Run a Strife Check

I wrote this for the Facebook Group, "Come To The Table" May 17, 2013

"Run a Strife Check"
Scripture: 1 Pet 3:3-6

I remember the time I was praying and praying and getting no answers. I was getting really frustrated, asking, "God don't you care? Can't you see what's going on here?"

I sat down after my kids were in bed and said, "That's it! I'm not leaving this chair till you tell me what's going on and how I can change this situation."

I had no clue where to go so I opened my Bible and it fell open at the page where this verse jumped out at me, " Where there is envy and strife there is every evil work." (James. 3:16)

Hello! God had my attention now. I was so frustrated and upset with my husband I could spit. Not good I know, but he didn't want to talk to me so any hope of discussing the issue was postponed for the moment.

I asked Holy Spirit what the big deal was and he told me to go to 1 Pet. 3.... As I started reading, it resonated in my spirit. It reads, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." (1 Pet 3:3-4)

That's a laugh. My Spirit was anything but gentle. I was born for war and I loved winning. A quiet spirit? Hmmm that needed some thought. How to have a quiet spirit....peaceful, content, relaxed where the connotations I got as I meditated on this verse.

I could see that I had some work ahead of me. I continued reading and then I got slammed by Holy Spirit as I read, "For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." (1 Pet 3:5&6)

Whoa, whoa, whoa! I couldn't believe God was telling me to defer or give in to my husband when he's wrong! I thought, "How stupid is that? I mean what's the point of having a brain if you're not allowed to use it!?"

Holy Spirit put up with my tirade for a bit and when I had quieted down he said it's a trust issue. You don't trust me enough to let me work on him for you. You're manipulating and controlling things to meet your own desires.

Nailed! Holy Spirit got me again. All I could say was, "You're right."

I had to start trusting Holy Spirit to work in my husband's life and not interfere. I wasn't allowed to control or manipulate situations to get what I wanted, no matter how much my flesh screamed. When I went to the Lord and complained, He responded, "Didn't you mean it when you said you wanted to be a living sacrifice for me? Didn't you mean it when you said that you would pay any price to carry my glory?"

He was right, I just wasn't expecting that my cross would be so hidden and inglorious.

So, while I was waiting for the Lord to work on my husband he was working on me. I learned how to go to him for strength for the day, for help when I didn't get the sleep I thought I needed, for comfort when I didn't get the support I thought I needed, for protection when we came under attack, for provision when the money ran out ahead of the bills, for good teaching when I was alone.

I can look back and thank God for all the hard times cause it's made me so much stronger in God. I know with certainty that there's a promise for every situation I'll ever face and that my God is backing me to the hilt. And Praise God I even found some scriptures to help me to become a gentler woman! Hallelujah!

So now when my prayers aren't getting answered I immediately ask the Lord where have I missed it or dishonored my leaders (husband, pastors, etc.) I've finally learned how to keep my heart with all diligence! Yahoo! God's good!

I hope my story helps you avoid some of the pitfalls I went through!

Bless you today!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Trends

I am noticing a trend these days.    Many dear people who have gone on holidays  have come back under attack instead of refreshed.  This should not be so!

I wouldn't have put it together if it hadn't been happening so consistently.   People getting hurt, accidents,  disappointments coming back, weariness about the work load, frustration that things aren't changing fast enough...  it's been a real onslaught!

So.... better late than never let's claim God's promises for our friends and families.

Thank you Lord that our friends and families get refreshed when they go on holidays.  Let them come back pumped up with the good things You want to do at church.  Lord, help us all to remember the good things that are happening at our churches and not the things that irritate us. Ignite passion in our hearts for all you want to do.  Help us to keep our hearts clean and to extend mercy, grace and forgiveness to others.   Help us to communicate effectively and give us wisdom about what to do and how much to do.  Thank you Lord that because we love your word, nothing can cause us to stumble or take offense.  Thank You Lord for healing every person that has been hurt in any way.   Help us Lord to not become weary in our outreach because we know this is Your work and your kingdom. Amen!

On the good side 6 un-churched people asked Jesus into their hearts in the last few weeks and many have been healed of all kinds of back problems and arthritis. 
 
Bless you!
Brenda Gale Thompson

p.s.   Let's claim refreshing because, "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed!" (ref. Prov. 11:25)

Desperation for Him

There was a young boy crying out at one of the services last week.  He was wailing for more of God for almost a half hour off key yelling, "I love you God! I want you God!"  I could feel God" presence all around me and many others were getting touched by Holy Spirit, but this little fellow was so distraught that he was oblivious to it all. I could feel his throat starting to get sore and the frustration in his voice as I started to pray for him.

You see, that used to be me. For years I cried out for more of God because I didn't know what else to do.  I was so desperate for more of Him.  "The God Chasers" by Tommy Tenney really kindled the fire in me even more. Unfortunately no one told me the next step.  I stumbled upon it when I heard an off-hand comment by a preacher.

"Everything in the Kingdom of God works, or is accessed by faith."  Holy Spirit enunciated His words and it kept reverberating through me.  I asked Him what to do when this desperate hunger came upon me and nothing would satisfy.  Holy Spirit told me to go to the next step, which was to believe I received, regardless of what I felt at that moment.

That is not an easy thing to do when your flesh is all worked up.  You have to quiet yourself if you want to hear His gentle voice. Elijah the prophet was hoping God would talk to him in the storm or the wind, but no... it was the quiet, gentle voice.

So this little guy was getting caught up in a frustrating cycle just like I had been.  God was all around and he was basically oblivious.   My heart went out to him.   I laid a hand on his back and prayed for peace and that God would show him the next step.

We owe it to people to not leave them frustrated. I got so exasperated with seeking God that I chose not to, for a time, because the emotional upheaval was exhausting and I felt so unfulfilled.  

Now I know better.  When the desperate cry of hunger comes on me, I cry out to Jesus, break open my alabaster box of worship and adoration and then calm myself at Holy Spirit's lead to receive whatever He wants me to receive.   It can be a hug, a hint of His presence, a bubbling joy, an impression or a  word of knowledge.  I just receive it all as a gift from Him.

May you always find Him and never leave a worship service frustrated. He is closer than you know. He has promised that those who seek will find Him when they search for Him with all their hearts.  The next time you feel totally frustrated with crying out, ask Holy Spirit if it's time to stand still,  then quiet yourself and believe you receive by faith.  Then ask Holy Spirit to open up your spiritual senses so you can receive even more.

Let me pray for you now. "I bless you in Jesus' Name.  May the zeal of the Lord consume you. May you always be passionate for His presence.  May you discover keys to walk in His presence more and more every day, every where you go. Amen!"

You are blessed and highly favored by the greatest King of all, Jesus!

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson
(p.s. photo is from  http://npgallery.blogspot.com)

Last Weekend

I was helping a friend pack and move last weekend.  You know how it goes if it's happened to you.  You let everybody know  you are moving and you hear a litany of excuses, "My back is sore, I'm busy that day or I can't lift anything," to name a few.

Well after driving for 6 hours and then unloading a 29 ft Uhaul truck with three of people I was a bit sore.  The next day I should have been fine but I noticed that I was worse.  Wrong, my warning bells went off.  I started pleading the blood of Jesus over myself and speaking the word, "My youth is renewed like the eagle, He arms me with strength and power and makes my way perfect,  as my days are so shall my strength be."  The pain would abate for a bit then come back with a vengeance.

I knew I was getting some words of knowledge because I don't have achy joints, as a rule,  but the lady I was helping does on occasion.  So I started praying for her.  Then my knees started paining and I was thinking this is weird. I couldn't figure out who had the sore knee.

Well yesterday I finally determined to worship with the piano, despite all the distractions and see what the Lord had to say to me.  As I started worshiping I got clarity on some issues friends are facing and the Lord showed me how to pray for them.

Then life intruded and I had to help my son.  As I walked away,  I couldn't help but notice that my legs and joints were better.

Isn't that amazing?  I didn't even ask about my health, I was more concerned about a friend that got a bad report and some other friends that are facing tough issues in life.   Just goes to show you that we can never out give God.

I guess the moral of the story is, when you don't know what else to do, go praise and worship the Lord and ask Him.  He's promised that if we ask He will give us wisdom. (James 1:5)

Let me bless you now. "May you know His love that passes understanding today. May you know his support more than ever today.  May His revelatory light dawn on every tough situation you face today.  May the joy of His presence go with you today and may you know His peace that passes all understanding today.
I bless you today, in Jesus' Name!

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale.

P.S. Here is the link to an article I wrote about what to do in frustrating times. It will teach you how to get God's answers to your problems. Enjoy!
http://greatcommissionhow2s.blogspot.com/2010/09/frustration.html

God's Not Answering, Part 2

Hi there.  I was reading the post I wrote today about "God's Not Answering" and I thought I better add to it.

Sometimes when you feel that God is not answering  it's because He wants you to ask detailed questions.  As you ask Holy Spirit what's going on and follow His direction you will get more details about what is troubling  you and He will lead you to victory.  Then you will be better equipped  to help other people in their time of need.

Also, sometimes it can be that the symptoms you are fighting are an illusion and God will tell you to rest and let Him work.  That has happened to me when I felt the Lord telling me to declare that the cause of the symptom was healed.

There are times when it can be a word of knowledge for another person and they are having a hard time receiving the anointing because of doubt-filled words, a bad confession, frustration or unforgiveness.  Then I will still have the symptoms as I pray God's mercy and grace to cancel out all their wrong words and frustration.  As soon as they start to receive my symptoms leave. That is one of the ways that I know I have broken through for them.

Finally,  there are times when you feel that God is not answering and it can be that you are going into a winter season of the soul.  Things appear dead on the surface, but God is wanting to do a deep work in your heart to prepare you for the next season.   I have learned to rejoice in the winter's of the soul because I know I am going to learn more and come out with some huge personal victories, as I cooperate with what the Lord wants to do in my life.

Be encouraged. He is watching over us better than we will ever realize.

Lord I ask that You would give the person reading this a revelation of Your constant care for them. May they sense Your presence afresh right now and may they delight in You.  I ask for grace and trust to take You at Your word Lord, and for joy in their journey with You. Amen!

Victory Over Frustration

Hi there.  I had three phone calls the last two weeks by friends that were totally frustrated with their lives and circumstances so after the third phone call  I asked the Lord what was going on.  He told me that the enemy is trying to wear out the Saints so that they will give up or become bitter.

For  those of you who have not read my first response to frustration please use the link and read it as this article will be brief and to the point and I am not going over the same material again.
//greatcommissionhow2s.blogspot.com/2010/09/frustration.html

A) Ask the Lord for a promise for your situation then meditate on it and speak it out over your situation. His word will not return empty. (Is. 55:11) Make sure to watch your words.  Don't cancel out your faith with unbelief. A double minded person does not receive anything! (James 1:5-8)

B) Realize that the battle you are facing is not just about you.  It's about all the people you will influence.   Once you get a victory in an area of your life, you have authority to give your victory to others.  Duet 29:29 says that, "the revealed things belong to you and your children.

C) Check to make sure you don't have a stronghold, a belief pattern that stops you from taking God at His word. (Prov. 3:5-6)  Acknowledge Him in ALL your ways. Spend time daily focusing on Jesus and ask him to heal the wounds of your heart, so that you can have your promise.  Let the sun of righteousness arise with Healing in His wings.  In His light we see light.... and we all know that light has healing properties.  God's light has even more healing in it. (Mal. 4:2, 1John 1:7) God delights in the prosperity of His servants and He has commanded blessing to pursue us and overtake us. Also, He wants us to prosper and be in health as our souls prosper. (Ps. 35:27, Deut. 28:2, 3John 2)

D) Keep up the praise and thanksgiving.  He inhabits the praises of His people.  Every day worship till His glory is all around you or Holy Spirit tells you that He is there and ask Him what to say or do that will bring the answer.  Holy Spirit is the spirit of revelation and you can expect Him to reveal things as you seek Him.

E) Day dream with God. (1Cor. 2:16)  Envision the solution. Plead the blood of Jesus over you before you worship and then as you wait in His presence ask the Lord what He wants to show you.  Use your faith to believe that He wants to show you things and then ask clarifying questions to sharpen your mental pictures.  (Eph. 1:3, 2:6, 1:17)

F) Remember that the vision or the dream is just the beginning.  Once you have a dream or vision then take it to the Lord when you are in His presence and speak it out.  Call in what you are seeing or what you dreamed every day (in His presence) till it manifests.

You know God waited for Holy Spirit before He spoke. If God waited till Holy Spirit was hovering/moving  upon the waters before He spoke... how much more should we? (Gen. 1:2-3)

Therefore, to sum it all up, practice Psalm 100:4, "enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise..." and then speak what the Lord leads.... decreeing the things Holy Spirit has laid on your heart so that they will be established. (Job 22:28 )  Make sure you ask for  joy and strength too! "In his presence there is fullness of joy..." and  "the joy of the Lord is our strength." ( Ps. 16:11, Neh. 8:10)

Remember you are more than a conqueror.  You are called to rule and reign on the earth for the Lord.  ( Rom. 8:37, Rom. 5:17, 19, Heb. 10:13, Heb. 1:13) For example, when the devil tries to attack me with sickness I rebuke it. If the symptoms try to linger I stand with a good confession and I pray for my family. If they still linger then I go on a major assault praying for every single person I know and all those I don't know in town.  Be an expensive target!  Make the devil pay for every second he tries to oppress you.

Be encouraged, He is working while you wait on Him.  I know your life is busy and it's hard to make time to seek Him but it is so-o-o-o- worthwhile.  "Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him" (Is. 64:4)  That is why you keep Him first. The Lord told me once that if I would spend my anointing on Him, one hour a day, that He would work on my situation for me.  I obeyed and found out it works!

Let's pray: Thank You Lord for giving us joy in our journey with You.  Thank You Lord  for protecting our praise and worship times with You.  I declare that no evil comes near our dwelling.  Thank You Lord that You are sanctifying us completely and that we are more than conquerors through You. We command all these trials to turn into blessings for us.  Show us Lord what to decree in Your glory regarding all our situations.  We give you all the thanks and praise and  glory for our victories now. Amen! (Is 61:3, 1Thess. 5:23,  Rom. 8:30-38)

Frustration!

Frustrated

I used to be so frustrated because things were not happening the way I wanted or in the time frame I desired.

It wasn't getting me anywhere except upset and living with no fruit of the Spirit in my life.

I mean lets' face it, when we are frustrated with God thinking that He's holding out on us do we really want to spend time with Him?  Of course not!

If we, being imperfect would not do that to our children, then how can we ever entertain the thought that God would deliberately withhold answers from us?  It doesn't make sense.

When I was worshiping one day I asked the Lord what to do because I can't worship when I am frustrated.  He showed me that He loves me more than I will ever know. He is for me and He supports me.  He will never leave me nor desert me when I need help.

If the problem is not God then it's something else.  Hmmmm, I asked Him what to do and I heard Ps. 112. I started reading and verse 4 caught my eye, "even in darkness, light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man."  Therefore no matter what's going on I can ask for His light to shine on my problem. James 1:5 also gives us ammunition, " If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

Now that I know I have the right I can pursue God for answers.  The Bible says that," the secret things belong to the Lord our God but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever," (Deut. 29:29)  God wants us to pursue Him for revelation because whatever we get our children will get too.
He is not holding out on us.

We are told to, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matt. 7:7)  We have not because we ask not.  Let's don't waste any more time being frustrated when the answers are with God.  It's time to seek His face.

We can ask any old time but I've found that there's a lot of noise going on down here.  Lots of different voices, including any preconceived ideas we might have.   It's a lot easier to get revelation when you are in God's presence.  I have found that in His presence is when I am the most productive.

So we enter His gates with Thanksgiving and His courts with Praise. (Psalm 100:4) We want to do Psalm 91 and abide in His presence. We want His angels to keep us in all our ways and to guard us.  Also,  we repent for the things we have done wrong, that we know of and trust that Holy Spirit will bring things back to our remembrance that we need cleansing from.

If I am having a hard time focusing then I pray in tongues fiercely till I feel I have a release, usually 5-10 minutes. When the worship songs start to come to me then I know I am getting really close to His manifest presence and glory.

Sometimes His presence will come in like a thick heavy blanket and sometimes it's with tears or laughter.  They are all good.  When I get the inner witness that I am in His presence/glory I ask Him what what to do or say to change things.

He's never failed me yet!  He wants us to have victory!  He gets no glory when we are frustrated and speaking all kinds of junk.

He is for us!  He wants to turn our trials into testimonies! We are co-laborers with Him!  We are His ambassadors living by the rules of the Kingdom of God. We are supposed to be blessed all the time in all ways. We are victors not victims through Holy Spirit! Now that's a lot better than being frustrated.

I want to bless you with  His joy in your journey.  I decree that Your times with the Lord as You seek Him are fruitful and protected from distractions. I speak Life over you. I ask, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." (Eph. 1:17-19) Amen.