Monday, May 31, 2010

Out of Words?



I think it's awesome that when I run out of words God always has something to say. When I don't know what to say to somebody, I ask the Lord for an encouraging word for them. My girlfriend, an amazingly detailed prophetess started out this way. It's legit too. The Bible even says that we are to desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophesy. (1Cor. 14:1)

Sometimes people get one word and as they speak it to the person the river starts flowing and they get a lot more words. Most intercessors get a word or a picture and as they ask the Lord questions about it the revelation unfolds.

It's a very exciting life. The more you practice the more you will grow in the gifts.

The Bible says that, "A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men."(Prov. 18:6) Amen. Russ Moyer, a visiting prophet, said something that caught my attention... "If we don't use our gift(s) we are shutting the doors to our future ourselves." Ouch! That's something to think about.

I recently heard that fear of reproach or retaliation has kept many people silent at work. I believe it because it has happened to me. As soon as you give in to fear once, it gets harder and harder to witness at work.

The Lord on the other hand has promised that He will be with you. "He'll never leave you or forsake you. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me." Also, "He's not given you a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind/self control. ( Heb. 13:5-6, 2Tim 1:8)

Therefore, let us resist fear and speak those encouraging words to others that will bless them and get them back on track with God's plan for their lives.

It's easier than you might think. I make sure I am walking with the Lord and that my heart is right. Then I double check to make sure that His love is shed abroad in my heart by Holy Spirit. (Rom 5:5) I don't want any fleshy attitudes or preconceived ideas influencing what I am hearing.

Then I ask, "Lord, What's up with them? or "What do you want me to say, Lord? or "Give me an encouraging word for them, Lord." And I tell them what I get right away. Don't make the mistake of walking away and telling yourself you'll do it later. Procrastination is not from God!

Also, I don't speak 'Christianese' to people. Non Christians don't understand it most of the time, anyhow.

You can say, "I see kindness in you." If they are receptive ask the Lord for more.
Sometimes I have said, "I was praying and God gave me three words for you. Do you want to know what they are?" Sometimes, I have even forgotten to ask them if they want to know what I've heard! There's grace and mercy to cover mistakes.

Everybody, everywhere is hungry for encouragement and affirmation. Especially practice on your family and friends... just make sure you don't have preconceived ideas or judgments that will skew your hearing God's voice.

Use Phil 4:8 as a guide line for what is acceptable to say. "Whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think(speak) on these things."

If you get something negative or awful, don't tell them --that's a word of knowledge for you. Ask the Lord what you can say that will cut that thing out of their lives and turn them around.

Have fun! Your faith is alive because you are a doer of the word and not just a hearer.(James 2:17-22) You are blessed and highly favored by the greatest King of all... JESUS! I bless you with great boldness and confidence in Holy Spirit. (Prov. 28:1)

Friday, May 28, 2010

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!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Pentecost and Multitudes

Today is the day that all Israelis are celebrating. Most Christians around the world will be celebrating this Sunday.

Holy Spirit come more into our lives! That's the cry of our hearts. Isaiah 66 verse one says that "Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool, where is the house that you build to me? and where is the place of my rest?"

Me! I will be a place for Holy Spirit to rest. I'm praying that there are so many others too that are saying "Yes Lord, I will be a resting place for you."

Time to spend time pursuing Him has meant that I've had to lay down many other pursuits. There are so many good things that crowd out the best. I have to keep asking the Lord for grace because I was born a Martha type of person. I like to get things done. (reference Luke10:38-42)

The Bible says, "but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word." (Is. 66:2) Psalm 15 and 24 give us more detailed clues as to what Holy Spirit wants so that a visitation can become a habitation; pure heart, clean hands, no idols etc., etc.

The only way to possibly do this is to live conscious of Holy Spirit full time and that takes practice. The Lord told me one time, "It can be done beloved." There's grace to cover short comings as you grow in Him.

It gets easier as you rest in Holy Spirit. I decree my regular scriptures every morning, Ps:141:3, Is 54:17, Ps. 91 and I let Holy Spirit lead as to what else I am supposed to do during the day.

My biggest problem is business. I miss so many opportunities to minister because I get busy grocery shopping, or I am rushing to get somewhere. I must make more time in my schedule for the Lord which translates in less time to do other things. Sigh. Thank God for more grace!

The most important thing to do is start. Keep asking Holy Spirit for more. Keep asking Him questions about what you should do as you journey with Him. He will let you know what to work on first.

It's worth it! I keep seeing Jesus and He's showing me the view over a cliff. As far as the eye can see there are multitudes of people. They are all cheering and ecstatic!
He's so happy... He's let me in on His joy and I am addicted.

So I press on to "...know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death; If by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this to you. (Phil.3:10-15)

Notice in verse 15 that it says "as many as be perfect." That means that God counts us as perfect now, a head of time, because we are trying. We do not have to be perfect to have Holy Spirit's manifest presence with us All the time. Hallelujah!
We have the second promise in that verse that if our hearts aren't perfect, Holy Spirit will reveal it to us. Praise the Lord! That takes away all human striving. We can relax with the Lord and trust His guidance and wisdom.

Let me bless you before you go. Lord, I ask that you would bless the person reading this. Show them your heart's desire for them. Reveal Yourself in a fresh way to them, in Jesus' name I ask. Amen.
Bless you bunches!
Brenda Gale

Monday, May 3, 2010

Breakthrough!



I got a desperate call today from a friend going through some huge warfare. She has been ministering a lot of deliverance to people and the devil's mad. I am glad for all the people that she is ministering too but I don't like to see a friend beaten down.

I am going to give you the best solution I know for anyone going through warfare. I have tested so many things over the last 25 years as a prophetic intercessor and a street preacher and this works.

You can shout, claim and decree all you want and most times you will break through. But when the going gets tough and the normal stuff is not working, this always works for me.

I ask the Lord for a song to sing to Him. I choose to forget about my problems and I offer up the sacrifice of praise.(Hebrews 13:15) The first song that comes to my mind I sing to Him. Only for Him, with no instruments or music. Usually by the second or third song I am marching, clapping or dancing around my kitchen. If there is any situation that comes to mind that needs cleansing, I repent, plead the blood of Jesus over me and KEEP SINGING!

By the fifth song, I am usually singing a new song that the Lord gives to me.
If it's not a prophetic song then He will gives me a prophetic word, a knowing of what to do or say, or sometimes He wants to waltz for a bit. He leads and I follow. When He says stop--I stop. When He says write-- I write. When He asks me what do I see, I tell him what I am seeing in the Spirit and He helps me clarify the vision.

There are times when it takes me 5 songs to breakthrough and times it takes me 20 songs to breakthrough, depending on the day etc. However, I have to emphasize that when the devil knows I won't quit--I ALWAYS Breakthrough... always. It will be the same for you.

When God's manifest presence shows up the enemy disappears. LOL! Sometimes God shows up like a heavy, comforting blanket, sometimes He's the mighty warrior, sometimes He's the all knowing seer who has read your mail and still loves you. I love all the different ways He comes.

Why does Praise always work? Because God won't let us out give Him. He is the greatest giver of them all, bar none!

Also, He is always seeking worshipers who are worshiping Him in Spirit and in truth. (John 4:23) As you sing the song Holy Spirit prompts you with, you are blessing Him, acknowledging His greatness and your need of Him. No good Daddy can resist the gift of His child, how much less Father God?

In addition, when we praise Him, we are not saying that the problem does not exist, we are just going for the quickest solution available. Nobody messes with our Dad!

In conclusion, I exhort you to give this praise idea a try. Ask the Lord for a song to sing to Him. You do not have to be a singer to do this. God has amazing ears. It's like He doesn't hear the mistakes. I'm all choked up and hoarse and He's loving it. Go figure!

So, how about we pray for a minute? I want to bless you.

"Lord I ask that you would bless the precious person reading this article. And I ask that You would protect their times with You Lord. May they be so rich and fulfilling that they never forget them. Show them how to get breakthroughs even greater than I have gotten. Show them how to live in Your manifest presence, day by day. In Jesus' name I ask. Amen."

You are blessed and Highly favored by the greatest King of all!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Monday, April 26, 2010

Same Spirit (part 2)




This is a continuation of sorts of the last article "Same Spirit (part 1)"

"Resurrection power in us. (Rom 8:11) What does it mean to us?" What does it mean to my mind, my health, my future?

Rom. 8:11 Same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you....

Rev. 1:6 and Rev. 5:10 We are kings and priests already.

Rom 5: 17,19, 21. We are to rule and reign with Him. What does that mean in our daily lives? How do we rule over our situations?

Well, much like we received salvation by believing in our hearts and confessing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, we believe the promise(s) from God and confess it with our mouth and it's ours.

This believing and confessing is the cornerstone of our faith. This is how we get well, how we get delivered, how we get direction--everything.
If I have believed and prayed and don't see the answers I ask the Lord if
a) I am to give thanks
b) see if there's an underlying issue that needs to be fixed first
c) Is it okay to ask for this now (especially material goods)
d) if I am to rest.

Sometimes you get the answer right away and sometimes it takes a while. That is when thanks giving and rest are vital.
For example, I prayed for years that my husband would get saved, almost by rote. Then one day it dawned on me to ask the Lord if there was something else I could do. He said, "I heard you the first time. Just keep thanking me that he is saved already."

So from then on, whenever troubling situations would arise I would just say out loud,"Thanks Lord that he is saved already. I leave the timing up to You Lord." That gave me such peace.

He got saved in a couple of months! After praying for years and years thanksgiving and rest were really the answer.

Matt. 10:1-10 Freely you have received, freely give. The Lord is delighted when we give to others what we have received. Love, comfort, peace and encouragement are things we can always give to others. It will make the Lord's heart glad and that's all the motivation I need!

Ps. 136. Mercy. Such mercy. Focus on God's mercy and love for those around you. Ask the Lord to use you everyday. Believe His word that He is living inside of you, that you are His ambassador, right here, right now. His mercy triumphs over all judgment.

John 14: 26 The helper will come along side and help. Amen! This is when life gets exciting! There's nothing like the joy Holy Spirit gives you when someone gets helped through your obedience. It's a high better than any high in the world.

Acts. 4:33 Holy Spirit Testified with them. He'll do the same for us. Sometimes you don't get the feelings and that's okay. We walk by faith and not by sight. (2Cor. 5:7) We can know that God is faithful, He cannot lie, He doesn't change and He's exalted His word above all His name. (1Cor. 1:9, Tit. 1:2, Mal. 3:6, Ps. 138:2) He's forever faithful and He will testify to our words and actions done with love in obedience to Holy Spirit's nudging. (Ps. 146:6, Acts 4:33)

How to step out of the boat.
Faith and boldness.
Ps. 138 and PRov. 28:1 "The righteous are as bold as a lion."
You need both faith and boldness to step out of the boat. "Faith without deeds is dead" so I always ask the Lord to let His compassion compel me to go outside my comfort zone or boat. LOL. (James 2:26) God will use any opening we give Him! It has been such a blessing! All those fresh testimonies keep my faith stoked and people realize that the God I serve is alive and that He loves them.

If you have never done this before then start like I did: I started speaking the word over myself like this...
"Thank You Lord that I am your ambassador today.(2Cor. 5:20) Thank You Lord that your miracle working power is flowing through me now. Thank You Lord that all the gifts of Holy Spirit are operational in me now because I have Holy Spirit in me. (1Cor 12:4,11) Thank You Lord for shedding your love abroad in my heart right now, by Holy Spirit. (Rom 5:5)

So go have fun! Live this Christian live on purpose and watch what God will do.
I bless you in the name of Jesus. I ask You Lord to make these promises alive to my sister and to show her how to make them hers. Protect her from all backlash and retaliation of the enemy as she becomes your handmaiden to a lost and weary world. Amen!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Same Spirit (part 1)



The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you! (Romans 8:11)

I know we've heard it before but it bears repeating. "The same Spirit that raised Jesus up from the grave dwells in you." (Rom. 8:11 my paraphrase)

I am convinced that we don't understand all that this verse implies.
In 1 John 4:17 we read that "...as Jesus is, so are we in this world."

If resurrection power, earth shattering, devil stomping power resides in me, in my spirit what am I doing with it?

What am I speaking to my situations? Am I exercising authority over them? Ouch... I wish I could say I was but sometimes it's hard to recognize the fight, because we've put up with failure so long.

Therefore I am asking the Lord to help me wise up to what's going on around me.

His power is the greatest thing around so I have got get better at releasing it into my situations. How you ask? The same way the disciples did. They were told to wait to be endued with power so they did and God came through. The result was Pentecost! They didn't just wait that one time either. Throughout the book of Acts it mentions how they prayed and asked for even more power! (Acts 4:29-33) What a thought! (I'm not doing even a tenth of what those disciples did!)

They spent time every day in prayer, seeking God. They also spoke what God told them to. They spoke words of authority like, "Stand up and walk."... commanding words that were not to be argued with. They had a revelation of who they were.

I don't know about you, but I never got anywhere begging God. The bible says that "He is waiting on us to make His enemies His footstool." (Heb. 10:13)

It would be very unkind to expect us to do something without giving us the tools to do it and since God is such a good Daddy, I know He's put the tools where we can reach them. He's not far from us. He's patient with us, not wanting any to perish. He wants us to get this.

The Bible contains more tools than I will ever need. So I am going to ask Him to reveal them to me day by day.

Let's pray.
Lord help me to make time to listen to You every day. Show me how to make you first in my life. Thank You Jesus for protecting my time with You. Help me to hear and trust Your voice. Thank You for leading me into Your word. Thank You for wisdom and revelation from the Bible. Thank You Lord Jesus for showing me what to speak over my life and circumstances. I thank you in advance for the answers you are giving me Lord. Amen!