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

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)

Let the Fear of God be Upon me

Pic is courtesy of Photobucket.com

Hi there.  After I wrote the post, "More Glory if I pay the Price" I thought I should share this song that the Lord gave me years ago about walking in the fear of God.  It has helped me so much!   The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and leads to life.  Hallelujah!

Whenever I think I am being flippant about the grace and mercy the Lord has shown me I start singing this song and it helps to get me back on track.  I thought I had it recorded properly but it wasn't so that took me a bit of time.

Here it is and may it help you as much as it's helped me.   http://youtu.be/0imIWykY5bQ

Col. 3:5-10 "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. ⁷ You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." (Italics & underline are mine)

Sounds easy eh?  No, it's not.  If it was we would all be sinless!  On our own we can't do this. However,  the more we fill up on Holy Spirit and the word, the more we will desire the good things of God.  

 Here's another key to bring you closer to victory. ^"When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." (James 1:13-15) 

This passage says that  we are tempted to sin by our own evil desires.  Only as we recognize that the fruit of our sin is a form of death, will we hate the sin enough to want to get free from it.  Therefore, let's keep asking for fear of the Lord because it's 'the beginning of wisdom' and the start of recognizing the fruit of death that our sin is leading to.

On that note I am going to keep singing that song, lol.
Blessings,
Brenda Gale Thompson

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Howdy.  Back home from the tent meetings.  I've done so much video editing and recording this past week.  I had some great helpers along the way, Praise the Lord!

Someone was just talking about the  Jezebel spirit and that's a huge topic.  Without belittling their concerns I am just going to say a few things about her.  First of all, she's not everywhere at once.  Second we have authority over her and we need to use it.  Third,  the Lord has spoken through his prophets and the day is here when she will be cast down in the churches of Canada.  God is raising up eunuchs to cast her out just like he used eunuchs in the Old Testament to cast her out. (ref. 2Kings 9:32-33)

A Jezebel spirit works through control and manipulation and the lusts of the flesh to take out God's anointed people.  Very subtle at times, we need lots of wisdom to recognize her covert activities.  This spirit attacks men too.  It got associated with women because of Queen Jezebel from the old testament but I'm sure that wasn't the first time this spirit was dealt with.

It takes people who are dead to the lusts of the flesh, possessing much Godly wisdom to deal with her.  This is a strongman spirit that is boss over many other spirits. "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe." (Luke 11:21)  "In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house."  (Mark 3:27)

We do have authority to bind up the strong man  and many do. Where we need to get stronger is holding the ground that we are taking.  Back lash does come and if you're not ready for it it can give you a nasty surprise.

I cannot emphasize enough, it's one thing to go around binding every wicked spirit you sence.  We need wisdom to pray according to Holy Spirit's leading.  After you have done that ask Holy Spirit to help you hold the ground you have taken.

It only takes one little fox to ruin the crop!  We need to recognize the little foxes that come in to steal the fruit of our kingdom endeavors. (ref. Sgs. 2:15)

Too many times we bind the strong man and leave our walls down!  Then like the Bible say, " When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first." (Luke 11:24-26)  We need to guard what we have taken in the Kingdom so that the door is not reopened for the enemy to come back in! 

Okay.... so how do you protect what you have decreed? Get your angels working every day! Also, be prepared.  Little thoughts of strife, envy and offense need to be taken captive immediately.  Keep up on your positive kingdom confessions.   Psalm 91, 149 and 29 are good places to start.   2Cor. 10:4-5, 3John 2, 1John 4:4, 1 John 2:21-27 and Is. 54:17 will definitely help you. Stay in fellowship with other believers.  If you get into trouble call a friend to help you pray and break off any retaliation.

In consistency lies your power. Every morning decree that you walk in the Light of God's countenance, that you are a blessing everywhere you go, that no evil will come near your home or life, that your steps are bathed in butter-- favor and anointing.  Make sure that you are serving in your local church.  There are huge rewards for serving in your local church (another story for another day).

You can do this. I am still learning  how to walk 'anointed' and not in what people have told me I was all my life. I can do what God has called me to do and so can you.  We don't rely on our own abilities, but on Holy Spirit, right? Right!  Jesus says to us,"... take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

As we learn to walk hand in hand with Jesus we will walk more and more in His authority.   Jesus didn't go around binding every wicked spirit. They left when he showed up.  The more we learn to walk in our Kingdom authority the less we have to go around binding wicked kings.  They start to flee when we show up, without us even saying a word.

So keep growing.  Ask Holy Spirit what you are to pray in each and every situation and He'll guide you safely through your day.  Have fun learning how to be a King or Queen for the King of Kings.  Learn how to dispense his justice everywhere you go.  Practice showing mercy to those who don't deserve it.  Get really good at enforcing the victory of Calvery  and making all Jesus's enemies his footstool! (Heb. 10:13)

I bless you with Kingdom authority now.  May you walk in the authority that God has given me. May you rule and reign in all your situations through Holy Spirit and bring much praise, honor and glory to Jesus every day, everywhere you go! Amen! (ref. Rom.5:17,19)

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Turning Thorns Into Trophies

"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. "(2Cor. 12:7)

I love it.  We serve such a great God that every thorn the enemy sends against us we can turn into a trophy for our Lord Jesus. Let me show you how.

As we start praying for others let's say for healing we will get some back lash... it's inevitable. A pesky thorn has attacked us.  This provides us with the opportunity to get stronger in the promises of healing and protection... or stay sick and endure the torment.

God allows in his wisdom what he could easily prevent by his power.  His grace will come and help us.  His power is made perfect in our weakness. (ref. 2Cor. 12:9) He will show us how to fight and remind us of promises to speak out loud.  Some good healing confessions are here...

http://greatcommissionhow2s.blogspot.com/2011/10/confessions-for-hospital-patient.html

He might also tell you to take communion and/or get a friend to agree with you for healing.  Often when I can't get the breakthrough on my own, getting a fellow believer to agree with me will assure the victory.  Don't forget the power of getting your spouse to agree with you!  Even if all they say is "Amen," that's agreement enough. God honors covenant and will use it to bust the enemies attack.

Sometimes, when the thorn is pesky enough and I have done all that I know to do, I go on the offensive and start praying for everyone I know that might be experiencing any type of physical symptom.  I have got a thorn temporarily, but I am going to be a costly target.  When I start praying in tongues for lots of people it doesn't take long and all the symptoms leave. 

Therefore, I encourage you... be an expensive target.   Turn that little thorn into a huge trophy for the Lord.   Every single word of knowledge that I have learned was once a thorn in my flesh. PTL!  Here's an article I wrote about them and the list keeps growing. I love it!  http://greatcommissionhow2s.blogspot.com/2010/10/quick-check-list-for-words-of-knowledge.html


One other note... you might notice that when you start to pray for people or come into the vicinity of people that the symptom starts up again.  Sometimes I have found that this can be triggered by another spirit that is attached to the person you are praying for. (We all have angelic and demonic assignments)  So, because you are spiritually sensitive in the area you have been fighting, that's the fastest way Holy Spirit can alert you to pray.  

Another way of looking at it is that the devil is the worst street fighter ever.  He always goes for your weak spot.  Since you are weak, as in 'under attack' in that area, he will try to hit you there.

Therefore, do not be discouraged. You are achieving great victories.   The better you get at putting on your armor every day and the more you give your victories away, the stronger you will become in the spirit realm. (ref. Eph. 6:10-18, 1John. 5:4, Matt. 10:8)  So use wisdom and let Holy Spirit guide you.  When you are struggling to like a person, is not the time to do major warfare on their behalf.  You might want to fill up your love tank first. (ref. Rom. 5:5)

If you have any questions, let me know. There's an area for comments at the end of the post.

I bless you today with the ability to see your thorn as an opportunity to get a trophy for the Lord Jesus.  May you be endued with his power and grace and may you have the tenacity and perseverance to turn every trial into a great testimony, in Jesus' name. Amen!

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Normal?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sduW1hliaio&NR=1&feature=fvwp
This video caught my eye because it is so shocking for us in North America.  We have a fine, upstanding police force that would never be caught drinking on the job.  You can see the the people in the video are surprised, skeptical, shocked and unbelieving during the video taping  because this behavior is so out of character.

How I wish that it could be that way in the body of Christ.  It should be unusual when signs and things that make you wonder do not happen around Christians.  Miracles should be status quo for us. Signs and wonders should be normal for us.

That is what I am going after!  I want the Lord to be pleased to validate the words I speak and the actions I do with signs, wonders and miracles. That means I have to walk really tight with Holy Spirit, never letting him get away from me.

It is like a waltz that He is leading and I'm following.   I don't want Him to get out of my arms reach and if I don't follow His lead I can get my feet trampled or miss the next turn in the dance.

I have learned that one of the biggest keys to walking tight with Holy Spirit is a surrendered thought life.  I don't want to think about anything that He doesn't approve of. I take bad thoughts captive by speaking out loud the good I want to see.  I ask Holy Spirit for His take on situations and things all the time and He has lots to say.  He surprises me every day!  He sees the heart of things and I have learned to treasure His opinion and wisdom. 

So let's pray these verses. "The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But (we) put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." (Rom. 13:12-14)"   Lord help us to be your ambassadors every where we go, in Jesus' name we ask. Amen!

Bless you as you go!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

You Say, God Says...

This is an awesome piece that I found on Facebook.  I don't know who the author is so I can't give credit, but it's worth sharing.
Enjoy!

******************•*¨*•♫♪ *♥♥♥* ♪♫•*¨*•**********************
You say:"It's impossible" - God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say:"I'm too tired" - God says" I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say:"Nobody really loves me"... - God says:I love you (John 3:16 & John 3 :34)
You say:"I can't go on" - God says:My grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9 &Psalms 91:15)
You say:"I can't figure things out" - God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say:"I can't do it" - God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say:"I'm not able" - God says: I am able (2 Corinthians 9:8)
You say:"It's not worth it" - God says: It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)
You say:"I can't forgive myself" - God says: I forgive you (1 John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say:"I can't manage" - God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say:"I'm afraid" - God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7)
You say:"I'm always worried and frustrated" - God says: Cast all your cares on ME (1 Peter 5:7)
You say:"I'm not smart enough - God says: I give you wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30)
You say:"I feel all alone" - God says: I will never leave nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
******************•*¨*•♫♪ *♥♥♥* ♪♫•*¨*•**********************

Have a great day with HIM!
Brenda Gale

Image source: Holy Trinity Brompton, www.htb.org.uk

Conquering Fear

I got the same fortune cookie message twice in a row at the restaurant last week.  Do you think God is trying to tell me something? LOL.

It said, "Courage is the mastery of fear, not the absence of fear."

This is so true.  When I started out as a Christian I started sharing with people  what God had done for me and I got ridiculed and scoffed at, by only a few people and it caused me to quit sharing. Fear set in.  I kept thinking, "What will people say?" or "What will people do?"

It took me a while to come to grips with that fear.  The Lord led me to start claiming that His love was shed abroad in my heart every day and that His love was perfecting me and casting out all fear (ref. Rom 5:5, 1John 4: 18)

When the Lord led me into street preaching and prophetic evangelism I really had to start fighting fear.  The Lord gave me 2 Tim. 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of Love, power and a sound mind." and Proverbs 28:1 "The righteous are as bold as a lion."

I found it much easier to start giving out tracts first.  One person at a time.  Living Waters tracts, especially the million dollar bill, were easy to give out.  I would just say something like, "Have you ever seen a million dollar bill? And they would say, "No." Then I would hand it to them with many smiles and tell them it was a novelty gift. If I felt led by God I would tell them about the million dollar message on the back.

Street preaching brought a whole new level of fear.  The first time I did it I got onto my step stool and my mind went blank, so I started singing, "Amazing Grace."  That really helped.  Then everything came back to me.

As I grew in Love it became easier and easier to jump outside my comfort zone.

When people first yelled at me I didn't know what to do. I asked the Lord what to say, and this wisdom dawned on me and I spoke exactly what I heard and they shut up, just like that.

I learned that it's far better to get an angry response than no response at all.  Apathy is horrible.  We want people moved out of complacency.

Fear will stop you if it can.  As soon as I realized that it's better for me to do the right thing, afraid than to stay comfortable and not make an impact, that first step towards a stranger or the step to get onto my preaching stool became an invisible curtain I was stepping through.  I would tell myself,  "Move aside fear, I have work to do for the King."

We have nothing to fear except fear itself.  In this country our rights are protected and free speech is  allowed. Let's make a difference while we can.

I bless you with more courage to step out of your comfort zone. May you know the thrill of making a difference for Holy Spirit and hear His "Well done, daughter/son" every day.

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

I'm So Thankful...

The song says it all. I ask the Lord from time to time to give me a thankful heart because that's who He likes to hang out with-- the thankful ones.  Yes, he is with us all the time, but there are different levels of intimacy we can enjoy. I want to be as close as I can possibly get, maybe even the best of friends with Holy Spirit.  I need him to show me things and teach me things.  Thank God, he is such a good teacher. LOL!

Let me pray for you now: "I bless you with more of Holy Spirit.  May you know him in a greater way today. Amen." The Apostle Paul wrote, "I keep asking 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," (Eph. 1: 17).  Double Amen to that!

Handling Disappointment

These are crazy times when jobs are disappearing and financial stress is at an all time high.  Families and marriages are feeling the pressure and people's love is being tested severely.

About two years ago the last thing I wanted to do was spend time in my room seeking God and waiting on Him. I was so disappointed at the way things turned out. You know how it is; your prayers didn't get answered the way you were expecting them to and you are left with an ache in your heart. And since God didn't do anything about it you feel, in some way, that He was willing for this to happen.

So I was avoiding my secret place, trying to keep busy and ignore the gnawing in my heart and emotions.  This melody kept coming to me in 'tongues' and I got the interpretation. May it bless your heart and help to heal you too.

The devil knows that if he can get you offended at God, he's cut you off from your source of healing. It is only in God's presence that we are transformed from glory to glory. (2Cor. 3:18)

God has promised that He will cause all things to work together for our good, even the pain and suffering we go through.(Rom 8:37)  It is said that if the devil knew what was going to happen to Jesus at the resurrection, he would never have allowed Jesus to die.

Therefore I want to encourage you to keep singing your pain to the Lord, but like David in the Psalms, end it off with a line or two of thanksgiving.   He inhabits your praise, so that's the fastest way to get the supernatural help of God working on your stuff.

And remember, He allows in His wisdom what He could easily prevent by His power.  He is making something beautiful out of your life!