Pentecost Today

This first was published in Come to the Table, a Facebook Group, May 24, 2013

Pentecost Today
Scripture Reading:  Acts 1:1-15, 2:1-21

When I think about Pentecost I think about what happened at the end.  What an explosive way to start a church!  As I'm sure you remember, Holy Spirit came down on everyone in the room like a huge wind and flames of fire appeared on people's heads.  People were baptized with Holy Spirit and started speaking in different languages as Holy Spirit led.  It was an amazing time.

What I tend to forget is all the stuff that happened while they were waiting.  Can you imagine 500 people waiting in a crowded room or building for God to show up?  Just the logistics boggle my mind!  I'm sure some people got turned off by the renovations that were always 'half-way done' and left.  I'm sure there were people who got tired of waiting and felt that they should be doing this or they could be doing that... and walked away.

I am also certain that in those cramped quarters people got upset with the leadership. After all,  look who the leaders were!  None other than, Peter, James and John-- the greatest deserters of all!  God surely couldn't use them after all they had done.

In those hot, stinky conditions who could pray for any length of time anyhow?  And look at brother so and so.  He's always hogging the speaker's place and trying to impress everyone.  Don't they know who he is?

Is it any wonder that the 500 people who saw Jesus after his resurrection whittled down to 120 within those 40 days?

I can see the same thing happening today.  I have talked to people from different churches across Ottawa and the valley and everybody knows that something is about to break, but we don't know what.   People are leaving churches, disengaging from churches or plain, not going to church.

Some are getting tired of leadership.  Others are getting tired of renovations.  There's a great uneasiness or dissatisfaction in the body-- almost like itchy feet.   We know something is up but we can't put our on thumbs on it.

So, I want to encourage you that you are not alone if any of this stuff has crossed your mind.  We are on the edge of a great, great move of God.

Holy Spirit woke me up last Sunday with these words, "I'm going to do something no one has dreamed of." (ref. 1Cor. 2:9)  I believe Him.  I've never, in all my 30+ years as a Christian, seen the body of Christ so uneasy.

The key I believe is to not lose our focus.  As we keep the big picture (the Kingdom advancing) the big thing in our lives God will sort out all the other stuff; renovations, leadership, volunteers, families, our lives and our dreams.

Did you know that Holy Spirit doesn't get upset with renovations?  He doesn't even get upset with leadership!  He's not remotely upset with your family members either.  I can see that I need to spend more time with Holy Spirit so that those things don't bother me either.


Let's Pray Out Loud:
"Thank You Lord for joy in our journey and for all your comfort and encouragement! Help us Lord to remember all the great things you are doing at our church.  Help us also to give grace to those around us when they disappoint us.  Help us to expect our rewards from you and not people.  And thank You Lord for using imperfect people, including us. Amen!"

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

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Too Busy... No way!

I took a friend grocery shopping while in Ottawa yesterday, since they don't have a car.   First of all, I was shocked at how little they spend on groceries.  $50.00 was it! One big bag of mung beans and some other beans, vegetables, milk and eggs and that was it.  What a shock!  I spend around $100-150/week on groceries for the same number of people.

Yup.... it was a eye opener for sure.  Now I am looking for ways that I can trim my grocery bill a bit more, without sacrificing the variety of our diet.  I don't think I'm ready to have beans 4 different ways a week.

The other thing she pointed out was that I didn't give out a word of knowledge in the grocery store and she's right.  I have been so busy video taping and video editing that I've fallen out of the groove and slipped back into not doing much with what I have.

It's time to set up some better boundaries with certain individuals and stoke the fire again.  If I have been there once I can get there again.

Here's some confessions that I use to stoke the fire of God inside of me.  Speak them out loud and see how they help you!

Thank You Lord that You are always with me. That you will never leave me or forsake me.
Thank You Lord that I see with your eyes and that Your love compels me to reach out and help relieve suffering, wherever I find it.
Thank You Lord that I am full of you, Holy Spirit.
Thank You Lord that I am a walking conduit of Heaven's glory and presence.
Thank You Lord that I release the light of your glory within me every where I go.
Thank You Lord that I resist the devil and he has to flee.
Thank You Lord that I exult Your word above my experience.
Thank You Lord that I don't let a lack of instant results deter me from reaching out and commanding healing to flow to others.   I can always give them a church business card and ask them to contact us with their testimony later.
Thank You Lord for all the angels that hearken to Your word through me.  Show me what to decree so the angels get their testimonies today.
Thank You Lord that I resist fear and I walk with Holy Spirit.  Freely I have received and freely I give.
Thank You Lord that I don't grieve Holy Spirit today. 
Thank You Lord that I am quick to repent when I don't feel Holy Spirit's abiding presence around me.
Thank You Lord that I honor your 'nudges' above my need for comfort or security.
THank You Lord that I seize the moments to make a difference for You.
Thank You for Heaven on earth flowing through me.
Thank You Lord that I'm bold because I'm righteous!
Thank you Lord that I am Your revival vessel today, right now!
Thank You Lord for going ahead of me and preparing the path for me.
Thank you for opportunities to advance your kingdom and for your help to recognize what you would have me to say and do.
Thank You Lord for more of your love shed abroad in my heart to day. 
Thank You Lord for a great day with You.
Thank you Lord that there's nothing that can happen that we can't get through together.
Thank you that You are working all things together for my good.
Thank you for blessing and protecting Israel and all her people.
Thank You Lord for protecting all my leaders.  Bless them and guide them Lord.  Amen!

That's a good way to start.   Believe it or not, I have to get past the point of 'what if nothing happens' too.  Actually, something always happens when we pray for people.  It is just it starts on the inside first and works it's way to the outside.  Just like a cold starts inside before you ever have symptoms, so does healing start from the inside.

Therefore be encouraged!   You will get your testimonies!  God is faithful!  He won't test you beyond what you can endure.  And in the mean time he's pruning you and growing you into a short, bushy tree that bears much fruit for the Kingdom of God. Hallelujah!

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

I Am So Proud!

I am so proud of the guys that go to my church. This fellow Glen, that I got on video tape is amazing.   http://youtu.be/W5LgU6yMMPU

He's so natural about sharing the Kingdom of God.   I am guessing, but I think it's because he was in the church 30+ years before he really got activated, that he's so thorough with people.  He doesn't assume that people don't want Jesus or they don't want to get saved.

Because of that he has led many people to the Lord.  We need to applaud  people like this because Revival is dead in the water when people are not getting saved.  This man has led so many people to the Lord and brought many people to  the Healing Services at Kinburn Revival/ www.wcca.ca

I put some text in the video so you could see the progression I see him using on a regular basis.  It's working for him and it will work for you too!

Go and be blessed! You are a Mobile Healing Unit.  Your hands are armed and dangerous and kick the devil's butt wherever you go.  Your words are setting captives free, speaking life to dead situations and healing to those that are oppressed.   You ARE his ambassador! Amen!

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Healing Testimonies

I love it.  These are two fellows from our church.  www.wcca.ca   I remember when Glen came to our church the first time.  God had me prophesy over him as he was leaving.

Laurin was a fellow Glenn brought in for prayer because he needed healing.  We prayed for him a couple of times and Laurin got touched so mightily that he's been going out and doing the stuff.  


To God be all the Glory!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtm1SdSPF38&feature=plcp&context=C394f883UDOEgsToPDskKaxJCkhviihcM_pSEHHW_3

Enjoy!  This is available to all.  There are so many testimonies of regular people being changed and going out and doing the stuff (bringing the Kingdom of God wherever they go).

I speak boldness over you and me!  That we don't waste the opportunities.  That we ask the Lord to use us every day!  We are bold because we are righteous!  We've not been given a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind! Greater is he that's in you than he that's in the world. (Prov. 28:1, 2Tim. 1:7, 1John 4:4)

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

I See Them...

I got this song during a time in my life when I was very busy and not really doing anything for the Kingdom of God.  It really haunted me and that was when I decided to learn how to share my faith with others.  It has been a wonderful journey and I can't begin to count how many people I have impacted for the Kingdom of God so far.  God takes our little efforts and multiplies them. Hallelujah!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUZeUm4ksFI