“Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciple, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.”

Jesus emphasized “Let nothing be wasted, pick up and gather the broken pieces”, (broken promises and dreams of God over your life and the lives of others). The twelve baskets represent both the twelve tribes of Israel and the governmental authority of His kingdom.

Jesus did not pick up the pieces that were left over and or broken, He directed his disciples to pick them up, and place them in the government of His authority.

Just as Israel in the Old Testament was a representation of God’s order and or government in the lives of His people, Jesus came and presented a new order of government where both the law and covenant where completed in Him.

Today He asks us to pick up the broken promises and/or dreams for our lives and others, and place them in the basket of His authority.

God’s provision of both His spoken word and dreams for our life are always enough to meet our immediate need, fill us with a sense of belonging, of being loved, and having a God-given purpose. As we go through life we soon discover that hardships, circumstances, and/or choices we have made have somehow canceled out our dreams and/or destiny that once filled us with joy and anticipation.

Yet given Jesus’ example, we are directed to pick up and gather the broken promises of our lives, and those who are in our circle or may come into our circle of life. By faith we can prevail in our prayers as a starting point for this process to begin. If we assume the Word of God is living and active, and we are filled with the spirit of life(living) and truth, then we can surely handle and pick up God’s spoken word and/or dreams for our lives and others in prayer.

If God did not allow Samuel’s words to fall to the ground, and if His Word does not return to Him void, then do we not have the right to pick up and gather by faith broken dreams and promises spoken by God, place them back under His authority, and allow Him to breathe new life, or mend that which was broken?

So in fact, you are an agent for the restoration of dreams. You are one who can pick up what has been broken and help make it whole again. You may then soon find yourself encountering people in your circle of friends whose dreams are starting to become reality.

At the end of the day the front door opens, and the little boy runs to the door, announcing “Daddy’s home!” It is a joyful reunion as he relishes Daddy’s enthusiastic embrace and affection, eager to hug and to tell his dad all about his day. He knows he is welcome in Daddy’s arms.

Consider the difference with an orphan who may have had years of painful memories that taught him that fathers will not always be there to welcome and embrace. Even when adopted into a loving home, it may be quite some time before he gets used to the fact that he is a real member of the family and that Daddy will actually be there for him. He may be filled with dread when he disobeys or disappoints, that desertion is sure to follow.

A good father does not want his children to be afraid that he might abandon them. Even when correction is necessary, he still wants them to be restored to favor once again. He wants them to be quick to come to him with their joys and sorrows. He speaks words of encouragement and tells them who they are.

One of the most reassuring and comforting statements Jesus ever made was, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

Intellectually, we may accept this as truth, yet in practice, there may be niggling uncertainties that maybe, just maybe, we will be abandoned for our failures. Maybe we will be “hung out to dry”. Maybe we will be judged or rebuked for not fulfilling His will, if we can even figure out what that is.

We are still trembling at a distance more concerned about forthcoming rebukes or abandonment than comfort. So we pray and plead, “Oh God, please, please, please…” out of desperation, rather faith and joy in His everlasting arms.

Why is that? We assign attitudes to God out of our own fear, beliefs, and experiences that He is not guilty of.

Did you ever notice how Job repeatedly stood his ground that he had done no wrong and did not deserve his calamity? Even his friends were unconvinced. They were sure his present suffering was due to paying for his sins.

I wonder if any of us would have been so bold to declare our own righteousness, especially when contending with God.

Being thoroughly secure in our Father’s love is a source of comfort and strength in times of uncertainty and trouble. It provides peace and reassurance that we are not abandoned and that He remains loyal to us. We don’t have to beg Him for provision or His affection or revelation of His will. Instead we learn to rest in the fact that we are truly and deeply loved, knowing that all will be well. Running to Him with open arms, we have the promise of Jesus’ words to all who trust in Him and the reassurance of the Holy Comforter that we are indeed part of His family.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; {and} that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
to Him {be} the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

(Eph 3:14-21 NAS)

From that point on, we grew and made spiritual progress. Yet, when our journey led us to a wall, we grew increasingly appalled at the disparity between the promises of the Word and what was our current experience. The abundant life Jesus promised was only partially understood or incorporated into everyday life. We knew deep down we were falling short of the promise.

In this state, we strain against the limitations and discomfort of our mindsets and emotional trappings, yet are stymied at how to truly break free. Some resign themselves to “You’re only human. That’s just the way it is.”  But it is that continual, growing discontentment that pushes us to keep going, to keep looking for the answer.

Before you assume none of this applies to you, consider this question:

“Are you living in perfect peace at all times?” If not, why not?

Consider the baby chick in the shell. For all of his existence, he has been nourished and has flourished in a place of comfort and security. Growing to the point that the former safe place, the protection from the outside has become restrictive and stifling, no longer is he satisfied with his status or environment. BUT he does not know what to do except to start pecking away at it! He has to do it alone without any outside help. It is his destiny to eventually break free of the shell.

He pecks and rests and pecks again until at long last, he is free. Only then does he find a new world has opened up to him. Selah.

Longing for Liberation

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Cor 3:18 NAS)

Outward change where others may notice is not enough. It is the secret, hidden place inside that desperately longs for liberation from worry, fear, disquiet, endless planning or rehearsing the past, self-made dramas of imaginary conversations. While yearning for the promised rest, peace, and contentment, the internal conflict remains.

Nothing the mind can come up with successfully deals with the very root of it all. Why?

To finally admit to ourselves that it’s not working takes courage. To evolve, to go past where we have been, we begin to be willing to give up what we thought we understood, to see the words of Jesus with fresh eyes and a newly opened heart.

Just as with other crises of faith, for those who are hungry enough, this one takes us way out of the comfort zone to launch us into the deeper things of the Spirit.

Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me. (Ps 42:7 NAS)

For to us God revealed {them} through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

(1 Cor 2:10 NAS)

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. (1 Cor 2:14 NAS)

Going into the depths means letting go of the shallow waters we were accustomed to. Things may no longer make sense and we are baffled at how to proceed. We find ourselves over our heads, literally.

Evolving spiritually means no longer living out of the mind or emotions, but living from, out of, and by the spirit. It means distinguishing between the soul and spirit, so that the soul is quieted and the spirit is dominant and freedom reigns!

This is a new approach. Out in the deep is a constant serenity. We are no longer tossed by every wave, but are unmoved deep inside, holding the love of God in steadfastness.

Pecking Away

Friend, know this: Once you decide you don’t need the past comforts and security that made up your identity any longer, life is better on the outside of the shell.

You will not get all your questions answered in this process. You may have no idea of how things will turn out. You only know that deep down SOMETHING has to change.

In the parable of the Pearl of Great Price, the man sold everything to obtain the one thing that was most valuable to him.

We may not be required to give up a position or a role in life, but we most certainly will find it necessary to relinquish its importance to us.

Even more than that, our ideas of how things ought to be will have to change. Rather than fight life, let us learn from it. “It is hard to kick against the goads”, Jesus said to Paul.

Humility is the first step.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt 11:29-30 NAS)

Ask your Teacher to show you how to take His yoke in exchange for the one you struggle under. Be prepared to learn some things about yourself and about His better way.

Your dissatisfaction was divinely ordered, and so your liberation awaits. Because Jesus is the Author and Finisher of your salvation, you are in good hands.

“{For I am} confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

(Phil 1:6 NAS)

]]> http://destinyspirit.com/2011/09/21/spiritual-evolution/feed/ http://destinyspirit.com/2011/08/22/dream-interpretation-team-availability/ http://destinyspirit.com/2011/08/22/dream-interpretation-team-availability/#comments Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:10:26 +0000 Donna Astern http://destinyspirit.com/?p=294 The Dream Team will not be available from August 24 to Sept 11, 2011.  Any dreams submitted during this time will receive interpretations after the team returns.

Thank you for understanding!

Too often in the Body of Christ, we have leaders with a position of authority who are afraid to address the very real problems in the lives of those they oversee.  Too often, the leader shies away with a promise to pray over the troublesome situation, while apparently waiting for it to go away or for someone else to deal with it.

For the full newsletter including signup box, visit http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs030/1102230245708/archive/1107047315783.html

Although knowing that internal peace is the inheritance of believers, that peace was taking a severe beating. The fight for peace to remain was fierce, and the promise was unchanged.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~ Phil 4:7

Reality was not matching the promise, so it was time to take a closer look. The prior verse showed the condition for the promise:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

~ Phil 4:6

The problem seemed to lie in leaving the request in confident trust with the Lord, while the painful situation remained apparently unresolved.

The Spirit of God brought this reminder:

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” ~ Isa 53:5 KJV

This phase means “the whipping for our shalom fell upon Him” (with my thanks to David Alsobrook http://www.davidalsobrook.com for the definition).

The Crown of Pain and Mockery
He took the beating for our peace. This was amplified to me as I thought about the crown of thorns.

“And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on Him, and took the reed and {began} to beat Him on the head.”

~ Mat 27:29-30

The soldiers made a crown out of thorns and pushed into His skin. The prickly thorns were a constant source of irritation, compounded by the mockery and beating on His head. Some sources have said this particular type of thorn caused incessant itching as well– relentless, hurting, irritating barbs without relief.

What an illustration of mental and emotional distress!

The mockery and accusations continued:

“He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. “HE TRUSTS IN GOD; LET GOD RESCUE {Him} now, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” ~ Matt 27:42-43

As a parallel, in our times of distress, similar accusing thoughts attack our minds, asking, “Where is your God? Why hasn’t He done anything?”

These accusations do not resolve the pain or solve any problem, but are only instruments of torment, designed to bring fear, guilt, and doubt, to further keep us from experiencing the peace of God.

His Thorns for Our Peace
Each part of Jesus’ suffering has provided a corresponding remedy for us. He has suffered for us so that we would be victorious and experience the abundant life He promised.

Just as salvation from sin and physical healing are included in the redemption Jesus purchased for us, so is the ability to remain in “perfect peace” (Is 26:3 KJV).

Having these promises of peace, and knowing that He is faithful to keep His word, it is time to have internal peace restored.

Finding Your Way Back to Peace

It may not be a quick or easy path, but the way back to peace is simple for it is tied to faith. Here are some basic steps:

1. Know that peace of mind and emotions is possible and is promised to you.
2. Air your complaint to the Lord, asking for His help, while being willing to have a new perspective and give up the old one, even when you do not understand.
3. Keep returning to the promise which was made possible through Jesus’ suffering on your behalf.
4. Choose to trust God, reaffirming it as often as necessary throughout the day or night.
5. Be thankful for His merciful help, remembering His faithfulness to you in times past.

In the place of peace, it may seem strange not to worry or be aggravated while the situation appears to remain unchanged. That is why it is “past comprehension”.

Peace accompanies faith, so that whether the storm passes quickly or not, we will endure in quietness and security in His love and care.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” ~ John 14:27

This is our inheritance. We can retain it with the grace He provides.

Watching for the correct numbered exit was the primary focus, even as the lack of scenic surroundings and need to drive more slowly made the distance between exits seem longer than usual.

Without opportunity to see and appreciate the green hills and waterways, we concentrated on the highway and the traffic.  Eventually as the morning wore on, the fog began to dissipate and our visibility increased.

Finding Your Way in the Fog

The fog in the natural world parallels this kind of haziness in our life or ministry path.

Many, many believers feel they are in a time of “foggy maneuvering”, often referred to as “transition”.  Not only is there metaphorical fog in life at times, but also much uncertainty on how to proceed. In such times, our point of departure may have been very clear at the time we left a place, environment, position, method, but the path to the next destination, or even what that place is, is very murky!

A new day is often accompanied by fog.

Just like that early morning in the Georgia foothills, this fog is temporary.  Eventually your path will become clear. You could possibly sit and wait, and in most situations, it will lift after a time. The actual distance to the next point will still need to be crossed, so sitting and waiting may not be the best option.

Slowing Down

Wisdom requires that when beginning to move forward in fog, to slow down. Your next step may only be a small one, and it may not take you far, but it is a step in the right direction.  Have you said, “All I know to do right now is…”?  Actually, that is exactly what you need to do.

Taking that next step is a combination of faith and the previous disciplines you have learned.

A man of God once described to me a bout of depression, burnout, and discouragement he went through.  “All I knew to do was to keep my daily discipline of reading the Word and prayer, as lifeless as it seemed at the time.  I didn’t increase the time I was accustomed to spending in devotions. I didn’t do much else during those days. Then one day, I woke up and I was better.”

Wow. So much for all the usual lists of “5 Steps to Your Breakthrough”.

Slowing down for you will not be the same as it is for other people.  But slowing down will mean to be cautious and not rush headlong into something new. It requires learning timing.

Slowing down calls for reflection, review, or perhaps calling a coach to help process what is happening. At a slower pace, your priorities may become reordered or clarified. It may be a time of “retuning to your first love”, or a change in perspective, roles, or function.

God is after something during this time. It is up to you to understand what that is.  And in my experience, He is never doing just one thing at a time. Hindsight often reveals additional insight.

The Issue of Faith

If faith is believing in what you cannot see, this is necessary for foggy maneuvering.  A demand is placed on your confidence in Who the Lord is and what He has promised.  Consider:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
~ Ps 119:105

Notice it is a lamp, not a floodlight. A lamp, like a small flashlight or candle, only lights a small area– just enough to see where to step next.  That is all that is needed at the moment, although we may prefer a much greater light.

Ever notice how walking by faith means you don’t get all the immediate answers you want?

When you take the first step, the next step is illuminated.  Eventually, you arrive at the destination.

“His word” may be a verse of Scripture, or it may very well be the leading of Holy Spirit speaking to your spirit. (Of course, such direction will not conflict with the written Word.)

An old hymn from my childhood begins, “Savior, like a shepherd, lead us.” It is time to stop singing and praying for leading, but to start believing your prayer was heard, and that the Lord wants to lead you even more than you want Him to! He may lead you to go very slowly for a time.  Some terrains cannot safely be navigated speedily.

Faith trusts that your Shepherd knows what He is doing in your life and is leading you, as you choose to look to Him and not go astray.

Finding the Exit

While maneuvering the fog,you will quite naturally be waiting for the exit sign to appear.  It may seem to have been a long wait, but if you have remained on the path of doing what you know to do, you will come across it. You will likely even come across hints and suggestions that you are getting closer. The Lord is most merciful to give encouragement when we need it.

When the indication for the exit comes, it will be when the time is right.  An opportunity may appear, or a direction, fresh wave of inspiration or vision for your future.  With the exit sign will come peace and internal joy.

“For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
Is 55:12

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”
~ 2 Cor 2:14

Even if the way will be clearly challenging, you will be ready to undertake it, knowing your destiny is to triumph!

You are called to go from faith to faith. May God be glorified in your life like never before!

Oftentimes, when we are discouraged, it is a friend who comes along and makes us laugh or gives us reassurance and hope.

A true friend will not sabotage your dreams or be happy about your struggles.

Healthy people do not tolerate a friend who continually makes them feel worse with critical remarks and ridicule.

Yet, that very behavior is not only tolerated, but too often accepted, when it comes from our own inner voice. Barbs of criticism are mistakenly identified as “humility”, or even, appallingly, “the conviction of the Lord”.

Do you qualify to be your own best friend?

Or do you strive to earn your love?

The Commands to Love
Jesus taught that of all the commandments, two were the greatest.

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

~ Matt 22:36-40 NAS

These are readily acknowledged by believers as foundational to the Christian life.

However, Jesus said to love other people as yourself. This part is often glossed over, as though it were a given that loving ourselves is something everyone naturally does.

Not true. Even among believers.

Do You Love You?
Loving yourself is not being prideful. It is actually a point of humility to obey the Lord in this.

It is obeying the 2nd greatest commandment. In light of this, apply these truths towards how you treat yourself.

“Love is patient, love is kind … does not take into account a wrong suffered,… does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;… believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails;” ~ taken from 1 Cor 13:4-8

Certainly, you have flaws and need improvement, but that is part of being human! It’s no excuse not to treat yourself with patience, kindness, forgiveness, and respect.

You may say, “But I know how I am. I don’t measure up! I’m too this, I’m not that, I did something I shouldn’t have, etc.”

Let these truths liberate you:

You can grow! You can change!

Almighty God, who knows absolutely everything about you, inside and out, loves you, and invites you to imitate Him in love!

Permission to Love You
When we understand that God is love, and that He longs to flood us with His love, the outflow will not only encompass love for God and other people, but love for ourselves.

Love is like an river; it is meant to flow to us and through us.

How? Love is first of all received.

“We love, because He first loved us.” ~1 John 4:19 NAS

Drawing affection, acceptance, forgiveness, and comfort from the Lord, in appreciation for Who He is and what He has done for us, will work to bring a deeper healing and a fresh confidence as His beloved child.

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are…” ~ 1 John 3:1

It is true humility to obey His Word, trusting that “if God loves me, I can accept that and also love myself, flawed and imperfect as I am”.

You were born to be loved — by God, by others, and also by YOU.

• Recommended Reading:

Experiencing Father’s Embrace by Jack Frost

He is given dishes of fresh water and puppy food, toys, and his own place to lie down.

All is going very well for a while, but the puppy has not yet learned his boundaries, or the rules of the house.  Before long, there are piddles on the kitchen floor and carpet, and chewed up shoes strewn about the bedroom. He has developed a pattern of barking at anything and everything at all hours of day and night.

Now the mood in the house has changed. The puppy is not so appealing anymore, and may even, after a time, be considered a nuisance and not worth the trouble.

Prophetic Puppies

This scenario is not too unlike what often happens when a person newly birthed into the prophetic gifts comes into the local church.

At first, there is great delight as the newly prophetic person begins to give a prophecy or tell a vision. He may be nervous at first, unsure of what he is perceiving or a little insecure about speaking out in public.

After a time, he finds he and his gifts have been well-received, and he rests in the love and encouragement he experiences. He becomes more confident and is emboldened to continue.

However, as with puppies, without wrong intention and although meaning well, he invariably makes some mistakes, some errors in judgments or timing or tone.  He may blurt out insensitively in a way that further wounds a hurting person. Or he may believe he is called to “straighten out” a leader, or he may even interrupt the pastor’s teaching. He may deliver an accurate word from the Lord in such an obnoxious manner, that no one is receptive to what he had to say.

The mood in the house has now changed.  At this point, some decide it is not worth the trouble to allow the saints to minister with their gifts. Or the prophetic enthusiast decides to he is not appreciated and it would be better if he left.

However, the best thing is for him to humbly learn how to be a blessing, frequently with the loving, helpful correction of the elders or pastor.

Some people are embarrassed or hurt when needful adjustment comes, even if they are taken aside and it is delivered in the kindest way. It is not easy to receive or give correction, and in my experience, it can often go awry.

Need for Pastoral Wisdom

Some elders and pastors lack understanding and discernment into how healthy prophetic ministry is to function in a public setting. They may be unaware of how to offer genuinely constructive criticism that does not promote the unintended shutdown of the gifts.

Other leaders abdicate their responsibility by allowing the “piddles and chewed shoes” to continue unchecked. This inaction discourages the congregation, weakens the leadership, and may inadvertently allow the neophyte to remain deluded that all is well.

Sadly, too often, pastors and prophetic people find themselves at odds with one another. Respect, patience, and a willingness to work together will go a long way towards personal and ministry maturity.

Pastor, do not get discouraged if you have to clean up a few messes from the learner. The writer of this proverb made a pertinent observation.

“Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.”

~ Prov 14:4 NAS

Need for Instruction and Training

Like the new puppy, the prophetically gifted believer is delighted to share his gifts and wants to be faithful to the Lord and a blessing to the people.

His errors, are just that, the errors of the inexperienced or the bad habits his unchecked behavior has developed.

Here is a key verse for believers:
“So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.”

~ 1 Cor 14:12 NAS

To edify is to build up the church. The gifts are given to be an encouragement, to add strength or comfort. The church is to be stronger and more passionate to serve the Lord as a result of the gifts.

Again, humility will go a long way in furthering future effectiveness in ministry.

Hope

We are all in a process of growth and maturity.  If God has stirred you to desire and pursue the gifts, we agree with that and encourage your development.

With some instruction, reassurance, and training in a safe environment with patient teachers, you can excel.

A Practical Solution

Piddles and chewed shoes can become a memory or rare occurrence, rather than an ongoing reality.

We have a shovel to help clean up the messes and also guidelines to help prevent more messes!

We offer classes and workshops designed to encourage and instruct those who wish to minister spiritual gifts in courtesy, wisdom, and respect.

We also offer training to sharpen the more experienced believers to improve their ability to minister accurately and to become a greater asset to the work of the ministry.

“…Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

~ Col 4:17 NAS

“Lean into this season.”

At the time, I was resisting the circumstances, suffering from the pain I felt so deeply, questioning and doubting myself.

To me, this meant to accept what was. I was not going to get all the answers I wanted. There were so many things I was powerless to change, yet I wanted things to be different than what they were.

Many other times I have seen the power of prayer and faith-filled words bring a turn-around to negative situations.  However, this time it was not so much resisting evil, as it was resisting change.

Ordinarily, I am one to instigate changes fairly regularly.  Some of what I was resisting was the result of my changes or the consequences of choices other people made. Some were the result of changing stages of life, and others were clearly the hand of God.  Altogether, it was, to me, a colossal amount of discomfort.

Lesson on a Motorcycle

“Leaning into” reminds me of the first time I rode on the back of a motorcycle. My natural inclination was to lean away from the turn, but I was instructed to lean into the curve to prevent a nasty spill on the road. It is the proper and best way to navigate curves.

The instruction the Lord gave me was also the best way to navigate the curves life had thrown me. It speaks of a trust in the process, rather than resisting and trying to control it– not an easy or natural thing for any of us to do.

“Leaning into” is an active stance, not a passive one. It is pressing into and embracing reality, letting go of what I cannot change. When it came to other people, it meant respect for the choices they made, whether or not I liked them or whether or not they put me at a disadvantage.

When I found myself discouraged or disappointed by my circumstances, I remembered to lean in and trust the Guardian of my soul (1 Pet 2:25).

“The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms…” ~ Deut 33:27 NAS
A Season, Not Forever

Realizing that this uncomfortable period of time was temporary, rather than permanent, was reassuring.  I smiled when I remembered how often I have read in the Bible, “It came to pass.”  I have often encouraged others that “It came to pass, not to stay!”

Even the natural change of seasons was reassuring to me that this season of my life, whether three months or three years or however long, would cycle through eventually. Again, it is a deeper trust issue, that I was not abandoned or forgotten by the Lord, and that He would complete and perfect what He had begun in me.

“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” ~ Gen 8:22 NAS

This has been a growth process for me, and one which I have not always endured very well.  Yet, the Lord is faithful and I am confident that as we actively trust Him to work things out, they will, even if differently than how we had hoped.

These days it seems that everyone I know is in some state of flux.  Many are confused and uncertain. If this is your situation, I encourage you to take another look at the Serenity Prayer and trust that this too shall pass as you trust His work in you.

Serenity Prayer
God
grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
~ Reinhold Niebuhr

We did something with the basic material we had been given.

However, a strange mindset often is present regarding the ministry of spiritual gifts. Somehow, even though, we expect the pastor to have studied and prepared how to deliver a sermon on Sunday morning, and we expect the choir and musicians to have spent time preparing the music, it is somehow not expected that any study or training is beneficial or even necessary for ministry of the gifts of the Spirit. More here

God continues to illuminate our minds concerning the remarkable call upon marketplace saints. The vision goes beyond financial increase or influence to one core purpose - the expansion of the Kingdom of God! The Kingdom is the “rule and reign of Jesus Christ.” Whoever we are, wherever God has called us, we are to submit to His governing rule thus seeing His will established in our spheres of influence.

I experienced a defining moment in my life 12 years ago when I went on a pilgrimage to Edinburgh, Scotland. I visited the castle there and saw the beautiful crown jewels. I was confused when I saw a large ordinary-looking rock sharing an honored place adjacent to the crown jewels. It looked so out of place! As I read the plaques I discovered it was the “Destiny Stone.” It was upon this rock that the Kings and Queens would sit to be coroneted. At that moment “it was no longer about them, but their kingdom, their people, and their very land.” To the people of Scotland, the Destiny Stone’s wealth far exceeds money or prosperity but the freedom of the people. Without true understanding, we would throw away that stone of destiny for the more obvious beauty of the crown jewels. We cannot ignore our most valuable inheritance, though appearing common, to exchange it for temporal wealth.

Tears began to run down my face when I recognized that to embrace destiny I had to understand from the heart that it was not about me, but FIRST the Kingdom - God’s rule and reign. Secondly, it was about people. Do I have a heart to see people redeemed, or just the land? Charles Finney embraced destiny submitting to the ultimate reign of God. He saw whole cities (people) come to Jesus, THEN the reciprocal to that was city transformation. Marketplace saints’ core values cannot be about us personally, our business prospering, or the revitalization of our towns and cities - though that is a by-product when the people in those cities are redeemed! We cannot be caught up in the “American Gospel” of comfort, goods, and possessions - but recognize that they are an offshoot of our absolute surrender to God’s core values.

Though we may not evangelize in the traditional religious sense, we are facing an open door in this season that we might bring in the harvest! We live Biblical principles while engaging the culture in relevant ways speaking their language; nevertheless our motives, goals, purpose, and destiny is the Kingdom of God to be made manifested in their lives.

As the revelation of marketplace ministry increases and we continue to break off the small thinking mindsets of poverty and pulpit elitism, we cannot allow the pendulum to swing so far that we hear the warning of the Lord say, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich.” Our God has given us the “heathen for an inheritance!” He has surrounded us with people - a sphere of influence - to be living epistles read of all men! With a Kingdom of God mindset and a passion to reach the people He so desperately loves; then we will see the very land redeemed, wealth released, and a true demonstration of a marketplace minister!
www.DrMelodye.com

It is sad that today ‘worship’ is seen as a matter of how a ‘church meeting’ is structured, or, defined as to the types of songs sung in a meeting. In fact we call the meeting a ’service’, where did that idea come from, maybe to ease the conscience and think that a meeting for 60 minutes or so is serving God, well that doesn’t cut it, for it isn’t. Thinking it is about a style of song, i.e. songs that are slow and or that make you close your eyes in reverence. After all we employ ministers as “Worship Leaders”, and we say, we are now going to have “Praise & Worship”.

All this really means is that worship has been hijacked by the musicians. I love those songs just as much as anyone, but it isn’t what worship is.

Another idea which is within the Pentecostal/Charismatic world I generally mix with is that walking around with hands raised and speaking in tongues is worship. This is due to the misreading of John 4:23 “For the Father is looking for those who will worship Him, in spirit & truth”,which has nothing to do with tongues. Now don’t get me wrong I’m not knocking tongues, I believe in it and do speak in tongues frequently. How many times have we done what we P/C’s do, thinking we are worshiping God, and we didn’t do what He asked us to do yesterday, let alone last week, or last year. If we think just because we ‘feel good’ praying in tongues with our hands raised that God accepts it, then we are mistaken this isn’t worship.

These things could not be further from the truth, as worship has nothing to do with a service or music, rather it is something so far from these things it isn’t funny. Again I love music. I sing and want to make a CD. I favor songs that have solid theology and a tune that touches my heart or moves me, songs that carry an anointing. I even use the cliché term ‘praise & worship’, old habits die hard, but that is not what worship is.

What Worship is:

Worship in the Hebrew is expressed by the word,

H7812 shâchâh pronounced shaw-khaw’ A primitive root; to depress, that is, prostrate (especially reflexively in homage to royalty or God): - bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.

In Greek the word is, as we find in John 4.

G4352 proskuneō pronounced pros-koo-neh’-o From G4314 and probably a derivative of G2965 (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand); to fawn or crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore): - worship.

Firstly, worship has in focus the ‘position’ of one beginning the act of worship, to bow down, to prostrate oneself.

In relation to this, I was always taught that we don’t do that in church(bow or prostrate) but do so in our heart. This is just plan nonsensical, as would be ‘praise’ being done in our heart with nothing coming out of our mouth, or what about giving an offering, I’m giving it in my heart, but putting nothing in the offering receptacle.

In Psalm 22 it speaks of He who ‘inhabitest the praises of Israel’.

The word praise has within it the idea of ‘high praise’ or praise that has built up to a crescendo. Inhabitest, has within it the meaning ‘to be seated’ or ‘enthroned’. Thus the Lord is enthroned on the high praises of His people.

The idea of the king sitting on the throne indicates that He is getting ready to hold audience, and/or to commission one.

When I had led the praise time at churches in the past, I would at times give a concept of what worship was. Facing the congregation I would say, picture the wall behind me as a moving wall. As we begin with thanksgiving, then move into praise, finally arriving at a time when our praise have reached a crescendo, suddenly the wall would open up and there you would see the King on His throne.

What would you do?
There is only one answer and that is, we would fall flat on our faces, prostrating ourselves. We would not move but remain before Him, regardless of how long it was, out of fear/awe and reverence to Him.

This is the beginning or position of worship
At some point in time He would say arise, still with our head bowed….the beginning of the action of obedience to His command, and is the continuation of worship.

Finally the King in His command to arise, would also say ‘go do’ we would back out never turning our backs to Him, for that is a sign of disrespect, until we were out of His sight, and in obedience to Him would fulfill our commission, then return bowed with the reward in our hands and lay it at His feet.

This is worship in the true sense. It is the act of obedience to the King and the return of the result of obedience to Him.

The problem today is that seldom do we understand that ‘obedience’ is the result of a heart change.

* Obedience is what distinguishes the First & Last Adams.

* Obedience, not sacrifice, is what pleases the Father.

* The very essence of faith and/or trust is so that we can obey.

The difference between the Old and New form of worship

In the Old Covenant worship and/or obedience was based external law, tablets of stone. Whereas, the New on the other hand is from the heart, for His Law/Word is engraved on our hearts of flesh, because the Living God and King dwells in us, not among us.

Copyright: John McDonald 1/2011

John is available for ministry appointments on a love offering basis.
540-435-0562
SchoolOfTheKingdom

While at a conference in 1999, the Lord blessed me with an idea for a novel. It took me the following ten years “experiencing God” to write it. And the process was incredible. I was blessed with many revelations about our existence here, and about the Lord Himself. A large portion of the novel takes place in Heaven. And the time I spent in prayer learning about that and our misconceptions about real life was extraordinary to say the least.

However, in time, the Lord began to give me a sequel to the book. As I began to hungrily write my notes and etch out this new narrative, my excitement died. Once again He began blessing me with revelation. But this time it showed me a clearer picture of many of Hell’s residents. As I was given vivid visions of this place of torment, I was thrown by the number of references to church. Many of the images I saw showed people having service. It showed thousands upon thousands of religious, judgmental, hypocritical people who had claimed to be believers.

It’s funny how often we think of Caiaphas (John 18:14) and the Pharisees being people of Paul’s day. All of us today would hate to think that WE are the Pharisees. We hate to think that our need to correct each other, and nit-pick people about biblical law is no better than the Pharisees’ complaints to the Jews of that day about the Sabbath.

The Lord has been blessing me to remember that He clearly shows in scripture how being judgmental and unforgiving are two of the primary things in us that can effectively refuse God’s grace; Christ’s blood, regardless of what we confess (Matt 6:15 & 7).

We the Body of Christ are called to follow after love. Every man can choose justice or grace from God. But whatever we choose for others will apply to us. King David chose justice. And even as a man after God’s heart, when justice came for him after he erred, the price was high - far higher than anything I would ever want to pay.

So I’m looking at me. I plan to follow after love. Isn’t that what made us follow after Christ in the first place. We didn’t receive Jesus because He was righteous. We followed Him because He loved us in spite of our many faults. So as we develop as leaders, shouldn’t we follow His model? If we do truly want to be with Him for all eternity, and not just talk about Him, shouldn’t we try love?

Stephen N. Blackmon
Author of The Price of Paradise
www.snblackmon.com

QUESTIONS

1) Are you someone who endures through the week until you can attend church on Sunday in order to get into God’s presence?
2) Are you desperate for people to pray for you, and cannot wait until mid-week prayer meeting?
3) Have you been scheming ways to get someone you know to come to a church service so they can get right with God or get saved?
4) Do you seem to have great faith and boldness to pray and believe God for things while at a service, but struggle to pray at all in other places, whether at home or work?
5) Are you in a place that believes only your kind of church is the only way to know the Lord and all others are simply misguided?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, it may be possible that you are suffering from TMS! Other common side effects are: blurred vision, lack of confidence, unbelief, identity crisis, and self-inflated importance. These could be symptoms of Temple Mentality Syndrome. But do not worry, it is curable and does not require taking any purple, green, or blue pills! Continue reading.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

For prophetic ministry, send your first name, gender, and location to:

For dream interpretation, send your dream to:

Guidelines for dream submission:

We are thankful for all their labor of love and pray everyone is refreshed and strengthened in this season.

It’s been a while since the last newsletter. The Lord has directed me to take some time away from ministry. This edition’s main feature is an excerpt from an upcoming new book, You Can Be Free from Yourself!, by my long-time friend, David Alsobrook.

I have watched David undergo a dramatic transformation these past couple of years and am pleased that he is sharing his experience with us to give us all encouragement and hope, that the Lord will indeed perfect that which He has begun in us. Enjoy! ~ Donna Astern

From You Can Be Free From Yourself!:
The Grace of Transformation
It was transformation. It had happened by God’s work within me, as I sat passively in His Presence.

To put it another way, this work of transforming me had been all His work, not mine. The Holy Spirit did the actual transformation within my soul as He applied the benefits procured by the Cross. Should transformation occur within your soul, it will be as profound and unique to you as mine was to me. It is beyond the ability of words to convey the state of peace that is given to you in transformation. It is all grace, all love, all peace, all God.

Transformation was a death - an ending of “me” that was not the true me. This other “me” had been hurting for a half century. The other “me” needed constant care, had to be controlled, restrained, and was almost always hurting in one way or another.The emergence of the true me that had been hiding somewhere inside my body all these many years could only take place as the other “me” had dissolved in God’s Presence. Instead of God healing the hurting me, as I had prayed for years that He would do, the Lord killed that part of me, the part that had always been so painful. He had answered my prayers three years earlier to die and I did die. He then caused the true me He had earlier birthed on November 30, 1969, to come vibrantly alive in such a way that I had never sensed aliveness before.

Profound Change
This inner shift of knowing who I am produced profound change. It was transformation, in the language of Paul. It was deeper than anything I had ever known in over 40 years since the born again experience. Although I had experienced God in real ways over those 40 years, this fundamental change made previous divine touches, precious though they were, lessen in significance. The permanent change experienced in silence made metamorphosis as real to me as it must be to the new butterfly emerging from its old cocoon. The young butterfly is no longer trapped and in darkness inside a tight cocoon. It is free to fly about in the light. So am I.

This profound change is not for a few–the divine work of self dissolution is available for believers everywhere. Nor is this change new; it has occurred in the lives of many down through millennia. The “many” that have been changed in centuries past were actually few in number during any specific time period, so far as Church history records them. The Lord has recently spoken that “a sudden radical transformation” is about to occur on a “worldwide scale in the lives of many” of His people.

Those who have lived lives of inner defeat, frustration, confusion, and pain as I had for so many, many years are about to wake up and never be the same again. The Lord is not going to heal the part of them that is hurting, but remove it entirely, essentially kill it, so that the part of them that already had been made new in the born again experience, the spirit part of every believer, can thrive unhindered by anything within the soul part of every believer. If you have come to the point in your Christian life where you wish you could just die and go on to Heaven, this message is good news to your ears.

If you are in the place in your Christian walk where you are excited about all the good things you are doing for God or are going to do for God, this message will not mean much to you now. Such a Christian is not ready for transformation yet because he or she is inflated by self. It is only when you have tired of self, have been disillusioned by it over and over, and have come to the end of yourself that you are ready for this message. You might as well put this book on your bookshelf, but please do not discard it. Pick it up again in a few years after self has deflated you. When you are miserable as a result of allowing self to run your life, you are then ready for this book.

Changes Produced by Transformation
The soul of the believer, having been transformed by radical change, no longer strives against the spirit of the believer. Instead, the soul resumes its original function as servant to the spirit. It becomes the vehicle through which the spirit expresses Christ in the believer’s body. The soul is not the antagonist it formerly was, continually thinking against the spirit and even warring against it. Peace pervades the entire individual and even his or her body sleeps better. The physical body lives in harmony as part of the whole individual and the believer senses oneness within himself or herself as never before. You are not divided anymore. In the words of Jesus: “you are whole” (John 5:14).

This is what happened to me. It is lasting. It is real. It is transformative. It is the work of God. Since my soul is perpetually renewed now, there aren’t new disturbances continually arising within it. It seems as though “all things are new” which Jesus promised us as He sat upon His “rock”:

And He that sat upon the Throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” ~Revelation 21: 5 NKJV

For news of the book’s publication and his ministry schedule, contact:
David Alsobrook
Sure Word Ministries
www.DavidAlsobrook.com
615-366-5888

Laura Houck addresses the need to purposefully build bridges with others in the Body of Christ, and draws parallels from the natural realm. Listen.

Click to listen.

Jesus said, “Have faith in God.” This is a constant, abiding, and growing faith that is accompanied by hope, peace, and love.

Listen here.

Location:
6224 Auburn Dr
Virginia Beach, VA 23464

However for the important decisions of life– choosing a church home, a career, a partner–there are reasons why one choice is more personally appealing than another. The reason is personal values, those non-negotiables in life where the line is drawn by us. Values provide the reasons why we do what we do. Continue reading here.

Location:
Shekinah Christian Fellowship
928 Commonwealth Pl
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Behind Hardee’s & 7-11 at Level Green and Indian River.

Location:
Shekinah Christian Fellowship
928 Commonwealth Place
Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Directions:
From I-64E to Indian River West (Exit 286A)
Left at Hardee’s at Level Green
Church is behind 7-11.

See full article here.

All around us people are receiving messages through dreams– messages which they may not understand. Both Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar had dreams from God that they could not understand without the help of godly men.

The Bible has a very positive view of dreams. In this FUN workshop, you will learn the principles of dream interpretation, starting with an examination of dreams from the Bible. Using those principles, the class will begin to unravel some modern dreams including some from the workshop students.

As you learn to interpret, you will also gain insights into some of your own puzzling dreams!

Registration Deadline: Jan 22.

See the brochure here.

A leader is a dealer in hope, and a leader will persevere when others quit.

These stories were written for our instruction that we might have hope.

Click to listen.

6224 Auburn Dr
Virginia Beach, VA 23464

A life coach or leadership coach has been trained (and coached) in a different skill set than a mentor or counselor. The mentor imparts knowledge; the counselor seeks to heal and restore. The underlying premise of coaching is that God has made you the steward of your life, not the coach. Therefore, a coach does not tell you what to do, but works with you to help you discover what course of action to take and why. A Christian coach is interested in helping you understand what work God is accomplishing within you at this season of your life.

“Mentoring is imparting to you what God has given me; coaching is drawing out of you what God has put in you.” ~ Dale Stoll

Transforming Lives One Conversation at a Time

Read here

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” ~ Prov 18:21

Knowing the importance of speaking words of life, you may hesitate at times to find a positive answer.

It is important to be truthful, and when you are in pain, to pour out your complaint to the Lord. However, optimism can become a habit as surely as pessimism.

Got a Thesaurus? continue reading

Listen.

6224 Auburn Dr
Virginia Beach, VA 23464

However, we are exhorted to seek God instead.

“When they say to you, ‘Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,’ should not a people consult their God?”… (Isaiah 8:19 NAS)
Continue reading…

Hannah not only makes requests, but she makes declarations and praise. She starts off slowly, and then the passion begins to rise. She goes on for several minutes with her mom saying, “That’s right, Hannah. Yes, He is!” This little one is learning to be a spiritual powerhouse! continue reading

Jesus is the Perfect Redeemer.

Listen.

The crab is not getting out itself, but it does not want the other one to get out either! So both stay in the bucket and become somebody’s lunch. continue reading

Balak sent messengers with payment to the highly-regarded pagan prophet, Balaam, who had a reputation for releasing blessings or curses. If Balaam would call upon his spiritual resources and curse Israel, then perhaps Moab could drive them back and defeat them. continue reading

As clear as a bell, he heard the Lord say, “We both know someone who will notice.” Sure enough, later on, his wife came in, inspected the paint job, and said, “You didn’t paint the bottom of the last three stairs.”

True story.

I wonder how many of us carry on such conversations with the Lord. Do we expect Him to comment back to us on everyday matters? Or do we just reserve our expectation to hear for the big important things of life? continue reading

But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will surely buy it for the full price; for I will not take what is yours for the LORD, or offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing.”

continue reading

A petition is a formally drawn request to a higher authority soliciting some favor, right, mercy, or other benefit.

It is time to petition the Court of Heaven where Jesus our Advocate is seated at the right hand of Father God.

Fivefold ministers: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher (See Eph 4:11)

For years, the expectation was generally held that ministry was done by those in the pulpit and inside the church building. Then the understanding came that all are called to some form of ministry, while most are not called to pulpit ministry.

Whereas those who have entered into this revelation are finding much freedom and joy as the Lord works with and through them apart from the pulpit or even the church service, there is a common misconception about what quantifies spiritual ministry.

We now have CEO’s of corporations being called apostles! And schoolteachers are being called fivefold teachers, as though there were no difference. He may have a powerful God-given ability to lead or teach, but it’s not the same thing as ministry of the Gospel, which the Scriptures make clear.

What is ministry? continue reading

God in His wisdom knew we would need help if we were ever going to mature and become conformed to the image of Christ. So Jesus left His mantle of leadership here on the earth and called men and women to take up that mantle and enter into His service. continue reading

The prophet Elisha asked where it fell. Then he cut a stick and tossed it in the river in same spot and the axehead floated! (2 Kings 6)

Does that story make you wonder why he did that? Why didn’t he just command the axehead to float the way Elijah commanded fire to fall from heaven? continue reading

Jesus did not get his identity from what people said about him, he got his identity from what the Father said about him!

All things are possible - so, do you believe?

After a time, they grew discouraged in the wilderness because of the way. (Num 21:4) Their trek was longer and more challenging than they had expected. They fell into ingratitude and grumbling towards the man they had once praised for his vision and leadership.  Mutinous plans to return to Egypt were formed, but God squashed the rebellion. He intended that they move forward into their inheritance as a sovereign nation. continue reading

Location:

5205 Sinking Creek Court

Virginia Beach, VA  23464

What kind of life are you waiting to have?

“Someday my prince will come.”
“Someday my ship will come in.”
“Someday I will be happy.”
“I’m just waiting on God.”

Did that last statement bother you? Numerous people use that last one as an excuse for why they don’t have what they want now.

Do you want to be well? Slim? Happy? Prosperous? Powerful?

Saying you want it is only the tip of the iceberg. continue reading

Learn the spiritual roots

and connections behind physical conditions,

and how to walk in

more complete healing!

Seminar Registration: $160

Registration Deadline: 6/17

Includes all teaching sessions,

research and personal ministry

Thurs & Fri 7:00 PM

Sat 10 AM - 5 PM

Additional Ministry Training Session:

Saturday, June 27th @ 7:00 P

Registration $25

Location: 5205 Sinking Creek Court

Virginia Beach, VA  23464

Click here to download event brochure and registration information!

Selah: “pause, meditate upon it, to seal up, to lift up”

Location:
5205 Sinking Creek Court
Virginia Beach, VA 23464

David and his warriors returned to their home base at Ziklag and were shocked to discover that the city had been raided and burned and that all their wives and children were carried away captive. The men were in great anguish and, in their pain, blamed David and were ready to kill him.

David was greatly distressed. His own family had also been taken, and his life was now in danger from his own men. He was grieving and at a loss what to do.

At that point, David made the choice to strengthen himself in the Lord. He did not wallow in grief-stricken self-pity. As he stood alone, he turned to the One he knew to be a refuge in the day of trouble. He encouraged himself in the Lord.

Why was David alone able to find strength and encouragement? continue reading

Ministry and service is extending yourself for the benefit of someone else.

Whether regardless of a primary to call to public ministry, business, family, etc., all believers are to live balanced lives that include service and ministry to the body of believers!

Location:
5205 Sinking Creek Court
Virginia Beach, VA 23464

It’s not enough to just rest from physical work; we also require mental, emotional, and spiritual refreshing.see full article

In those days of waiting, God was at work, preparing David to be a mighty warrior king. Long before he faced Goliath, he fought and killed a lion and a bear who were after the flock. The lonely days of watching his father’s sheep were spent developing courage, faithfulness, and a heart of worship. He was being prepared to rule the Lord’s sheep, the people of Israel.

It was many years of training by warfare, leadership, difficulty, heartbreak, and persecution before he actually became king.

God never wastes anything!

Whatever challenge you may find yourself currently in, know that God has a growth agenda for you in it! And He knows something about your current circumstances and your future that you do not.

Sometimes, Christians act as though God were not involved, as though He were unaware, unwilling, or unable to help continue reading

Sometimes we lie to ourselves rather than facing the truth of what we really think.  But your spirit knows the truth about what you think.

By taking an honest look at our thoughts and submitting them to the higher truth of God’s thoughts and meditating on HIS truth, we can make our way prosperous and successful!

“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.”(Prov 15:28)

Thoughtful believers want to walk in Christlikeness, however tempted to attack or withdraw. God calls us to relationship and fellowship, knowing that we will rub against one another from time to time. We might be called on to extend mercy and overlook a wrong, or it may be time to speak the truth in love.

“Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Prov 27:17)

How to know what is appropriate in your given situation?

Jesus taught us that when we see a problem in another, to “take the log out of our own eye first”. This involves dealing with our offended heart, so that we can minister to our brother out of purity. It may also involve getting past our fear of what may happen if we say anything.

I recently asked Diana Gonzalez, a fantastic Lifeforming Coach Trainer, her thoughts about what is appropriate when hurt by others. She gave these clarifying reasons:

Reasons to back off of others whose actions/words are hurting me:

* When they are “weaker vessels” than me, meaning God is asking me to take the pain in order for His work to get done in their lives, so I must exercise mercy and forbearance

* When I am so mad that I will lash out if I speak up, so I have to get some distance and Holy Spirit help first

* When my motives are not pure - it’s more about me than them

Reasons to let people know how their actions affect me:

* So that I don’t write them off in my heart as jerks who don’t deserve vulnerability from me

* So that they grow in maturity by having someone hold up a mirror to their actions in order to not do the same thing to others in their lives and learn new relational skills

* When I sense it’s God’s timing to confront them and move past this kind of behavior

* When I feel like I am the “weaker vessel” and God is not calling me to be a martyr, but to say “ouch” when it hurts because I am in a season of pain and He is not asking me to take more than I can bear, so they will be in trouble with God if they don’t back off

When it is time to speak up, think about what would be God’s best possible outcome. Consider what you can do to give your brother the best chance to respond well.

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Rom 12:18)

May the Lord grant you increased wisdom, favor, and grace in all your relationships!

Just as the earth experiences the change of seasons, so do we, spiritually speaking.

In the spring of our walk with the Lord, everything is fresh and alive. We were born again into spring, as spring lambs, to whom every day is warm sunshine in the love of God, and refreshing showers of joy in the Holy Spirit. Life is exciting and couldn’t be better! Then the seasons begin to change and summer appears. It is a time of much work and the promise of harvest. The days are long and glorious. We begin to mature and gain strength, walking in authority and spiritual gifts. At this time, we begin to take on the characteristics of mature sheep, bearing wool, producing for the Master. It is a time of exhilaration in the things of God.

But somehow, in all of our growth and learning, we didn’t yet understand about the seasons of the Lord, even though nature and the Scriptures teach it. We didn’t know that autumn and winter were coming…continued

We are living in a time in which people need encouragement. God is sending people your way who need a refreshing drink. Jesus said, speaking of the Spirit, that from your innermost being will flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38-39)

You may not think you have anything to offer that discouraged or troubled one. But as you pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, the Spirit of God will begin flow out of you. You are the conduit to release the love and power of God. You have something to give. Seek to be one who encourages and strengthens. It will return back to you.

“A word in due season, how good it is!” (Prov. 15:23)

Be sure to register now for the Ministering Spiritual Gifts Seminar April 20-25 in Virginia Beach.

Grieved at her request, but because his oath was made in front of all his guests, he agreed. And John was killed.

Keeping your promise or staying with your original decision is a usually a good idea. Far too many promises are made and broken these days.

But sometimes the initial decision, like Herod’s, is faulty. For many people, it’s just easier to stay with the first decision, rather than go to the trouble of attempting a new solution. Additionally, the desire to save face and avoid embarrassment fights against admitting that a change is now needed. This is pride and foolish consistency. Continue reading

Registration is now open until April 15.
Early bird discount ends April 1.

See the brochure here

Location:
5205 Sinking Creek Court
Virginia Beach

If we apply our hearts to gaining wisdom, we can actually become even wiser than our teachers. But first, appreciate the wisdom your teachers have gained.

God has established the laws of natural realm and the laws of the spiritual. Paying heed to these laws can keep you from serious harm — the law of gravity for example.

I have met so many Christians with little to no understanding of spiritual laws, and who are bewildered and despairing because of those unknown laws at work within their every day life. Unless they are in enough pain to listen, there is often scoffing at the idea that they themselves may have set something into motion, or allowed a law to repeat through ignorance or foolishness.

It’s just easier to blame somebody else. Or decide God doesn’t care.

We are usually so blind to what seeds we planted, and then we forgot that we planted them.

The good news is that we can appropriate higher laws and overturn the operation of negative ones in our lives through repentance and choosing a new way. The Word of God reveals this better way.

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and it will be given to you.” (Luke 6:35-38)

One of the major aspects of Biblical prayer counseling is to help the person see where they have violated the commands of God and begun a process of negative reaping in their own lives.

If you live in the Virginia Beach area, I highly recommend you attend our upcoming school to not only facilitate your growth in personal maturity, but to learn to save yourself from some pain.

Please click on calendar at the top of the page to see what is planned in Virginia Beach:

High points:

Love & Respect Marriage Video Class, Friday, Mar 13
5 session weekly class for happy or unhappy couples. Register 757-305-1969

Ministry Night, Tues, Mar 10
Open to all! our monthly night of prophetic praise, teaching, & ministry

Licensing & Ordination Celebration, Sat, Mar 21
Open to all! Setting apart those called by God to equip the saints

Elijah House Video School for Prayer Ministry
Meets most Sun & Tues nights Mar 22 - June 14
Registration Deadline: Mar 15. 757-271-8914
Highly recommended for all who wish to mature in personal growth as well as those who desire training in Biblical principles for ministry to wounded people.

Through the voice of the Holy Spirit, dreams, prophetic ministry, the Word of God and all the ways God continues to speak– we will receive the instruction and life that comes from hearing God speak if we will tune our ears to listen!

On the job or at church or at home, we may have heard statements about ourselves or those we love — remarks we were not expected to hear.

Consider this:

“Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name.”  (Malachi 3:16)

When the Lord listens to your conversations, does He hear His name? Or is it only at church?

Mention His name today in your conversations. Give Him something to listen to and remember.

Location:

5205 Sinking Creek Court

Virginia Beach, VA

Subscribe to our bi-weekly enewsletter in the box at the right for the latest announcements.

Jesus favorite method of teaching was telling stories in order to convey spiritual truth - parables. When He spoke of seed falling on good ground, He wasn’t giving advice to farmers, but speaking of the Word of God falling upon receptive hearts. When He told of the wise man who built his house on the rock, He taught the importance of a life with a strong and sturdy spiritual foundation.

By speaking metaphorically, Jesus awakened the spiritual ears of His listeners, giving them something to think about. Parables gave them a chance to gradually understand and accept His words as they considered the meaning.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. (Prov 25:2)

Sometimes we may wish to have been there to sit at His feet and hear His wonderful stories. Yet even now, the Holy Spirit is using the same method to give us personal instruction while we dream. We receive individual “night parables” as He seeks to awaken us to understanding.

Scripture speaks favorably of dreams, and we read of Joseph the dreamer who was able to interpret the dreams of the cupbearer, the baker, also Pharaoh.

Not realizing that God wanted us to understand our dreams, we shrugged them off as last night’s pizza, or ourselves as too unspiritual to figure it out.

In this last days outpouring, God is speaking to you, to me, to believers and to unbelievers through dreams (Acts 2:17). Through study of the metaphors of dreams, visions, and parables of the Bible, we can begin to gain a much greater understanding of our own night parables.

Biblical Dream Interpretation Workshop Feb 20-21
5205 Sinking Creek Court
Virginia Beach, VA  23464

Fri 7:00 - 10:00 PM Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $120 includes syllabus

Learn the principles of Biblical dream interpretation and how to help others understand their dreams. You may then participate in our online Dream Team for further skill-building and as a way to minister to others.
Register by Feb 13

Paul used the example of an athelete as how we are to pursue the high calling of Jesus Christ.  We are to train, restrain and develop ourselves to come up higher and pursue the calling of God on our lives.

We offer 3 Levels of advanced training to help you stir up your gifts and become even more effective and valuable in prophetic ministry in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The teaching portion builds upon the previous training of the MSG, emphasizing team protocol, pitfalls, and growth in maturity.

Cost $25 at the door
Friday 2/6 7:00 PM
5205 Sinking Creek Court
Virginia Beach, VA
757-271-8914

Send an email indicating your intention to participate here

If you have already subscribed, but have not been receiving them, enter your email address in the box to check. Sometimes, a person has forwarded their copy to a friend who clicked on “unsubscribe” and actually ended the original subscription.

If your subscription is still valid, check to see if it has been routed to your junk or spam folder. Currently the enewsletter is being delivered on Wednesdays twice a month.

Contact us with any problems to your subscription. We don’t want you to miss out!

In our network, people give and pray and serve and receive benefits of that association, just the same as people do when they join a church. A network generally has a larger focus than a local church. Participating in DSAN can either be in addition to or instead of a local church; it depends on your situation.

Contact us for further details.

Prophetic word:

“I have put within you a seed of holy discontent, of wanting more, of seeing more of the kingdom of heaven established on the earth. I have put within you a dissatisfaction for a religious system that does not bring peace, joy, righteousness, and freedom…” continues here

Come join us @ 5205 Sinking Creek Court

And we are offering a powerful seminar to train you in effective prophetic ministry!

The Ministering Spiritual Gifts Seminar is the most intense training we offer, but it is designed for beginners as well as experienced believers.

Registration ends Jan 16.

See the brochure here

Sinners loved Jesus.  Jesus attracted people by His goodness, and we are to do likewise.  When we do good for other people, we allow the Glory of God to be seen.

Let your light shine!

It is in times of difficulty is when we ESPECIALLY need to look to the Lord, and make right, godly responses to the challenges facing us.  Obedience to the Lord and His word include our service, tithing, giving and ministry– these are the seeds to sow when we most need a harvest!

Of course, there are people who are always going to look to find fault, criticize and judge. We can have victory over reproach, and not fall into the trap of judgment and condemnation of others by sowing mercy, accepting mercy and living in faith that God is truly on our side!

Come join us @ 5205 Sinking Creek Court

But more importantly is that this allows you multiple extra ways to follow our Upcoming Events feed. You always could follow the DSAN calendar through Google Calendar, but doing so isn’t the most obvious thing in the world, and not everyone uses Google Calendar.

So now, through Feedburner, you can follow along using any RSS or Atom reader that you want. This means you can keep up with our upcoming events on your My Yahoo page, on your iGoogle personalized page, and a variety of others. Simply click on the subscribe link in the sidebar or view the Destiny Spirit Apostolic Network page at Feedburner.

If you have any questions, I have made a thread about this in the forum.

But many teenagers who think they are finally “free” of their parents rules actually become slaves to their rebellion.

We are not to require continual monitoring, control and correction to do the things that are wise and godly.  That is what children require.  As we grow and mature, we are to take responsibility for our own lives– naturally and spiritually– as WE are the ones who will answer to God for them!

For those of you who do not know much about Paypal, please look over the information in their Security Center. Paypal operates in 190 markets, and has been a part of eBay since 2002, so you should be able to send money from most anywhere in the world that you happen to be.

Let us know if you have questions. I can be reached at christopher.jones@destinyspirit.com.

If you haven’t been receiving the Destiny Spirit Apostolic Network’s newsletter, then now is the time to sign up. Just use the little ‘Join Our Email List’ box over on the right side of the home page. It is quick, easy, and free. Check it out.

Prayer & Intercession
Thursday, September 25th
7:00 PM
Open to Everyone

Prophetic Team Training
Friday, October 3rd
7:00 - 9:30 PM
Levels 1, 2 & 3 (*Prerequisite: Must have completed Ministering Spiritual Gifts Seminar)
Please RSVP your attendance so materials can be prepared.

Regular Monthly Network Meetings
2nd Tuesdays 7:00 - 8:30 PM
(Beginning Oct 14th)
Open to Everyone –Join us for worship, ministry and teaching!

Destiny Spirit has always been a training, equipping and sending ministry. We have seen many people come through, receive prophetic ministry, teaching, training and healing. Now we are evolving and expanding into a training ministry without walls; a trans-local network of people committed to advancing the Kingdom of God. We have moved from a pastoral mode to an apostolic one.

We extend the invitation to you to continue to walk with us in this expansion!
Click here to download the network invitation (PDF)

Much more information about the Destiny Spirit Apostolic Network will be posted in coming weeks! Stay tuned!

We will continue to do seminars, worship events, outreaches, ministry team support, as well as having regular network meetings for fellowship and personal ministry. Network meetings will be at least monthly, in lieu of weekly services. This site will be greatly expanded to include articles, audio teachings, books and other great resources.

Participation in the network is not exclusive. Members may be a part of other networks or churches.

Everyone is invited to a Network Ministry Night
Monday, August 25th at 7:00 PM
5205 Sinking Creek Ct in Virginia Beach

In the meantime, you should give the recent teachings “Metamorphosis” and “Your Heavenly Makeover” a listen.

There will be changes to the website and online offerings in the coming months, so check this page often to see what we’re up to. There is a small sneak peak into the upcoming changes contained within our newest ad with the digital version of The Voice Magazine. I believe it will be coming out today, so check it out if you are so inclined. Or if you just want to see our new ad, here it is (click the ad to see it full size).