When this journey began to get more intense, someone mentioned to us, “It will come in waves.” Immediately, we began to wonder what that meant. It never fails that when I sit down to write about what was, the way our angel graced us, it is not an easy task. I do not just wake up feeling great, and rearing to go. In fact, I always awaken prepared, yet truly feeling more like a freight train hit me.

It is unreal to me that in a little over 15 hours, it will be one year since Sarah Elizabeth went home. I try not to dwell on this. In fact, most days, believe it or not, it is NOT at the forefront of my mind, and our minds. I used to feel bad about that. But, I understand now, that no one who leaves the earth wants those temporarily left behind to hurt and be in anguish over what was.

The title for this entry came to me early this morning. I began to reflect on the TRUE intimacy of God. Did you know, or were you aware that GOD wants to be part of everything we do and are? I thought of this scripture in Revelations.

Revelation 3:20Amplified Bible (AMP)

²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me.

I had said to my husband, “We forgot to invite HIM in.” My husband then said, “You just did.” It is THAT simple. God does not need grand gestures. At least NOT the one that WE serve. Because, what He truly desires is holiness. He truly desires a pure place where HE can REST and REsidE.

Let’s look at what the word says about GLORY. It has a lot to say, and later specific scriptures will be posted for further research. What jumps out to me is HE takes us from GLORY to GLORY to GLORY. It says this so clearly. The definition of Glory is interesting.

It states that Glory is praise and honor. I am giving the simple definition. But that means the LORD takes us from worship, praise, honor, and so much more to each new phase in our life. When we dwell on what was, we receive the past. But, when we walk forward into and embrace what is, we receive HIS presents and presence.

When I was a child, I thought like a child. This scripture also spoke to me. In Corinthians Paul is explaining the best way. He is explaining the GIFT as well as the weapon of LOVE. He is, for all intensive purpose warning them and US to stay focused. It is a time where we cannot be moved by the appearing glitz and the glamour of the world we live in.

Do we always like the way the NEW feels? Well, honestly NO. In fact, sometimes we look at God and say, “Can’t you just turn back time?” Sometimes He gives us what we request. If only to show us that it is not the best way. There was a time, years ago where someone said to me, “Remember, God will often give you what you think you want, to show you that you did not really want just that. ”

I really believe that Jesus was speaking in that wisdom. As humans we tend to settle. You know, with what looks like the perfect family for example. We just want the surface to be clean and pretty. So that onlookers do not see the truth. But, WE are being called to go deeper. To clean deeper, to hurt deeper, to cry harder, and to endure through Christ.

When I was a child I thought Glory meant something good. That’s it. I thought maybe a reward of some sort. In a sense that was true, but the GLORY of God is so much more than that. The GLORY of GOD is feeling and experiencing down to your very breath, the nails, the beating, the excruciating HELL of the crucifixion of Christ.  So, the question is, “Are you ready?”

As a child, a very young child, I was a cheer leader. I never took that into high school, but at around age 9 I cheered. I remember one of my favorite cheers began with “ARE YOU READY?” I believe this is a question God is asking us today. Are the lamps full? Are we prepared in our spirit for what is going to arrive?

Are you willing to be FREED from the world’s hell and FILLED with Heaven’s JOY? Before you say yes, really let God search your heart. He wants to bring us the GOLD at the end of the rainbow. BUt, to truly receive it, we have to be OPEN to what HE desires alone. It can be a very tough road, this narrow way. But, there is no other destination that offers what the GLORY road does.

Just For Today For Bereaved Parents
by Vicki Tushingham
Just for today I will try to live through the next 24 hours and not expect to get over my child’s death, but instead learn to live with it, just one day at a time.
Just for today I will remember my child’s life, not just her death, and bask in the comfort of all those treasured days and moments we shared.
Just for today I will forgive all the family and friends who didn’t help or comfort me the way I needed them to. They truly did not know how.
Just for today I will smile no matter how much I hurt on the inside,
for maybe if I smile a little, my heart will soften and I will begin to heal.
Just for today I will reach out to comfort a relative or friend of my child,
for they are hurting too, and perhaps we can help each other.
Just for today I will free myself from my self-inflicted burden of guilt, for deep in my heart I know if there was anything in this world I could of done to save my child from death, I would of done it.
Just for today I will honor my child’s memory by doing something with another child because I know that would make my own child proud.
Just for today I will offer my hand in friendship to another bereaved parent
for I do know how they feel.
Just for today when my heart feels like breaking, I will stop and remember that grief is the price we pay for loving and the only reason I hurt is because I had the privilege of loving so much
Just for today I will not compare myself with others. I am fortunate to be who I am and have had my child for as long as I did.
Just for today I will allow myself to be happy, for I know that I am not deserting her by living on.
Just for today I will accept that I did not die when my child did,
my life did go on, and I am the only one who can make that life worthwhile once more.

This was posted recently in one of the groups I am in. It speaks so many volumes. I hope this helps someone. Because even though it is specific to a child leaving this earth, it really can pertain to any deep loss. ~

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glory

Another song came into my spirit today. It is such a great way to describe how GOD LOVES so passionately and deeply. Such a beautiful depiction of the RAW, REAL, and RELATIONAL God we serve.

“The Real Me”

By: Natalie Grant

How many of you can say you LOVE every inch of who God created you to be? It is a struggle for me personally. I have to look in the mirror, and consciously say thank you to GOD for what is staring back at me. For healing every muscle, joint, and cell. For transforming HELL to Heaven. For giving us the unexpected, and for teaching us JOY through very deep sorrow.

One of our children said to me recently, “You have JOY within you, because you have Jesus in you.” I’m not certain if she understood the wisdom in that statement. But, the fact is, even when it feels the JOY has been kidnapped, there is always a residue. IT is NOT always something we can taste, touch, feel or even embrace, but it is present.

Every child God has given us, has made a covenant of FAITH. A promise to GOD that no matter what happens, “FAITH will be the choice made.” That means that no matter what circumstance arises in each life or our lives as a family, the choice will be made to by FAITH surrender to God the Father, son, and holy spirit.

How do we go from GLORY to GLORY to GLORY? I always thought it was about each level. But, focusing on that can often be a distraction. I was playing a game recently. IT is one we love to play as a family. There is one portion that has clouds we have to jump. I personally am not great at this one. But, I am getting better. 😉 Last night while playing, I thought about Heaven. How when we take the hand of JESUS, we jump, and often FLY through the clouds and storms.

He takes us from GLORY to GLORY to GLORY….

The waves can feel refreshing, crushing, and exhilarating at times. They can be consuming at times as well. They can be HEAVEN and at times can be HELL. But, they must come. It ALL must come….because eventually it ALL must go. LIFE is a vapor. We are here but for a moment. It takes what it takes for HIS GLORY to shine. For some it takes what looks like a LONG time, and for others a much shorter one.

A dear sister gave me some GREAT and much needed wisdom recently. She said, “It is KEY to choose Christ over feelings.” It is the KEY to HIS GLORY door. When we choose to release how we feel to HIM, before the throne, He comes. It is the greatest reminder of NOT being alone.

What’s at the END of the RAINBOW?

Do you want the rainbows? Are you willing to give up? It’s gotten a negative rap. But, surrender is the treasure on His map. Is it fun? Well, no and at times it hurts like HELL. But, Heaven has to come. He’s not honored by tradition, unless Holiness is present. Is your heart unbroken before Him? Because sometimes what looks dead lives. Sometimes, it’s just breath that He gives. Packages can be small or large. Emotions good or dangersome. As this chapter closes, others will open. But, I cannot lie. It’s hard to say goodbye. Even in knowing the truth. Being comforted we are. Watching evil, we do. Knowing that somehow someway, it will change someday. Are you willing to cry tears of fire? Are you ready for pure desires? Soon the world will crack. For some, it will feel like a slap in the face. Those who’ve refused to repent, the torment will come. For some it’s already arrived. Is He a God of love? Yes, but love comes in many shapes and sizes. Forgive us for places we falter. Even when it’s hard to believe. We lie down on your holy altar, and receive. We receive ALL you want to give. No matter how it feels. Your hope is real. Your Love is here. You require everything. 100 %. We surrender ALL and renew the covenant.

it’s a picture of a girl, also VERY prophetic, realizing she’s bigger and stronger than she ever thought possible. By the grace and GLORY of GOD. 

These pictures tell a story. The first one is in part, because of a vision that we were told about, regarding the waiting room of Heaven, and JESUS giving our daughter Sarah the most beautiful Ruby Red slippers. The second is a simple reminder. It is Finished. The 3rd is that the BRIDE is a warrior.

EMBRACE the WAVES….He wants to SATURATE you in HIS GLORY. It is messy, it is difficult and it is BEAUTIFUL.

In His Grace and GLORY,

E and Fam

This morning when I woke, I really sensed God with me. I know HE is close to the broken hearted. But, THIS was different. Ever since our baby girl went home, there has been a different connection to Heaven. Around 11 something, when I woke, I heard “The time of testing and trying is over for my faithful ones, and soon they shall reap the rewards.” Now, when God says soon, it could take a while to us usually. But, not this time. Not for HIS obedient COGS.

For those who do NOT know God, and refuse to try, you’re about to know HIM whether you like it or not. It is absolutely going to terrify you, and it will, no doubt be the last chance for some of you, to turn to HIM. God has watched, wept, and worked around the rebellious. But, NO LONGER will what was allowed go seemingly unnoticed.

I saw a vision today. It was the hand of God. It was awakening HIS “hidden warriors.” What that means is, the devil is about to PAY. People should not take vengeance, but believe me GOD will. The FEAR of the LORD will be restored. It will be restored NO matter what it takes. He will not sit idly by, while people laugh and make fun of people being brutally murdered. There is much that will come to light.

People will have to choose. Which GOD do you serve? Because, there can be absolutely NO FEAR in what is left behind that is of GOD. Not, in this season. So, I pray that the Heavenly Father, Lord and brother Jesus, and the Holy Spirit fill the children of GOD up. That we don’t just get bandged from this world. WE can be made whole through HIS LOVE. The well is open, of LIFE water. COME and drink of it.

Difficult things will come, or hey will feel difficult at first. But, for those who put ALL and I mean ALL their FAITH and TRUST in GOD, HEAVEN will unfold before your eyes. Are you willing to give UP what WAS so you can receive HEAVEN on EARTH. I know for me, it has NOT been easy. I dare to say for us. For our kids, and my husband, surrender has been like pulling knives out of our backs. One at a time, they have been pulled out by Jesus. Then, we have sat wit HIM as He poured out HIS LOVE.

WE will NOT choose pain, fear, anger, hurt, unforgiveness, or anything else to be our GOD. Because too many are affected if we do. WE don’t always get to see the fruit, but GOD does, in our lives. Thankfully, WE see it in the lives of many others. We repent daily for places we may have fallen or faltered. God then restores. It hurts like HELL. In some sense it feels like being brow beaten at first. But, it is so very well worth it.

Will you choose crucifixion? Because serving CHRIST means dying. It means dying to whatever degree we are called to. It is MOST people’s greatest fear, to die. But, there can be no resurrection without it. I sat and looked at our child, our Heavenly gift. I sat and looked at the shell of who she was, after the ” life breath” was gone. I sit now under the blanket she left behind. I thought, how powerless is LIFE, but how powerful is our GOD. In ALL my life, I have never been so TERRIFIED. Yet, never in my life have I experienced such beautiful PEACE, as GOD was very much there.

I say this, not to glorify DEATH. I say this to GLORIFY God. I realized, that WE won’t always feel PEACE, but we can have an ANCHOR of it. When it was time to take our Butterfly into the hospital, I did not feel consumed with peace. But, it was present. What I felt was desperate. I was so desperate for GOD to help. I was so desperate for HIM, WE were. The 3 muskateers, that looked to HIM for our every breath. I cannot remember how many times I said that. There we were, and we ALL were terrified.

But, HERE is what the peace was in that circumstance. It was that GOD has a plan, and so many times, I just don’t get it, and in my flesh just want to go home to Heaven. I’m not saying I want to die. I am saying, it is a longing, because this of this world’s intensity, to go home. I know our daughter felt this, even more than me. She did not speak of it. She had an assignment here. Though it feels like she did not finish. I know she did. I had a vision of her. In the vision, it was an open vision, she was talking to Jesus. It was shortly after all the natural occurrences happened. Those associated with leaving THIS world and traveling into the next.

Today, I share this. It is very difficult for me, but I had to obey. Jesus offered her a way home. A ride, if you will. She looked at HIM and said, “Brother Jesus, I can go now. Because, now they KNOW. I was sent here to teach them how to LOVE you and be LOVED by you and NOW they KNOW. Now, they KNOW and can be used by you to teach others.

This time of year, when most of the rest of the world celebrates holidays, I am learning to celebrate HOLY days. In fact, WE are as a family. There have been people, for various reasons who have believed that we celebrate the death of our child. WE absolutely ONLY celebrate LIFE. We celebrate NEW LIFE. We celebrate HOLY transition. WE forgive false accusations, and we speak peace, Heavenly LOVE, and blessings over all those who see themselves as enemies.

http://www.openbible.info/topics/being_tested

I say this, because my HEART has got to be purified, and cleaned every day. If it is not, then things like hatred, pain, anger, bitterness, and other emotions, or spirits can have access. GOD does not want these things to control us. Do you know what He wants to feed our souls? It is HIS LOVE. IT comes in so many forms. IT comes through HIS word, as it washes us clean. IT comes through HIS kids. IT comes through HIM personally, when we have been purified to receive it.

What the ENEMY meant to harm you, GOD will use it for GLORY. IT will be used for HIS purpose, when it is surrendered to HIM. The enemy gets no victory in the life of Sarah Elizabeth Sharpe. He gets no victory in the lives of any of our children. I don’t know if it is considered a blessing or a curse sometimes. But, I often know when people are dying. I remember when God first told me about Sarah Elizabeth. I did not want to hear it. I ran from it for as long as I could. Until, I could NOT anymore. I did not keep this information secret on purpose. My natural self, really did NOT want to admit it. So, I didn’t until it admitted me. Meaning, when Sarah Beth got admitted, it was like ME getting admitted.

I have been in hospitals so many times. This time, WE could not let anyone come visit. It was disrespectful to GOD. It just had to be between HIM and her, and us. I’m not sure if my husband feels the same way as me. But, THIS time I felt, more than ever that every poke and prod, was ours. I don’t know if this makes any sense to anyone. I’m just sharing the story. WE died too. NOT in the exact same way, but yet, WE did. For various reasons, we did not sit with her 24/7. We had to TRUST God that HE would cover her. Because, David and I were just gone. I don’t know how we got through that 28 days. I know many were used to carry us in prayer. Thankful for that. To our family, and friends, we did NOT mean to hurt anyone by keeping people away. Please forgive us, if anyone felt disrespected or left out. WE had to obey GOD. That is who WE are.

We experienced HEAVEN and HELL at that time. But, HEAVEN far out weighed the HELL. It always does, when WE are willing to receive. WE got to hear her say, “Mommy, Daddy, I tried to come back, but I can’t. Because GOD needs me more. Forgive me.” So, today, I lay down my anger at her. It has been hidden in a place I did not know was there. I remember saying, “There is nothing to forgive.” But, there was. ALL the light that was there, went DARK that day. It was like a blackout. Yet, when we experienced HEAVEN, it was like a POWER SURGE.

I have always known, that receiving more of Heaven, meant surrendering what was. But, there was this piece of her in my heart. I treasured it. I did not keep it above God. It was right underneath HIM, in HIS arms. Today, I release that piece to receive more of HIS peace. Because, I cannot, even for a second, make even THIS about me. I mean, it is in a sense, but not in a sense. What it is about, is the LOVE of GOD. It is about God loving the world to bring us JESUS. IT is about God gifting us this beautiful angel, in human form. Why? Because, WE had missed out on what WE needed. Was it anyone’s fault? That is hard to say. But, what I do know is GOD will bring you HEAVEN if YOU are willing to receive it.

The hard part if YOU have to give up what you think is Heaven already? I hope this ministers to someone. Perhaps God had me be used to write it, to heal ME. To Heal, David, to heal the kids, to heal our family, that could be. But, whatever the reason, I was called as a vessel to share this story. For those who don’t think GOD is real, please just give HIM a chance. The alternative, no matter how fun it seems, is not worth it.

I have tried it ALL, and nothing works but RESTING in the ARMS of JESUS. Nothing. Enjoy Heaven baby girl, I know HE will lead you to GLORIOUS heights. I’m sure WE will continue to see you, amongst the clouds and storms. Thank you JESUS, for keeping safe forever this priceless gift. Thank you God for the testing, trying, and terrifying LIFE you give and gave. WE choose you again, this day. 

In His Grace,

E and Fam

Many in this world, are telling people to TRUST the process. Recently we have been hearing own your truth, and other garbage. The reason it is junk, is that the ONLY truth that we should ever trust is God’s truth. The rest of it, is against HIM and it is evil. The ONLY process WE should trust is the word of God. The original word of God.

Now, I am not a hugely religious person. But, I am a dedicated child of God. It has taken going on 40 years to learn about HIS process. He teaches us in many different ways, and uses many types of tools. But, HIS greatest tool is HIS word.

I did an experiment once. I went a few years without using the word as a guide. I believe I was then, given the GRACE to do so. However, now the word is a light to our feet, and a map for our life. I, since then have repented before God, for thinking that I could function without HIS life water. Because, what happens without it, is we drown. He can revive us, or we can slowly die until breath leaves us. Cannot count the times He has resurrected me, and us.

We simply cannot TRUST the life process without GOD being a part of every single aspect of it. Anything in this world can take root. But, just because it has roots at first, does not mean they cannot be cut. Who does the gardening? Is it us? No! It is JESUS. How does this happen? It takes place through surrender.

When we have surrendered everything WE can imagine to God, then and ONLY then, He forms miracles. They might not look the way we expected, but they will arrive in His time. They will be His desires. It will come when and how He chooses. Today I was reflecting on a scripture.

Psalm 37

[A Psalm] of David.

¹ Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness (that which is not upright or in right standing with God).

² For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

³ Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.

⁴ Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.

⁶ And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice and right as [the shining sun of] the noonday.

⁷ Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.

⁸ Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself—it tends only to evildoing.

⁹ For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait and hope and look for the Lord [in the end] shall inherit the earth.

¹⁰ For yet a little while, and the evildoers will be no more; though you look with care where they used to be, they will not be found.

¹¹ But the meek [in the end] shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

¹² The wicked plot against the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright in right standing with God); they gnash at them with their teeth.

¹³ The Lord laughs at [the wicked], for He sees that their own day [of defeat] is coming.

¹⁴ The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to cast down the poor and needy, to slay those who walk uprightly (blameless in conduct and in conversation).

¹⁵ The swords [of the wicked] shall enter their own hearts, and their bows shall be broken.

¹⁶ Better is the little that the [uncompromisingly] righteous have than the abundance [of possessions] of many who are wrong and wicked.

¹⁷ For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the [consistently] righteous.

¹⁸ The Lord knows the days of the upright and blameless, and their heritage will abide forever.

¹⁹ They shall not be put to shame in the time of evil; and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

²⁰ But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs [that is consumed in smoke] and as the glory of the pastures. They shall vanish; like smoke shall they consume away.

²¹ The wicked borrow and pay not again [for they may be unable], but the [uncompromisingly] righteous deal kindly and give [for they are able].

²² For such as are blessed of God shall [in the end] inherit the earth, but they that are cursed of Him shall be cut off.

²³ The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step].

²⁴ Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him.

²⁵ I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the [uncompromisingly] righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread.

²⁶ All day long they are merciful and deal graciously; they lend, and their offspring are blessed.

²⁷ Depart from evil and do good; and you will dwell forever [securely].

²⁸ For the Lord delights in justice and forsakes not His saints; they are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked [in time] shall be cut off.

²⁹ [Then] the [consistently] righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.

³⁰ The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks with justice.

³¹ The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

³² The wicked lie in wait for the [uncompromisingly] righteous and seek to put them to death.

³³ The Lord will not leave them in their hands, or [suffer them to] condemn them when they are judged.

³⁴ Wait for and expect the Lord and keep and heed His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; [in the end] when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

³⁵ I have seen a wicked man in great power and spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil,

³⁶ Yet he passed away, and behold, he was not; yes, I sought and inquired for him, but he could not be found.

³⁷ Mark the blameless man and behold the upright, for there is a happy end for the man of peace.

³⁸ As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together; in the end the wicked shall be cut off.

³⁹ But the salvation of the [consistently] righteous is of the Lord; He is their Refuge andsecure Stronghold in the time of trouble.

⁴⁰ And the Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they trust and take refuge in Him.

If you look at the point of this psalm it is simple. MAKE God your only GOD and you will NOT be disappointed. You will be protected and NOT rejected, and you will see a fountain of HIS LOVE appear. Those who attempt to stop what God has planned will be be incinerated. Period. How exactly? By their own hands. For the wicked indeed, will destroy themselves.

So, whose blood do we have on our hands, if we we trust the world’s process? MANY. The ONLY way the process can be trusted is IF it is the Heavenly process. Anything else will inevitably fail.  Have you tried other processes???I have and not one of them worked, except complete surrender to God, and His ways.

There will come a time and a day where there will be threats and intimidation to deny Jesus. But, our JOB is to let Jesus show up, by FaiTH. Is it faith in us, others, guns, words, speech, emotions, children? Nope, it is faith in the one who created us all. It is NOT faith that is universal, yet is united, with Christ as the center.

Do we hate other faiths? No. something that sets us apart is the LOVE of God. It will NOT be hatred that show people Jesus. It will be compassion, sensitivity, and understanding, which are attributes of HIS LOVE. There is ONLY one sure way to be able to TRUST. It is to trust in God alone. The process has circumstances, and when we put our trust in those circumstances, we directly or indirectly make them a temporary God.

I am not a big FAN of debates. We have a person in our life who loves to debate. It is not someone we are close to. Just one who comes and says horrible things about God on our page. But, most often we don’t respond to the person’s evil comments. Is this because we don’t love? No. It is because we do. TRUTH actually stands on it’s own. This person knows scripture, but has yet to be touched by the LOVE of God.

Our prayer is that every person who is destined to know and LOVE God will. We do things differently than some. But, it is ALL we know. In the last year, we have endured some of the most intense pain that a person can. We don’t focus on it, but we know that we have to surrender it each day. We trust that somehow, each day is better than the last one. This is true, no matter how we feel about it.

We have learned, and still are learning daily that God’s word does not operate on emotion. It is simply TRUTH, and when spoken in FAITH, it is LOVE. I saw a post today, a dear sister posted from Cambodia. She is currently there, on a mission trip. Anyway, she posted a picture of the word HOVE. she said, “How bout a little Hope and LOVE?” I thought, what a great point. God hovers over us, and encompasses us with HIS LOVE.

I woke this morning, weeping for so many reasons. Most the time, I don’t have words, the way I used to. But, I’m learning that just as HIS word says, there is a TIME for everything. Even, for silence, there is a time. You cannot partake of what you are not led by HIS peace to do so.

I keep hearing a song in my spirit today. The song is “I’m healed by the word of God.”

In His Grace and Glory,

E and FAM

He says, “My grace is sufficient and my power is made perfect in your weakness.” So where is God’s power perfected? This is a key. It is when we are weak. So, if we never encountered anything that would humble us, how could God shine? What we encounter and how we do, is up to us, and up to GOD. You see, HE is sovereign, but we can choose NOT to give GOD access.

This entry began on the 12th, and here we are several days later, just adding to what GOD is downloading. These last few days, He has been reminding us, of the weapon of GRACE. The holy, beautiful weapon of HIS Grace. There is a shaking happening in the earth and ON it. It looks so strange, as we see breakouts happening. Where is our FAITH in this process? Whom and what is our faith in exactly?

Today is the 16th, and BIblically that represents LOVE. So, the questions that are posed ask us, where is the LOVE? Is the LOVE in things? Is it in places or people? WE are the church, but what exactly is our steeple? Really have been reflecting on what GRACE enabled FAITH means. In short it means that HIS Grace, no matter how it appears, leads the way. It means, that when this world throws lemons, rotten tomatoes, or anything else WE surrender it ALL to God.

Let me tell you some awesome testimony. Yesterday, the 15th, we were sent out and about. God knows every moment, and what HE desires for it. WE went out to do some errands, and the day ended up much different than we thought. It began with my husband asking if I was ready for lunch. Before lunch, we got ready to go, and the car would not start. So, we took another car that God provided. Went to our former city, and had lunch. While at lunch there were ladies, in the small restaurant, obviously not aware anyone else was in the room. They proceeded to complain about everything under the sun. It was hard to hear ourselves think. But God.

I so, wanted to speak up and say, “Have you not seen, or heard, and do you not know the everlasting GOD?” But, I did not, because I was no led to say anything, except, a blessing. We prayed over the food, and waited for God to give direction. Our “children” were with us and we just sat, and thanked God. I could see my husband, seeking God for self control, and everyone else at the table doing the same. At one point, there were a few wisecracks made, and then, GOD moved. I went outside, to make a phone call. When I did, I felt the wind of the LORD, so strong.

I popped my head in the door, and said, “Hey, let’s eat out here!” God made a way, away from the headaches, to enjoy HIS wind. THIS is Grace enabled faith. It is FAITH that GOD, will move even HELL out of the way, for HIS GLORY to shine. Everyone in the restaurant left, but us. We may have been outside, but perhaps that is where God desired us. There are so many ways to LOOK at this and view it. The phone call, was to a dear sister who is being quite challenged. When I spoke to her, I was led to simply pray PEACE over her.

Where is God’s GRACE present most? IT is in the PEACE of God. Every day, we ask God, if anything was said or done, displeasing to HIM, to forgive us, and we repent, and say we are sorry. Every day we ask God to strip anything unpleasing from our lives. Why do we do this? Well, it is quite simple. WE do this, because GOD deserves honor and GLORY. He deserves our very best and yet LOVE us at our very worst. Thank GOD for that. 😉

There is GRACE to learn, but NOT Grace to stay in the same place, day after day. Another thing that happened yesterday, was interesting. My husband is really walking into a new arena. To say, it is out of his comfort zone, is not descriptive enough. Yesterday, we went and logically got what we thought we needed at a store. We got up to the counter, and God moved. It looked like the enemy, but it definitely was God. We both are healing and growing, and neither of us gets to stay comfy in the process. Really grateful for that, though at times it is hard to process.

My husband was concerned about something, and his thoughts were a bit frazzled. I could see him, really surrendering it to God. I got to the counter and our card was declined. So, having at least 10 people behind me, I sought GOD the answer. I knew I needed to stay calm. I could hear God speaking. He said, “Just breathe. Get 3 items.” I chose a shirt for David, a dress for me, and a jacket. There was no problem. When all was finished, my husband was relieved. I saw gratefulness on his face, and he even said thank you for handling it. My response, You are welcome. God totally handled it.”

His GRACE is sufficient. God knows in the past, a weakness has been shopping. But, thank GOD, He has healed us of this. I asked God, “Was there a problem with funds?” The Lord showed us something interesting. He showed us that everything we do and say is a seed. Every dollar we spend can be a tool for the Heavenly Kingdom, when surrendered to God. What I realized was, “It was not time to plant so many seeds at one time.”

I choose not to justify my actions, because I can totally mess up, and I so do sometimes. Having said that, GOD justifies us through holiness. When we stay surrendered to HIS will and purpose, HE brings justice. God is one of grace, justice and mercy. NO matter how it appears, HE will and has, had HIS way. WE have to be in agreement to see HIS way become part of our world.

At church last night the pastor said, “The church must speak.” In complete agreement that we must speak out. WE must choose to LOVE anyway, even when it is hard. For example, the ladies who were oblivious to others, we spoke to them. All that was said was, “have a blessed day.” They said nothing, and walked on by. Though, we take it not personal, it is sad to see people ignore God’s love. For so many reasons, God just get passed by.

Many, behind our backs, are judging us. SOme, to our face, have judged us, deleted us, and or criticized us. Jesus was, and IS no different, as far as treatment. Meaning, the persecution faced then, is the same now. Yet, GOD’s LOVE and HIS Grace is definitely sufficient. What do we do? WE spend lots of time praising HIM. Why do we spend time praising HIM? Is it because HE needs our praise? No. It is because HE LIVES there. HE dwells in our praise.

Yesterday, the men especially,were really struggling with being affected by the negativity around us. I’m not saying that we, the women, did not struggle. But, the battle is different for men and women, in a sense. I realized this morning, our struggle appeared less, because we chose PEACE. It is NOT that the guys didn’t. IT was more that THEY are stepping into a NEW level of covering, and it is unfamiliar to them. WE were reminded of when it was “unfamiliar” to us. It definitely helped us to give and receive more GRACE. But, sometimes human grace runs out, THAT is when HIS Grace, the Grace of GOD can be found. When we feel most lost, GOD’s Grace will indeed find us, when we are willing to be found.

Let’s look at the 2 words….GRACE and FAITH defined.

GRACE –

Full Definition of GRACE

1

a :  unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification

b :  a virtue coming from God

c :  a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace

2

a :  approval, favor <stayed in his good graces>

b archaic :  mercy, pardon

c :  a special favor :  privilege <each in his place, by right, notgrace, shall rule his heritage — Rudyard Kipling>

d :  disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency

e :  a temporary exemption :  reprieve

3

a :  a charming or attractive trait or characteristic

b :  a pleasing appearance or effect :  charm <all the grace of youth — John Buchan>

c :  ease and suppleness of movement or bearing

4

—used as a title of address or reference for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop

5

:  a short prayer at a meal asking a blessing or giving thanks

6

plural capitalized :  three sister goddesses in Greek mythology who are the givers of charm and beauty

7

:  a musical trill, turn, or appoggiatura

8

a :  sense of propriety or right <had the grace not to run for elective office — Calvin Trillin>

b :  the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful

See grace defined for English-language learners »

See grace defined for kids »

Examples of GRACE

1. She walked across the stage with effortless grace.
2. She handles her problems with grace and dignity.
3. He has shown remarkable grace during this crisis.
4. She is quite lovable despite her lack of social graces.
5. Let us give thanks for God’s grace.
6. By the grace of God, no one was seriously hurt.
7. She tried to live her life in God’s grace.

Origin of GRACE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin gratia favor, charm, thanks, from gratus pleasing, grateful; akin to Sanskrit gṛṇāti he praises

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to GRACE

Synonyms

benevolence, boon, courtesy, favor, indulgence,kindness, mercy, service, turn

Antonyms

gracelessness, inelegance

[+]more

See Synonym Discussion at mercy

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite,iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

Rhymes with GRACE

ace, base, bass, brace, case, chase, dace, face, lace, mace,Mace, Naas, pace, place, plaice, prase, race, res, space,Thrace, trace, vase, Wace

Full Definition of GRACE

transitive verb

1

:  to confer dignity or honor on

2

:  adorn, embellish <graveled walks graced with statues — J. A. Michener>

See grace defined for English-language learners »

Examples of GRACE

1. Several marble statues grace the courtyard.
2. <I hope that you will grace our gathering with your presence.>

First Known Use of GRACE

1585

Related to GRACE

Synonyms

adorn, array, beautify, bedeck, bedizen, blazon,caparison, deck, do, doll up, do up, drape, dress,embellish, emblaze, emboss, enrich, fancify, fancy up,festoon, garnish, glitz (up), decorate, gussy up,ornament, pretty (up), trim

Antonyms

blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil

[+]more

In Christian theology, the unmerited gift of divine favour, which brings about the salvation of a sinner. The concept of grace has given rise to theological debate over the nature of human depravity and the extent to which individuals may contribute to their own salvation through free will. Though in principle the ideas of merit and grace are mutually exclusive, the question of whether grace may be given as a reward for good works or for faith alone was important in the ProtestantReformation. There has also been controversy over the means of grace: Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some Protestants believe that it is conferred through the sacraments, while some other Protestants (e.g., Baptists) hold that participation in grace results from personal faith alone. See also justification; original sin.

FAITH-

Full Definition of FAITH

1

a :  allegiance to duty or a person :  loyalty

b (1) :  fidelity to one’s promises (2) :  sincerity of intentions

2

a (1) :  belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) :  belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion

b (1) :  firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2):  complete trust

3

:  something that is believed especially with strong conviction;especially :  a system of religious beliefs <the Protestantfaith>

— on faith

:  without question <took everything he said on faith>

See faith defined for English-language learners »

See faith defined for kids »

Examples of FAITH

1. His supporters have accepted his claims with blind faith.
2. Our faith in the government has been badly shaken by the recent scandals.
3. Lending him the money to start his own business was an act of faith.
4. It requires a giant leap of faith for us to believe that she is telling the truth.
5. Nothing is more important to her than her faith in God.
6. She says that her faith has given her the courage to deal with this tragedy.
7. Faith without doubt leads to moral arrogance, the eternal pratfall of the religiously convinced. —Joe Klein, Time, 17 May 2004
8. [+]more

Origin of FAITH

Middle English feith, from Anglo-French feid, fei, from Latinfides; akin to Latin fidere to trust — more at bide

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to FAITH

Synonyms

devotion, piety, religion

Antonyms

atheism, godlessness

[+]more

See Synonym Discussion at belief

Rhymes with FAITH

eighth, saithe, scathe, wraith

²faith

verb \ˈfāth\

Definition of FAITH

transitive verb

archaic

:  believe, trust

Origin of FAITH

(see ¹faith)

First Known Use: 15th century

These 2 WORDS are meant to work together….NOW let’s look at ENABLED.

Full Definition of ENABLE

transitive verb

1

a :  to provide with the means or opportunity <training thatenables people to earn a living>

b :  to make possible, practical, or easy <a deal that wouldenable passage of a new law>

c :  to cause to operate <software that enables the keyboard>

2

:  to give legal power, capacity, or sanction to <a law enablingadmission of a state>

See enable defined for English-language learners »

See enable defined for kids »

Examples of ENABLE

1. The machine enables us to create copies without losing quality.
2. The system enables students to access class materials online.
3. These choices are part of what enabled the company to besuccessful.
4. a filing system that enables easy access to information
5. Be sure to enable your computer’s firewall.

First Known Use of ENABLE

15th century

Related to ENABLE

Synonyms

allow, empower, let, permit

Antonyms

prevent

[+]more

Rhymes with ENABLE

disable, instable, pin-table, retable, round table, timetable,turntable, unable, unstable, worktable.

SO what THIS comes down to, is that GRACE is the vehicle, and it represents JESUS. He is GRACE. Grace, and JESUS enables our FAITH. When it is done by JESUS it succeeds. Was watching a film recently. In it, an angel spoke and said, “You will receive miracles when you pray for what counts.” This is definitely wisdom. ANother way of saying the same thing, is “You will receive miracles when you pray from a pure heart.”

You want to fly? As a kid, how many of us wanted that super power? Well, in GOD you can. It may not look like you thought it would, but it will succeed, and HE will cause you to have new perspectives. It is SO easy to focus on circumstances. Look around us, and it is easy to freak out and lose concentration. But GOD. When we let go and release every emotion, question, thought, and even idea to the one who LOVES us most, He makes them ALL wonderful.

Today I listened to our pastor speak over this man. To look at him, he seemed ordinary. Yet, there was something special about him. You know what it was? It was and IS the LOVE of GOD shining through him. Despite all the things he had endured, he still chose and chooses GOD and HIS ways. Believe me, when I say, GOD honors that. WE are living proof. He has kept us alive, despite many ODDS against us. He is faithful still. No matter what it looks like, GOD will come through. HIS Grace is sufficient, and though we feel VERY weak at times, we know HE is stronger than ever in our lives right now.

Does that mean everything is perfect, well no. But, it does mean, everything is covered. It is covered ONLY by and in and through HIS Grace. Even when we have absolutely NO grace to extend, GOD can. Here is why it is covered. Because JESUS died for us, for ALL of us. But, if WE do not receive that gift and freely receive who HE is, the the Grace that is promised will never fully be seen. It will not be experienced.

DO you want FEAR enabled FAITH? Or, do you want GRACE enabled FAITH? IT should be a no brainer. But, for SOME it is not. It is only an easy choice, when we have the mind of Christ working and active in our lives. Whom do you serve? Do you depend on others? It is time to check your heart before GOD. Where is the stand?

I have been praying about which scriptures to include, and I believe the ones, that I am being instructed to share, are on GRACE. We need to understand that this is a GIFT and a weapon, ALL in one. We should never BE God for someone else, but we can definitely be a LIGHT that leads toward Heaven. As children of God, we can bring HEAVEN or HELL to the table. WE choose Heaven.

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV / 343 helpful votes

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 290 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Romans 6:14 ESV / 206 helpful votes

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Romans 11:6 ESV / 174 helpful votes

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

James 4:6 ESV / 167 helpful votes

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Ephesians 2:8 ESV / 145 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV / 125 helpful votes

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Romans 5:8 ESV / 110 helpful votes

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Hebrews 4:16 ESV / 76 helpful votes

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

John 1:16 ESV / 74 helpful votes

And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Romans 3:20-24 ESV / 61 helpful votes

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 56 helpful votes

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Romans 3:24 ESV / 55 helpful votes

And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

2 Timothy 4:22 ESV / 48 helpful votes

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

2 Timothy 2:1 ESV / 44 helpful votes

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

Isaiah 40:31 ESV / 44 helpful votes

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Numbers 6:25 ESV / 44 helpful votes

The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

John 3:16 ESV / 37 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Colossians 4:2-6 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Titus 2:11 ESV / 33 helpful votes

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

1 Timothy 6:17 ESV / 29 helpful votes

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

http://www.openbible.info/topics/grace

Whose grace is sufficient? Is it ours? NO. It is the GRACE of GOD. It is something that WE will never own, but that we can definitely partake of. However, we cannot partake of it, if we do NOT release what was. ALL the pain, regret, hurt, anger, loss, and anything else that could be a hindrance in the reception, must GO. Lord, we leave this at your cross…again. Take any faith that is counterfeit, and transform it into Grace enabled FAITH. We stand repenting on behalf of us and others. Because YOU want a clean slate. We ask you to forgive us for any time that we have directly or indirectly chosen anyone or anything above you. Thank you mighty GOD for having your will in our lives. For bringing Heaven to us, in the amount that WE are willing and READY to receive. In Jesus name we give you praise, GLORY and honor. Through the power and blood of Jesus. Amen.

In His Grace and GLORY,

E and family

 

Cute does NOT necessarily mean HOLY~~~~~~~~

I do NOT stand on religion. I stand on the WORD of GOD. It works for GOD and honors HIM, and when the enemy tries to manipulate it, or people of GOD, it will backfire EVER single time. This is true, no matter what it looks like in the world.

This MUST be REALLY important because I finished the other post and was going to do an update today. The part with the links got erased. But I credit the enemy not. God will get the GLORY because it belongs to and with HIM alone.

I repent for permitted the evil to have any access over my emotions. Lord, have your way. In Jesus Holy Name. Amen

Here are the links for the 4 main holidays….

http://santatizing.wordpress.com/?s=Christmas ( Christmas)

An article about Halloween-

NOTHING HALLOW ABOUT HALLOWEEN

The person who said that ignorance was bliss was apparently very ignorant of the evil that spreads in the presence of ignorance. Through ignorance, we have in America and in the church taken part in something that is pagan in origin and substance, and breaks the commandments on idolatry… and not thought twice about it. You will suffer to the extent that you compromise with evil. And Halloween is the grand-daddy of all compromises in the church today. Read the following with an open mind, and pray that the Spirit of Truth will lead you into all truth.

It is important for you to understand that I am not trying to throw stones at the ancient Celtic peoples of the British Isles, or the church for creating a compromising holiday to accommodate this heathen unholy day, or you if you have celebrated it in the past. But it is my intention to reveal the truth and reprove the unfruitful works of darkness, and show how Scripturally we are not to have fellowship with this. If you know the truth, it will make you free. We are destroyed by a lack of knowledge.

The main scripture comes from 1 John 1:5-7 – “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

THIS IS THE MESSAGE… AND IN THIS BIBLE BELT AREA, WHERE PEOPLE CLAIM CHRISTIANITY LOUD AND CLEAR… IN THIS PLACE, THERE IS A TIME OF YEAR WHERE CHRISTIANS ACT LIKE PAGANS AND NEVER THINK TWICE ABOUT IT… HALLOWEEN.

I realize that there have been heathen contaminations into our Christian Holidays such as bunnies and Easter eggs in Easter or the Passover… and ornament trees in Christmas… but Halloween goes far beyond this… this is based on a pagan high day of evil spirits and the evil dead.

The Word tells us that if we have fellowship with Him, then we will walk in the light and not the darkness… Jesus Christ is the Light and in the Light… and there’s a problem when we willingly compromise with darkness. We are called to walk in the light! Ephesians 5:8-11 – “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].”

One thing that this message is designed to do besides enlightening you and exposing that which is hidden, is to reprove the unfruitful works of darkness. Just because that you have been innocent in not knowing the evil of the things of Halloween does not mean that those things are innocent… they will draw demons to your home and cause spiritual problem. Ephesians 4:27 – “Neither give place to the devil.”

Don’t give him place… when you do things that were used in worshiping demon spirits and that is the reason that they were designed, and it is obviously evil, then you are inviting demons to come on in.

The word place means an opportunity or any space at all… don’t give an inch, he will take a mile!

An Obvious Truth: If you are entertained deliberately by the things of Satan, don’t be surprised when he gets an advantage of you. Don’t be surprised when other sins are born from the giving into iniquity… for giving into idolatry and demon inspired practices is iniquity… and it will curse your home.

And before you get angry at the messenger, understand that this is a Bible based message:

Romans 3:4 – “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”

LETS LOOK AT WHAT IS BEHIND THESE CUSTOMS (YOU CAN FIND IT IN ANY GOOD ENCYCLOPEDIA), AND THEN WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT IT.

Halloween started as the Druid festival of Samhain (pronounced som-wain). He was the evil god of the evil dead and the underworld to the druids. They believed their sun god Bel died on that day only human sacrifice of innocent blood would bring him out of the clutches of Samhain or Saman.

SAMAN was what we call today the grim reaper, a living dead skeleton character with a sickle. They believed that the evil dead and wicked spirits were released on October 31, and it is the highest day even today among Wiccans and other witches, and even among Satanists (some who claim it’s Satan’s birthday… funny, how would they know that?).

DRUIDS – ancient pagan priesthood is one of the main sources of modern day witchcraft (Wicca). In Ireland it was Feile na Marbh, the Feast of the Dead (in Scotland, he is called Muck Olla). The Druids believed that the souls of the dead returned to their former homes to be entertained by the living. Suitable food and shelter was provided for them on this day. The Samhain celebrations included nuts, apples, skeletons, witches, and black cats. Samhain was supposed to call together all wicked souls who died within the past year that had inhabited animals’ bodies for their misdeeds.

In the “Vigil of Samhain”, the Druids would come and collect offerings from the people to both keep each home safe from the evil spirits, and to assure that Bel or Muck Olla would return from the underworld.

TRICK OR TREAT – The Druids would collect offerings, be it food, cattle, or perhaps a child for sacrifice from each home. If that home did not donate to the priests, they would hex you. They would draw a hexagram (six pointed star within a circle) on your door, and cast a spell so that demons would come curse your home or in other words, hex you!

If you happen to have been into Heavy Rock in the 70’s, the band Led Zeppelin (and I point this out just for reference) had an album called Zoso (which according to legend is the hound of hell that guards the gates of hell). On the cover was this old man with a lantern with a hexagram in the lantern. This is the sight (minus the hexagram) that you might have seen in the Vigil of Samhain, for this is what a Druid priest would look like as he came to your home to demand tribute. You can judge for yourselves if they meant that symbolism or not, but I can still remember that from my much younger days – the old Druid on that cover.

We call Halloween by its modern name because of the compromise of the Roman Catholic Church long ago. I am not throwing stones at any church group because frankly, people in most denominations today celebrate Halloween. But in this time, there was only the Catholic Church, and they were trying to get the Celtic people of the British Isles into the Catholic Church. So instead of presenting the Gospel and revealing the evil of this idolatrous festival, they invented All Saints Day for November 1 where you remembered the Saints. And the day before that is All Hallows Eve or Halloween. They did it to bring a pagan people with a pagan religion into the church.

It was a compromise that goes against the New and Old Testament teaching on idolatry and having part of false religions. They corrupted themselves to get numbers in their churches… bad foundation. It is a lesson that we must learn that any house built upon the sand will fall when the storms come. We must be built upon the sand, and that is why we must renounce our pagan background (if we have one) and repent and turn from the evil old way, and unto the Living Way… the Lord Jesus Christ!

Pope Gregory IV in 834 established it in the Catholic Church… but it is much, much older… druids.

Changing its name to something “Christian like” did not make it holy!

1 Corinthians 10:20-22 – “But I [say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?”

Deuteronomy 4:24 – “For the LORD thy God [is] a consuming fire, [even] a jealous God.”

Actually, our founding fathers had outlawed Halloween until 1845, when the Irish Potato Famine brought Scottish and Irish immigrants into the country, and they brought with them the “old” religion… Druidism.

The holiday was created to bond non-believers, in fact pagans, with Christians. 1 Corinthians 6:14 – “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness wit unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?”

THE SYMBOLS OF HALLOWEEN – AND WHAT YOU ARE REALLY DOING.

TRICK OR TREAT – We already looked at. If you didn’t give an offering for the gods, the druid priests would trick or hex you. They might kill your bull, or call for demons to destroy your family.

JACK-0′-LANTERNS – In this country it’s a pumpkin, but in much of Europe it is a turnip or even a skull with a candle in it. The face is supposed to be the face of death. It is a carved image of the pagan god Saman. The World Book Encyclopedia says, “The apparently harmless lighted pumpkin face of ‘Jack-O-Lantern’ is an ancient symbol of a damned soul.” It’s name comes from an old legend about an evil old man named Jack who was too evil to enter hell (played tricks on the devil), and he could not enter heaven, so he was doomed to walk in darkness with his lantern until judgement day. My 1999 Interactive World Book used almost the same wording as the older World Book.

But the face (of the Jack-O-Latern) was that of Saman the Lord of Death himself. It also used to mark the farms and houses of those who were sympathetic to the satanic Druids, so they would be merciful to them when October 31 came. Do you want to be sympathetic to the Devil? Do you want an idol symbolizing an evil god of death lit up in front of your house?

You have no problems condemning people who have Buddhas or other idols in their homes, yet each year we carve one with our own hand and set them out in an ancient ritual to appease the god of death.

Exodus 20:4-5 – “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;”

1 Peter 2:9 – “But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:”

Since God has called us out of darkness, it does not make since for us to bring the darkness back into our homes. How can you be a light, if you are mixing your called out life with the occult?

I know that the kids will be disappointed… but do you really want to do something to invite demons and break a commandment? Is our need to conform to this world so great that we will shut our ears to the truth and offend God instead? John 14:15 – “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

Point to Ponder: I have had people come to me and ask, why can’t we pray in our house? And why is it there is such a spirit of discord and it seems like the kids are so rebellious and we can’t put our finger on the problem”. And then you find that their entertainment includes demonic movie watching, unmonitored MTV, music that if we listened to the words, we would never let our kids listen. And we wonder why… because if there are things that give honor to Satan and demons, then you are opening a spiritual door… and it is a lot harder to get rid of demons once we have done something to make them welcome, than to get our homes infested with them to begin with.

Halloween is one of those things that really perplexes me. I was raised in a Christian home, and I wasn’t allowed to do a lot of things traditionally that really aren’t covered in the Word of God (kind of traditional in some ways). Yet once a year, we dressed up in a ceremony that has given demons glory for over 2500 years. We act like pure pagans and laugh with our kids and don’t think twice about it. And in the rural area that I was raised, it was called the devil’s night or hell night because there was so many pranks (cutting trees down in front of traffic for example) and violence happening. It really is something to ponder. The blinders came off of my eyes as I really started seeking the face of God.

DRESSING UP IN COSTUMES: In the festival of Samhain, the Druids would build a huge New Year’s bonfire, November 1st being their New Year. And would burn alive people and animals would sacrifice them alive and watch for omens in the death struggles of their victims. The people would dress up in costumes made of animal heads and skins. Then they would dance and sing as the victims were being killed, probably to represent physically to the people the evil spirits they were so afraid of. Then they would travel from house to house in these costumes in this bizarre ritual.

Halloween is a day of fear, death, and darkness. These are the exact opposites of what we are in Christ Jesus. So, why do we observe this diabolical day? Now, maybe you think that dressing up for Halloween is harmless? You are observing an evil, satanic ritual for controlling demons that goes back at least 2500 years.

2 Corinthians 4:4 – “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

When you act out a ritual that involves either mocking or fooling demonic spirits, you are having fellowship with devils or demons. It is a dangerous practice. Now, some might say let’s have a Hallelujah Party and dress up as Bible characters. You are still commemorating this day of the dead when people dressed up as evil spirits. It is another form of the church compromising with a pagan high day. That is how the name got changed from Samhain to Halloween to begin with.

BLACK CATS -The cat was sacred to the Druid and they believed that the cats held the reincarnated souls of the wicked dead. Black cats especially were evil and holders of particularly evil spirits. Witches were said and still do that cats hold their “familiars” -familiar spirits. They were a part of Samhain. Cats are the chief totem (idol) in Wicca.

GHOSTS AND SKELETONS – There is an inherent quality of death in everything to do with Halloween. There are no ghosts as in people who come back from the grave. However, there are familiar spirits who impersonate the dead. And Saman looked like a skeleton, the grim reaper, and is the spirit that represents the evil dead and the underworld. It’s his day.

WITCHES ON BROOMS – Witchcraft today on the most part takes much of its practices from the traditions started in Babylon long ago, and seen in the Druid priesthood of Europe. The symbol of the witch on the broom is a real, although a stupid sounding ceremony. It is a fertility ceremony in which the Wiccans jump in the farmer’s fields as high as they can to teach the crops how to grow. It’s a pagan thing.

HALLOWEEN TODAY IS CELEBRATED STRONGLY THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THE WORLD BY OCCULTISTS. WICCANS TO SATANISTS REVERE THIS DAY OF EVIL.

On the 700 Club around 8 or 9 years ago, I heard one former Wiccan… turned Satanist… turned born again Christian said that he was first affected by demons as a pre-teen boy trick or treating on Halloween. He said some local witch in the area was calling for demons to affect the children in the neighborhood.

This is not child’s play. This is the most evil high day in occultism, and it does not need the church’s help in promoting it.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 – “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

…

Isaiah 5:13 – “Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because [they have] no knowledge: and their honorable men [are] famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.”

2 Corinthians 2:11 – “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

Are we gone into captivity because Satan has made this day look so innocent and fun ? If you will hear, you will have knowledge for God does not desire you to be ignorant of his devices.

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 – “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

What communion do we have with darkness? What concord do we have with the devil? It is evil, and if we are of the light, then we will find something else to do on Halloween. We will stand against the evil. We will be counted in the war against Satan. And we will stand for Jesus Christ in this wicked generation!

1 Peter 5:8-9 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

Because of my own background, I have a particular hate of the occult. No one had to tell me to destroy the things in my life that were obviously connected with witchcraft or occultism. Jesus Christ in me was the true light – the light of life – and His Spirit burned within me new desires. And my desire for the demonically inspired things died, as my old man died. And one of the things that amazed me that I had never considered wrong was Halloween. I was raised in a Christian home and every year we observed this unholy day (unholiday if you will). It wasn’t until that Jesus rescued me that it became really obvious to me just how evil this is.

Every time that I have delivered either a teaching or preaching that included exposing Halloween, there have been both parents and kids that have risen up against it. But it has never been my intention to bring controversy for controversy’s sake. But we are to expose the unfruitful works of darkness for what they are. I put it to you that evil is still evil, even if we tell ourselves it’s just for fun. And poison still kills, even if it is sweet. Someone told me once that some folks kill dogs and puppies with antifreeze (truly cruel). The thing is that they lap up the antifreeze because it has a sweet taste. But in a little while, they are dead. The enemy of our souls is putting out his own sweets, and the more that we eat, the more spiritual poison gets in our lives. I put it to you that we are weakened as Christians when we compromise with evil. And when we take the devil’s poison in us deliberately, then we are hurting ourselves and our families. I pray that you allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you, and share this with someone else. I thank all those who helped in this word and pray it helped you.

by Pastor James Coldiron
October 5, 2000.

Delivered on October 1, 2000 at the Monticello Church of God in Monticello, Kentucky

Some materials researched, collated and originally copyrighted (c) 1995 by Pastor James Coldiron. All Biblical references in this particular article is in the KJV. Although my work is generally copyrighted, please be free to copy and use this material to help educate others.

Thanksgiving – http://www.seedofabraham.net/thnksgiv.html

Easter- http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/tracts/tract1.html

HOW GOD feels about HOLIDAYS not of HIM

http://www.openbible.info/topics/celebrating_pagan_holidays

Borrowed this picture from a dear sister’s blog. THIS is NOT something to play with. Please pray about it. ~

When this assignment was given to me, I was anything but jumping for joy. Of course there is an honor in writing for HIM and through HIM. But, my flesh doesn’t always enjoy the warfare that happens in the process. However, it is way less complicated to simply obey God. Even the enemy’s team knows that GOD’s ways are best. They will tell you so, while trying to speak curses. But they cannot curse what God has blessed. The only thing that can temporarily create delays is disobedience.

So, let’s chat about TRadition. First we will break down the word. The begining is TR –

http://www.abbreviations.com/TR

What does TR mean?

When I was called to write this entry, I really felt sick at my stomach. Because it is VERY important. If we were to take a pole about people who really believe not only in GOD, but in HIS faithfulness and LOVE, it would probably be disappointing, if people were honest. There are many, quite frankly running churches and schools on counterfeit faith, counterfeit morals and standards and even counterfeit LOVE.

Let’s look at the definition of counterfeit.

Full Definition of COUNTERFEIT

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterfeit

Let’s also look at the definition for Real.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/real?show=0&t=1411492614

Exploring the Definitions

You will notice that the 2 definitions are not only complete opposites, but also that counterfeit is a shorter definition. Cause how many ways can we actually say fake?

It is odd to me, that God called me to write this on a day, or a few days where I am not “feeling” very encouraged. But, that was when it began. By the time it is ending, encouraged does NOT even describe how I feel inside. God often calls us to do the impossible. Let’s explain. He does the impossible through, around and in us.

Today is the 25th. This was begun 3 and a half days ago. I thank God for Grace, because David and I have been doing really heavy intercession. With that, often comes pretty heavy warfare at times. See, the enemy throws a hissy fit when he doesn’t get his way. Like a 2 year olf toddler throwing tantrums, is how he is. But, know THIS God’s power is where the enemy gets his source. There is NOTHING that shocks God. Even the enemy’s team knows that. The problem is, that people think they have so much time to waste.

There is NO time to waste. Now HEAR this. There is absolutely NOT time to waste anymore. Every single second counts. Many prophesies have spoken that the antichrist is taking reign. Now, on the one hand, this is exciting, because it means biblical prophesy is taking place. But, on the other, it means a lot of other stuff. So, I say with deepest sincerity, “Please read the word of God aloud.” God will minister healing through HIS word. He wants us saturated in HIS presence and amazing and unfailing LOVE. But, if we do not let HIS words penetrate our hearts, we will perish, often quickly and some won’t make it to heaven.

This post came at a time where it felt like HELL was barbecuing us for dinner. But, just because it felt that way to the flesh does NOT mean that was what was happening. Our pastor said it well yesterday. She said, “Change hurts sometimes.” It does, but oh how necessary the pruning is in the Harvest. I am not unaware of the enemies schemes, nor are we unaware of those participating in them. But, our goal is to LOVE anyway.

Should that NOT be done? After all the character CORE of Christ is LOVE. So, that leads us to know that at the core of the antichrist is Hate. Because, the enemy ONLY carries HATE. No matter what is said, by the enemy, He hates God’s COGS. In fact, the devil hates ALL humans. Even his own followers are hated by satan.

So, here is the question to ask…. Do you believe in what is counterfeit or what is REAL?

My awesome Godly Husband, hence forth, AGH, told me that Wisdom is the opposite of the obvious. God revealed THIS to Him. Obvious is what is right in front of you. But, people who have HIS wisdom see what is behind the curtain as well. What is REAL to you? Is God’s LOVE real to you?

Because if you understand the idea of HIS LOVE without understanding the cause and effect of HIS LOVE, you cannot receive the LOVE. So, ask yourself have you ever received what is REAL?

Conflict in the world is, as in scripture centered around Israel. Is ra el. Let’s break it down. Is Ra God? The answer is no, the devil is not god. It is also is REAL. Meaning El, the name for God is REAL. Have always been fascinated with Israel. Because it is the “apple of God’s eye.” Also, it is HOMEland. It is the place, where God’s legacy is birthed from.

So, without, getting too specific, and the Hebrew documentation will be included in time, EL is GOD and HE is REAL, and HIS LAND should be honored, period. The counterfeit will try and take advantage, without remorse or repentance, and our one and ONLY JOB is to LOVE anyway. As children of GOD, we should not be doormats, but we should be HOLY DOORWAYS to JESUS.

http://www.openbible.info/topics/fake_christians

In His Grace,

E and Family

These pictures tell stories….LORD, awake the childlike faith within. ~

Years ago, I was fascinated by certain types of music. I have sense sought God about what he desires my eargates to take in.  One song that I would sing at a young age, was live to TELL. I want to take a moment to look at this song.

“Live To Tell”

When I was awoken today, it was impressed upon me to, encourage the BODY to feel what needs to be felt. The last part is KEY. One of the keys to Death and Hades is freedom from the enemy’s hand. God loves in such a beautiful and Glorious way. He LOVES in ALL things and despite circumstance. But, the way that GOD loves can look strange at times.

We have noticed that when someone has any influence of the enemy, they are NOT openly corrected. It is always a red flag that God gives. Our JOB is to LOVE anyway. Through the power and BLOOD of JESUS, we must keep loving without fail. To do this, means, we must feel, BUT we cannot permit the feelings to reign. This is VERY important. The feelings cannot and should not be GOD in our lives.

We have endured and are endured heavy FIRE. The fire of God and at times, fire from the enemy is present. BUT, what we have noticed is the more we permit GOD to bring HIS FIRE, the more the enemy stays under our FEET. I have a dear sister who posted a request recently. It was for prayer for her feet. Another sister mentioned she was having the same problem. The deduction would be, perhaps they are interceding for each other, or even another not mentioned.

EVERYTHING we endure is related to the ENTIRE BODY. This is because WE truly are ONE in Christ JESUS. I am led to share something about our testimony. When Sarah Elizabeth passed, not ONE person brought us food. At first, I was really frustrated. But, GOD knew something. He knew that WE, as in David and I, did NOT need to have others around. He knew that IF we had others come to bless us, most likely we, would end up ministering to them instead.

Do you know what He sent us? He sent us back our animals. In fact, HIS animals. They were sent to remind us, that HIS LOVE is nurturing. His LOVE is unconditional, and HIS LOVE never ever fails or ceases.

He gave me this today.

HIS LOVE-

The solution to the persecution – HIS LOVE

The way of provision – HIS LOVE

The cure for division – HIS LOVE

The key to the Heaven – HIS LOVE

The BREAD we eat, our manna – HIS LOVE

We give thanks to the LORD above, because what drives us and causes PEACE is HIS LOVE.

When God removes something, or someone, even if we don’t understand, it is because of and OUT of HIS LOVE.

When we learn to receive the LOVE of GOD, WE begin to understand that feelings are PART of it. We have to FEEL deeply in HIM. However, again, those feelings cannot control us.

Was considering the part in scripture about self control. There are so many aspects of this. The biggest one that jumps out to me is this : SELF surrendered before GOD, is one of the greatest weapons we have. Unsurrendered, it is by far our greatest hindrance.

There is GRACE to FEEL. But, definitely not GRACE to sin. There is GRACE to endure, but again still not GRACE to sin. There is GRACE to learn, but NOT to sin. The Grace gospel has been distorted in many ways. There are many who will say, you don’t need to repent. Some will say that, “they repent ALL the time.” But, when you TEST the fruit, you will SEE the truth.

God LOVES always YES. But, you need to understand something. HE chastens those HE LOVES. Which means HE disciplines them. God is NOT a GOD of punishment. HE is a GOD of Grace, mercy, love, peace, hope, JOY, patience, kindness, understanding, compassion, tough love at times, and He is a GOD who never ever fails.

There are many who are BOUND by and to, their feelings. I cannot count how many times, people have told us we were accusing, when in actuality that person was doing it. I began recently to get a revelation. WE can LOVE, because JESUS is LOVE. However, when that LOVE gets infective, from an unholy place, WE must walk away. Jesus gave everyone an opportunity to know HIM. He still does. But, He also gives us a choice.

God is faithful. He is faithful still. No matter WHAT it looks like, HE is. God is the ONLY one we can have 100% confidence and trust in. We have been told, when we praise GOD it is for us. I would take that a step further. It is to HONOR God in us. It is to honor GOD around us, and GOD in others. It is also to call upon GOD from the deepest most guttural place.

Where do we feel from? It is FROM the heart. The word says, ” Out of the abundance of the HEART, the mouth speaks.” It also says, “Guard your heart, because from it springs the well springs of LIFE.” It is by far one of the most important organs we have. In fact, as many battles come against the mind, they come against the heart. If our hearts are complacent, and disconnected from God, the enemy can gain access to us.

The point is this….where is your agreement? are you in agreement with GOD and HIS plans? Or, are you in agreement with the enemy. Our pastor has been doing a series on Covenant Keeping. We must trust GOD to keep the covenants He has made. But, WE can only receive them with a pure heart. Otherwise, we will naturally reject what we do NOT understand.

Recently, David and I were hit pretty hard. We found ourselves looking at GOD asking, “What the HELL?” Because, we knew what was being attempted was NOT Heaven. See, what comes from HEavEN succeeds. Anyway, I say this about what was endured. We have come face to face with the spirit of satan many times. When that spirit has been present in any form, it feels like torture. But, JESUS is so much more powerful. HIS presence will cause THAT spirit to flee. It might seem that the enemy gets a few jabs in, but JESUS knocks the enemy out, for good. He has the victory, and the enemy, no matter how it seems, never ever will.

Grace – 2014

We have the Grace to feel. It is there to show us what is real. Sometimes the grace is simply being alive. It is there to treach us to THRIVE in Him. What we think is a typo, often has Heavenly resource. We receive the instruction and believe GOD’s Report. For, He teaches, preaches and gives reproach, through His faithful COGS. We simply cannot get bogged down by this world. Breaks are good. You live in GOD’s neighborhood. are you of this world? Are you proud to be? Or do you boast in HIM, who made the mountains and the seas? Because ONLY one is worthy. ONLY one is holy. ONLY one is GLORY. We need humility, in our community, so that we can be FREE in Jesus name. So get mad at God if you must, but don’t stay in that place. It only leads to HELL and then there is no turning back. The world is full of colors, but someday it will seem to fade to black. Just know this, “His Grace us sufficient.” It truly is a KEY to receiving the LOVE of GOD, and walking truly free. Thankful for HIS Grace, as His FACE becomes our own. We are one by the LOVE of GOD and grace is at the core. Lord, make us no more, and you to take over the race. For you win, you have won. It is finished and on earth has begun, to be ALL that your promised your kids. We stand in awe of you. ~

Led to share a WORD God gave. It is a word that He has shared a few times with us, but we have not been led until now to see someone writing it, and us being privy to SEE it in print. Humbling and grateful.

“BROKEN FAITH: When You’ve Lost Your Strength To Believe!

Many of you have been in the place of waiting on the LORD for a long time, now! You’ve done most everything that you feel He’s asked of you, and yet your faith has remained fruitless of that which He has long promised you! 

Many of you continue to stand even though your shield of faith has become battered beyond all recognition. Your faith today no longer even remotely resembles what it looked like when you first lifted it to ward off the enemies fiery darts hurled against you. And that would be OK if your Sword Of The Spirit was stained with just a little more of the enemies blood as evidence of your over-coming faith victories or otherwise fruit, that you would have to show for your long years of sacrifice and service.

But as it stands now, the condition of your faith has been beaten beyond recognition, while your sword, worn and dulled from years of constant and intense combat, is stained with very little of the enemies blood. Very little, indeed.

In fact, the only blood loss visibly shed in all your battles has seemingly been mostly…your own!

You try to encourage yourself, reminding yourself of the promise the LORD has given you that one day, you will receive and enjoy all that which the LORD has promised you. One day…! One day, your life will make a difference. One day, the LORD will use you to make an important contribution in His Kingdom. One day…!

One day, all this waiting and suffering will make sense…not just to me but, to all the onlookers who misjudged, misunderstood, ridiculed and disdained me. One day, I’ll be vindicated by the LORD and all will finally understand what the LORD was doing in my life, the whole time. But, until that day, the LORD has concealed me in what is a special preparation…hidden me for a special purpose and a special time. One day…! One day…!

But, after years and years of holding unto this hope, you find that something unexpected has happened—something that you never suspected would or could happen. Many of you have awakened to the awareness that the shield of your faith was somehow cracked under the strain of the constant pressure of deferred hope and disappointing faith failure. And as you stand today, your faith actually feels…broken.

And now, that we are finally here in the season of the crossing over into the Promised Land, many of you are feeling that you’re not sure you have the faith or the wherewithal to enter into and receive the promises given to you, long ago! You just don’t feel as if you have the strength or even the conviction anymore, to believe and receive as you once did. The continuous and devastating disappointments have taken it’s toll upon you so that now, not only are you finding it challenging to walk by faith anymore but, many of you are finding it even difficult just to stand in faith, to believe. You are feeling broken, powerless, and even…defenseless.

And so there you lay…next at the threshold of the Jordan, the entrance to your perspective Promised Land— much like the impotent man lying by the Pool Of Bethesda…his body and will broken by the combination of being visited upon by life’s unceasing savagery and from to many failed faith attempts—hoping for someone to show up with help or even understanding that might aide him or guide him into the pool of his moment.

But, the LORD would that we gain the pivotal revelation of ‘Broken Faith’. For, in His sovereignty, the LORD often ordains that we be bought to this breaking point, that our faith might be broken after our own will, to be re-established after His!

Jesus said it this way in John 15: 4-5,7-8

“4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.”

Paying special attention to vs 7) “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

Jesus is essentially saying that I must first entrust Him WITH my EVERYTHING before I can believe Him FOR my ANYTHING! For unless I am connected to Him by faith, His sap— His Blood…His Spirit will be unable to flow in my life, to bear forth the fruit He has ordained unto me in the form of the fulfilled promises He has given me! And verse 8 here says that The LORD considers part of my fruitfulness to be answered prayer! The LORD desires to see His children’s prayers answered, fruitfully!

Indeed, I cannot believe Him FOR—until I have first entrusted Him WITH!
We are connected to Jesus, the Vine—by faith. So too do we abide in the Vine by faith! Often it can be much easier to connect to Him than it is to remain connected to Him during the bronco-like ride of the trials and tribulations of this life. And this is what the author and finisher of our faith is developing within His children: the determination to abide with Him—to keep step with Him, and to stay with Him in unbroken faith on whatsoever path He chooses to lead us upon. For remember, the Good Shepherd that makes me to lie down in green pastures and leads me besides the still waters, is the very same Good Shepherd that prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies, and leads me through the valley of the shadow of death.

It will be impossible to be able to abide with Him in unbroken faith, unless I learn to trust that He is Sovereign…that He is ultimately in control over all things! He is ever strengthening the grip of my faith in Him so that I might KNOW that He is in all things and that all things are in Him—in His hand, in His sovereign plan!

The LORD is with us that we not react to trouble when it arises, but rather, we choose to respond to Him, instead! For, to act or pray as if a situation is out of control is to in effect say that GOD is not in control…that it is up to me and that GOD is not GOD in my situation! And any reaction on my part outside of responding to the LORD by placing my faith in His sovereignty is to cease abiding in the vine, and so condemn my efforts of faith to fruitless failure.

And even though in some instances, I may seem to temporarily managed to escape my troubles, I will not have truly moved forward. Rather, I will find myself trapped in the same cycle of wandering around the same kind mountain in the same kind of desert over, over and over again—until I yield to what He is determined to instill within me regarding Broken Faith!

It is written “Be still and know that I am GOD”! This means that in the moment when trials and tribulation would beset themselves round about me, instead of yielding to the temptation of reacting, I will instead, ‘BE STILL’! I will not react by either fighting or fleeing. For, to fight is to try to take control, and so deny that GOD is GOD, and is in sovereign control. To flee is avoid facing the problem that the LORD has ordained and to likewise deny that GOD is GOD, and is in sovereign control!

The LORD told Abraham, “I am thy SHIELD, and thy exceeding great reward”. If the LORD Himself is in fact, our shield, then whatever gets through to us, had to come through Him. And if it came through Him, then there is a purpose in this problem. This is in fact, not meaningless pain. But rather, it is pain with a purpose! The LORD is doing something in it! But, that doesn’t mean that the LORD intends that the problem have power over us. He intends only that the situation develop our faith much the way a small vaccination immunizes us from the greater disease.

Therefore, even though the problem may often seem truly terrifyingly big to us, the LORD has in reality, allowed only a small and controlled measure…a tiny restrained taste of the over-all problem, into my life…to vaccinate our faith, to develop our character to withstand the soul destroying diseases or darkness of the Devil!

This is why He says in His word that He won’t put more on me than I can bear because, the whole point is for me to bear up under the problem to overcome it and put it under my feet. The LORD’s goal is not to destroy me but, to develop me. He doesn’t mean to hurt me but, to help me…to become fruitful in an area of my life that I would otherwise be fruitless and barren! Therefore, the LORD has no desire to put more on me than I can bear because, too much pressure becomes counterproductive to His plan to bear forth His fruit in my life!

The encouraging revelation of this understanding is that this means that no matter how big and bad the troubles that I maybe facing may seem to be, with just a little bit of faithfulness to have unbroken faith in Jesus, overcoming victory over whatever calls itself plaguing me, is absolutely within my grasp! Absolutely…within my grasp!

For, if I remain stable or single-mindedly confidence in Jesus’ sovereignty throughout the process of my deliverance, I will at long last, cease to fall prey to the curse of the “Double-Minded”, who is said to be unstable in all his ways. And as a consequence for his Broken Faith is unable to receive much anything from the LORD!

Now, after that I have stilled myself by letting go and placing the situation into His hand, so that I am not reacting to the predicament, I take the time to KNOW that He is GOD; to KNOW that He is in control; to KNOW that He has a plan. I KNOW that what I am going through is for a reason, that it was He who bought me here.

That doesn’t mean I simply have knowledge of this- (adjective) but, that I KNOW (verb). This is what faith is…KNOWING! I make up my mind to know in my knower. And it is in this place that I KNOW GOD…that I KNOW Him…THAT I KNOW HIM! Faith is KNOWING…GOD!

As I’m trusting Jesus for the best, and the worst seems to be happening! I KNOW that He is in control! In so doing, I KNOW Him!

What if, I’m believing the LORD for healing, and the Doctors give me a bad report, saying that my condition is worsening! Instead of reacting in panic and praying harder and even more earnestly, I choose to trust Jesus’ plan and KNOW that He is LORD over my health, and over every sickness and disease! I KNOW He is! I KNOW Him! And in KNOWING Him, I KNOW Him!

Maybe, my marriage is falling apart and despite my constant prayers and attempts at reconciliation, my spouse files for a divorce. Instead of going on a long fear-based fast or redoubling my own efforts to fix things, I trust that Jesus is at work and I KNOW that He is doing something special in my marriage! I KNOW He is! I KNOW Him! And in KNOWING Him, I KNOW Him!

And I KNOW Him even in the face of temptation. That’s right, temptation! Jesus, when teaching His disciples to pray what would become the LORD’s prayer included the statement: “…and lead us not into temptation but, deliver us from evil.” Jesus more than implies here that one of the paths that the Father may lead us on is upon the paths of temptation. Jesus didn’t imply that the Father would tempt us Himself, as GOD tempts no one. But, He may lead us into temptation for the purpose of delivering us from evil!

Jesus knew from experience of what He was teaching His disciples to pray regarding temptation because, the Bible says that Jesus Himself, was led by the HOLY SPIRIT into the Desert to be tempted of the Devil! Therefore, many of us unknowingly break our connection with the Vine because of ‘reacting’ in guilt because of the sinful feelings involved in temptation! We break faith with Jesus once we try to take control of ourselves, to keep ourselves from sinning…or at least we try to. We may do so at the expense of bearing fruit in the area of our lives vulnerable to that temptation!

Therefore, whether I find myself led besides still waters, or deep within the depths of the valley of the shadow of death, or even in a desert place to be tempted of the Devil, I will fear no evil for I will…Be Still and KNOW that thou art with me! I will KNOW that the LORD’s got a a reason and a plan for my being here. I will not allow the Devil to use guilt and condemnation to deceive me into taking control of my life out of His hands to break my connection with the Vine to the forfeiture of the preordained fruit He has appointed unto me.

Gone are the days of my attempting to bear fruit after so easily allowing myself to lose step or connection to the Vine, because of leaning into my own understanding instead of trusting in the LORD with all my heart! Gone are the days of being prey for the enemy; the shield of my faith battered beyond recognition as I am reduced to powerlessly hiding behind it…and in a faith rooted in fear— cowering under it; relegated to living defensively…barely surviving, instead of fruitfully advancing and victoriously, thriving!
Powerless.
Defeated.
Barren.
Fruitless.

Gone are those days now. Gone are those days!

For, we as a Body have discovered the secret of wholeheartedly trusting Jesus in all things. And because I trust Him enough to abide with Him in all things, He says in verse 7) that His words, His ‘rhema’— revealed or spoken words will also abide in me. His voice to me and in me will continuously be crisp and clear regarding all that I have entrusted into His hands. I can now, freely enjoy with unflinching confidence that “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

You who were waiting for your “One day..!” Today is that day, child of GOD! Today is your day! Rise up again in renewed faith! Today is your day! Begin pressing in to walk by faith, again! Today is your day! For now, you have at long last grasped the revelation of Broken Faith! And as a result, you are now free to walk in Unbroken Faith!

Take up again, the Shield of your faith but, no more reacting and using it defensively, as you did in times past. Rather, in the season of this new day, use it offensively, in tangent with your Sword Of The Spirit; pressing in—to the point of bearing some real and overdue fruit! Remembering that we walk by faith and not by sight; no more becoming so easily discouraged by your lack of understanding of the LORD’s plan regarding the path He may have you on.

Cry with a loud and fiery voice child of GOD, with all your love, with all your determination, with all your fervor, and with all your vengeance! For your enemy has been unknowingly waiting for some 2000 years to be placed under your feet! Let’s not keep him waiting any longer!”

Visit us on our website at http://www.greenpastureslive.com/

GOD bless greatly the ones who obediently shared this word. It is VERY confirming and encouraging. The enemy will fight us, or attempt to, but rejoice. Because JESUS has overcome the world. He will keep overcoming in you. ~

The praise of GOD is what will KILL the enemy’s plans. Continue to praise HIM. He is a GOD who will come through. It may NOT be as you think HE should. But HE truly does know BEST, always. We can 100% have confidence in HIS ways, plan and LOVE.

In His Grace and Glory,

E and Family

I really had a strong urge today to write. Usually, I wait when enduring the warfare we have, but I know it was important to get this out. It was like when I woke up, I could hear the ALL points bulletin going off. The title started me a little bit. I began to think, but it’s not. Then, I heard this part. “Without DEATH there can be no resurrection.”

Jesus CHRIST of Nazareth is the ONLY one who has ever died and been resurrected. Even when someone else is resurrected, it is GOD who does it. Ultimately JESUS is them is what is resurrected. Let’s explain it this way. The word of GOD says, “We must be crucified in Christ.”

Galatians 2:20Amplified Bible (AMP)

20 I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

The word of GOD is our lifeline as COGS. This means it should be present in ALL ways and areas of our lives. Someone called me a bible scholar recently. I thought. Huh? Because it is Jesus in me who is. THAT if for sure, that HE not only knows the word but IS the word. This means that as WE secure ourselves in HIM, and delve more into HIS food, the WORD, that WE will become the word as well.

The transformation that happens is, JESUS in us, can do what JESUS walking the earth did before. In the word it states “As a child, I thought like a child.” He then said, “But then, I became a man and put away childish ways.”

I was terrified of death as a child. I grew up hearing the word spoken from a place of FEAR. People would say, “You better straighten up. You don’t want to go to hell.” Wow, there was a lot of FEAR. But God. There was little faith that I could see. Yet, it turns out there was some, it was just hidden.

The world we live in now glamorizes evil. It even glamorizes death, which is NOT the purpose of this post. The purpose of THIS post is to point out, that DEATH is beautiful in God’s eyes, because it is a step to resurrection. WE can no longer choose to be afraid of it. Because it will happen, one way or another.

People have been discussing wars for years. The bible discusses them to. It says there will always be wars, or rumors of wars. I am not saying ignore what appears to be happening around us. I AM saying, “Praise and worship GOD for handling it.” It is HIS job to be the orchestrator, savior, everything, redeemer, etc…not ours. BUT, it is our job to agree, and have FAITH that HE will NOT fail and that HE has a plan, beyond how it appears.

In fact, it is our JOB to do this not just in our own lives, but for the lives of others. Look in scripture at JOB. Do you know why he endured all that he did? Because GOD trusted him. Yes, God qualified him for the JOB. As my husband points out, “That was is his name after all.” He went through persecution, pain, betrayal, and you name it. He even endured death, LOTS of it. But, GOD. This beautiful amazing process of even deeper surrender appeared. SO beautiful to witness, yet excruciatingly painful to watch.

Without ALL that was endured, the HARVEST could not come. I heard that VERY clearly today. In 2011 I heard the Heavenly Father speak. For some reason, it was always easiest to connect to HIM. He apologized to me. I was in shock. I looked at my life, and it was pretty great. I had 3 amazing children and a wonderful God fearing husband. Sure, there were things I would have changed. But, all in all I enjoyed our life. When I heard this, “I’m sorry, for all that you have endured and will have to endure. But, you know that if there were another way, we would have taken it together. I love you,” I was stunned. I remember being on the phone with my then prayer partner.

This season is a strange one. It’s like a dream. Somedays, it is like a bad dream, other days it is Heavenly. No one but God understands completely. But some do understand at least partly. Grateful for those who faithfully pray HIS will for us and others. GOD alone has the victory, even in DEATH.

I look at our life now, and I see the things that have been endured since then. Now, having no official children with us, and giving up our home, and many friends, the perspective has changed. Even then, I laid down everything before God. But now, I lay down everything past, present and future, and even things for others if led. See, I had to die. I die daily. As our daughter began to die to self, she began connecting more to Heaven. When we do this, we run a slight risk. We might get called home. But, isn’t that worth the risk?

In His Grace and Glory,

E and Family