in or of yourself.

 

 

 

 OPEN YOUR HEART AND RECEIVE JESUS

 

 Amen

 

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Jesus the Christ

So Jesus goes from Galilee to Judea. In the middle of the celebrated feast He goes into the temple and teaches.

 

He says, 'if any man thirst, let Him come to me and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture has said, out of His belly shall flow rivers of living water. (here He was talking about receiving the Holy Spirit which would be given once He was glorified).

 

The response by those listening was...
He is the Prophet
Some said, this is the Christ
But some doubted and said, shall the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the scriptures said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem where David was?

 

Did they recognized something in Him; His teaching with authority and the miracles? But did they discounted it only because they didn't realize he was as the prophets had declared - The seed of David and out of the town of Bethlehem.

 

I wonder what their response would have been if they realized that the very One they were looking for was standing right in front of them?

 

I found this comment on a website and talking about the probability of only 8 prophecies about Jesus be fulfilled, with the answer as 1 in 1017...  That's 1 in 100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000.

“The fact is, the birth, crucifixion, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ are celebrated worldwide by folk of every race, language, and colour, every year. And believing in Jesus, they have been delivered from the most evil, disastrous, frustrating, debilitating habits and life forms possible. The real problem with Jesus Christ is not that folk can't believe in Him—but that they won't believe in Him.” My friend, in all honesty, what are the chances you've not been altogether objective about the nature of the baby born in Bethlehem? What if the baby was God? What if He is God? What if you are to submit your life to Him?

 

 

We Are In The New

Imagine this...

John the Baptist is standing in the Jordan. He has been sent by God to water baptize people in preparation for the coming of a new Kingdom. He knows that he will witness the coming of the Messiah.

One day he sees Jesus coming to him and he knows in his heart (revelation) that this is the Lamb of God (the sacrifice) who will take away the sin of the world. No one else could do it.

Jesus and John talk; John is hesitant to baptize the Messiah, well aware of his own need to be baptized and cleansed by Jesus.

So John baptizes Jesus to fulfill all righteousness, and as God has told John to watch, he sees the Spirit, the Holy Spirit descending from heaven and remaining on Jesus, revealing in certainty that Jesus, who stands before him, is the Christ!

And in that moment, John says....he knows... that Jesus is the One. The Christ who has ALL authority; authority to save people from their sins, and power to baptise with the Holy Spirit. And there, John, in knowing, gives witness that Jesus IS the Son of God.

And John's journey here is near it's end.

The handing over of a prophet under the old covenant to He that was prophesied of, as Saviour to bring in the New.  The beginning of the 3 year journey to Calvary. A journey of love. Signs and miracles following Him. A witness to His being the Messiah. A Saviour, a Friend. The only One who could set the captives (that's you and me) free. Free by way of the cross, His death for our sin. And to think, that as you believe in your heart, by a divine act of God, the Holy Spirit comes to live in you. The Spirit birthed in power in you, make this all a reality; yes, you are free!

You are His. Forgiven. Restored to God. Free. Death defeated by the Righteousness of One, the Christ. That which had been prophesied years before.

So, as believers we have the very Spirit of God; the same Spirit at creation that hovered over the waters; the same Spirit at the Jordan the day Jesus came forth, remaining on Him and raising Him from the dead. The same Spirit poured out at Pentecost.

His very Spirit is living in you and me.

His very Spirit baptizing you into resurrection life.

Wow!!! Imagine! The works He did; The witness, the salvations, the healings, the lives changed, the one's, the two's, the hundreds, the thousands. Think about His disciples; the prayers and the worship to God. The works, the witness, the salvations - God working through them. Nothing has changed, He is still the same; same heart, same power, same mission.

Believers..... His blood, His body, His Spirit!

The same Gospel, call and mission.

His desire is that none perish, and all come to repentance in Christ the Son. Restored to the Father.

To all who worship in spirit and truth!

To God be the Glory

.Amen

Intimacy with God - Father's Day 2015

When I came to the Lord, the very first revelation I was overwhelmed with was that God loves me. I remember the moment when the light went on.. I spoke to myself and said - 'Someone loves me, GOD loves me'.

I tended to accept this idea that I was always down the list on people's hearts and agenda's and thought that was OK, as that was where I accepted myself to belong.

A recent J.Prince post about kids who grow up feeling they are not accepted prompted me to write this. I am overwhelmed when God starts to squeeze me, tight, with His love, and all that He is.

So, In this season, I feel God has tenderly brought more healing, healing I didn't even realise I needed. Even deeper than before, confirming His love to me.

So, on to the Fathers day message at church....

Point 1.
God chooses us. He chose us. For me, I really felt orphan-like as a kid. Over the years and restated on Sunday, God has reminded me that I was always wanted by Him. That He planned me. I was not a mistake! None of us are mistakes in God's eyes, each one is known by Him.

Point 2.
He listens to us.
The lie I lived was one of being unheard, and in being born, I tended to think my life was created to be like one of those extras in a movie, you know, the back ground space filler that is not there to say anything. I was reminded again, that God cares about what I have to say. That I mean something to Him. And it was an encouragement to ALWAYS continue to commune and converse with Him.

Point 3.
He pursues us.
I thought I would cope with this one, but actually can't elaborate,...o oh, more tears, but I managed to keep it together!

Point 4.
He loves us. Yes, He really does. The pastor quotes his favorite scripture... This very scripture is the one I wrote out in calligraphy style and framed it to put on my wall, when I was first saved......

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ..... Be persuaded that this is so. Meditate on this.

Then the closing song.... Your a Good Good Father. I am singing along when the words ...
Oh its love so undeniable
I can hardly think as You call me
Deeper still, as You call me
Deeper still, as You call me
Deeper still, into love love love.

Oh dear, I am overwhelmed! God IS calling me deeper; calling me deeper, deeper still into love love love. Well, with face in my hands, I can sing no more, tears flow, there is an exchange going on, knowing that I am having a moment with God. How overwhelming is God the Fathers love toward us. There is always room for deeper still, deeper still, into HIS love love love.

Now, to the J.P post...

Meditate On
…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to GRASP how wide and long and high and deep is the LOVE of CHRIST, and to KNOW this LOVE that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:17–19, NIV
Be Rooted In Jesus’ Love
Can you imagine a young child growing up and always wondering in his heart, “Am I pleasing to Daddy? Am I pleasing to Mummy? Do Daddy and Mummy accept me?”

This child will grow up emotionally warped if he does not have the security and assurance of his parents’ love and acceptance.
Beloved, that is why Jesus wants you rooted, established and anchored in His unwavering love for you. He demonstrated His love for you when He became your sin on the cross so that you could become His righteousness. And when you meditate on and are rooted in His love for you, you will be filled with the fullness of God. How can you not be successful then?
Joseph Prince

When the morning finished, I had literally cried at least half the way through the preaching, maybe more. I reached over to the lady sitting next to me, one who I had recently met through home group, and with a smile I said 'I made it!!'. ie. I didn't completely break down during the service and cause a scene!

God's LOVE! God is a God of wholeness. He transforms and He reaches in deep. He knows the places that need His touch.

Yes, Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.

That is Intimacy, That is Belonging. That is Love.

Worshiping Our Creator

On Sunday I was blessed to go to 3 churches.

As I woke this morning I was thinking about the Worship experience which I had at one church in particular and was also pondering on ‘other’ thoughts about worship that I had been having recently.

My thoughts recently were, unless it is due to my age, that I have questioned my getting in touch with God during a worship time when there is so many ‘things happening’.  I don't want it to be an emotional response to what is being used to help provide an atmosphere, I want it to be because I am in touch with God.

I appreciate wonderful singing, great musicians, wonderful lyrics and being able to express my heart to God with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  I want to worship with my whole spirit, soul, and body!

SO

The surprise visit was to a Christian fellowship that was in a big hall.

Prompted to pray in tongues

In the year 2000 approximately, a girl from church asked if I wanted to share a flat.  I was newly saved, about a year, and she a little longer.  I didn't know her very well, and she was being obedient as she felt it was from the Lord to ask me.  I was living a fair distance from church at the time, so was considering the option.

I asked her when, and she said 2 weeks.  I said 2 weeks, I was thinking more in 2 months... but she said that time frame wouldn't do in her current circumstances, and so, within a short while we were flat hunting. We found a place in Ashfield, NSW.

The day we moved in she was all excited and walking up the front steps she told me that she got engaged last night. Initially I thought, 'oh great' - without the exclamation mark, as I knew I would have to find a new flat mate in about 9 months time.  But, after that initial moment, I was genuinely happy for her. Rejoicing with her all the way to her wedding day! (I was honoured to be asked to sign her marriage certificate).

In all, this strange duo, me 11 years older than her, were a great combo!!

We were blessed with many many hours of talking, sharing, encouraging.  We helped each other through the current season we were both in. She getting ready for marriage, me getting sorted in life after big changes :). I had so many self -esteem issues, and she really encouraged me.

Move ahead ... she got married, she fell pregnant.

One day, I was at home and I felt such a burden to go into my room, shut the door, and pray in tongues.  It was a real desperate, deep praying time.  I was there for quite a while, I was keeping a slight eye on the clock, but was remaining led by the Spirit.

During the praying I asked the Lord, "why am I praying like this?" and I had the thought of my ex-flat mate, and I said, I think [my friend] is having her baby!

After praying deeply, groanings, tongues, for quite a while, all of a sudden peace came.  I looked at the clock and felt to note the time, especially as I wanted an indication to know it was for my [friend].  I then went about my day.

Later that day I received a phone call from the husband of my [friend].  He said that he and his wife are the proud parents of a new baby boy.  I was so excited for them and I asked how it went.  He said that it was touch and go for a time, as the baby's head was too big for the birth process and at one point it looked like the baby would not get past the cervix as his head was stuck.  He explained that the Doctor and medical staff were working hard, trying to decided what process to take, but then all of a sudden his baby boy was finally born naturally, and that, although a stressful birth for mother and baby, they were both OK.  I asked, what time was he born?  The new dad said --:--

I was so surprised as that was exactly the time (to the minute) that I had made a special note to look at the clock, when I felt to stop praying in tongues, when the peace came.

I shared my story with the new Dad, what had been taking place that afternoon and the time I  recorded as to when the prayer specifically stopped.

He was encouraged, I was encouraged, and in all, with this new baby boy, everyone was rejoicing.

I felt blessed that the Lord would prompt me to pray for them at this crucial time of the birth.  I felt so honoured to be a part of it in this way. I was blessed that mother and baby were ok, and dad rejoicing.

The following is a exert from a Smith Wigglesworth writing regarding Tongues in Chapter 18 - book title - unknown?:

On this line I want to tell you about Willie Burton, who is laboring for God in the Belgium Congo. Brother Burton is a mighty man of God and is giving his life for the heathen in Africa. He took fever and went down to death. They said; "He has preached his last; what shall we do?" All their hopes seemed to be blighted, and there they stood, with broken hearts, wondering what was going to take place. They left him for dead; but, in a moment, without any signal, he stood right in the midst of them; and they could not understand it. The explanation he gave was this, that, when he came to himself, he realized a warmth going right through his body; and there wasn't one thing wrong with him. How did it come about? It was a mystery until he went to London and was telling the people how he was left for dead, and then was raised up. A lady came up and asked for a private conversation with him, and arranged a time. She asked, "Do you keep a diary?" He answered, "Yes." She told him, "It happened on a certain day that I went to pray; and as soon as I knelt, I had you on my mind. The Spirit of the Lord took hold of me and prayed through me in an unknown tongue. A vision came before me in which I saw you laid out helpless; and I cried out in the unknown tongue till I saw you rise up and go out of that room." She had kept a note of the time and when he turned to his diary he found that it was exactly the time when he was raised up. There are great possibilities as we yield to the Spirit and speak unto God in quiet hours in our bedrooms. God wants you to be filled with the Holy Ghost so that everything about you shall be charged with the dynamic of heaven.

All Who Are Thirsty

This post started with one word - Nailed!

The Cross of Jesus - The Blood of Jesus - The Risen Jesus; He has set us free.

When Jesus calls, it is a beautiful thing. My heart is stirred!

The Word of God says:

Isaiah 55 An Invitation to the Needy 1 Come, Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost. 2"Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance.…

A commentary

55:1-5 All are welcome to the blessings of salvation, to whom those blessings are welcome.

In Christ there is enough for all, and enough for each. Those satisfied with the world, that see no need of Christ, do not thirst. They are in no uneasiness about their souls: but where God gives grace, he gives a thirst after it; and where he has given a thirst after it, he will give it. Come to Christ, for he is the Fountain opened, he is the Rock smitten. Come to holy ordinances, to the streams that make glad the city of our God. Come to the healing waters, come to the living waters, Re 22:17.

Our Saviour referred to this, Joh 7:37. Come, and buy; make it your own by application of the grace of the gospel to yourselves. Come, and eat; make it still more your own, and enjoy it. The world comes short of our expectations; we promise ourselves, at least, water in it, and we are disappointed; but Christ outdoes our expectations. We come to him, and we find wine and milk. The gifts offered to us are such as no price can be set upon. The things offered are already paid for; for Christ purchased them at the full price of his own blood, 1Pe 1:19.

Our wants are beyond number, and we have nothing to supply them; if Christ and heaven are ours, we see ourselves for ever indebted to free grace. Hearken diligently; let the proud heart stoop; not only come, but accept God's offers. All the wealth and pleasure in the world, will not yield solid comfort and content to the soul. They do not satisfy even the appetites of the body; for all is vanity and vexation. Let the disappointments we meet with in the world, help to drive us to Christ, and to seek for satisfaction in him only. Then, and not before, we shall find rest for our souls. Hear, and your soul shall live. On what easy terms is happiness offered us! By the sure mercies of David, we are to understand the Messiah. All his mercies are covenant mercies; they are purchased by him, they are promised in him, and out of his hand they are dispensed to us.

We know not how to find the way to the waters, but Christ is given to be a Leader, a Commander, to show us what to do, and enable us to do it. Our business is to obey him, and follow him. And there is no coming to the Father but by him. He is the Holy One of Israel, true to his promises; and he has promised to glorify Christ, by giving him the heathen for his inheritance.

.....

Hearts be opened, Hearts be healed, in Jesus name, Amen.

The heart attack.

Back in early 2013 I was visiting my family in Perth.  It was my 2nd last day and I decided to visit my dad and spend a few hours with him before I left the next day.  My dad is 75.

When it was time to leave, my dad and I stood up and I hugged him.  There was an arrest in my spirit. It was like my stomach moved.  My immediate thought was 'is this the last time I am going to hug my dad?'

Dad walked me outside and as I drove off, this sense of 'something' was still very strong.  I took an extra long look at dad.  Then as I drove around the corner on my way home I started to pray.  My main prayer was, 'please Lord, don't take him until he knows you'  I prayed for his protection, health etc, as I really didn't know what I was sensing exactly, but it was a little alarming.

Back in Sydney I went about my day as usual, but the moment when I hugged him was still strong in my thoughts.  I had not told anyone about this.

What are you proclaiming?

Phil 1:6   And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

I recently heard a song, titled:  Rooftops by Jesus Culture. (song clip below).

Here I am before You, falling in love and seeking Your truth
Knowing that Your perfect grace has brought me to this place
Because of You I freely live, my life to You, oh God, I give
So I stand before You, God
I lift my voice cause You set me free

So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaim
That I am Yours, I am Yours

All the good You've done for me, I lift up my hands for all to see
You're the only one who brings me to my knees
To share this love across the earth, the beauty of Your holy worth
So I kneel before You, God
I lift my hands cause You set me free

So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaim
That I am Yours, I am Yours
All that I am, I place into Your loving hands
And I am Yours, I am Yours

Here I am, I stand, with arms wide open
To the One, the Son, the Everlasting God

Salvation - Glory - part 3

In the meantime God had brought this South African girl into my circle and she and I became quite inseparable, and during my dropping her home one evening after a meeting (with her limited time left in Australia) she said that she wants to see Ayres Rock, Darwin etc and I passingly said, 'I've always wanted to do that' but not thinking about joining her, just commenting.

Then out loud she says '' L E T S   DO   I T'.  I can still hear her saying it.  I again got all nervous, thinking I hardly know her, will it be OK etc.  I checked with work and yes, it was all fine, I was on my own little trip through Australia.

We had a great time!  People were thinking we had been friends for years and years, not weeks! It really was a God encounter.

Finally it was the day for [boyfriend] to come home.  I went to the Sydney International Airport to collect him and saw him walking toward me, and as I watched him walk toward me I realised that I had changed so much in those 9 weeks that this person walking toward me I hardly knew.

During a conversation within the following week, I explained to [boyfriend] that I felt that I needed to get to know him again.  I also told him I wanted to do things the right way!

Salvation comes from the Lord - the former years

Significant Moments:

• When approximately 9 years old I was walking with Mum and said "I don't need to go to church because I know God lives in my heart'.
• When approximately 13 years old, walking to high school, remembering exactly where I was (Cordelia Avenue, Coolbellup, crossing the road) I said to myself 2 x "I don't know what I am here for, but I know it is for a special reason.  I don't know what I am here for but I know it is for a special reason:.
• When 29 years old, 1997, I responded to God's call through Jesus Christ and received forgiveness and salvation.

The Full Story:

I remember when I was about 9 or so, I was walking with my mum and out of the blue I said to her 
'I don't need to go to church because God lives in my heart'. It is probably one of the most profound things I have ever said! (I do believe that church is a good and blessed place to go, as God says to meet together, but back then, this was a statement of Faith).  My memory recalls my mum 'falter' and say something like 'well, yes, umm, ok' but I think she was more shocked about what I had just said, and she didn't really know how to respond. On the day it was just a random thought and comment, and it just flew out of my heart and mouth.  I've never forgotten that one little moment!  God lives in my heart!

The background. The influences.

My Nana became / was a very devout Catholic. She would arrive at our place on Sunday mornings to take us to church. I went once or twice, but I was extremely timid and shy and scared. I didn't like going to church or any gathering because there were ... 'people there'. My Nana, bless her heart, would always talk God, but there was always a lot of fear in her talk.  Such as: the 3 days of darkness (she even had a special candle made up so it would last 3 days... it was really tall!) and it was all doom doom doom, punishment etc.

Salvation Comes from the Lord - part 2.

There were a lot of years between those early days until the day when God brought a Christian girl in to my path. He really knows how to speak to us.

I had moved from Perth to Sydney.

I had a boyfriend. Someone I had known as a friend for a long time.

It is now 1996 and I am now 28 years.  I hadn't worked for over a year, I was pretty much on extended leave due to overwork, but soon realised that I needed to get myself back to work.  I applied for a job and started working as a secretary.  This Christian girl truly was a God send. She had started at this workplace a week before me. She was the receptionist, but it was my job to cover the gaps and help at reception when required.  The blessing was that I had often finished my job early, so was able to do a fair bit of work at reception and spend time talking to this girl.

Initially I found out she sang! That was a big draw card for me - I found that someone being able to sing was one of the most amazing things. It was beautiful to hear lovely voices, but it was the expression that could be given through someones heart, through a song.

Prayer for my Nana

At this time my Nana was 96 years old.  She was still in quite good spirit and health.  (2008)

The process.  The prayer / the Dream / Nana's excitement / the phone call.

The prayer:

One day in 2008 I was walking through my unit toward the kitchen, when I felt this strong sense to pray for my Nana.  It was quite an arrest of my spirit, so I sat on the couch and I said to the Lord, 'what do you want me to pray for' and the response I felt was, 'I want you to pray for her death'.

This was a bit strange, but I felt it was from the Lord.  Plus, she was 96 years old and her time would come one day.  So I sat and prayed for about 5 minutes.  The things I prayed for were along the line of: Lord take her peacefully / quietly and without pain and that she would get to do everything that she needed to do before she left this earth and went on to her Heavenly Father. I also prayed for her heart, for Jesus to deal with any issues that need to be dealt with.

The dream:

A week or so later I had a dream.  I was in a church and there were pew type seats and some people I knew from church, and then there was this young girl in a beautiful white dress standing in front of me - holding the sides of her dress open with a playful swing in her stance. I said to her 'Nana, you are here, you are here'.  In saying 'you are here', I knew it was heaven, and this young girl whom I somehow knew was my Nana, was in white, and she was youthful.  And I was joyed that she was in heaven.  As she was Catholic, the pews in the dream made sense.