Home Ambiance....

I guess I didn't get it.   I've had so many people tell me over the years that my home was very peaceful and that they could feel the presence of God in my home.    I only saw the mistakes, the harsh words etc.   I have been learning to put on new glasses...to see things from Heaven's perspective and to get my attitude in line with Praise.   What a difference!

I realize now that because I was the stronger Christian I did have a great influence on my home. 
I was reading James again the other night and these verses were brought to my attention.

James 3:16 says, "Where there is jealousy and selfishness there is also disorder and every kind of evil."  Wow!  That's a huge warning! Is it any wonder that some homes have no peace in them?  If the mother or father is operating out of jealousy or selfishness then every other kind of evil is allowed in that home!  That is not what I want in my home! 

James, 3:17 says, " But wisdom from above is Pure, first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle and friendly, it is full of Compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; It is free from prejudice (pre-judging) and hypocrisy (say one thing but do another)"

That verse is a mouthful but the other night God highlighted the peaceful part.   See,  you can't give what you don't have.   If you are operating out of jealousy then all kinds of evil and strife are allowed in your home.  Conversely, if you operate with Heaven's wisdom, by following Holy Spirit's leading and renewing your mind... then you will fill your home with peace, gentleness and friendliness.   Who wouldn't want that in their home?   It gets better!  Who doesn't want a harvest of good deeds in their family and home?  Who doesn't want appreciation and team spirit in their home?    I know I do!

So the onus is on us.  As we treasure every nudge from Holy Spirit, as we crave wisdom from His word, we are aligning ourselves with Heaven and we get the fruit of it now; peace, love, compassion, gentleness, friendliness, camaraderie and no hypocrisy.

Friends  this works..... I now have a bigger clue as to why people come to my place and say it's peaceful, why they can relax,,, why they feel it's like an oasis.   It is!  Holy Spirit  and all the angels know they are welcome here,  and they bring Heaven with them!

When you claim Heaven on earth through you.... Holy Spirit will honor that and help you deal with your stuff  so you can have heaven around you and your home. 

It is so worth the journey!  Be encouraged.  He who began a good work in you will finish it! (Phil. 1:6)

Big hugs and blessings,
Brenda Gale Thompson

The Power of Communion

 I want to share a new insight that the Lord has given me concerning communion.  Let's read the back ground text first.

1Cor. 11:23-26     "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."  (vs23-24)

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (vs. 25-26)

I used to take communion at home when the Lord led me to.   It was a way of cleansing myself from sin and reaffirming that I was His.  The Lord kept highlighting to me that I was doing this 'in remembrance of him' and I started to wonder what that meant besides the obvious.  I wasn't getting it!

Then I read the next part we are to "proclaim the Lord's death till he comes." (vs, 26)  What was the big deal about this statement?

As I meditated on it and asked the Lord why he was highlighting this to me it came to me that I really don't remember my covenant as well as I should.  He took all my sickness and gave me his divine health. (ref. 1Pet. 2:24) He took all my poverty and gave me all his abundance. (3John 2, Phl. 4:19)  He took all my guilt and gave me his peace of mind (ref. Rom. 8:11)  He took all my anxiety and gave me his plans and strategies (James 1:5, Ps. 112:4)  He took my orphan spirit and placed me in his family (ref. Rom 8:15, Heb. 13:5, Gal. 3:26)

Part of remembering our covenant is to enforce what it means.  If I know that healing was purchased for me on the cross of Calvary then I have no business allowing a cold or sickness to attack me.  I need to aggressively declare that sickness can't dwell in my body.  Some people calling this action "resisting the enemy."  (ref. James 4:9, 1Pet. 5:9)

If I know that God took all my poverty on the cross so that I could have abundance then I need to resist poverty, lack and famine with the word of God.  He wishes above all things that I might prosper and be in health even as my soul prospers. (3John 2) This includes finances.

If Jesus took all the judgement that we deserved so that we could have his peace then we need to enforce the victory that he won for us with promises from the word of God.  He is our peace! (Eph. 2:14) There is no condemnation anymore... correction yes, because he wants us to grow more and more like him, but never any condemnation. (Rom 8:29, 2 Tim 3:16-17)

We are his ambassadors now. We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (ref. 2 Cor. 5:20, 1 Pet. 2:9)

Communion has taken on a whole new meaning for me.  Now I know that the Lord wants me to reaffirm who I am in him and all that he purchased for me... aggressively.

May I encourage you to start taking communion at home and to really think about all that Jesus did for you?  He wants this for us.  The Bible says that all creation is awaiting the revealing of the sons of God that it might be delivered from it's bondage (ref. Rom 8:19-21)  Time is getting short.  It's up to us now. We are the generation that will stand for all he wants to do in the earth.

I bless you in Jesus' name.  May you know his love more deeply, may you walk with him more closely and may you hear his "well done" every day, In Jesus' name I ask. Amen!

I bless you abundantly; physically, mentally, financially, spiritually and relationally.
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Photo courtesy of photobucket.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

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!