Word Seeds

Just lately I've been despondent & discouraged by hard, harsh & sometimes even cruel actions & comments by so called friends & have even thought well maybe I should just keep quiet & not say anything (as there is another important issue I wanted to share about the Jubilee)!!! But isn't it amazing how your own words will come back to you like a boomerang (for good or bad) like the saying, "You will eat your own words". Prov. 18:21 puts it so perfectly "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it (for death or life)." Yesterday we were being taught on sowing & reaping... one of my favorite subjects which I have written a lot about over the years! It's a life principal that I've tried very hard to follow (still getting there haha) and Matt. 7:12 is the key to it ALL "Do for others what you want them to do for you..." TLB. Jesus wasn't trying to get us to be kind to each other haha oh no, He is teaching on the law of sowing & reaping here and it's a warning... God is not mocked what you do to others WILL come back to you (Gal.6:7)! Ok I got a little side tracked there... I wanted to add something from yesterday to my notes and came across this amazing statement that I had written years ago about words being seeds, while on the subject of the parable of the sower (Matt. 13:18-23) and the four different types of soil, representing the human heart and it's condition... "It is not our responsibility to see where the seed falls but only to be the continual sower of the Word, constantly sowing and scattering the seed and speaking the Word of God". Those were the "boomerang" words that I needed to hear today!!! You will note that 3 out of the 4 types of soil represent "hard hearts" only one type was "good, fertile soil". Again we are still to sow the Word seed even if only a very few will receive it! I once had an amazing picture... I was planting 3-4 seeds in the ground I then watered them and watched them grow into huge trees, bearing much fruit. When I looked again to my surprise behind these trees was another row of trees, then another, then another and another until I saw a huge orchard. Even if only 3-4 seeds fall in good fertile soil, those 3-4 will also sow seed and produce fruit themselves (in their circle of people)... then those too will plant more seed and so it continues to grow into a huge orchard. Yes there will always be the envious haters, backbiters & even slanderers out there who will do their best at trying to stop you! But just remember haters are always "benched" God will never use them, they will get to sit and watch while you play in the game of life & win all the goals and rewards!!! So be encouraged never give up always speak the words God puts in your mouth (Isa 59:21) as words have creative power for the positive or the negative (we can bless or we can curse), this is what differentiates us from all other creation. They are extremely powerful but also wield great responsibility (Matt. 12:36-37, James 1:26).

U.S. Elections 2016

The U.S. elections that will be held next week are going to be the most interesting, most important and most shocking of all time? I heard Pastor Perry Stone say recently that there will be an exclamation of “What…how did this happen?” Unexpected turns of events are going to happen that will cause this reaction? Also last year in August, on Sid Roth’s program, he interviewed Glenda Jackson and she gave a profound prophecy that said-: “The U.S. elections in November 2016 will not take place. It will be suspended because evil will arise and some disasters will happen and the President will not be removed but will be required to stay in office.” Of course we will all have to wait and see how this is going to turn out but my own studies that I have done on “The Four Great Beasts” could also strongly suggest the same outcome? Four world empires that Daniel predicted in Dan. 7:3-7 are also shadow types of future, present day empires…for example the Babylonian Empire is a shadow type of the U.S.A. (lion with eagle’s wings). The Medo-Persian Empire – present day Russia (bear with 3 ribs) and Grecian Empire – the Middle East (like a leopard). But interesting to note the fourth empire (Roman Empire), a composite of the 3 previous ones, is described in more detail by John in Rev. 13:2. “And the beast that I saw resembled a leopard, but his feet were like those of a bear and his mouth was like that of a lion…” Notice all three same animals are represented again and if we look at the symbols and their meanings we come up with an interesting conclusion? 1. body = temple = religion – leopard (small but swift) = Middle East 2. feet = dominion – bear (large, all devouring) = Russia 3. mouth = authority – lion (king of beasts, strength) = U.S.A. Now to put this all together…this beast has the religion (body) of the Middle East (Islam), the dominion (feet) or backing of Russia and has the authority (mouth) of a king. At the moment the statement of “backing of Russia” doesn’t add up as there is much in the media at the moment about Russia, war ships, submarines, nuclear war threats and possibly another “Cold War” with much tension between the two superpowers! An interesting thought though, this tension has only arisen now that a new president is about to be elected – that’s strange? But another very interesting study on numbers makes me totally convinced? We are currently on the 44th president – the 45th about to be elected or maybe not? The number four is the number for earth – kingdoms, nations and continents…the double 4 could represent the whole earth, the entire world? In Daniel 2:41-44 he describes the final kingdom of 10 toes, mixed with iron and clay, that will rule on earth and will control the entire earth (Dan. 7:23-24) and ultimately will be ruled by one leader over all the 10 rulers. This final empire or “One World Government” is known as the “New World Order”. Whew I’ve written a whole, very interesting chapter, on that alone…you are getting just a very brief snippet here! We are certainly living in the final chapters of this age and are seeing prophecy about to be fulfilled right before our eyes. So yes this election is a very crucial one and depending on the course of events, may reveal the beginning of all these prophetic fulfillments?

Storms of Life

We should not despise the storms of life even though they bring great upheaval and destruction! Storms uproot and bring things to the surface that would never normally be seen. Often people in our lives pretend to be devoted friends or acquaintances but underneath lays currents of hatred, jealousy, disloyalty and betrayal (Ps. 55:8, 12-16, 21). It is only a storm that will bring these underlying deceits to the surface where it is in plain sight for all to see and what was truly in their hearts is now exposed and the truth revealed. It could be that this person was even blocking or holding back the blessings that God was trying to release into our lives and in order to expose this He had to allow a storm to uproot it? Remember God is able to turn every situation around for our good (Rom 8:28) even though at the time it seems like a disaster! As long as we stay in the secret place of the Most High (Ps. 91:1-11) and remain stable (don’t stoop to their level, keep your heart pure) you will be protected from evil plots and curses. In fact, in due season, you will witness the reward of the wicked (vs. 8) as curses are like boomerangs they always return to where they came from. Dr. Chris Hill made an interesting statement…“Rejection is God’s protection! Sometimes God will remove someone in your life to protect you from the ‘stuff’ that’s on them.” He gave an example of his father who walked out before he was born. God later told him that if his father had stayed he would have had the same generational curses come into his life. We are often devastated by such rejections but God always has the best plan for our lives. May God give you the strength to face your storm and may peace, which is beyond understanding, and is only found at the storm’s centre (Ps. 91:1) be your reward and comfort.

Pit of Depression

Only just recently having read an open and honest testimony of someone who last year went through a very difficult time of depression, reminded me of what a serious and common problem this is. I too have been through this dark side of life and would like to just share a few things that might be able to help someone else who is in this right now? Depression is a pit, a hole that we fall into due to certain circumstances that can overwhelm us or bring fear into our lives. We all experience depression, things happen in life that are just simply not fair, that are extremely difficult and sometimes hard to understand! We might go through a loss of a loved one or a job or something else and feel we just cannot go on. Unfair things also happen to us, we are unjustly criticized or slandered, being despised and rejected. Or it could be a fear and uncertainty of the future. Unforgiveness and bitterness is another huge cause of depression. Whatever the circumstance you are facing, just know that you are not the only one who is going through it, there are others going through the same thing, such things are common to all of us. But when you are going through it you feel you are the only one and no-one can understand what it feels like – this is an untruth and even if there was no human to understand there is One who knows all our weaknesses as He too suffered in every way we do and therefore understands and is able to comfort and strengthen us in these times if we will just turn to Him and not run from Him. 2 Chron. 15:2 “if you seek Him, He will be found by you...” and Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” and Acts 2:21 “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (delivered or rescued).” There are of course other things that can cause depression, such as medical problems which are physical. It could be a simple thing as hormone imbalances in woman going through menopause (or have had ovaries removed). Also chemical imbalances in the body can be caused through excessive intake of alcohol; most people don’t know this but alcohol is a depressant. People partake of it when they are depressed to make them feel better (and it does momentarily) but then when it wears off it takes you down into a deeper pit of depression. We then try to fix this imbalance with medication such as anti-depressants. But be extremely cautious of anti-depressants, some of them are highly addictive and others once you come off them can make you suicidal. They should only be taken on the short term. I strongly suggest you seek medical advice before continuing such drugs. This of course doesn’t apply to chronic disorders such as manic depression. So therefore seek medical help and advice then seek spiritual advice. It is usually impossible to get out of this pit by yourself. You need the helping hand of a family member, a friend, a pastor or a professional to council you. Sometimes just talking to someone who can offer Godly advice can be all that you need to get you through this. Of course God is always there to deliver those who will call upon His name and He will often use ministering angels to help change the course of depression and “lift” you out of it (Heb. 1:14; Ps. 40:2). Depression is a pitfall or trap the enemy uses because he knows your strength comes from your joy (Neh. 8:10). If he can keep you there long enough all your strength will be drained away and you will be totally helpless like Samson was when his hair was cut (Jud. 16:19). This pit is a bottomless pit with different levels. When you first fall into it you are on one of the higher ledges – the longer you stay in it the further down you will go and will progressively fall to lower levels (this is when suicide becomes a constant thought). Just a side note here suicide is not an option; our lives are not our own and we have no right to end them. First of all the choice to commit suicide is a sin that will send you to a place of outer darkness and terror even if you do not believe hell exists that does not change the fact that it does. Jesus actually spoke more about hell than He did about heaven (Luke 16:19-31). He only promises eternal life to those who overcome and who endure to the end (Rev. 2:10, 11; 3:5, 10-12; Matt. 10:22, 24:13). He also promises to never leave us or forsake us and that He will always be with us through every trial and difficulty (Heb. 13:5; Ps. 91:14-15; Josh. 1:9; Isa. 41:10). It is a pit you cannot get out of yourself – it is only the long arm of the Lord that can reach done and lift you up out of the deep miry clay (Ps. 40:2; 69:14; Isa. 60:1). When you are in depression your natural tendency is to wallow in self pity and to isolate yourself – this is the worst thing to do. Don’t be too proud to tell someone (someone who can stand for you in prayer), as soon as possible, that you are struggling with depression. The enemy’s favourite line he will whisper in your ear is…“God doesn’t love you, nor does anyone else, nothing good will ever happen for you! It’s too late, it’s over, you’ve blown it, and you will never make it! You’re just a failure” It’s important to note that depression is a “fruit”; it is the result of something i.e. of failure, fear, disappointment or the loss of something. It is also one of the fruit’s of sin, where there is anger, strife, bitterness, unforgiveness, anxiety, worry, fear, unbelief and doubt, depression will surely follow! One of the keys to overcoming depression then is to find out what the root is (you cannot kill a weed without pulling up its root) then pull it up by dealing with the cause of the problem. If strife is the cause, make amends with that person, if fear is the cause counter attack with the Word of God (Jer. 29:11; Ps. 139 etc). If it’s a loss allow time for the grief process but then stop holding onto the past (or you will become trapped there), let it go and begin to focus on the bright future God has for you. Then the next step is a huge one and that is to take perspective on reality and to begin to think of and focus on all the good things in your life – be grateful and thankful for the sooo many blessings in your life! Even things like having the use of your limbs, being able to breathe easily, being able to see and hear and being able to live without pain! What about the blessing of family and friends? Once you begin to think about the good things (Phil. 4:8) and keep your mind “set” (Col. 3:2) on them your problems in comparison will soon fade away. Stop allowing the depression to breed and fester by focusing on the problem. I live right opposite a school for the handicapped and often when I become depressed I have to just remind myself that there are so many suffering with hardships and difficulties we can’t possibly imagine (what about those who are trapped in human trafficking?)…there is always someone far worse off than you! Being thankful and grateful is a main key to being set free from depression and self pity. Here is a cute saying… “to keep your tank full (of love, joy and peace) be THANK FULL”. It is also, by the way, the only way you can approach God (Ps. 100:4). Depression is not something we have to bare and put up with. It is a choice! You, yourself can choose to stay in depression or you can choose to take steps to get out of it. You can choose to leave the past and all its mistakes and disappointments behind you and begin to focus on what’s ahead of you… “BEHOLD, I AM DOING A NEW THING!” “New things always seem frightening at first but soon they will become old things! In order to take hold of a new thing, we must let go of the old & allow ourselves time to get acquainted with the new. Remember the good things from your past, but do not get stuck there, do not be afraid to release and walk away from what God is finished with! God is always doing a new thing and He has wonderful new things waiting for you!” Joyce Meyer (Josh. 1:1-9; Isa. 43:19; Jer. 29:11).

Men - The Woman of Your Dreams

You have inspired me to write something very interesting…well I hope you find it interesting, maybe not what you are expecting but these are God’s principals in finding a “wife” and if you follow His path you will have success and be blessed i.e. you will “birth” an Issac (which by the way means laughter)….but on the other hand, if you choose to do it your way, you will most definitely “birth” an “Ishmael” i.e. you will have difficulties and problems and it will be extremely painful. All this talk about “birthing” yes it’s “Birthing Your Dream”. God will but a desire in your heart as a seed, you then go through a whole process of actually bringing that dream or desire to “full term”. Unfortunately most people are in too much of a hurry and are impatient to wait for God to work out this process in your life. If you try to “help” God along and hurry up the process you will fail and have disaster. It’s like the story of the “Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:11-32) the son took his inheritance before he was ready to receive it, his character had not been developed enough for him to be able to handle success, he then squandered and lost everything. The same thing happens to us if our character has not had the chance to develop before we are ready to receive what God has for us (He develops your character through hardships and adversity). And this particularly applies to men as they are the spiritual leaders of the home and family and God will not give you a woman to lead until you are proficient in being led, directed and submissive to your heavenly Father. The main verse on this subject, I believe is Ps 37:4-5 “Delight yourself also in the LORD; and he shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” The key phrase here is “DELIGHT” yourself in the Lord…you see God will NOT take second place in your life He wants and deserves FIRST place in everything that involves you. Why should He give you a wife (or a business) if you are going to just ignore Him and maybe even idolize and worship your wife instead of Him? Can you see and understand my point here? Once you have put Him in first place and love and delight in Him (Mark 12:30) “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.” He then can trust you with other things…the desires He has already put in your heart. You see when you love Him like that you will want to please and obey Him and a woman can feel safe and secure in the knowledge that you will seek His council and lead her correctly and also treat her well. Whew, you see not what you were expecting eh? But there is more wisdom to add to this if you’re willing to listen? I just want to add a quote I wrote:- “I just want to add here that the enemy will do anything to try and distract us from God’s perfect will (Rom 12:2) and purpose for our lives and to move us in another direction, getting us to birth an Ishmael which will only bring huge problems, anxiety and stress into our lives. It may seem right and look and feel right but its way only ends in destruction and death (Prov 14:12). A sure and full proof way of “steal, kill and destroy” (Jn 10:10; 1 Pet 5:8) tactic. All I can say here is this “FOLLOW YOUR HEART” for this is where the Lord speaks, this is where He will lead and guide you – follow His footsteps and the promptings of the Holy Spirit and He will never, ever guide you into the wrong path as He only has a good and perfect plan for your life. One that will bring you great joy, peace and prosperity (Ps 16:6,11).” What I was trying to say here is that there are counterfeits out there which the enemy of your soul is longing for you to take the bait…to be lured away from God’s plan for your life because he knows it will bring great destruction to you and totally lead you in the wrong direction. Some wise words once told to me were “how can you ever find the right relationship if you are in the wrong one?” i.e. if you are in the wrong relationship, the right one can slip away. I know this is a very hard pill to swallow for guys, it’s much harder for you to “wait” but I promise you it will be worth it in the end. The other point I made here is “listen to your heart…the Holy Spirit will direct you". Many times people will mislead us and give us wrong council (Ps 1:1). A story here of a couple I know that had great opposition from even church leaders and were told not to marry…but they listened to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and obeyed Him rather and today 15 years later are still happily married. You see people do not know God’s plan for your life…He will reveal it to you not them. A word of warning here…having said that, God has put safe guards in place in the form of your family, especially your parents who He has given godly wisdom to, to guide you (and also your spiritual authorities). They are able to see things that you might not. You know the saying “love is blind” so relying on their wisdom is paramount. But again the Holy Spirit is your final authority and He is the only One to obey in the end (if you should be put in a very difficult situation where people are totally against your decision…but most of the time your parents will somehow “know”). Another point…write the vision and make it plain (Hab 2:2)write down the qualities you are looking for in your “Dream Girl” you will be amazed at how God will bring all those qualities before you when the time is right…but you have to first be clear and know exactly what you want…this is another “safe guard” as if a woman comes along that distinctly doesn’t have the qualities you’re looking for, even though you like her, I promise you, you are on the wrong track as remember God gives you the desires of your heart. So once again be clear and distinct and know exactly what you are looking for in “your woman”, and don’t be tempted to settle for second best. Another word of warning here, of course NO-ONE is perfect…you will not find a perfect woman, remember we are ALL works in progress…even you! But you must still know and be clear of what qualities you are looking for as God is a very specific God, He needs to know exactly what you want (eich be careful here what you ask for or forget to ask for...story of a woman who said I forgot to ask that he would also like my friends…her husband hates her friends). Ok can I add something personal here? This also relates to the part on the counterfeit….my experience in this journey is that God gives you this vision or dream and in this process of birthing your dream, there seems to come a point when your dream or what you are believing God for, actually dies, right in front of you, it dies. To your absolute horror and dismay and confusion you begin to wonder what on earth is going on….why has this died or come to an end…wasn’t this what You have promised me? All these questions begin to arise and you are in a state of shock! But this quote explains it quite clearly:- “God often births a vision in our lives only to allow it to die first before the purest version of the vision is manifested. This has happened several times in my own journey. Oswald Chambers observes, "God's method always seems to be vision first, and then reality, but in between the vision and the reality there is often a deep valley of humiliation.” Os Hillman You see the way I see it…God’s vision and plan for you is far greater and bigger than we could ever imagine and is often too overwhelming for us to handle at that time so He allows us to see our vision the way we want to see it…the way we can handle it. In parallel to this is His vision…running parallel to yours at the same time and as you are walking through your vision, He is working His vision into being. And at some point your vision has to come to an end so that His can begin. Wow does that make any sense? It will when you have to actually walk through it. But my point I just want to make here is don’t panic and be dismayed when this happens…don’t worry it’s all just apart of the plan, just keep holding on and keep trusting Him, remember Prov. 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding” often our understanding is not reliable as we cannot see what He sees (Isa. 55:8-9). I wonder if any of this makes any sense but hopefully some point I’ve made will jump out at you and maybe give you some insight to this journey that you are on? May God bless you with wisdom, insight and vision and may He bless your hands as instruments of kindness and grace and bless you with a heart full of love, compassion and understanding. But hey most of all may He bless you with a wonderful, gorgeous and godly wife!