How Bad Do You Want It?

I don't think I have ever been this hungry!I am on the first day of a three day water fast. I have fasted before but this time it is hard. I asked God why this fast was harder and he told me there was a lot depending on it and I am close. I then asked him why things seemed like they were harder for me and he said it was because the devil did not want me to reach my destiny, and I was like but you're God! Why don't you make him stop? Why do I always have to fight so hard? He said because it makes you stronger. Well there's not much left for me to say or ask. If I want it (whatever it may be), I'm going to have to fight for it.

Luke 12
42 And the Lord said , Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing . 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath . 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming ; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink , and to be drunken ; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware , and will cut him in sunder , and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given , of him shall be much required : and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

AM I MY BROTHERS KEEPER?

Connected by C.L.P

Emerald eyes of Jealousy
Scale the vision of Reality
Causing us both not to See
That He that dwells in You
Does dwell in Me
Words that we should have used to Edify
We exchanged and Prophesied
Against each other but our Spirits Recognize
That We are Connected
The Communion that our Spirits Drink
Make us closer than We Think
We Are Connected
Creation is Groaning Moaning and Dying
Instead of Uniting
We look past the tears in each others eyes
And Continue to Divide the Body of Christ
We are Connected
The Enemy Loves the Confusion
That Causes the Body Internal Injury and Contusions
Together We Could Bruise Him!
We Are Connected
The true irony
Is my breakthrough could be in you
And yours in me
We affect each others Destiny
We Are Connected
Its time We chose to Unify
And become the Bride of Christ
We Are Connected
We are too busy being trapped behind the smoke screen
To understand what love your neighbor as you love yourself
Truly Means
We Are Connected
How Long
How Long Oh Lord
Until we are perfected
How long will the body be divided into sects
In Unity there is protection
But the body is plagued by the Infection
Of division
If we could turn from our wicked ways
And on one accord offer up
Perfected Praise
The glory of God's
Latter Rain would Bathe
The Bride of Christ Spotless
And make her worthy of his name
We Are Connected

Last night I did something foolish. I went somewhere I shouldn't have and did some things I shouldn't have. The details are not important; I fell short. Afterwards, I sat up a while talking to my grandmother;she has been having problems with her health and has to have open heart surgery next week. I looked at her and noticed how much weight she had loss, noticed the paleness of her skin and the tiredness in her eyes. I wanted to pray for her but I did not feel worthy. I asked the Lord for forgiveness and I prayed anyway. Today as I think on last night, I think on the consequences of sin. What I did would appear minor or not sin to some but I knew better and once you KNOW BETTER you are accountable and it is sin. Grace is beautiful but we have to do our part. I wrote early this week asking the question "how do we get closer to God?" and now I can answer my own question (perhaps if I was really honest with myself I could have answered it from the begining) DISCIPLINE. If we really want to be Close to God as we say we do we must deny ourselves. Fasting, Praying, Getting up Early to Pray, whatever it takes. Life can be so distracting...Get up, get ready for work, if you have kids get them ready for school, breakfast, getting to your desired destinations, working, coming home, cooking, bathing, spending a little time with your children if you have them, getting the children ready for bed if you have them, watching a little tv or reading whatever you do, then getting your clothes ready for the next day. We must make Jesus a mandatory part of our day. I pray, but on hectic days my prayer life is sometimes ragedy. It's a quick five minutes or whatever I can spare. Jesus must be our priority. If we look at the bigger picture spending time with the Lord,Interceding,Studying the Bible, and Praying is where we get our strength and if we don't make time to do these things we will get weak and our weakness affects more than us. Our weakness affects our unsaved loved ones, it affects our sick loved ones, it affects our children, it affects our church, it affects the souls we should be winning to Christ etc. We are so quick to state the fact that we are adults; but one of the biggest parts of being an adult is being responsible. We are responsible for the kind of lives we live. We are responsible for each other.

Divine Strategy

I had a dream last night. I knew it had a significant spiritual meaning but I did not know what it was so I had to look it up. I dreamed that a panda bear was walking around the neighborhood I live in; some neighbors and I made the panda go back down the hole it had come out of and I closed the hole and sealed it in the Blood of Jesus. I knew the panda represented a spirit or demon so I began to research. I believe God is revealing hidden mysteries. I believe he is equipping his people with knowledge about our enemies so that we can defeat them. This post is not for everyone. It is for those who are seasoned,that God has called to do spiritual warfare. I have been saved for a while, but I move when God says move and when he tells me something I ask him what he wants me to do with it; sometimes I just store it with the rest of the arsenal until God instructs me to use it. We must consult the Lord in everything. With that said, God has been telling me a lot about my enemies and I know that it is for a purpose. I am preparing for war. I am teaching myself discipline. I want to be strong in the natural and spiritual when the time comes to battle.

2 Kings 6
8 Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying , In such and such a place shall be my camp. 9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying , Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. 11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? 12 And one of his servants said , None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber . 13 And he said , Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying , Behold, he is in Dothan. 14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about . 15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early , and gone forth , behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do ? 16 And he answered , Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17 And Elisha prayed , and said , LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see . And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw : and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

AS THE DEER PANTETH FOR THE WATER BROOKS SO PANTETH MY SOUL AFTER THEE, O GOD

I have had close encounters with God. At one time God's presence would overtake me and it felt like it was almost to much to stand. I long for that again. I hear God and I feel his presence but I want more; I want to be closer. I want to touch the hem of his garment. I want a Moses encounter and have God pass by me. I know that I am clothed in flesh but I long for Spirit to Spirit and to remain conscious of it. How can we get closer? Not just an experience; I want to spend time with my Lord. I want to hear his voice in the cool of the day. I want him to walk with me. I want him to be my friend, my companion. I express this longing to God at times. The last time I did he told me "You can have as much of me as you want; I am a deep well; you can drink of me freely".
John 4
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink ; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? 12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst ; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw .

"I AM NOT FORGOTTEN...HE KNOWS MY NAME"

A while ago I went to a meeting called "A Night With the King" one of the things the speaker had us do was spend time in silence and listen to what the Lord called us. God called me "Beloved Torry". I know it sounds bad but I was unhappy; God always calls me beloved or Torry when we talk; so it was just like he combined the two. I don't know, I was expecting something new and exciting. Today in church God called me a Gardenia. All day I thought on it. I can remember that my mom had a gardenia bush planted on the side of her house and the fragrance could be smelled in the front yard. I remember thinking "flowers don't really smell loud like that any more". Today I went for a walk and I continued to think on it and God called me a "fragrant flower". My God thinks that much of me; it brings me to tears just thinking about it. He loves you and thinks alot of you too!
Matthew 16
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying , Whom do men say that I the Son of man am ? 14 And they said , Some say that thou art John the Baptist : some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am ? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said , Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou , Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Alignment

Today I was walking and I saw a line of fire going from one vehicle to another; I continued to walk and as I did I felt an urgency. I began to intercede and cry out "have mercy Lord, Lord have mercy". I got to the scene of the accident in time to see the front end of the car completely dented in and engulfed in flames. Firemen were on the scene and put the fire out without incident. I began to walk back home and on the way I just began to tell God thank you and I thought on the influence you have on matters when you are in alignment with the Lord. Another thing that crossed my mind was that I usually walk that route with someone and this time I was alone. This move that God is taking us to right now may require separation. Everyone doesn't carry the anointing to walk in the fire unscathed.
Matthew 22
11 And when the king came in to see the guests , he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless . 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away , and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Daniel 3
19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake , and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated . 20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen , and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent , and the furnace exceeding hot , the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together , saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power , nor was an hair of their head singed , neither were their coats changed , nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

TEACH MY HANDS TO WAR

1 SAMUEL 17
33 And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." 34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." 37 Moreover David said, "The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you!"

Ears Have They But They Hear Not

"Why persecuteth thou me?"
"My sheep hear my voice"
"Why aren't you following me?"
"Obey Me."
John 14:23,24
23. Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man love me he will come unto him, and make our abode with him
24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father which sent me

FREE THROUGH CHRIST

Galations 4: 4-9
4.But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
8. Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
9. But now, after that ye have known God,or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Expected End

Today as I was leaving my house for work I noticed that a sunflower that I had planted had began to blossom. I planted sunflower seeds and they took a while to sprout and I found myself checking daily to see what new had developed and changed with the flower, today as I saw the blossom something within me was quickened. We can liken ourselves to flowers. The Master, The Only Living God, The Holy One of Israel knew us before we were formed in our mother's womb and has watched and nurtured us waiting for us to blossom into destiny ready to bestow us with the blessings of the covenant between him and us; pruning and watering us until we were ready to take on the position of priests with clean hands and pure hearts so we would be ready to know his secrets; ready to handle things that are sacred.
"Yahweh hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek (Ps. 110:4)."
Exodus 40:15 KJV And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office : for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
The Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant. God made promises to Abraham that required nothing of Abraham. Genesis 15:18-21 describes a part of the Abrahamic Covenant, specifically dealing with the dimensions of the land God promised to Abraham and his descendants.
1. The promise of land (Genesis 12:1). God called Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees to a land that He would give him (Genesis 12:1). This promise is reiterated in Genesis 13:14–18 where it is confirmed by a shoe covenant; its dimensions are given in Genesis 15:18–21 (precluding any notion of this being fulfilled in heaven). The land aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant is also expanded in Deuteronomy 30:1–10, which is the Palestinian Covenant.
2. The promise of descendants (Genesis 12:2). God promised Abraham that He would make a great nation out of him. Abraham, who was 75 years old and childless (Genesis 12:4), was promised many descendants. This promise is amplified in Genesis 17:6 where God promised that nations and kings would descend from the aged patriarch. This promise (which is expanded in the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7:12–16) would eventuate in the Davidic throne with Messiah’s kingdom rule over the Hebrew people.
3. The promise of blessing and redemption (Genesis 12:3). God promised to bless Abraham and the families of the earth through him. This promise is amplified in the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34; cf. Hebrews 8:6–13) and has to do with “Israel’s spiritual blessing and redemption.” Jeremiah 31:34 anticipates the forgiveness of sin. The unconditional and eternal nature of the covenant is seen in that the covenant is reaffirmed to Isaac (Genesis 21:12; 26:3–4). The “I will” promises suggest the unconditional aspect of the covenant. The covenant is further confirmed to Jacob (Genesis 28:14–15). It is noteworthy that God reaffirmed these promises amid the sins of the patriarchs, which fact further emphasizes the unconditional nature of the Abrahamic Covenant.
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Expectation

Today's church service was magnificent. God's presence was very prevalent. I heard the date 02/20/2012; I saw a vision of a rainbow and then one of sand.I heard the Lord say the sands of time have collapsed; the barriers are down and the atmosphere of Heaven has entered the Earth. I can't wait to see all the things that God is going to do.

2 Samuel 7

1 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies ; 2 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. 3 And Nathan said to the king, Go , do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee. 4 And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying , 5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in ? 6 Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7 In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying , Why build ye not me an house of cedar? 8 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: 9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest , and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. 10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more , as beforetime, 11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies . Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. 12 And when thy days be fulfilled , and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity , I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: 15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. 16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. 17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. 18 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said , Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? 19 And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? 20 And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant. 21 For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. 22 Wherefore thou art great , O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible , for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? 24 For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God. 25 And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said . 26 And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying , The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. 27 For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying , I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. 28 And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: 29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

ISAIAH 46

1 Bel boweth down , Nebo stoopeth , their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden ; they are a burden to the weary beast. 2 They stoop , they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity. 3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: 4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made , and I will bear ; even I will carry , and will deliver you. 5 To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal , and compare me, that we may be like ? 6 They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith ; and he maketh it a god: they fall down , yea, they worship . 7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place , and he standeth ; from his place shall he not remove : yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer , nor save him out of his trouble. 8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men : bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors . 9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done , saying , My counsel shall stand , and I will do all my pleasure: 11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. 12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted , that are far from righteousness: 13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off , and my salvation shall not tarry : and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory

Distractions...Obedience

I was released to share the word that I got Saturday,tonight. I wandered why and then it came to me; the word I got Saturday was about distractions. Tonight while in church we were on the verge of something big. I heard God say to me "I am the God of Abraham" then he said "I am opening the heavens". Something happened and it needed to be handled but I was left with the question what was about to happen? Saturday morning I was suppose to go by the water (Sander's Beach in my city). I knew in advance where to go and what time to be there (10:00 AM) but Saturday morning I started to watch t.v. I'm not even a big t.v. watcher but this show had my attention. As it got close to the time I needed to leave to be there on time I became agitated. I started to complain about things just to complain and I heard the Lord say "go to the water at 10:30 Torry, then you can watch the show". On my way to the water I realized the gravity of what I had done and I began to pray..."Lord if I was suppose to meet someone there let them still be there..." When I got there I prayed and then began to study the books of the bible God had given me to study which were the books of Samuel. What stood out was how Saul lost his position by being disobedient (ouch!). God told me "Torry, (this is what he said but it's not just for me) in this season you have to be obedient with precision; there will be windows opening and if you are not obedient you will miss". In other words timing and obedience is key. After studying more I heard God tell me to come back at 6:00 PM and I did and continued to study but nothing out of the ordinary happened as far as I know. I assume I missed my appointment. Don't miss yours! God Bless.

Blind Obedience, Faith in Times of Darkness

Mark Chapter 2:
1. And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
2. And straitway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
3.And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
4.And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was:and when they had broken it up they let down down the bed wherein the sick of palsy lay.
5. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of palsy, Son thy sins be forgiven thee.

God has really been dealing with me about faith and obedience. In these times the believer has to trust God and have faith in him. Even if we don't understand why God is asking us to do something, even if we can't see a victorious outcome we must obey.

In 1 Kings 17 God led Elijah to a brook and then God caused ravens to bring him bread and flesh. A while ago I poured bottle water in a glass of ice and it was just Enough to fill the glass then I heared God say as I take you into overflow remember there has always been enough. After Elijah went to the brook and was fed by the ravens God told him to go to Zarephath and that a widow woman would sustain him. Can you imagine the faith it took to go to a woman he did not know, and tell her to get you some water and ask her to give you some of what little food she had in the time of drought? Elijah did as God instructed and the widow woman's obedience to the man of God led to a blessing that sustained her until the end of the drought.

1 Kings 17:15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.

Because of the widow woman's obedience to Elijah not only was she sustained during the drought but when her son was sick unto death and Elijah prayed and life returned unto him.
1 Kings 17:18. And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee,O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and slay my son?
1 Kings 17:20 And he cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, has thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?
1 Kings 17:21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and saud, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again
1 Kings 17:22 And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.

Hebrews Chapter 11
1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for , the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report .
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear .
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh .
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found , because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony , that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is , and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear , prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed ; and he went out , not knowing whither he went .
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age , because she judged him faithful who had promised .
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead , so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out , they might have had opportunity to have returned .
16 But now they desire a better country, that is , an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried , offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said , That in Isaac shall thy seed be called :
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up , even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come .
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying , blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped , leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died , made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born , was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured , as seeing him who is invisible.
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned .
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down , after they were compassed about seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not , when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what shall I more say ? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong , waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again : and others were tortured , not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned , they were sawn asunder , were tempted , were slain with the sword : they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins ; being destitute , afflicted , tormented ;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect

Hebrews Chapter 12
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Remnant

I studied the Exodus from Egypt and I was left with the question: why did the children of Israel stay in the wilderness for forty years and not 4 days? I came up with the hypothesis that maybe everyone was not supposed to take the journey into the promised land. After seeing Water Turned into blood, plagues of frogs, plagues of lice, swarms of flies, animals die, boils, plagues of hail, locusts, three days of darkness,the firstborn die and the Red Sea parted; Israel still could not let go of idolatry. In Exodus Chapter 32 Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving instruction from the Lord but had to come down because the people began to make idols. It was as if there was something in them that missed Egypt. Manna rained down from heaven, water flowed from a rock and still the Israelites turned to other gods. Was there only suppose to be a remnant to make it to the promise? God told Gideon that there was too many with him.
Judges Chapter 7:4 And the Lord Said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.
Gideon ended up with 300 men; and three hundred was all it took to be victorious when he had the favor of God with him. God wanted the glory. Sometimes we surround ourselves with people who have influence with us but the influence isn’t always Godly. We must be careful. We may even need to let God choose our company.
Leviticus 15:31'Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness when they defile My tabernacle that is among them.
Number 16:19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. 20 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying , 21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. 22 And they fell upon their faces, and said , O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin , and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? 23 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying , 24 Speak unto the congregation, saying , Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 25 And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. 26 And he spake unto the congregation, saying , Depart , I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.
Judges Chapter 7
5 So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth , him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink . So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink."

AWAKE 'O' ZION

Is it me or has worship intensified? Last week during church I heard unorthodox worship. It reminded me of how David danced before the Lord. There were times while in church I held back. Times that I wanted to do something but didn't because of my insecurities, like dance with prayer flags etc. But now there seems to be something different on the horizon. It's like God is awakening the Earth to his presence and Sovereignty. He is getting our attention. I love to worship at home but at church I tend to be more reserved but lately it is as if my spirit will not be held back. The presence of God is so prevalent and powerful that I can't contain myself; my spirit's reflex to God's presence is worship and not just a quiet hallelujah or Thank You Jesus...its worship that can't be contained.It is as if God is shaking us out of a deep sleep. With Earthquakes, Tsunami and everything else (there is more to come)as believers we are beginning to draw closer to the Lord...and we should.

Revelation 6 1.And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard , as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying , Come and see . 2 And I saw , and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering , and to conquer . 3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say , Come and see . 4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. 5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say , Come and see . And I beheld , and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say , A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. 7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say , Come and see . 8 And I looked , and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. 9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held : 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying , How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled . 12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo , there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together ; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come ; and who shall be able to stand ?

A Word From The Lord

Your roots are deep and even though you are looking for a harvest and fruit and do not see there is still progress in the spirit realm. Your fruit will be giant and your roots unmovable. I have prepared you to yield much fruit. You are still concerned with who likes you and who approves of you. You are still my broken little child in that way but I will restore you and mend the broken places. You shall yield much fruit.It is not about who likes you for I love you with an everlasting love and you are accepted in the heavenlies. What I have given you is great.I warn my prophets and tell them of my moves and plans. You are so beaten down by the day to day that when I tell you a thing sometimes you don't seek it out fully but I am removing the weight; I am removing the burdens. You will flow in your giftings as never before. You are my prophet; you will be unliked for my sake; persecuted for my sake but great is your reward, great is your portion of me. You have access to me. I am offering you my love and my friendship. There will be a separation. Eagles don't fly with the gulls they soar the mountain tops they overlook the land. You asked me to send someone...I am sending you. Focus and grow with me and I will hold nothing from you; you are called to such a place that when you reach that place in me anything unlike me will die; it won't remain. Be secure in the position I have given you. As long as you seek me and obey my voice nothing can stop it. Isaiah 27:6 KJV He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root : Israel shall blossom and bud , and fill the face of the world with fruit.

Return

After church last night I began to sing the phrase "Your Greater Lord, Your Greater Lord, Your Greater Lord". I write songs so it isn't uncommon for me to sing a melody out of the blue but this was different. I sang that phrase over and over all night and when I woke up I started to sing it again and I said to myself "where did that come from?" and I realized that my pastor had been singing the song "Nobody's Greater" and it must have really took root in my spirit. Today I arrived somewhere before schedule and I started to do some other things but I felt God drawing me. I went by the water in an area that wasn't that far away. I happened to have a cd that had "Nobody's Greater" on it and I had started to play it. I parked by the water with the song playing and noticed a crane and the beauty of the scene caused me to worship. As I began to sing the words of the song the crane began to walk across the parking lot until it was about three feet away from me and I began to cry and worship more. God is awesome and words are so powerful!
Mark 4:20
And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive [it], and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

My Soul Thrists For Thee O Lord

Psalm 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.