Complaining Trend

Someone I know was having a rough couple of weeks and they were talking to me.    I prayed for them and later that day another person was having a hard time with someone in leadership, so I encouraged them and we prayed for healing and restoration.

The next day I was helping someone out and they had a list of complaints a mile long about church and problems there.   I couldn't help but notice a trend there.

 I asked the Lord what his take was on all these legitimate complaints.  You know what he said? He said, "Your leaders are works in progress just like you are.  Don't expect perfection from them until you are perfect yourself."

Contrary to popular belief,  God is working on them just like he is working on us..... but the area he's working on might not be the area that bugs you the most. 

I too have had my share of trouble with persons in leadership, surprise, surprise.  I wouldn't be human if it weren't so.   The Lord has opened my eyes to see the bigger picture and to see the damage that can be done to a church by disappointment and offense.

The Problem is.... there are only so many churches to go to and if you leave offended at one you're enlisting in God's 'wilderness wandering game'.  No thank you.  Been there before and I want to move on to the next level.

I am not by any means saying that our church has it all together.  On the contrary, I can see some gaping holes and areas that need improvement.

So I am going to share some wise words a couple of my mentors shared with me years ago.

The First is never leave a church with offense in your heart.  Always ask God to heal  you up first and try to leave on good standing, not the superficial, "Thanks,  I'm called out. Good bye."   This will help you grow in Christ. If you can't leave the way you want because of situations outside your control, then pursue healing in the new church you go to.

Second, when a leader starts claiming he/she's something great etc. and it rubs you the wrong way, pause and think about it.  Is the person saying this to excuse a character flaw or are they attempting to, 'call those things that be not as though they were?" Usually if it rubs you the wrong way it's because you have had their flaws cause you personal pain.  It's time to seek the Lord and find the balance in your life.  God, family, work then church is the way most ministry leaders advise people to prioritize your lives.

I remember something a leader said when one of his helpers quit his job and stated he was going to go preach the gospel for a living.  This person said to themselves, "Why this guy can't preach himself out of a garbage can! He'll be out of money in a month!"  Holy Spirit quickly spoke up to this man, "Then help him!"   That quieted this leader.  So many other people were quick to tell the would be preacher that he would never make it and that he better go back to his regular job but this leader would not join in their criticism or judgement. Time marched on and the would be preacher did become successful, praise God!

Are you wondering who the leader was?   Kenneth Copeland! And the would be preacher was Jerry Savelle! What a loss it would be to the body of Christ without Jerry Savelle's Ministry!  He has helped countless people around the globe get a handle on the basics of faith--myself included!

So when I hear a leader claiming great titles I remember that story and I figure I can be on the helping side which is Holy Spirit, or I can be on the devil's side which is criticizing and judging.  No thank you.  I am Not going there.  Yes, the attacks are real and yes sometimes leaders get puffed up.  God's able to correct them without my help... I know that now.

I encourage  you to give all your expectations of what leadership should and should not be over to the Lord daily.  That's what I am learning to do.  As I look at God in praise and worship it gets easier and easier to do this.  Let's pray...

Lord we need your help to love people through the unlovely situations we face daily.  Let your love and peace we shed abroad  in our hearts.  Give us your hope that you are able to change us and the situations around us.  We ask for joy and humor in our daily journey with you. Bind us all together in your love and thank you for unity of spirit in our churches.  Thank You for helping us look past our hurts to the beauty you are creating in the people around us and in us.  Thank You Lord for time with you and for transforming our hearts so we want to spend more time with you every day. Amen!

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Enlighten My Eyes

A friend got a word for me on the weekend.  She saw two angels holding my eyelids open and facing me towards something that I was trying to avoid looking at.  She didn't know what it meant but I thought it was rather cool.  You see, I realized last week or so that I need revelation of what to do next.

I want to prosper more and the Bible says that  God wishes above all things that we prosper and be in health as our souls prosper (ref. 3John 2).

How to prosper my soul more was a mystery to me. Then I found Eph 1:18 which says "the eyes of your understanding  being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints..."

So there's something I don't understand. We know that the bible says in all our getting, get understanding (ref. Prov. 4:7) and Ps. 112 :4 promises that His light will dawn on us in every dark situation so I started asking him for more light.

That's right. I need more of his light.  I must be missing something somewhere.  I asked the Lord to shine his light on me  and  I have been asking the Lord to reveal himself more to me. Guess what? I found a pile of wounds that I wasn't looking for. Now my girlfriend's vision made sense.

Funny how we can stuff all the junk and just keep going.  So I have been repenting for putting up walls, for 'knee jerk' reactions etc, pleading his precious blood, forgiving others and asking the Lord to heal my soul.  "Let the son of righteousness arise with healing in his wings and his beams (ref. Mal. 4:2 Amplified).

More light please.  His light is better even than lazer light... more effective too. Amazing how the Lord can heal the broken parts in us with his love.

It's time for more worship. "In his presence there is fullness of joy".... especially as our hearts get healed. (ref. Ps. 16:11)

Have a great day! May the Son of Righeousness arise with healing in his wings for you too!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale

We are His Mercy Seats

 When I think of mercy seat I think of the Old Testament and the Arc of the Covenant.  The angels of God were seated on top of the mercy seat and that's where the presence of God was.
Interestingly enough after  Jesus died the veil that separated the holy place from the most holy place was rent and the presence of God left the temple.

Now as Christians we know that after we ask Jesus to come into our lives and be our Lord and Savior that we have a new presence inside of us.   We have literally become a living 'holy of holies'.  A miracle of regeneration has taken place to the point where our sin is not just covered like it was in the old testament but it's completely done away with as if it never happened. This allows his presence to flow through us as we walk in love.

I know this to be true because even as a baby believer God used me. I was so wet behind the ears that I didn't know anything about healing or deliverance protocol, yet God used me at work, at school and even on  buses to set people free.  The only condition was that I cared and prayed in tongues.  Holy Spirit always showed me what to say or do.  You can never go wrong asking the Lord to use you today.  It's the fastest way I know to a fulfilling life.  He will take you at your word and use you everywhere you go, as long as you stay available.

I have personally wondered at how people can remain sick around Christians and I asked the Lord how come this was happening.  His said one of the reasons was that Christians had not spoken words of healing or blessing out loud.  I have since made it my goal to ALWAYS pray out loud in every situation. It might get a bit inconvenient praying for people's needs at the stop light or in the grocery store, but that's all right.  I am working for the applause of Heaven--not people.

I do not want to quench any nudge that Holy Spirit gives.  I love it when I drive down a street and all of a sudden I know that someone has a kidney problem or a heart problem. I love to release his healing and miracle working power everywhere I go.  I love Holy Spirit's smile when  I claim everywhere I drive as a highway of Holiness.

I love walking into my church and even as I am setting up the video camera and computer the Joy of the Lord hits me.  I Love it when Holy Spirit shows me what he's going to do during the service. I love it when I get to call out words of knowledge and see all the people get healed.  I love how happy Holy Spirit is when the ministry team are praying for people.  I love to walk behind them and put prayer clothes on the people (if we're not too busy).  I love to see the shadows (demonic) leaving people.

I never dreamed that life could be so fulfilling.  The only thing I'd like more is to stay with him instead of coming back here.... but it's not yet time.  There's so much more to do.

I want to encourage you to ask the Lord to use you.  He wants to.  There is no life like it.  The joy he gives is better than any drug I ever tried (and I tried a bunch). Every little step of obedience brings delight to his heart and he is so encouraging.  I can't help but encourage others because He's given me so much.

Here's the latest song  I did about being his mercy seat.  Enjoy!
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3yQOgTPvkE

I Bless you right now. May you feel his love in a whole new way today.  May the fire and passion of his love burn bright in your heart and may you hear and know how pleased he is with you. Amen!

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Hospitality

Hospitality is a big part of my life.  I really enjoy having friends over and I regularly help at church functions.  You can usually find me in the kitchen or serving food.

As our churches grow I am finding that volunteering is one of the ways to better get to know people.  It's hard to build relationships when we meet,  have church then take off right away.  I am finding that to build trust I have to build relationships first.  I can't expect trust where there is no relationship happening.  As I know a person better, I feel I can trust them more and more.

I had a couple of nice chats with a few ladies in the kitchen yesterday and it just confirmed that I am in the right place.  I bring my ministry gifts wherever I go.  I can give an encouraging word wherever I am.

I remember a time when the wife of our guest speaker came into the kitchen and helped us do the dishes after pot luck.  We tried to tell her that we would do it, but she wanted to stay and help.  She was such a blessing and we got to ask her questions about ministry and the adventures she had been on.

She really encouraged my daughter to go to bible college.  She made quite an impact on us.  So many people want to be served, and yet this great lady was helping us clean up.

I never forgot it.  I try to lead by example too.

My pastors are great servants.  Many times I have seen them working behind the scenes or helping with the food while others are blissfully unaware of what's going on.  Somehow we get it all worked out and people get to eat and everybody is happy.   It's a joy that stretches us at times!

Anyhow,  that's my thought for the day.  Blessed are the volunteers, because God is rewarding them!  We can never out give God and as we are faithful in the little things He will add to us the bigger things.

"Thank You Lord that we are growing in favor with you and with people.  Thank You Lord that Your light is shining brightly through us!  Thank You Lord for using us today.  May we always be available to give an encouraging word or a empathetic ear to those around us.  Thank You Lord for anointing all the work of our hands. I decree more creativity and blessings flowing through our hands from now on. Amen!"

Bless you more than before, in Jesus' name!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

P.S. "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark 9:35)

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!

Help for Stress

Hi there.   I was just out with a girlfriend and I don't know what's going on, but so many people are depressed these days.  This is not right. We who have the Lord, have a lot to be thankful for.

I was encouraging her to look at the bigger picture that each job is a stepping stone. For example this current job that she has, has allowed her the money and time to get her driver's license and pay off a car.  Maybe the next job will be one that requires a car and now she is prepared for it.

I encouraged her to go home and do something new. Draw something, try a new recipe, do a new craft, something that will encourage her that she can learn new things and that change doesn't always have to be bad.

And above all, I told her,  keep doing your daily devotions and reading your  bible.  There is so much hope and encouragement in the Bible.  It's a wonderful way to keep your brain sharp.  I love how many seniors there are at the prayer group I go to and their minds are so quick.  I truly believe that there is supernatural power in the word of God to renew your youth and keep you young.

Christmas should be a time where we try to enjoy our families, whether blood or adopted.  Since Roy and I got laid off again a week apart we are trying to do things that don't cost a lot of money.  Making cookies and decorating them, playing music together, doing crafts together and even playing a board game together count for some really good memories.

I am going to post a song that the Lord gave me when I found out that I was grinding my teeth in my sleep. I didn't realize that the stress of being laid off before Christmas was bothering me until this happened.  May this song help you like it's helped me!

Not bad eh?  Amateur quality but the pictures sure are nice.  Some good confessions to speak over yourself are:

"Thank You Lord that You give me a good night's sleep because You love me." (ref. Ps. 127:2)
"Thank You Lord that I lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." (ref. Psalm 4:8)
Thank You Lord that I can rejoice always!  Thank You for showing me how. (ref. Phil 4:8).
I declare that You are Blessed and Highly Favored by the Greatest King of All!

Innovation

Hi there.  I want to share about something the Lord has been challenging me on.  In Ephesians 3:20 we read that God has promised "to do exceedingly, abundantly above and beyond all that we can think, dream or imagine" so I have been asking the Lord for new ideas and witty solutions for my family. Then as my faith and confidence grow, I want to believe for bigger ideas and solutions for my town and area.

The first solution I got was for a problem we have around here with hanging up laundry.  Don't laugh, it can be quite a headache because my hubby hates when we use the clothes dryer.  I have close lines strung across my living room, dining room and exercise room as I speak and I still run out of space to hang up all the socks and underwear that five of us can accumulate.

I was thinking to myself as I was hanging up clothes that I would have to buy one of those racks that you can hang clothes on and I thought, "Ask the Lord."

He caused me to look at the wooden baby gate we have installed in one room and it 'dawned' on me that if I stretched out that baby gate, it would look just like a rack.  I stretched out that gate and put some socks and underwear on it and was tickled pink at how well it worked.

I told the kids about it when they came home and they thought it was an improvement and my hubby thought it was a great idea since I wouldn't be using the dryer.  We have wood heat so the clothes dry quickly.

The second new innovation I got was a neat twist on a recipe.  I froze many bags of peeled, sliced and diced apples when they were coming off the trees this summer. The only problem is that they are very wet when thawed and don't work well in a lot of the recipes that call for diced apples.  So I asked the Lord what recipe would work tonight to use up these apples.

I 'happened' to notice a pineapple cake recipe in my recipe box that my kids love.  I was thinking this is such a great recipe and then it occurred to me that I might be able to use some lemon juice to increase the accidity of the apples to get the recipe to work.  Well, a little here and a little there while I am asking Holy Spirit questions and I got the recipe in the oven.   The recipe turned out so well that my gang  all commented on how good it was. Praise the Lord!

It is amazing how much the Lord wants to be involved in our lives.  He cares about all the details we care about.  I sure am encouraged to ask Him more questions.  I hope you are too.

Lord help the person reading this to hear and trust Your voice more clearly today. May they have Joy in their journey and peace when they lie down tonight, in Jesus' name! Amen.

Update on Waiting on the Lord

Hi there... It's been almost 40 days since I started this new habit of waiting on the Lord at least one hour daily.  It's been a challenge with me working 50 hours a week lately, but God has given me grace and my husband has been a huge help.

So I want to tell you the exciting things that have been happening around here.
First of all, I have noticed that when I walk upstairs I can sence Heaven and the Lord's touch. I  get His holy laughter, which is a miracle in itself as I am prone to tears in His presence.

Then a week or so ago the Lord led me to read Revelation 10 and told me that this mighty angel is the one I have been sensing around me at certain times.  He's been such a comfort and he really likes it when I speak God's word.

Third, I've been able to nail the spirit attacking this lady at work.  She's got a mean, mean mouth and likes to complain about people.  At first I was able to bind the spirit of Jezebel; complaining, manipulation, envy and jealousy and then on Thursday it didn't work.  I was like "Lord, what's up?" I knew this spirit must be hiding behind another 'strong man'  spirit but I didn't know which one.

The Lord told me it was a viper spirit.  I didn't know much about them so I just bound it and then looked it up when I got home.   Remember the Pharisees?  Well, Jesus called them a brood of vipers... with  the master spirit of Beelzebub.  Bingo! That's my clue.  My girlfriend also mentioned that I should bind the "queen of Heaven" a territorial spirit.  Don't know much about that one yet.  I'll ask the Lord. The Lord told me to be aware of a scapegoat spirit that always wants to make me a punching bag or a fall guy for the person.  Good thing to be aware of.

So Friday morning on my way to work, after worshiping and enjoying God's presence,  I started to command my morning. I loosed Angels to bind those wicked kings that the Lord showed me (Ps. 149) and then I decreed camaraderie and joy in the journey for our group.  I claimed the whole team for the Kingdom of God, all of them.

What a difference! This stuff works!  The Lord was really happy with me and another Christian and myself were able to shine brightly the presence of the Lord. 

Let that encourage you.   It's always worthwhile to spend time with the Lord.  Sometimes I play the piano for Him, sometimes I read my bible,  sometimes I just sing and then wait on Him.  Holy Spirit will lead you, just like He leads me.

 I decree that His word out of your mouth is 'like a fire and a hammer that breaks the rocks into pieces!" (Jer. 23:29) Amen! (So be it!)

Random Thoughts on Glory Dust and Persecution

(pic is from www.wallpaper4god.com)

Let us be joyful in the glory and the beauty which God Almighty  confers upon us; let us sing for joy upon our beds. ( Psalm 149:5)

It's hard to sing lying down.  Can you imagine how joyful this person was that it was erupting out of them in bed?  It's hard to sleep after you have been praising the Lord. LOL.  I love nights like that!

God's bestowing glory on us.  I wonder what that looks like? Sometimes I can see sparkles in my eyes after I've been worshiping.  Have you ever checked after you've been praising and worshiping?  I want to be a sign and a wonder for Him.

I have to admit, I had a hard time with the glory dust at first.  I had to keep asking God, "Is this You?"  The Lord is very gracious and kept witnessing to me that yes it was Him.  I was even more settled when I heard that Joshua and Janet Mills have been banned from 3 cleaners because of the glory dust.  Apparently, it doesn't want to come off of their clothes and it has even spread to the furnishings of one  dry cleaners. Talk about being a sign to the proprietors!

That clinched it for me because persecution always follows God's signs. I know I sure got my fair share of persecution when I was street preaching and doing destiny words on Sparks Street, Ottawa.

I guess the best thing to do is keep pressing in for God's heart and fight unbelief with the light we've been given.  If it's God I want it all. I can't remember how many times I asked the Lord to make me a sign and a wonder  because the people would try to ignore me or walk by when I was street preaching. They were not moved to action. We need to ask to be signs and wonders in our day.  There are just too many distractions in this life and when reality hits them, it could be too late.

I have seen where a person's heart became hardened because they kept postponing the decision to open the door to Jesus.  This fellow was in a hospital bed, in Palative care, next to the fellow God had sent me in to get out.  The man I was sent to, (let's call him Joe)  asked me if I could do something about his room mate because all he did was moan.

I went over to him as requested and saw a strong man, moaning and groaning in the bed, unable to communicate because he had had a stroke and part of his mind was gone.  I didn't know what to do. It was so pathetic.  (This was many years ago when I was just learning about authority and healing)

The Lord told me to sing, "Jesus loves you."  I didn't even get half way through the first chorus and he had settled down. That poor man was being tormented.  I had a flash vision of him putting off Jesus, over and over again and now he was being told it was too late. He was in a prison of his own, unresponsive flesh and mind, scarred by the strokes etc. that he had gone through.

I sang, "Amazing Grace" to him next and the whole room became quiet as God's presence permeated the atmosphere.  I felt to speak grace over him so I did. I declared that it wasn't too late, that God hears the cry of the heart, especially when the body is in a prison.

That's another reason why I don't want to miss any opportunities. How many people around us are in prisons of their own minds or bodies?  Selah (pause and think about it).

Thank You Lord for making us Your signs and wonders to help us get the good news out. Thank You for giving us boldness and wisdom to take advantage of every situation;  to share the good news and to introduce the people to Jesus.  We give you all the glory in advance. Amen!


  .

How Many Angels?

Many years ago when I was learning about Angels and our roles in the Kingdom of God I heard that they were sent to protect us (Psalm 91) and that they listen for the word of God coming out of us for some of their marching orders.(Psalm 103:20)

I was very intrigued by this and a few days later I asked the Lord if I was keeping my Angels busy. He said, "No." Well, I wanted to learn how so I asked the Lord to teach me.

A few weeks later I asked the Lord if I was keeping my Angels busy and He said, "Yes." I was happy initially but then I sensed a longing in Holy Spirit so I asked Him, "what's Up?"
I felt that He wanted more angels busy so I asked him to show me how to pray so more Angels would be busy.

A lot of it involved praying for people as I would see them, hear of them or talk to them on the phone. As I asked for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done etc. in their lives, more Angels got busy.

Many day's later, I was praying for all the guys in my Engineering class and I asked the Lord, "How many angels can I have?"

You know what He said? He said conversationally, "As many as you will keep busy."

I was stunned by the possibilities.

Since that day, many years ago, I have had great satisfaction keeping Angels busy, and as a result, I have seen many testimonies that keep my faith stoked. We do serve an awesome God and we are co-laborers with Him!

Lord I ask that you would make your word real to the person reading this. Show them how to cooperate with You and bring Your Kingdom and Your will on Earth. Thank you Lord for your Heavenly helpers, Angels and for showing us how to help You in the Great Commission too. Thanks Lord that we all have Your joy in our day to day walk with You. Amen.

What about Laughter?

I am sure most of you are familiar with the Toronto Blessing where many people got touched by laughter and jerking as Holy Spirit did some work on people. If you are like me you might have been a little skeptical until you got hit with it yourself and then you know that there's no way that was you.

I have been told I am too serious by my family for years. I live with a a family of comedians and I guess I always figured that I was supposed to be the 'straight man'. The one that all the comics feed off of. Well it's the same for church. I love laughter but I always come back to seriousness rather quickly. My natural demeanor is not laughter.

Last night I got a word from Holy Spirit, "sighing and sorrow must flee away". I had been asking for more joy because Kevin Dedmon in his book "Unlocking Heaven" was talking about how as we are filled to overflowing with Holy Spirit's laughter, we are supposed to leak out. Could it be that one of the ways to tell if we are overflowing is if we have supernatural laughter?

I have cried for years in God's presence and I told the Lord that I would cry forever for Him, if it meant His presence was on me, because I knew what it was like to hurt so bad that you couldn't cry. At the same time, I don't want to get caught in an old wineskin. If Holy Spirit is doing a new thing I want to be a part of it.

It is not the most comfortable thing to do. I am really having to let go of more inhibitions. Stupid really; as if sniffling (loudly) in the worship service was any more dignified! Funny how we can get caught up in our own little traditions.

Jesus said, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive." John. 7:37-39

I am thirsty so I want to be filled every day. I have heard two leaders target a spirit of heaviness attacking me. I am wondering if that's why I find it hard to stay in joy and laughter. I have heard about people laughing for days as they got touched at Toronto.

I remember a time when I was so hungry that when I saw strangers laughing at the front of a service I got up from my seat and went to get some. They weren't strangers for long!

Let's ask for more joy in the journey of walking daily with Holy Spirit. I am still learning how to recognize the trademark of this spirit of heaviness so I can get rid of it. I believe the Lord gave me a big key last night in Isaiah 35.
If you suspect that you have been attacked by a spirit of heaviness or depression you might want to declare these promises over yourself too.

THank You Lord that I have been ransomed by You.
Thank You Lord, that I enter Jerusalem (and Your kingdom/presence) with singing.
THank You Lord that I am crowned with everlasting joy.
Thank You Lord that all sorrow and mourning must disappear now in Jesus' name!
Thank You Lord that I am filled with Your joy and gladness. Hallelujah! (Is. 35:10)
"He gave me the garment of Praise for the spirit of heaviness,"(Is. 61:3)
Thank You Lord that You "have anointed me with the oil of gladness above my fellows." (Ps.45:7)

So let's get filled with the wine that doesn't give us a hangover -- Holy Spirit! He's the best high, the best party ever! Praise His Holy name. (ref. Eph. 5:18) I am so thankful that we can get filled as many times a day as we want. I want to give Him away to all the people I meet so I should keep filling up along the way.

Supernatural laughter is so refreshing! All our problems seem so small, even ridiculous as we focus on Him. Truly, in His presence there is fullness of joy! (Psalm 16:11)
Have a blessed day with Holy Spirit as you discover His joy over you!