Hold On To What You Hear!!!

Wednesday Night Bible Study (1/19/11)

Part I: He that hath an Ear let him Hear

Matthew 13: 1-23
The parable of the sower. All the seed that was sown was good seed. The problem was not the seed, but the ground. Some ground was stony, some ground was overtaken by weeds (thorns), and then there was good ground. Ground that was fertile, and prepared to recieve the seed that was sown.

Question: How do you hear?

Yes, the sound waves enter through your ear, but it is not until your brain interprets the sound..that you hear what you hear. In the natural the Brain is the control center. As the brain is the control center- through which all our senses interpret and respond to the world around us, the "Holy Spirit" is the control center for the spirit man.

Revelation 2:17
He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;...



Part II: Hold Fast!

Revelation 2:25
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.


Revelation 3:1-6
Acts 27:27-44


In Revelation, the Spirit was speaking to the church/es. The church at Sardis was admonished to be watchful (ears and eyes- on alert)strenghten the things that remain, that are ready to die.

Sometimes we are so caught up in the things that have been taken, that we've lost, missed out on, or the things we've wanted, but haven't gotten, that we fail to see the value in what we have left.

We look at what we have in our hand and say it's not good enough, so we refuse to use it. We look at the seed (money, gifts, etc) that we have left, but because it's little in our eyes, we refuse to plant it. If we were to plant what we have left, even though it seems small, the harvest from that one seed -planted in good soil-would blow our minds!

In Acts, the apostle Paul is on a vessel that is experiecing a storm. While those with him are fearful, Paul- whose ears have been tuned to hear from God-tells the others that no flesh would be lost if they stay (abide) in the ship. The storm became so furious that it tore the ship apart, yet no life was lost because they made it to shore on broken peices. Just like the remnants, the broken pieces of the ship were still sufficient to help them obtain their goal.


Here's the chant:

Leader: He that has an ear
People: Let him hear
Leader: What is he saying?
People: Hold Fast!


Hold fast to whatever you have left. Even if you're hanging by a thread. If it's a little faith-Hold Fast! A little joy - Hold Fast! One WoRd from God - Hold Fast!

This is the word of the Lord to NVT--Hold Fast!

SN: Those in attendance were given a peice of 'the ship' to hold onto. If you weren't there and want one let me know.

Moving Forward.....(pt 2)

The greatest tragedy this year would be for you to stand at the edge of your destiny, but to be afraid to enter into all that God has planned for you. Your obedience in moving forward -- to take risks and step out in faith – will release God’s power in your life.

What are you afraid of in 2011? Whatever it is, it doesn't stand a chance when you do whatever God tells you to do. There is no reason to be afraid. The Lord is on our side.



Rick Warren/via Doc and Faye Dougherty


P.S. I received this as part of my daily prayers. I hope it speaks to you as it did to me...blessings.

Moving Forward.....

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Phillipians 3:13-14

I've tried it my way...and failed. I've pressed towards things and trappings of success. I've gone the route of education. I've pursued the "American Dream" and found it to be a reoccurring nightmare. I've done what was expected of me...other's expectations...my expectations...and come up short.

Now in 2011...I've been given another chance to do it God's way. To press towards his mark, his high calling (purpose) for my life, to take the road less travelled- the one that seeks him first-to pursue his dream for me, to do what he expects of me. For then and only then, will my soul find the rest it seeks.

As I told you in 2010, I still plan on dying empty. That fact that I'm still here, and so are you, is confirmation that he's not finished with us yet.

Here's to a new day...a new year...2011...expect the great and keep moving forward.

It's Time to Give Birth !!!!!

PREGNANT WITH PURPOSE


Isaiah 26:17-18
Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O Lord. We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.


The vision, an embryo, conceived by the spirit of God
Implanted in the womb of the spirit receives nourishment from the word of God,
Via the umbilical cord of faith.
Although there may not be outward signs
In the spirit something monumental has occurred.

There are some common signs of pregnancy before one begins to “show”
Some experience digestive problems--the body begins to reject food it once loved
while others experience an increased appetite, and or,
an intense craving for a particular food.
Not to mention the hormonal changes that causes the pendulum to
swing abruptly from one emotion to another.
And what of the timing of this event--
Is it an inconvenience?
And if declared to be such, easily aborted.

If the pregnancy is allowed to continue and crosses the hurdle of miscarriage,
Soon after the first flutterings are felt and there’s no doubt-
YOU’RE HAVING A BABY.

You’re nine months now. Feet are swollen
You waddle here and there, you’re weary, heavy and ready for this baby to come.

The first stirrings signal that labor has begun.
During the night the baby has positioned himself to enter the world.
The contractions begin slow and steady and increase in intensity and duration.
Between contractions you try to rest and regroup awaiting the next contraction that will usher you into destiny.

You have resisted the temptation to abort the mission
Because of fear and pressure and the urge to please.
You have not allowed past failures to cause you to miscarry.


Now you face the greatest attack--you’re so close to giving birth
Yet exhaustion from the loss of blood and pain endured(there was no epidural),
You find you’re so close, but you’re strength has been depleted
And the urgency you felt is diminished.

But if you listen closely, you’ll hear your coach(paraclete, helper) say:
PUSH!
Your spirit will arise and say, “ Your deliverance is in this baby, purpose and destiny are in this baby”
You’ll be able to plant your feet firmly in the “stirrups of promise”
And begin to bear down with the next contraction.

Against Frustrations and Attacks from the adversary-
PUSH!
Against Oppression and Depression-
PUSH!
I can hear the midwife say; “I see the head! A few more good pushes,
And we’ll have a baby.”
Against Opposition-
PUSH!
Disappointments and Tears-
PUSH!
Until at last you hold in your arms, your purpose that allows you to walk in your destiny.


Isaiah 66:7-9
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pains came, she was delivered of a manchild. Who hath heard such things? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? Saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? Saith thy God.

Copyright (2004-2006) The Oil & The Wine



This was written around 2004-2005. It's now 2010. That's a long time to be pregnant.... at least in the natural sense. Some would even argue that in the spiritual realm it's still a lenghty period of time. Yet, most of us can testify to having dreams, visions, goals, and destines that have been in the incubator even longer than 6 years. Many of us even placate ourselves by saying; "It's not time yet..." "When God gets ready, it'll happen.." The list goes on.

We could live in the land of excuses, and rest by the river 'denial' and refuse to realize that the spiritual is paralleled by the natural.
How does a woman know that she is in labor? PAIN !!! CONTRACTIONS !!!! These signals are precursors of an overwhelming urge to push. In the spiritual, pain and contractions also signal that you have outgrown the space/place/position/circumstance that you are in, and that it is indeed time to give birth.

So, Sista: If you're experiencing pain at this time- it may very well be that you are about to give birth to something significant! Go ahead girlfriend...PUSH !!!

No Weights......Desperately Seeking Peace.

In a time when many are searching for meaning and purpose in life...it appears that instead of lightening our loads, we are adding more to our plates on a daily basis--and we wonder why we're so tired.

While the sister in the picture is building up physical strength by lifting weights, our spiritual growth is accelerated as we lay aside weights. As she lifts the 'bar bells' and her biceps after feeling the strain of pain and as the weight is increased, so her muscles respond in strength and in size. As we lay aside weight, we will also experience pain (as we let go of people, places, and things)as our spiritual muscles are flexed, and they too expand in size.

What Weights ????

Worry: So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat, or What shall we drink or What shall we wear? Matthew 6:31.

Stress: And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:16.

Fear: God has not given us the spirit of fear! For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and self-discipline. II Timothy 1:7.

Doubt: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Philippians 4:13...Greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world. I John 4:4.

Discouragement: But David encouraged (found strength) himself in the Lord his God. I Samuel 30:6.

I know when we hear that scripture (Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that does so easily beset us ( Hebrews 12:1)..we usually think of fornication, adultery...etc. But the things listed above are ...SIN!

We can also allow others to dump weights (gossip,confusion, gripes, and complaints...) on us. Refuse to be a dumpster for others' trash. Don't be a landfill...be a reservoir!

My Motto: No weights- I refuse to carry my own problems...my Daddy's got that!

Any weights you need to lay aside????

The Missing Ingredient: Gratitude !!!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (NLT).>



If you have children you're probably all too familiar with the term...'ungrateful'. All too often it appears that the more we give,the more they want, and the less they want to do in response to what they ask for and what they end up receiving.

Does the average child really consider the sacrifices that are made to get them that brand name pair of shoes that they've just gotta have? Even if they don't whine and moan until you purchase it...then there's the whole psychological-societal guilt trip that if you don't get your child everything they want...you're not a good mommy....and if God-forbid they're not wearing the latest designer labels you're somehow a failure.

In a time when more non-working high-school, middle-school, and even elementary- school children are wearing Guess, ....carrying Coach, Gucci...and have their own cars---and the parents are making the payments...The pressure to keep up with the Jones' (or is it the Kardashians now?)is immense!

How many of us in the name of 'fitting in' and 'lookin' the look' are skipping mortgage and rent, car payments and electrical bills...and the list goes on---yeah I know..not you and me--OK it seems out there, but it's happening. As an educator I can't even tell you how many students I pass in the hallways wearing the aforementioned items, yet don't have paper and pencil to write with, and move more than once a year! Priorities!

Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't mind some labels too. I just don't want to lie (Yes, I am the only working adult in the household...), eat PB & J everyday, live in the "ghetto" and drive a BMW just to impress folks who really don't care about me either way.


Sometimes when I'm thinking of how it seems that my own children are ungrateful, I wonder if God is using them to show me how ungrateful I am. While I'm asking for him to do things for me...how often do I whine and complain...have pity parties, and min-tantrums (okay...so they're not mini-tantrums..lol) because things are not going the way I want them to.

If you're like me, you love being able to give...especially to those you love, and feel sad when you're not able to be a blessing because of financial constraints. Abba Father is like that too. He truly desires to give good gifts to his children.

I'm reminded that while God took the children of Israel out of bondage and promised (and fulfilled his promise) them a land flowing with milk and honey, what should have only been a 40 day journey ended up being a 40 year delay because disobedience, murmuring and complaining. Actually the earth opened up and swallowed many because of murmuring and complaining -- and it still is today. The 'earth' (the world system) is swallowing up the gifts and blessings that God bestows upon his children because we are so blinded by what others have that we can't see what we have-therefore we fail to be thankful(Exodus chapters 15-16, Numbers 12, Numbers 16, & 1 Corinthians 10:10).


There's so much to be thankful for:
1. a home - even if it's not a mansion
2. a job - even if it's not the dream job, and doesn't pay nearly enough
3. your family -OK..maybe they're a little off---but they love you-and you know you're a little off too :)
4. children - even when they're ungrateful --some people would kill to have them
5. health - OK you're not a size four---somebody loves your size, but you won't know it till you love you..


And this list goes on...

So in the midst of asking and waiting to receive, let's add the missing ingredient-Gratitude! Let's try at all cost to be thankful for what we have. It may be that when we do so, we will see our desires manifested sooner.

P.S. When you respond to this post continue the 'thankful' list...Stay Blessed!

I'm Still Being Processed.......

HE’S NOT THROUGH WITH ME YET


He’s still working on my building Making the foundation sure, and building walls of faith, to shelter me from storms. He’s putting on the roof - the helmet of salvation, also he’s making windows and doors; my way of escape. He’s still sweeping the dirt off the floor, and making sure the table (heart) is clean! He checks to see if my stairs are clean-if I walk upright, He’s checking through the closets of my mind Where the dirty laundry abides. He’s mopping up the mistakes I’ve made and helping me to overcome. He’s taking out the garbage (whatever is not expedient) He sure is cleaning house! He still goes through my dresser drawers, and searches for hidden things. My mirror he cleans with Windex (word) so I can see myself--and he opens up my blinds and curtains so I’m reminded from whence I came. He checks my shoes to see where I’ve been and investigates my pockets and purses to see if I’ve taken other lovers. He’s such a jealous God! We’ve started spring cleaning early, and winter’s baggage is packed, I’ve checked it into Jesus, he’s able to handle that. But he’s still not finished yet, there lots of vacuum cleaning (purging) dusting and redecorating going on. He’s still not through with me yet.

Jeremiah 18: 4
And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.



The above mentioned poem, was written years ago, however it still rings very true. Even after all I've been through....even in the areas of growth, the process is not over. I have to confess...I Haven't Arrived! I'm not as strong as I wish Not as good as I should be Not as holy as I aspire to be Not always kind Not always loving Not always true Not always pure My faith wavers... My hope gets diminished My confidence wanes... My steps falter... My zeal cools off I have more questions than answers... I don't cast my cares like I should Don't pray enough Don't fast enough Don't study enough Don't give enough... I can be selfish, inconsiderate and unkind... Quite a list isn't it...and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Not trying to discourage you..just being real. The word lets us know that open confession is good for the soul, and we'll never get healed if we don't admit we're diseased. Wounds that are exposed can be healed...wow looks like God's got his work cut out for him:)!!! So Glad He's up to the task, and HE'S NOT THROUGH WITH ME YET!