Summer Hay & Seeking God

Hi all.  Summer is such a busy season on the farm, between harvesting hay and keeping up with the apple orchard we are very busy.   We know it's for a season so we are enjoying it while we are here.  There's only one thing that's guaranteed in life and that's change-- at least when you are pursuing God.

So I have been singing songs to the Lord while I drive tractors and I have been listening to all the songs I have recorded the last few months.  It's weird but I  am really enjoying the quiet on the tractor.  Amidst all the noise it's special to just be able to ask the Lord questions and hear what He has to say.

Hay has to be cut a certain way and dried a certain way and baled a certain way if you want good horse hay.   Every day the weather conditions change and we try to figure out what to do.  My husband has gotten very adept at asking me if we should do this and then wait.  I ask the Lord what to do and then we do that.  He's looked after us every time.  As we keep our hearts clean from offense and stay in touch with Holy Spirit we can have a running conversation with the Lord all day long, even while you are working!

That's my tip for today-- Repent quickly.  Whenever you get the slightest bit offended with anyone, forgive them and bless them.   God's blessing will help them change faster!  And more importantly, it will keep the enemy from attacking you with his half truths. Truly, your battlefield is your mind.  Offense and unforgiveness send out shock waves in the spirit realm that attract the wrong kind of attention.  Conversely, if you keep praise and thanksgiving coming out of your mouth you attract God's angels to help you.

Sounds simple I know, but it works.  God is looking for those who will sign up to walk in his glory and live in his glory.  I know that is what I am pursuing with all my strength.  I want to be a walking conduit of Heaven.  Whatever that looks like or sounds like-- I want it all!

Therefore, I exhort you to have a great day with the Lord!  It doesn't matter what's happening, He has promised to turn it around!  He will cause all things to work together for your GOOD as you praise and thank him.  (ref. Rom. 8:37)

Thank You Jesus that nothing can cause us to stumble or become offended because we love your law (Ps. 119:165)
Thank You Lord that we are wise, we don't give full vent to our anger because we have self-control. (Prov. 29:11)
Thank You Lord that we are quick to hear, slow to speak and very slow to become angry or offended. (James 1:19)
Thank You Lord that words of love, grace, mercy and kindness flow from our lips today.
Thank You Lord that Your love is shed abroad in our hearts by Holy Spirit. (Rom. 5:5)
Thank You Lord that we can't fail for winning, we can't lose for succeeding, we are always victors through the blood of Jesus and spread everywhere the fragrance of Him. (ref. 2Cor. 2:14)
Thank You Lord that Your favor has come and touched every area of our lives.  We are growing in favor with You and with all men. (ref. 1Sam. 2:26)

Thank You Lord that.... (your thanksgiving goes here)

Have a great day with Him!
Big hugs and many blessings,
Brenda Gale Thompson

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)

Heidi Baker - Radical Love Equals Radical Obedience

This is what it's all about. When we are so in love that we obey no matter the consequences.

Break my Heart

 Break my heart... Huh?  Those are dangerous words. Are you wondering why I'm writing this?
 I am writing this because I saw a lady today crossing a parking lot with a decided limp and I didn't do anything about it!

What's wrong with me?  I was sitting in my car, waiting for my daughter to finish work and I had nothing  to do.   She walked haltingly into the McDonalds and I wondered what had happened to her but didn't think to go pray for her.  A few minutes later she came out with her McDonalds with her little bag of fast food and she stopped by to comment about my dog Scoobie.  Just a few seconds... but if I had been with it, I would have capitalized on the opportunity to ask her about her back.

What bugs me the most is that I used to do this kind of thing all the time and I saw many people touched by God.

I am thinking that I am too complacent. It's almost like a sleepiness is trying to come over me so that I slip into apathy.  Been there, done that...  almost a boredom.   I cannot allow this to happen! It doesn't get any better than seeing Heaven manifest on the earth!

Jesus paid such a huge price for me to have the power of God flowing through my hands and words.

"Lord, please break my heart with the things that break Yours.  Help me to keep my heart tender to hear Your  gentle voice. I humble myself under Your mighty hand. Forgive me of all the opportunities I have wasted and give me another chance.  Help me not to spend my days frivolously.  Guide me to the right teaching and show me how to keep Your fire burning all the time. I decree that I am on fire for You forever and that I am bold because I am righteous and that I capitalize on opportunities to share and pray for people.  Let Your kingdom come in my life and Your will be done in my life today. Amen!"

May we always be passionate for our Lord and Savior! Amen!

Bless you!
Brenda Gale Thompson

Open Heaven then What?

The visiting Evangelist told us  that we have an open Heaven over our church. I have heard this before from other visiting leaders and I know we do.

So what do we do next?  How do we get it to spread?  That's what I am asking the Lord these days. This move of God has got to get outside of the church walls!

It is nice that people are experiencing visions and supernatural encounters and yes people are getting saved and healed, but something in me is not satisfied.  There is a longing inside me for more, for something deeper.   He has promised that if we would seek him that we would find him when we seek Him with all our hearts.

So I am going to continue seeking Him every day and  I will record the songs He gives me and write down all the visions He shows me.

If you are hungry for more than pray with me, "Lord we want more of You in our lives because nothing else matters,  You said that the pure in heart would see Your face, so we are coming.  We determine to surrender all for You, for Your presence and for Your pleasure.  May we bless Your heart today Lord.  Holy Spirit help us to hear Your precious voice and give us determination to obey you at all cost. Amen"

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Own the Revelation

Teaching and teaching without testimonies is fruitless and I am tired of it.   I want to go hear preachers that have gotten a revelation from God and are walking in it.  I especially want to hear testimonies about people who have done stuff I haven't done yet, like raising the dead.  I have been practicing on dead animals and renewing my mind with the promises of God but I haven't found a dead person to pray for that wasn't under supervision. LOL.

When I was 20 I went to the Christian camp that my mom liked to go to and I heard this fellow teach about the revealing of the sons and daughters of God and how all creation is awaiting for us. (Rom 8:19)  He taught with authority because he had commanded thunder storms to move and they did for him.  I thought, "Wow! I've never heard of stuff like this!"

Less than a week later I was confronted with a nasty thunderstorm over the highway I had to bicycle down to get to work. I remembered what I had learned the previous weekend, now what was I going to do about it?  I thought... well God is not a respecter of persons, so what worked for him will work for me!

So... I asked the Lord to move the thunderstorm out of the way for me and to leave a tiny piece of it so I would know that He had answered my prayer.

I continued getting ready for work and about 10 minutes later I looked outside again.  Imagine!  I saw the huge dark clouds moving really fast to the left and there was a tiny piece of the darkest cloud left over the highway.  Impossible you say?   Nope!  I saw it myself.  It was so amazing because the lighter clouds were stationary, just the dark thunderstorm clouds were moving fast.

I never forgot that day.  I rode my bicycle under that little piece of thunderstorm cloud about half an hour later.  God held it in position for me.  The rest of the storm was miles away by that time.  Another miracle.  Oh I did I forget to mention that I didn't get wet?  It rained before I got under that cloud and after I passed. I could see it falling.

I never forgot it.

May you be encouraged to own the revelation you have been taught so far and to speak to your mountains (or storms). Truly, all creation is awaiting for us to stand up and do the works of God. (Rom 8:19,14)  We are all sons/daughters of God through our faith in Jesus Christ. (Gal 3:26)

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Be the Change You Want to See

I didn't know what to call this post and it came to me.   Be the Change you want to see.   In North America we have the habit of letting the pastor and a few people carry most of the responsibility  of the Kingdom advancing.   This should not be so.  We all have gifts that we can contribute to the body for the greater good.

On that note I have asked the Lord to let me be a fool for Him if it means that He can use me more.   We are in an upside down Kingdom where the way down is the way up.  "He who wants to be great must be the servant of all". (ref. Mark 9:35)   God chose and still chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the weak things to shame the strong. (ref. 1Cor. 1:27) That means that we all qualify to be used in God's kingdom.

How that looks can be completely different than anything you have done previously. All I can say is, be open to new ideas and new ways of doing things.  Let me share a neat example with you.

A few weeks ago we were having a Friday night service and a few of the regular intercessors were missing.  The music had started and as I walked in late I said to a friend, "I guess I'm going to make a fool of myself."  I was surprised at what I blurted out and was thinking about it as I made my way to the front.  (Our church opens up the alter area for passionate worshipers so they can intercede and worship and break through for the whole congregation. I wish all churches did this!)

The music was great, but we weren't going anywhere in the spirit so I asked Holy Spirit what to do.  He said, "Dance."

"Right." I thought and I didn't, because I didn't have the foggiest idea of how to start. I was holding a flag and waving it around a bit, but that's a far cry from dancing.

Well, the next song started and we still weren't going anywhere.  The Heavens felt like brass so I asked Holy Spirit what was up and He said again, "Dance!"

I thought to myself, "Okay but You have to show me how."  I took one step to my right and all of a sudden I was waltzing around the front.  The people moved out of the way and I was holding/waving my flag and singing a beautiful harmony in tongues. But the most important thing was that I felt a 'boom' in the Spirit as the Heavens opened up.  Breakthrough!  That's what I was longing for.  Then the tears were streaming down my face and I was whirling around, dancing with my Lover and I couldn't care less what the people were thinking.  It was just me and Jesus and Holy Spirit was teaching me how to move and flow in the Spirit. I felt like I was dancing on air.

The rest of the service was good, but nothing can compare to the joy that Holy Spirit gives when He's happy with you.  When He says, "Thank you!"  every fiber of your being knows it!

So let me encourage you to be a fool for the Lord.  Be the change you want to see.  It shouldn't be just at conferences,  that you see spiritually hungry Christians.  I have asked the Lord to keep me hungry!

It always pays to obey Holy Spirit's promptings, even when they don't make sense to your natural mind.  As we honor Holy Spirit by obeying Him, He helps us to bless the Father's heart.  Since we can never out give Father God, He responds by pouring out more healing, more glory, more deliverance in waves and the whole crowd gets touched around us too.

That's Heaven on Earth folks.  That's what I have experienced when I've been in the Spirit.  There is so much love in Heaven and all the people use what they've got to help and bless others.  There is no fear of loss there because Father gives us more and more of whatever we have been giving out.

I want Heaven here too.  I really think that if some of us keep pressing in, we are going to open up an even bigger oasis of Heaven on Earth and the glory waves will flow out and touch our nation and the nations of the world.

Let Your Kingdom come more Lord Jesus and May Your will, not ours get done today in our lives, in Jesus' name we ask. Amen!

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