2024 not abandoned: a new spiritual journey

How may we hear God and understand Him more accurately? Last night while praying my heart purposed to start afresh the unfinished journey over the uncharted spiritual rough waters of Bible words. It is not a time to ask why. It is a time to ask how. How may this be done consistently and persistently? I believe the Lord has put this desire in my heart and will help me get going…

I have put a link to my Sound Mind Journal blog in this watchman’s menu, labelled: “A New Spiritual Journey 2013-2024”. The first 2024 post (from alphabet A) shortly to be posted will be on a word that caught my eye on the top of the list, a word that digs deep into my heart. The original series started on March 16, 2013 and paused for many years, suddenly revived over a short period during the last 20 days of the year 2021 (six chapters posted on 12/12, 13/12, 14/12, 15,12, 18/12, 19/12, 21/12) and remained silent since then. What happened? Why December and those dates? Only now I see the significance. Exactly two years after that, a sudden personal loss (death) took place.

What better time is there than now to start catching up with Jesus as He walks towards the cross 2000 years ago? (This year’s Good Friday falls on 29th March.)

καινός 2024-03-07

Wed, Feb 14, 2024 – Thu, Mar 28, 2024

Note: Lent lasts 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday, excluding Sundays, is the six-week period leading up to Easter. It starts on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2024) and either ends on Maundy Thursday (March 28, 2024) or Holy Saturday (March 30, 2024), depending on the denomination. Palm Sunday, the final Sunday before Easter is celebrated by Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox traditions. 

2024 how not to grieve over a devastating tearing asunder and loss of a beloved?

 

In the utmost sorrow and chaos inside out, spirit, soul and body, how does one stay sane and live on at least from day to day, eating and sleeping, halting the mind and the heart from a repeated constant reprise? It was impossible. Without God's grace and mercy and the immense working of the Holy Spirit, I could not have lived through the grief. I am still in its process and a work-in-process of a survivor of grief. 

A day before the fateful departure, at my urgent call, a closed relative of mine who loves her too drove seven hours to see us. She stood by the bedside and prayed in tongue until she heard from the Lord and saw vision. After that I walked her to the gate. I didn't want to hear what she had to say from the Lord. Prior to that she already told me her prompting from the Lord the moment I called her. It was the first time she knew of the condition. This was the verse she received for me:

Ecclesiastes 3 Everything Has Its Time

1 To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:

2 A time to be born,

And a time to die;

A time to plant,

And a time to pluck what is planted;

3 A time to kill,

And a time to heal;

A time to break down,

And a time to build up;

4 A time to weep,

And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn,

And a time to dance;

However, I needed to hear and know what the Lord had again spoken and revealed for me. She told me at the gate what she received: a first vision of the beloved standing on a line between two groups on each side of the line. On one side was a group of those who have gone to heaven (her mom, brethren whom she had helped etc.) On another side a group of all those who wants her remain on earth to continue to help them. Both sides were crying out. 

The Lord said: "She can choose either way."

a second vision: a beautiful garden full of lovely sunshine and flowers.

a third vision:  of the beloved walking by herself and only her back view was shown. She was already walking real far along a calm and peaceful road. 

The above vision and hearing from the Lord confirmed what this narrator received earlier on one day after asking the Lord what next. "She can live as long as she wants to."

She did not tell anyone her choice. No one can assume anything. Only the Lord sees our hearts and knows. For a believers who follow the Lord and walks with Jesus closely, we have an example in the apostle Paul. 

Romans 14:7-8

7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

2024-01-17

an early poetic eulogy five days before he passed on

beloved, this day you shall not fly alone (updated)

Crosslife Spaces Andrew Wommack's teaching, Daily Word from Above, fast and pray, hear God's voice, Watchman Intercessor Journal, who can enter heaven? 02/23/2018 0 Minutes

Billy Graham

A famous Christian evangelist who lived for 99 years and is known to perhaps millions in this world died on 21st February 2018 . This poem was written and posted on my Soundmind blog on the 16th of February, (five days before the announced official date of his death) while fasting for Lent.
I didn’t know who it was meant for but I knew it was a conversation between a man and God. And It seemed that the man was leaving this world and God was assuring him not to be afraid. How awesome!

Note on hearing God:
I have been listening to the teaching from Andrew Wommack for over ten years. I have learned how to hear God’s voice from him. I am still learning and practicing. Please read the following article if you are interested. Listen to his free MP3 audio teachings. You will find what you seek. http://www.awmi.net/reading/teaching-articles/gods_voice/

Sound Mind Journey

this day I shall not fly alone
with new hope and not forlorn

living
dreaming
planning
parting

leaving behind
my depressed mind

stepping ahead
as my spirit heard you said

do not fear
for I have wiped away your every tear
go forth
as I have come forth

behold
here is My heart
as always of old
ever
never
leave

beloved
you are loved
so deep

so Sweet
this day you will not fly alone

Note added: a famous Christian man who lived for 99 years and is known to perhaps millions in this world died on 21st February 2018 . This poem was written and posted on the 16th five days before that day while fasting for Lent.

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a powerful testimony of an ordinary man who heard God and followed for fifty years…

“When Andrew first went on television, the Gospel Truth broadcast only had 3 percent coverage in the United States. Now, with recent additions to ministry coverage, the program reaches a potential 3.2 billion people worldwide. By God’s grace, the Gospel is going farther and deeper than ever before!…”

“It all began when Andrew was born again at just eight years old. Although he avoided the rebellious phase often associated with adolescence, he believed that through his own righteousness, he could develop a relationship with the Lord. But then, on a Saturday night in 1968, everything changed. Andrew realized he had fallen into the bondage of legalism and began confessing his self-righteousness, expecting the wrath of God to fall. Instead of wrath, however, God’s presence flooded him with love. “God’s love consumed me,” he says. “When I was at my worst, God’s love was the strongest.” This encounter changed his life forever and motivated him to follow God’s leading in his life. He decided to leave college, even though that meant losing his student deferment. Drafted into the Army and shipped to Vietnam, he served as a chaplain’s assistant. Despite how difficult and dangerous things were on the front lines, God used that time to ground Andrew in His Word and begin establishing the course of his life.

Upon his return, Andrew submitted to the call of God to be a teacher of the Word. He and Jamie were married in 1972, and together they began teaching Bible studies. Over the next six years, they would pastor three small churches and complete their family with two sons, Joshua and Jonathan Peter.

In 1976, Andrew broadcast his first Gospel Truth radio program on a little country-and-western station in Childress, Texas. By 1980, Andrew and Jamie had moved their ministry to Colorado Springs. Their vision was becoming quite clear: to teach the truth of the Gospel to the body of Christ throughout the United States and the world, with special emphasis on God’s unconditional love and the balance between grace and faith. They were fulfilling that vision by traveling to speaking engagements, producing radio broadcasts, and distributing audio cassette tapes, which were provided at no cost to those who could not afford them.

Andrew Wommack on radio
In 1976, Andrew broadcast his first Gospel Truth radio program on a little country-and-western station in Childress, Texas.

God began speaking to Andrew about 2 Timothy 2:2. In that scripture, Paul told Timothy to take the things that he had learned and commit them to faithful men who would be able to teach others. Andrew knew God wanted him to do the same. In 1994, a cornerstone of the ministry was laid in place with the dedication of Charis Bible College—a college committed to equipping the saints for ministry by providing sound biblical teaching and practical, hands-on training.

In January of 2000, Andrew broadcasted the first Gospel Truth television program on INSP Network. Response to the message was tremendous, and since then, the Gospel Truth has been added to over twenty networks including The Church Channel, Daystar, God TV, and CNL, as well as over 500 television stations around the globe. And the Gospel Truth continues to grow.
But God was putting even bigger things on Andrew’s heart.

The ministry quickly outgrew its first two buildings, in Manitou Springs and on Robinson Street in Colorado Springs. Andrew began looking for a new home for the ministry. Although he saw several move-in-ready properties, he knew the ministry needed more space than they could offer. Instead, he chose the partly finished, but much larger, Elkton Drive location. AWM moved into the Elkton building in 2004, and for years this location was able to accommodate substantial growth for Charis Bible College, the Communication Services Department, Product Services Department, Television Department, Marketing Department, and the other departments that help make this ministry a success around the world.

In early 2011, AWM continued to grow in its reach and started to broadcast the Gospel Truth program on TBN. This nearly doubled the viewership and was a huge answer to prayer!….” (Excerpts quoted from the link below)

Read on for the full amazing and powerful testimony. Be encouraged as you read about how one man heard God and continued to hear and obey and let the impossible God do the impossible in his ordinary life. (This comment is this blogger’s own)

http://www.awmi.net/about-us/ministry-history/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=andrews-50th-anniversary&utm_content=social

https://youtu.be/3tFd_up8S-E 

progress to be made in hearing God

This is a pertinent issue for every Christian. Progress to be made to hear God. When I read through some of my old blogs I realize the length, breadth, height, and depth I have gone since then. My old blogs of walking by the Spirit reflected what I went through during a time of change, from not knowing God the Holy Spirit to discovering and encountering God in the Spirit. Those were days of wonders. When I read some of my blogs now I find that I have nothing much to say of my own experience except in the words of God. The words of God are my daily experience. My wonders. My signs. Do I still see visions? Do I still talk to God and receive His replies? Do I open the Bible and often see the exact words He uses to answer me? Do I still receive confirmations? Do I still see His words come to pass? Are my prayers still being answered and requests granted? Do I still pray in new tongues? Am I hearing God’s yes or no clearly? can I still have regular conversation with the Lord? Have I received more new light in understanding His words? The answer to all the aforementioned questions is “YES”. Then why am I not sharing them with my readers? Because now I know they are for me for a purpose. All I need to do is to listen and follow.

I would encourage you to ask the Lord too for His specific guidance. Read His words, pray in tongues, ask, and listen and/or read His words again for confirmation. Always wait for His replies. I have a sharing about speaking in tongues or praying in tongues. One recent day I was walking on the treadmill and broke out in tongues. I prayed for sometime and worshiped in the spirit, singing songs in tongues. Then I realized I was praying in a tongue which I had never heard or prayed or spoken before. It just appeared and came out from me. I knew it’s a new tongue. I continued to let it flow out like what Jesus said, “rivers of living water will flow from within them. ” (John 7:38-39) another occasion I was woken to pray in tongues for my nation. After I prayed I asked the Lord about my own near future direction and I asked for a vision. The vision came. I asked further what it meant and heard the Lord telling me what to do next and when it would take place. So I recorded for my future reference.

Watchman's adventure: end and begin

A brief summary of a watchman's journal of the last few days of 2015 and the beginning of 2016.

Journey for the people of God. On 2015 12/28 Prompted to read Numbers 33, 34, 35. Theme: stages of journey—leaving and camping, repeatedly many times. finally, moving on according to God's plan and instructions.

(Fasted modified combined Esther's and Daniel's fast for seven days—12/31/15-1/6/16)

2015/12/31 Habakkuk's conversation with God. he asked God 'how long' and lots of 'whys'. However he changed his tone to this statement in chapter 3:1 "Lord, I have heard of Your fame; I stand in awe of  Your deeds, Lord. REPEAT THEM IN OUR DAY, IN OUR TIME MAKE THEM KNOWN; IN WRATH REMEMBER MERCY." God then showed the prophet His glory, praise, splendor, and power (3:3).  3:10-17 described the scene of a terrible Tsunami.  3:10 "the mountains saw you and writhed, Torrents of water swept by; the deep roared and lifted its waves on high...15 You trampled the sea with Your horses, churning the great waters..." Zephaniah 1:3 "I will sweep away both man and beast; I will sweep away the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea..." 18 "neither their silver or their gold will be able to save them on the day..."

2016 1/1 Proverbs 29. Theme: State of the nations. "The good, the bad, the ugly." Key words: 'snared by their own sins' —stiff-necked, greedy for bribes, evildoers, mockers, fools, bloodthirsty, rages and scoffs, flatter neighbors and spreading nets and snares, oppressor, undisciplined child, no revelation–cast off restraint, insolent servants unresponsive to corrections, speak in haste, angry person, pride, accomplice of thieves, fear of man. 27 "The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright."

2016 1/2 Matthew whole chapter 24. Theme: The Day of Jesus' return will come. 2 "Do you see all these things? Truly I tell you..." 10-14 "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations,  and then the end will come."

2016/1/3 State of the nations continued in Jeremiah 42, 43. Jesus teaches 'that which defiles' (. Theme: Be prepared. Watch the mouth which reflects the heart. The battle is in in the words (the Sword of the Spirit). Matthew 15:1-20, 23:25, 38 "Look, your house is left to you desolate." Mark 7:14-15, 18-22, 23 "All these evils come from inside and defile a person." Luke 6:45 "For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."

2016 1/4-6 Jesus teaches by questions and answers (mainly from the book of Luke). Theme: salvation and healing come by believing in Jesus. Know God's good plan and purpose, and the power of the Living God in His words (Life and Spirit) for each individual believer. "What is written in the Law? How do you read it? You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?" (Luke 10:26, 40, 56) Interpretation of God's Word by the Holy Spirit and not by man's ways.

2016 1/7 Numbers 14:29, 34, 38. v29 "Everyone of you twenty years old or more", v34 "for forty years". v38 "Of the men who went to explore the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh survived."

v24 "But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it."

Zechariah 2: God measures and refines.

We read Zechariah 2 from NKJV today. Zechariah 2 New King James Version (NKJV) After speaking good and comforting words to the prophet, God immediately sends a warning of the worship standard He requires. He speaks of Himself as a consuming fire. He speaks of dwelling in the midst of His people.
First, God sees and measures. He has a plumb-line. His words are His plumb-line. 
The remnants of the children of Israel (representing the people of God) had started re-building the temple but halted and procrastinated for twenty years (from the time the remnants returned to Jerusalem and the foundation laid to the time the temple was ready for consecration). In the meantime they built their own businesses, houses, accumulated wealth etc. for themselves. (In the book of Haggai, some Israelites even abandoned their first wives and married foreign women, cheated their employees of wages, tried to cheat God by offering sick and defective animals. in short, they simply did not believe in God.) The two prophets: Haggai and Zechariah were sent by God to warn them and urge them to return to God and resume the building work. Not giving God a mere cheap lip service but really obeying God’s words from the hearts and the following the spiritual leading of the Holy Spirit. For God is the God of glory.

Revelation 11:1

[ The Two Witnesses ] Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.

A second point is He is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). Why does He mention He will be the wall of fire for His chosen dwelling?
Fire refines believers (the people of God). Zechariah 13:9 I will bring the one–third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
Fire eliminates the idols and unclean spirits. Deuteronomy 4:24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
Fire destroys the evil works of the devil. Deuteronomy 9:3 Therefore understand today that the Lord your God is He who goes over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and bring them down before you; so you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as the Lord has said to you.
Third point: The Lord God Almighty says very clearly He has chosen to take possession of His dwelling and He will dwell in the midst of His people.

John 14:10

Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.

John 2:21

But He was speaking of the temple of His body.

John 14:17

the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

1 Corinthians 6:19

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

__________________________Zechariah 2

Vision of the Measuring Line

Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand. ² So I said, “Where are you going?”

And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.”
³ And there was the angel who talked with me, going out; and another angel was coming out to meet him, ⁴ who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it. ⁵ For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”
Future Joy of Zion and Many Nations
⁶ “Up, up! Flee from the land of the north,” says the Lord; “for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,” says the Lord. ⁷ “Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.”
⁸ For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. ⁹ For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me.
¹⁰ “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord. ¹¹ “Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. ¹² And the Lord will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. ¹³ Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!”

End days watchman countdown: Arise ! Heed the TODAY Time! (2014) !

This watchman started the journey in the Holy Spirit by faith several years ago, focusing the writing and sharing in most of the posts on just one topic: the Holy Spirit. Specifically listening to the Holy Spirit Who always points God’s people to Jesus, our God, our King, our Lord, our Savior, our Healer.
Often he has found that the journey is quite a narrow pathway as his own human physical, mental, emotional nature come in between God’s voice and his spiritual hearing and discernment. In recent years he received many good teachings on lifestyle of hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit, from those of faith who have been following the Lord Jesus faithfully all their born again lives. The teachings really helped. Many mistakes have been averted because of these teachings.
This blogger admits that the journey is ongoing for each individual. None of us, not even apostle Paul can claim we have made it. The only testimony each can claim is his own or her own. I pray for everyone who has been following this blog that your journey is always, like Paul, pressing on upward to higher ground, reaching for the goal that God has already set before you, in Christ Jesus.
Here is today’s testimony from this watchman:
He was woken after two hours of sleep as usual. He was tired as he has had a long and physically demanding day. But he could not continue sleeping as he was wide awake. So he reluctantly got up and asked the Lord, for whom he should be praying? Names came to him. So he went to his praying table: Here are what he was led to read and intercede for.
case one: read Malachi 4:6 ; then read 2 Timothy 2-3; intercede for a parent and her child, who are both facing the issue of a child turning into a teen soon and tending to ask many questions for which answers will be scrutinized for reasonableness and acceptability.
case two: read the Book of Malachi again in the sequence of 4 (whole chapter), 3 (verses 3:16-18). Interceded based on “those who feared the Lord” (called righteous by God) and those who did not (and are considered by God as arrogant and wicked). God says He does make a difference between those who serve God and those who do not. God records conversations
Notes:  Interceded for rain. Grounds are deprived of rain from heavens for a prolonged period now and his spirit was told earlier on at the beginning of the year his prayers for rain for that ‘nation’ would not be answered. Something is happening in the spiritual realm beyond this watchman’s prayer. But here is the key: the name of Elijah is being mentioned in this last paragraph of Malachi, which is the last Old Testament Book. So he started interceding with hope again for the Elijah to be raised to intercede for rain, the seven thousands whom God has hidden and preserved somewhere all over this globe for this crucial time. He too interceded again over the footstep of rain fervently. Why? His spirit was led to believe that time of drought would be at hand for many and grounds will be left abandoned, cracked, desolate. There will be no crops. The poor will need food. Not just a small pocket conveniently tucked away somewhere in remote places with no name. A massive hungry multitudes will be like locusts described over and over in the Book of Micah, which typifies a modern rich city/nation. Revelation 6:6 is pressing. ( As he received two years ago when he was called to ‘come and see’ -posted in another blog, http://kzlam36.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/end-times-church-countdown-a-perfect-man/ )
Why is such a thing happening? He was led to read Malachi, which is self-explanatory.
Case three: then he was led further to read the Book of Zechariah in connection with case two. in this sequence: 4:10; 5:1-4; 6:1-8; 7:8-14; 8:1-3; 8:6, 9; 8:12, 13, 15, 16;
a special warning: 8:17 “I hate all these things!” says the Lord.
Notes: read carefully in the two last books of the Old Testament. They talked specifically about burning, fire, flames, and related events whereby the land would not produce and it will be exactly the enactment of Revelation 6:6. The shortage of water is critical and the resultant shortage of food. Artificial food and empty energy are filling the stomachs of the poor. But this cannot go on forever. People are waking up to the truth about real food and fakes.
The watchman cannot write all that he has heard and received in his spirit. The journey has been a life long one. he remembers praying for rain and water from the heavens since very young. Many times his prayers were answered. But now it is beyond what he can pray on his little self.

Arise! Watchmen and intercessors round the globe!

What is important is faith expressing itself in love

Galatians 5:6

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.                                         _______________________________________________________________Compelled by Love, by Heidi Baker (Author) (2008)                    the true story of the ministry of Heidi and Rolland Baker in the war-torn, poverty and disease-stricken country of Mozambique, chronicles twenty-seven years of ministry among the poorest people on earth. The book is based upon the beatitudes as seen through the eyes of third-world pastors and missionaries. The Bakers have experienced God’s miraculous provision of food to thousands, brought physical healing and spiritual wholeness to His poorest children, and witnessed the transformed hearts of people caught in desperate life or death situations. Their stories prove the reality of God’s kingdom on earth, and demonstrate how to transform this world through the power of love.     

About the Author

Rolland and Heidi Baker, founders of Iris Ministries, served as missionaries in Indonesia and Hong Kong before following God’s calling in 1995 to Mozambique. Having faced overwhelming need, the Baker now watch God provide miraculously for almost 2,000 children at their centers. Iris Ministries has expanded to more than 5,000 churches all over Mozambique and neighboring countries. The Bakers are the authors of Almost Enough and Expecting Miracles.                             

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

What does it look like to trust God with EVERYTHING? In Compelled by Love, Heidi Baker gives you a glimpse of total dependence and authentic Christian community by taking a fresh look at the Beatitudes. In the war-torn, poverty-stricken country of Mozambique, she and her husband have experienced God's miraculous provisions and witnessed the transformed hearts of people caught in desperate life-or-death situations. Join them and discover the reality of God's kingdom here on Earth. -For anyone wondering if they could truly live a life of radical love...
-For anyone wondering if the Beatitudes mean anything...
-For anyone wondering how to follow Jesus all the way... "If God is not with us, we do not want to continue. If the Sermon on the Mount is simply impractical, our mission work is hopeless. We have no backup plan. We have nothing but Him."
--Heidi Baker                           

Biography

Heidi and Rolland Baker founded IRIS Global in 1980 (called IRIS Ministries at that time), and began ministering together in Asia. In 1995 they were called to the poorest country in the world at the time, Mozambique, and faced an extreme test of the Gospel. They began by pouring out their lives among abandoned street children, and as the Holy Spirit moved miraculously in many ways a revival movement spread to adults, pastors, churches and then throughout the bush all across Mozambique's ten provinces. Heidi is now "Mama Heidi" to thousands of children, and oversees a broad holistic ministry that includes Bible schools, medical clinics, church-based orphan care, well drilling, primary schools, evangelistic and healing outreaches in remote villages and a network of thousands of churches. She has BA, MA from Vanguard University and her PhD from Kings College (University of London). A documentary film called Compelled by Love: The Film premeires January 5th, 2014 which features the life story of Rolland and Heidi Baker, narrated by Reinhard Bonnke. (http://www.amazon.com/Compelled-Love-change-through-simple/dp/1599793512)

message today: watch this one, know God's plan for you

God’s Plan For Man – Pastor Sandra Kennedy

July 14, 2013

http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=wholelife&eID=97
http://www.sandrakennedy.org/

Journey on: Jesus is the only solid ground

We continue to read the New Testament for Bible verses on the word “Ground” in the dictionary of God.

1. Mark 4:26 [ The Parable of the Growing Seed ] And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground,
2. Matthew 13:23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
3. Mark 8:6 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude.
4. John 8:6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
5. John 9:6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.
6. John 12:23-25 ²³ But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. ²⁴ Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. ²⁵ He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
7. Acts 7:33 ‘Then the Lord said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.
8. Acts 26:14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
9. 1 Timothy 3:14-16 ¹⁴ These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; ¹⁵ but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. ¹⁶ And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God^[a] was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

Some key Bible verses (in NLT version) from the book of Ezra (on rebuilding the Temple of God) and the book of Psalms on the word “Foundation” which also means “Ground”:

1. Ezra 3:6 Fifteen days before the Festival of Shelters began, the priests had begun to sacrifice burnt offerings to the Lord. This was even before they had started to lay the foundation of the Lord’s Temple.
2. Ezra 3:10 When the builders completed the foundation of the Lord’s Temple, the priests put on their robes and took their places to blow their trumpets. And the Levites, descendants of Asaph, clashed their cymbals to praise the Lord, just as King David had prescribed.
3. Ezra 3:11 With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord: “He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!” Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid.
4. Psalm 24:2 For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.
5. Psalm 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.
6. Psalm 102:25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands.
7. Psalm 104:5 You placed the world on its foundation so it would never be moved.
8. Proverbs 9:9-11 ¹⁰ Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.     Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. ¹¹ Wisdom will multiply your days     and add years to your life.
9. Proverbs 10:25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.
10. Isaiah 28:16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.
11. Isaiah 33:6 In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.
12. Zechariah 4:9 “Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me.

Some key New Testament verses on the word “Foundation”:

1. Matthew 7:24 [ Building on a Solid Foundation ] “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
2. Luke 6:48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.
3. 1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
4. Ephesians 2:20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.
5. 1 Timothy 6:19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.
6. 2 Timothy 2:19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”
7. Hebrews 1:10 He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands.
8. 1 Peter 5:10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

   

   Jesus is our only solid rock!

Journey on: The word for this year is “Ground”.

The word for this year is “Ground”. Possess the land given by God . Possess the ground. Hold fast to the ground you already possess. Follow the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Jesus Christ Himself, like Joshua did.
Key Action points: hold fast to where you already stand in Christ, possess further spiritual promises/blessings God has already given in the heavenly places in Christ: repent for lost ground, realign with the plumbline of God, realize, restore, repair, rebuild, reclaim, restitute, reconcile, relate, remain faithful and truthful, rest.
Here are 28 sets of  Old Testament Bible verses on the importance of “Ground” in the dictionary of God. Read and meditate on them. Find the message revealed to you by the Lord Holy Spirit.

1. Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
2. Exodus 3:5 Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.”
3. Deuteronomy 28:4 “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.
4. Joshua 24:32 The bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel had brought up out of Egypt, they buried at Shechem, in the plot of ground which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for one hundred pieces of silver, and which had become an inheritance of the children of Joseph.
5. Judges 20:36 So the children of Benjamin saw that they were defeated. The men of Israel had given ground to the Benjamites, because they relied on the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah.
6. 1 Samuel 3:19 So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.
7. 1 Samuel 5:4 And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon’s torso was left of it.
8. 2 Samuel 8:2 Then he defeated Moab. Forcing them down to the ground, he measured them off with a line. With two lines he measured off those to be put to death, and with one full line those to be kept alive. So the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought tribute.
9. 2 Samuel 12:16 David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.
10. 2 Samuel 14:14 For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.
11. 1 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees,
12. 2 Kings 13:17-19 ¹⁷ And he said, “Open the east window”; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot”; and he shot. And he said, “The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them.” ¹⁸ Then he said, “Take the arrows”; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground”; so he struck three times, and stopped. ¹⁹ And the man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times.”
13. Nehemiah 10:35 And we made ordinances to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, to the house of the Lord;
14. Job 1:20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.
15. Job 2:13 So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.
16. Psalm 44:25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust; Our body clings to the ground.
17. Psalm 143:3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, Like those who have long been dead.
18. Psalm 147:6 The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.
19. Proverbs 13:23 Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, And for lack of justice there is waste.
20. Isaiah 14:12 [ The Fall of Lucifer ] “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!
21. Isaiah 21:9 And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen!” Then he answered and said, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen! And all the carved images of her gods He has broken to the ground.”
22. Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring;
23. Isaiah 53:2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
24. Jeremiah 4:3 For thus says the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: “Break up your fallow ground, And do not sow among thorns.
25. Ezekiel 12:6 In their sight you shall bear them on your shoulders and carry them out at twilight; you shall cover your face, so that you cannot see the ground, for I have made you a sign to the house of Israel.”
26. Ezekiel 28:17 “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you.
27. Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.
28. Zechariah 8:11-13 ¹¹ But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ says the Lord of hosts. ¹² ‘For the seed shall be prosperous, The vine shall give its fruit, The ground shall give her increase, And the heavens shall give their dew— I will cause the remnant of this people To possess all these. ¹³ And it shall come to pass That just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, So I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear, Let your hands be strong.’

Journey in the Holy Spirit: being spiritual

Because this blog is all about God, I am reluctant to say much about my own thoughts or sharing my life. But I have been witnessing the increasing chasm between the spiritual and carnal Christians (those who are more accustomed to use their five senses) all over the world. So I have decided to share a bit here, despite the limitation of my words.
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I have lived in different parts of the world and have encountered different customs and cultures for the bulk of my life.
In the last ten years I have gradually encountered the reality of the holy God in the Spirit, in the Bible and in life. I realized what it means to have the reverent fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2). This means agreeing the spiritual existence of absolute good and evil and the final accountability everyone must give to the holy God, who abhors things done not of the Spirit, but out of man’s flesh or carnality.
Jesus has Himself declared, the ruler of this world has nothing in Him. His disciples followed the same principle.

When one aligns with God, one does not yearn to be the same as the Jones. What do Christians have to do with evil? Why bring in their customs and cultures which are abominations in the eyes of the holy God? God wants us set apart for Him, away from the world and its customs, just as He had warned the Israel people. 
Being spiritual means we live in awareness of two realms: the physical and the spiritual. The spiritual reality governs the physical. All customs and cultures have a spiritual realm where the spiritual rulers rule and direct their adherents’ lives. Apostle Paul had revealed this truth in Ephesians 6:12.
Our Lord Jesus warned the disciples to be spiritually discerning when sending them into the world! “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrew as snakes and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) Jesus was talking about the physical as well as spiritual enemies. Why? Because they were stepping into spiritual enemy’s territory as they go out and witness for Jesus!

The pagans know better about the spiritual. They are wise on what to avoid and when. For example, different cultures round the world have their own ‘ghost’ festivals. The Chinese called the Halloween in the West, the Westerners’ ‘ghost’ night, the night when the evil spirits paraded, (like the Chinese July month when hell opened its gates and let the hungry demons come out) and they avoid going out that night! Other pagan religions too have their own ghost periods and festivals.
A spiritually discerning person can see spirits. They see spirits in unclean houses, the streets, schools, offices, hospitals, shopping malls, movie theaters, and funeral parlors. A normally fit and healthy rational German Christian man recently testified that he walked under the air vent of a shopping mall, and saw this huge black thing coming at him, entered and went through him. He was instantly hit with severe pain and collapsed on the floor. His wife and daughter who regularly attend a Spirit-filled, Bible believing and adhering church, took authority using the name of Jesus, prayed fervently, as he lied there near dead, gasping for breath. he finally survived. The experience was traumatic.
When Christians stay away from certain locations during certain time, they merely obey the leading of the Spirit of the Lord, who is holy. The evil spirits know too whether you are walking in the Holy Spirit or not. The seven sons of the priest were attacked by the evil spirit because they knew Jesus and apostle Paul walked in the power of the Holy Spirit, but this group of exorcists did not. This group of believers were trying to do the right thing, casting demon, using the mighty name of the Lord Jesus. But they were not sent by the Lord. They went on their own flesh and of course they suffered the terrible consequences.
When God sent Moses to Egypt to confront Pharaoh, the Lord gave him spiritual power to overcome the territorial evil spirits controlling the land there. When the prophet Samuel patrolled the Israel land he was just one man, but the territorial spirit of the Philistines feared him, because he walked in the Spirit of the Lord. None of his words fell to the ground. He merely spoke and the words took effect.
Unless we are sent by the Lord and walk in discernment of the spiritual realm and in the power of the Holy Spirit, we do not do exploits. This is what I have learned over thirty years being a born again Christian, after having suffered immense loss.
So what shall an ordinary Christian do? Find out more about the reality of God and His words, the Bible. The Bible cannot be read as a knowledge book. Do not rationalize away the real meaning and purpose of the holy words. Jesus has warned clearly, as the pharisees and other religious leaders, even His own followers/disciples did not believe in the spiritual reality of Jesus and what Jesus has represented. Read the four Gospels again. Ask the Lord Holy Spirit to guide you. Daily pray the prayers of apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians (1:16-23; 3:14-21).
What happens if some still cannot hear the Holy Spirit? I believe in the grace and mercy of God. Keep seeking to know God, keep asking His Spirit to reveal to you. For a start, daily praying the Lord’s Prayer can help you a lot, if you believe!
John 6:61-65 (NKJV)
⁶¹ When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? ⁶² What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? ⁶³ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. ⁶⁴ But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. ⁶⁵ And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

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Hell is real!