The Breath of God

“I can’t breathe.” ~George Floyd

Symptom of COVID- 19: shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Wearing a mask, naturally restricts the free flow of air.

What is it about breathing issues right now? Why can we link a trail of recent events to oxygen and breathing freely? I see a pattern. Do you?

The real conspiracy here is for the very suffocation of life, be it in the natural or spiritual realms.

As a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, according to 2 Corinthians 5:7, I must always keep my spiritual lenses on when observing my natural world. We are admonished that we are to live by faith and not by sight. What goes on in the spirit world generally manifests in the natural world. Think of this: God is all about breath and wind that produces life. Satan’s one goal is to steal, kill and destroy all forms of life.

In this hour, there is an all-out demonic attempt to constrict and obstruct any vulnerable child of God who is not staying alert in the Spirit. Consider that we have not one, but two, very communicable pandemics in the earth today. We have the contagious corona virus and we have the highly transmittable spirit of fear. Think of it – COVID – 19 is the natural counterpart to the spirit of fear violating the earth today.

This smothering spirit must be resisted! These invisible assaults on my heart, if left unchecked, will take the spiritual breath out of me, leaving me hopeless, fearful and worried about my future.

What must we do? How then shall we live?

Brothers and sisters, we must contend for our faith. We must contend for the very breath of God every day. In Job 33:4 it says this: The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

The breath of God is yours! The breath is the life. Guard it. Go after it. Breathe it in. Make ready your sails that when the windy breath of God comes upon you each morning, you will be on course for the day.

I have been ministered to recently by having a greater understanding of how the breath of God is so needed in my life. Unless He breathes upon me, I deflate! I must position myself to daily inhale the atmosphere of heaven in order to strengthen my immunity against suffocation. At times, I am in deep need of His mouth to mouth resuscitation. As I draw in the winds of His breath, I am suddenly and truthfully revived from the suffocating darkness intruding upon my soul. Hope, returns to my house and health invades my heart once again. The breath of God is my literal life support system.

The kingdom of this world is becoming the kingdom of our Lord. It’s not fully accomplished yet, but it will be. Who will accomplish this? We will, in partnership with the breath of God blowing through us. We shall do valiantly and tread down our enemy with the winds of heaven at our back!

Draw in the breath of God today!

God’s breath in me lifts me up and sends me out in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Look to the Light

This morning I was drinking coffee on my back porch enjoying the birds at my feeders when I noticed the sun come out and shine peculiarly on a section of my backyard. Then I heard the words in my spirit, “Look to the light.” I immediately knew the Lord was wanting to encourage me with something so I went out and took these two pictures within a minute of each other.

Our focus right now is critical.

As you look at the first picture with no sunlight, it reminds me of what someone would see looking at world events or personal circumstances without any hope or thought of what God might want to do.

As you look at the second picture, I believe it is a visual of looking at the same situations, only with the light of God beaming upon it.

In John 3:16-17 it says:

¹⁶For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

I’m going to make a statement right now that some may disagree with but I believe it with all my heart.

It’s not time for judgement from God.

Since Jesus came, we have entered into a time of grace and God calling the world to believe in Jesus Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 4:5 it says:

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

Folks, it’s not our place to judge the world. That right belongs to God alone which will occur on the “day” of judgement.

In Acts 17:31 it says:

For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

So there will be judgement, but I don’t see it as happening yet. There is a day set. It’s a day, not a season. It will be a “the buck stops here” moment in time. Until then, we are in the age of grace. Every day we get is a gift to the church to get into the world and preach the message of the kingdom of God! Every morning His mercies are new and the world around gets another chance to believe in Jesus Christ before that final day of judgement.

What is the calling of the bride of Christ?

From the mouth of Jesus Himself we read in Mark 16:15-20

¹⁵And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. ¹⁶Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” ¹⁹So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. ²⁰And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]

Brothers and sisters in Christ, I implore you to stay focused on the reason God focuses on us! I call you into the action of building the kingdom of God. I plead with you to not be distracted by darkness. How are you processing the events of the world? How are you viewing the circumstances of your life right now? Are you looking to the Light? Do you see what God is doing in the face of what Satan is trying to do in the earth?

I don’t believe the world is being judged yet. There is a day of judgement for sure. But it’s a “day”, not a season.

If I could beg you I am begging you to SEE THE LIGHT, in the face of darkness. SEE THE LIGHT in your own circumstances. SEE THE LIGHT as you observe deep darkness in the earth.

In Isaiah 60:2 we read this:

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.

When the world bumps up against you, are they bumping up against the light of His glory which produces love, transformation, hope and faith, or are they bumping up against a hopeless, dim, condemning, floundering clone of everyone else in the world battling fear?

God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)

Do not focus on abortion. Do not focus on riots. Do not focus on evil government. Do not focus on COVID-19.

FOCUS ON THE LIGHT.

The light of God is transforming and gets to the root cause of sin.

Get your marching orders from Mark 16:15-20 Our world is in a heart crisis. Preach the gospel – not how sinful the world is. Preach the good news. Offer the solution of blood-bought light. Anyone can talk about how bad it it. I’m weary of those messages. I can’t even tell you how weary I am of hearing how evil has infiltrated our government. Don’t jump on the bandwagon of a cause, rather immerse yourself in the Kingdom mandate of bringing heaven to earth. Immerse yourself in the glory of God so you stick out like a sore thumb in the sea of darkness.

Question … If the world is so dark, then where is the church? I believe that part of the reason the world may be so dark is because the church hasn’t put on her “glory robe” in fulness yet!

In John 8:12 Jesus proclaimed that He was the light of the world.

In Matthew 5:14 Jesus also said the “you” are the light of the world.

Conclusion? We co-labor with Jesus as a light in our world. He is light. We are light. Wow! That’s a lot of light beaming through someone! I dare say that if every born again Christian reflected the light of God as we should, the light switch would be turned on and the gloomy darkness of this world would give way to the glory of God invading the earth like never before.

In conclusion, LOOK AT THE LIGHT. Be the light. Soak in the light. Listen to the light. Operate in the light. Speak out of the light. Touch the light. Rest in the light. Process from the light.

1 John 4:17 says:

By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.

Did you hear that?

JUDGEMENT WILL HAPPEN ON A CERTAIN DAY. That day hasn’t arrived yet.

AND …

AS HE IS, SO ALSO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD. LOOK TO THE LIGHT. BE THE LIGHT.

CONTEND FOR YOUR FAITH- the sin of fear.

Dearly loved friend, I was fully intending to write to you about our amazing salvation we all participate in, but felt the need instead to challenge you to vigorously defend and contend for the beliefs that we cherish. For God, through the apostles, has once for all entrusted these truths to his holy believers. Jude 3 The Passion Translation

Contend: to struggle in opposition, (to contend with the enemy for control of the port), to strive in debate, dispute earnestly, (to contend against falsehood).

We have an enemy. It’s not people. It’s an invisible force that whispers into our mind and lures us into the waters of doubt and unbelief.

This thieving entity is on a mission to steal your birthright in Christ Jesus, kill your God-given dreams and visions and destroy the holy influence you will have in this world.

Contend for your faith. Friend, if you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. (Isaiah 7:9b) You must know what you believe and why you belief it and defend it to the death. The fear of man must perish in you and me. Just as surely as the rising of the sun each morning, so must the fear of the Lord arise upon your Holy Spirit drenched soul each day.

As I ponder this current season, we must understand two things for sure: The capability of our adversary (the father of lies) if we don’t arise and, the capability we will have, of Christ (the hope of glory) arising in us.

God is calling for an awakening of His people. There are those who are fully alive and walking in their destiny. Then there are those who have known what to do and just haven’t done it yet. Yet there is a portion of the Body of Christ who have been asleep. It’s not okay to be in a spiritual slumber right now. God is calling every member to find his post and be in position.

I hear the Holy Spirit saying to the church: “RESPOND, DON’T REACT!”

Reacting is an indication of immature action without thought. Responding is a sign of one who is listening for the Captain to direct the order. The action of one who responds will bear the fruit needed for kingdom expansion.

As born-again, mature believers in Christ we must respond by contending for our faith. We must contend in prayer. We must struggle in opposition to the father of lies both in our own life as well as the life of our family, community and nation.

When Jesus told us in John 14:27 that there is a supernatural peace that He has for us, coupled with the command to not let our hearts be troubled or afraid, He was not offering a suggestion. He was basically saying that we should have a strong boundary around our heart to not let fear and trouble invade and penetrate.

According to the Strong’s Greek Lexicon, the word “troubled” is the Greek word “tarassō.” It means to cause inward commotion, to take away calmness of mind, to strike one’s spirit with fear and dread, to perplex the mind of one by suggesting scruples or doubts.

Wow. Jesus said … DON’T DO IT. Don’t let your heart become inwardly full of commotion. Don’t let the calmness of your mind be stolen! Don’t let your heart become overcome with fear and dread. Don’t let your mind become perplexed with doubts!

You must contend for the port of your mind. I’m going to make a strong statement here. Because of John 14:27 and the strong language Jesus uses by saying, “Let not your hearts be troubled … “, I believe it is sin to allow your heart to be troubled. To allow your heart to be troubled is in direct disobedience to what Jesus plainly stated here.

It has been said that the words, “do not be afraid” or “fear not” are used over 300 times in the Bible. Do you think God takes it seriously when we are afraid? I think so.

Lastly, in John 14:27 Jesus tells us that He is leaving His peace with us. This word peace is the Greek word “eirēnē.” It means: rest and quietness. This reminds me of a verse in Isaiah.

“My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” Isaiah 32:18

Jesus not only tells us what not to do, He also tells us what to do. In other words, simply put … contend for what belongs to you as a born-again follower of Jesus Christ. Walk in His peace and keep the walls of your heart up so that nothing can invade your heart bringing fear or trouble.

Did you know that God also contends? Look at Isaiah 49:25. It says, “… for I will contend with him who contends with you.” Wow.

Father, we come to you today and repent of fear. We repent of entertaining anxious thoughts. We are choosing right now to change our way of thinking by receiving the kind of peace that only You can offer. We exchange our fear with Your peace in the name of Jesus. Wash us clean of our toxic thoughts and send your showers of peace and rest into our heart and soul. Amen.

God whisper …

Child, you are My beloved. I am raising you up into places of maturity that you have not attained to as of yet. This will require you to contend for that which already belongs to you. Peace belongs to you. Contend for it. Your adversary is sly and tricky. Do not allow him to stand in the real estate of your mind and take you as one of his prisoners of war. Rather, stand up in the power of My Holy Spirit and throw him out and continue in resistance of his toxic lies. You have been invaded. As you win the battle here, you will be better prepared to reflect Me. Your children need to see how this works for that are watching you. Your brothers and sister are observing your walk with me and have need of an example. I’m calling on you to be that example of valiant living in the Holy Spirit. Let’s do this thing in the earth. For as you partner with My word, there will be miracles, signs and wonders following. This is real. This is not religion. This is truth union with your heavenly Father.

The Silence of Saturday

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Friday, we celebrate “Good Friday”, and Sunday we celebrate “Resurrection Sunday.” Recently I heard someone call Saturday “Black Saturday.” Why? Well, it was a day of deep grief and depression for Jesus’ disciples. They had just witnessed the most grueling, horrific display of execution the world had ever known, and not to a stranger but to the One whom they had grown to deeply love and know as God in the flesh. Hopes no doubt were dashed. Disappointment was at an all-time high in their hearts. It was the day after “Good Friday” and the day before “Resurrection Sunday.” The One they had learned that Jesus was God in the flesh had just been annihilated right before their eyes! Was God dead? One can hardly blame their utter despair.

How many of you have had a “black Saturday” season in your life? I know I have. It’s a moment when time can feel suspended because of the trauma that swiftly took your breath away and God has been very quiet and even “non-existent” in a tangible sort of way. Is God dead? Does He even know what happened?

I imagine the disciples of Jesus were steeped in darkness the day after Jesus’ death. In Mark 16:10, we are told that those who had been with Jesus were mourning and weeping. In the Geek this kind of grief was very expressive. There was wailing and sobbing that could be heard. Talk about having one’s hope dashed! The disciples were also filled with great fear according to 20:19. They feared the Jews. Remember that the disciples fled and left Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane right when the soldiers apprehended Him. It says they left Him and fled in 26:56.

How often have you found yourself in this spot? A moment when what you thought was going to happen didn’t. As a matter of fact it not only didn’t happen, it went violently wrong in your eyes! You are literally flattened and side-swiped on the spot! You then enter into a season where your emotions are raw and the peace of God took flight like a flock of geese!

Think of Abraham ready to sacrifice Isaac before God provided the ram. Or Joseph wrongfully accused of seducing Pharaoh’s wife sitting in a prison cell. What about Job sitting in his utter calamity being one who always fear the Lord? In Job 42 it tells us that the Lord increased all that Job had twofold and blessed the end of his days more than the beginning. Wow.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil;

for Thou art with me.”

Psalms 23:4

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Luke 22:31-32

Jesus prays for us. We aren’t always spared the pain, but Jesus is praying for us. He is praying right now for you that your faith would not fail you. He is praying that you hang on to hope. He is extending you the power and comfort to keep going and gain strength and courage as you go.

Remember, your end will be better than your beginning as you link arms with the One who loves you most!

Change the Way You Think

I am writing this blog in the midst of a “stay at home” governmental order during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. There are numerous voices “out there” right now saying this and that, both in our news media and the church. Some thoughts I must discard because there is no witness in my spirit for it, yet other voices ring extremely true and I know I must absorb and embrace their truth.

One thing I am hearing from the Holy Spirit that rings truth in other venues I listen to is this:

It’s time to examine ourselves and make sure we are in the faith no matter what. Fear, anxiety, worry, panic, dread and depression are not becoming to the one who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ. How do you expect the world to be attracted to someone who looks just like them in a pandemic? The visible presence of God needs to be seen on us.This looks like peace, sleep, rest, courage, and empowerment to remain stable.

There is a passage in Jeremiah that speaks to me right now:

“Your words were found, and I ate them; and Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.

I sat not in the assembly of those who make merry, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because Your [powerful] hand was upon me, for You had filled me with indignation.

Why is my pain perpetual and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you indeed be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail and are uncertain?

Therefore thus says the Lord [to Jeremiah]: If you return [and give up this mistaken tone of distrust and despair], then I will give you again a settled place of quiet and safety, and you will be My minister; and if you separate the precious from the vile [cleansing your own heart from unworthy and unwarranted suspicions concerning God’s faithfulness], you shall be My mouthpiece. [But do not yield to them.] Let them return to you—not you to [the people].

And I will make you to this people a fortified, bronze wall; they will fight against you, but they will not prevail over you, for I am with you to save and deliver you, says the Lord.

And I will deliver you out of the hands of the wicked, and I will redeem you out of the palms of the terrible and ruthless tyrants.” Jeremiah 15:16-24 The Amplified Version

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Here we have Jeremiah (called the weeping prophet) questioning God. Basically replying to God after God pronounced judgement upon His people. Jeremiah was pleading his case at how he had done right, but why was there a perpetual pain in his heart, finding no comfort and consolation?

At times we can find ourselves in this spot. It’s a spot that feels unfair and void of healing and comfort. As whirlwinds of chaos and trouble surround us, we can begin to doubt the goodness of God. We can begin to calculate our situation based upon our troubled emotions of anxiety and perplexity. We can indeed … calculate all that is facing us, without God.

God had used Jeremiah as His mouthpiece to Israel. It’s a great example of how every single one of us can enter into “dark nights of the soul.” Every single one of us from the oldest and wisest of God’s people to the new-born babes in Christ, can suddenly and most swiftly become arrested by fear, sorrow and confusion about God’s true intent for our world and even us!

In Jeremiah’s case, we see how God lovingly spoke to him, creating the path forward for Jeremiah. God gave him very powerful advice as Jeremiah boldly communicated his pain and confusion about what was going on around him. Jeremiah did not escape the fury of the hour of trouble coming upon his known world.

Here’s a few takeaways:

Jeremiah was God’s servant, but tripped and found a struggle that was overshadowing his ability to see clearly.
God heard Jeremiah’s prayer and did not change the circumstances, rather spoke to him, giving him the key to make it through so that he could continue to be used for God’s purpose in the earth.
Jeremiah was a person who “ate” the word of God. He was so familiar with what God had to say about the state of affairs of his world. Jeremiah was a man of prayer. Prayer in his life purely meant a conversation back and forth with God.
Jeremiah wasn’t afraid to tell the Lord how he was feeling, even to the point of asking if God was deceiving him! Wow. How much more transparent can one get?
God did not cast him off and belittle him one bit. Rather he counseled him through the crisis by giving him clear instructions about what do do.
God’s 1^st instruction and promise: Return (repent) and give up the mistaken tone of distrust and despair. In other words, stop feeling sorry for yourself. Stop allowing your faith to falter. If you do, God will give you the place of rest and safety.
God’s 2^nd instruction and promise: Separate the precious from the vile in your heart. Cleanse your heart of unworthy and unwarranted suspicions about God’s faithfulness. If you do, you will get to continue to be a mouthpiece for God.

Friends, how can we be God’s witness when we walk in doubt? We simply can’t. It won’t be a pure ministry or representation of God’s heart in the earth.

Logic and faith are like water and oil. They don’t mix. I believe God is calling the church into a greater usage of faith in our day and time. Before we are born-again, we make about every decision in life according to our five natural senses. After we are born-again, we begin the school of the Holy Spirit where we begin to learn how to rely more on our spiritual senses more than our natural senses.

That is where I’m going! I want God’s realm to become so real to me that when I step over into glory at the end of my life, it’s not much of a change! Make sense?

At times, the solution is simple. At times the only thing we need is some good old-fashioned repentance. Repentance is simply changing the way I think, turning around and walking the other way!

So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day] Acts 3:19 AMP

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December 31, 2019

In the end, we will perfectly reflect Him. Have patience with yourself and others.

It’s the last day of a month, year and decade. It’s a time when there is lots of reflection, goals made, fresh starts, what did I do wrong, what did I do right sort of day.

Why do we do this? I believe God wired us for reflection. He wired us to choose life or death in how we think, speak and act. It’s so right that we reflect often.

Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as counterfeit? 2 Corinthians 13:5 AMP

Yikes! The last thing I want to be is a counterfeit Christian!

If you failed in a previous season, you get to try again. Even if you succeeded in a previous season you can’t live there because you might idolize it to the place where you miss what God has put in front of you to do next.

It’s right that we slow down and examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. It’s proper to contemplate where we have been and where we want to go. It’s very wise to stop and listen to the Holy Spirit in order to be adjusted and re-aligned. December 31 of each year is a wonderful time to do just that.

Life in God brings perennial choices for growth and new possibilities. Otherwise we would become stagnant.

No one enjoys stale food. If the food is really old, one can become sick by consuming it. Our physical bodies need fresh food with the nutrients God put in it. Likewise, we need fresh vision and focus so we stay alive, well and mature.

Each season in our lives comes with it’s own portion of pain and joy, trauma and ecstacy. It’s the bitter and the sweet together that bring what is necessary in our lives. It’s the sweet along with the bitter that God has chosen to form us and shape us into Christlikeness.

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] John 16:33 AMP

I’m moving forward into 2020 with the foreknowledge that there will be both bitter and sweet times ahead. Jesus himself said that we would have tribulation in this world, yet we are to take heart because he has overcome the world. So there it is in this one sentence … tribulation and overcoming it. He told us ahead of time so that we could gain peace and not get caught off guard when the suffering and distress knocks on our door.

Can I tell you one more thing? Release people to be people and God to be God and don’t confuse the two. Stop demanding perfection where perfection hasn’t come yet. Your brother or sister will repeatedly disappoint you if you don’t lift your ungodly, unfair expectations off of them. Frankly, it’s a full time job to make sure I’m staying in my own lane! Since God says he will complete what he began, then he will. He doesn’t need my help. My sole responsibility is to see what my Father is doing around me and become one with it. I can tell you that this includes loving and caring for others as I love and care for myself. This will include every sentence of 1 Corinthians 13. Pressuring and manipulation in God’s kingdom is wrong. Love always allows choice even if there is failure.

We all like a story that ends well. I will tell you this: my story will end well. Will yours?

May your 2020 be your best year yet!

The Invitation

The cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest rescue mission of all time.

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You know, we’re just regular people looking and searching for the meaning of life. Why were we born? What is my purpose? Many times I don’t have answers for some of life’s probing questions, but this one answer I do have: Jesus.

You were born to have fellowship with God. You were born to love and be loved by God.

Sin has separated us from God. Jesus was sent by the Father, took our punishment on the cross, and cleared the way for us to have a relationship with God. The only thing we have to do to gain that relationship is believe in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross—and follow Him. You must repent of your sins and allow the blood of Jesus to wash over you, cleansing you from all unrighteousness. And repent simply means to turn or change your way of thinking.

Dear reader, if you have never surrendered your life to Jesus Christ and had a soul-conversion, I am praying for you now. You are so loved by the God of this universe! He is calling you and drawing you this very moment. He is asking you to turn around and come into the power of His love and desire for you.

God does not ask you to be perfect before you can form a relationship with Him. Out of our union with Jesus Christ comes empowerment to be who He created us to be. He is calling you to absorb His stringless love. He is extending an invitation for you to become the you He had in mind the first time He thought of you. He desires to talk to you. He desires to walk with you. He desires to show you sights and take you on incomparable adventures.

You were created to fit perfectly in God’s heart. Consider surrendering your confusing, chaotic life to Him. No, all will not automatically be a bed of roses when you do, but you will experience God, who gives you everything you will need for this life and godliness. (See 1 Peter 1:3.) You will find joy when sadness should prevail. You will encounter hope when there is a natural reason to stop hoping. You will experience cleansing of your soul no matter what dark deed you have done.

It’s simple—God loves you and desires to spend eternity with you.

Love brings choice. He will not force or coerce. He simply extends an invitation. He desires your friendship. What you do with Jesus will determine your destiny. It will also determine your whole eternity-life beyond earthly living.

website photo 12 If you wish to make this life-change now, just tell Him. Tell Jesus you are sorry for how you have lived your life. Ask Him to cleanse you of all sins. Tell Him you want to follow Him and do what He tells you to do from this day forward. Ask Him to fill you with His love. Breathe deeply, and let the rivers of living water wash over you. It’s a new day. He will come and make His home with you now. As you confess Jesus Christ as Lord, your eternal address will be changed to heaven.

When we become a Christian, the Holy Spirit moves in, and we become a temple of the Holy Spirit. (See 1 Corinthians 6:19.)

If you just asked Jesus to be Lord of your life, congratulations! Welcome to the family of God. You are now a temple of the Holy Spirit.

In the words of Kris Vallotton, Senior Associate Leader of Bethel Church, “The Son of God came as a man so men could become the sons of God.”

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:16-17 NKJV)

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26 NKJV)

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Excerpt from Incredible Intervention, Living Life in the Miracles of God

Available at http://www.christineachristopher.com

Voice Out of the Wind

Father, engulf me in Your wind. Hide me under Your breath. Center me in the air currents of Your Holy Spirit. Harmonize me with Your wind words. Let our life of love together bear fruit in the earth that will be rock solid for eternity. Thank you for this opportunity to know You and make You known. Be glorified in the voice out of Your wind … amen.

The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. John 3:8 ESV

There is something about the wind that reflects spiritual mystery along the journey. The wind is invisible to the natural eye. It’s effects are not. On a cold windy day, the wind chill factor makes it feel much colder than it is. A gentle breeze can bring refreshing on a hot, scorching day. Wind can erode and cause environmental problems. The speed of wind can destroy via hurricanes and tornadoes. The capture of wind can create electricity and empower. It takes wind to fan the flames of a smoldering fire. In Genesis 8 God brought a wind that caused the flood waters to go down for Noah and the inhabitants of the ark. The wind was a very important factor in God’s dealings with the Egyptians and His children. In Genesis 41, it was an east wind that brought a seven-year drought to Egypt. In Exodus 10 it was that east wind again that brought the plague of locusts upon the Egyptians followed by a west wind that took them away and out to sea. It was the Lord’s wind once more in Exodus 10, that opened up the Red Sea so His children could cross on dry ground. In Exodus 15 it tells us that they crossed, and Pharaoh’s army pursued, only to be greeted by the wind of God that shut the sea up and drowned them all! Numbers 11 tells us how God’s wind brought the quail to His people to satisfy their hunger. 2 Samuel 22 is a very wonderful chapter, but tucked in there at verse 11 it says: And He rode on a cherub and flew, and He appeared on the wings of the wind. Wind … that has wings?? God has escaped my box of logic!! In Psalms 104, God walks upon the wings of the wind! In Psalm 135 He brings forth the wind from His treasuries. The Hebrew word for treasuries is the word ‘owtsar meaning storehouse, a magazine of weapons (fig. of God’s armory). So the wind is a weapon in God’s hand. The stormy wind is simply fulfilling His orders in Psalm 148. In Ecclesiastes 1, it tells of the circuit of God that the wind is to follow. God, at times, may ask us to call for His wind to bring breath and life to another according to Ezekiel 37.

In the Gospels, Jesus used the stormy wind upon the sea several times to teach His disciples the importance of faith and trust when the winds of trial came upon them with great surprise and fury.

In Acts 2 the mighty rushing wind of God came upon those in the Upper Room that day to usher in the Promise of the sweet Holy Spirit. Their lives were turned upside down with the power to witness and testify of the newly risen Lord Jesus!

Through some scriptural examples, we have clarified that wind, comes straight from God. If I am born of His Spirit then His wind will be a frequent companion in my life. His wind, when allowed, will carry me places I would have never ventured on my own. The wind of God through me will destroy hell and usher in His glory.

His voice speaks out of His wind and I must … hear it.

His voice speaks out of His wind and I must … speak it.

His voice speaks out of His wind and I must … write about it.

His voice speaks out of His wind and I must … live it.

Through the breath of my Beloved, I will be challenged, nourished, refreshed, disciplined, protected, fought for, and cloaked in His glory. The wind gust of glory will at times come swooping down on me infusing my heart with sheer joy and ecstasy that only heaven can produce! The wind of God at times will come straight from His mouth to mine and in an instant resuscitate my breathless soul to life again. The airflow coming from the epicenter of His affections towards me swirls around my wounded heart causing miraculous healing and wholeness that years in the counselor’s office could never imitate.

The purpose of the “place” is to practice learning what He wishes … to hear His “sound” and make His “sound” known.

In my imperfect attempts to accomplish this, I hope there are bits and pieces that leap off the page and grasp your soul with His grip of holy, consuming fire and love. It’s my prayer that your life will be launched towards deeper dimensions of loving and knowing the absolute, true Lover of your soul.