Keeper of the Flame

Over a year ago we had a preacher  come to our church and talk about revival.  He had been a part of the Brownsville revival and had some great stories that he shared.  He mentioned how many ministries were birthed out of the revival and then said something that I couldn't forget.  He talked about how in all the business and people going out and spreading the revival that there needs to be a keeper of the flame.  

I started wondering about what it meant to be a keeper of the flame and I felt Holy Spirit nudging me to dig a little deeper.   I had never heard of this term before so I started to ask the Lord what it meant.   What Holy Spirit kept saying is that  he needs a prayer warrior to protect and keep the flame burning.

Charles Finney had an intercessor who used to go ahead of him to prepare the town or city for a visitation of God.  Maria Woodsworth-Etter had prayer warriors who linked up with her to help bring the revival fire to the places God called her to.  Smith Wigglesworth  had a precious daughter who supported him in prayer mightily.  

Through out history we see intercessors-- those who stand in the gap between God and man, joining up with revivalists to bring God's purposes to pass in the earth.

I felt Holy Spirit asking us if we would sign up to be  "Keepers of the Flame", for a season.  I believe there are many that are feeling the call to intercede for the Great Awakening that God wants to bring to North America.  

It has not been hard either.  If you can worship the King and pray kingdom prayers you are doing it already.  So let's keep praying the Lord's prayer over our land and our nation.  Let's worship the King in spirit and in truth and watch to see what He wants to say to us. ( Matt. 6:9-15, 2Chron. 7:14-16,  John 4:23) There is great grace upon those who sign up to be used in God's army.

Like I read somewhere,  "The History books will be kind to us because we intend to write them."  Let's keep that quote in mind as we go about our business with a song and a prayer on our hearts.

I keep hearing that, the king is enthralled with our beauty. (Psalm 45:11)  Ha!  That's worth something... to think that the King of Kings desires our beauty.  Amazing and very humbling at the same time.  Let's be like Esther and go through all the beauty preparations that are available! (ref. Esther 2:12)

I bless you as you go today.  May you bless the Father's heart with your songs and prayers today.   May you hear his, "Well done!" as you seize the moments to advance the kingdom of God. Amen!

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Seeking Him With Prayer And Fasting

Hi there.  If there ever was a time to seek the Lord it's now.  2011 is almost over and we still haven't had the breakthrough that was prophesied at the beginning of the year.

I started fasting a meal a day when my girlfriend got sick and it really helped me get answers quickly. I know it might seem hard for you to give up a meal but the rewards are so worth it.

Ruth Ward Heflin teaches that fasting is a fast way to touch the heart of God.  Also she teaches that fasting speeds up the christian growth of a believer.  What might take years in regular studying and seeking God can be accelerated very quickly with the aid of fasting. (ref. Golden Glory  pg. 262)

There's no doubt about it, fasting disciplines your flesh and reminds your 'old man' who is boss.  It is one of the fastest ways I know to walk in the Spirit of God.  Things of the spirit flow so easily when you fast. I get words of knowledge for everybody I walk by when I'm in seasons of fasting and I can walk into a room and know what the ruling spirits are and their assignments. I walk by people and know what's wrong in their bodies.  It's really amazing how much more sensitive we become to things in the spirit when we fast.

Isaiah 58 speaks about the rewards of fasting.  It says that we will repair the breach and restore the foundations that have crumbled.   Does anybody in your family need help?  How about in your community?  Anybody lost their way?   Fasting combined with prayer and seeking Jesus will benefit everybody you touch and influence!

Did you know that before the great healing movement in the late 1940's there was a preacher that was greatly anointed to teach on fasting?  Franklin Hall went around from city to city and taught churches and leaders how to fast and pray and the great benefits of fasting.  This is what led to the great healing movement in the late 1940's.   And as a result an old key that had been lost was restored to the church-- healing. (ref. Golden Glory pg. 260)

I  have a great book on Prayer and Fasting by Mahesh Chavda titled, "The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting."  Did you know that Jesus taught that some spirits won't come out without prayer and fasting?  It's true.  (ref. Mark 9:29, Matt. 17:21)

Finally, EVERY revival has been birthed by prayer and fasting.  That's enough proof for me.

I am off to my bedroom again. I have got my notebook, pens, voice recorder, Bible, reference books and cd player with music... oh and a hot tea.  It's time to seek God/Jesus/Holy Spirit for breakthroughs-- personally and corporately.

Lord, I ask that the grace you have given me to fast and pray you would impart to the person reading this.  Show them how much  benefit prayer and fasting can be to their lives.   Amen!

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Turtle Dream

A few years ago I had a dream that bothered me for quite a while.   God's turned it into a testimony so I will share it with you.

I was breathless from running, trying to get away from the turtle men chasing me and throwing knives at me.  What was going on?  Why did they want me so bad? I couldn't understand. I hadn't done anything wrong.


From a  corridor I ran into a large room, but with no doors or windows that I could see.  The only fixture I could see was a large fireplace with bricks going up to the ceiling.


I didn't know where to go!  I saw that a couple of the bricks were sticking out and there was an opening in the brick wall much further up so I scrambled up the side, on top of the mantle and dodged the knives that were being thrown at me.


For some reason the turtle men didn't want to climb the fireplace. They kept trying to kill me with their knife throwing so I squeezed into the air passageway and slithered down it.  All of a sudden a wasp's nest erupted around me and started stinging me.  I couldn't get away fast enough!  Stinging pain all over my body as I swatted them away and tried to keep going.

I woke up hyperventilating, tears streaming down my cheeks.  I couldn't go back to sleep for a while then, when I did, I had the same dream over again, from a slightly different viewpoint.  I couldn't get past the dream.

I did what little dream analysis I knew about and searched the internet for more answers.  I could never find out what turtle men represented.  I figured out that the knives were an attack and that I was running away.  The wasp nest was the stings from all the people's curses.

The big room with the fireplace was symbolic of the open spot I had. What's significant is the fire place.  I had to step on the mantle to get away from these turtle men and yet they didn't want to climb it! I believe that's because the mantle was my mantle and it wouldn't work for anyone else.

I just found out what the turtle men represented thanks to a cd by Charlie Robinson.  In it he talks about the turtle spirit  and how it causes everything to slow down so that you can't make any forward motion of any kind, whether in thought, speech or action towards your destiny.

I had this dream years ago, weeks after I was cut from a street preaching organization.   I wasn't getting any results with their canned, legalistic script and I couldn't memorize the leader's funny stories to save my life. I really did try to memorize one of them but when I got onto the streets I forgot it all and had to preach what the Lord gave me.

What was working for me was calling out words of knowledge and praying for the sick intertwined with the Good News of the Gospel.  I had hundreds of people watching when I went to go pray for a man in a wheel chair.  I wasn't even paying attention to the people watching.  My heart lurched in compassion and I had to go minister to him.  It wasn't until  I said good bye to him that I noticed that the whole street and lunch crowd were watching me.

I never felt more alive than when I was out on the streets, telling people about God's great love for them, and giving out words of knowledge and prophesy and healing the sick.  Sure it was scary at times, but I knew I was born for this.  It was really interesting to me to realize how my message would change slightly, depending if I was in front of the Dept. of Justice or in front of the CBC building or at the Ottawa University.  God knew what these people needed to hear and I relied on him totally.

That's why it hurt so much when I was dismissed. I was crying out to the Lord for help.  I couldn't find anyone that would go with me. I just needed one person to go with me as a witness in case of trouble and I couldn't find even that one person.

Now that I know what the turtle men represent, which was everything possible to slow me down from discovering my destiny,  I have been seeking the Lord for what to do, to get back on track. Thank God he always has a back up plan.  That should give all of us reason to rejoice!

You know I am not that far off track according to the Lord.  I am now in a church where I am encouraged to grow in my ministry gifts and I get to practice every week.  Instead of street preaching I am giving out a lot of encouraging words and praying for people for healing and deliverance. It's working!  The Kingdom is being spread every where I go.  The world is my ministry ground and God is touching people everywhere. 

I am here to tell you that it does not matter what the enemy throws at you, if you won't quit God will bring you through it and he will turn it to good.  It's amazing but true. I am living proof of this.  He does cause all things to work together for your good, for those who love the Lord. (ref. Rom. 8:37)

So don't quit!  Better days are ahead of you. "Rejoice not against me oh my enemies, for though I have fallen, yet shall I arise!" (ref. Micah 7:8)

Let's pray. "Lord we claim your victories in our lives. Show us how to beat every scheme of the enemy and thank you for your power to work all the circumstances in our lives to our good. You are amazing and we worship you and give you all the glory for what you are doing in our lives today. Thank You Lord for giving us eyes to see your kingdom, ears to hear your gentle voice and teachable hearts to treasure and obey your words to us. In Jesus' name we ask. Amen!
I bless you as you go today!

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson
(photo courtesy of photobucket.com)

Spirit and Truth

God is not looking for those who are fighting like there is no tomorrow.  The Bible says that he is looking for those who will worship him in spirit and in truth. (ref. John 4:24)

So the next time you think you are getting God's attention by warring till you are tired... stand and rest with the promises you have spoken in the air waves around you and worship the Lord.

That is the real warfare!   We labor to enter into his rest. (Heb. 4:10) We fight through our attitudes and hurts to focus on Him... as we praise him by choice -- by faith we are exalting him-- not our issues. After all, he is the only one that can change us and our situations.

That's the heart of praise and worship-- Him, not you.   When we have a problem praising him or worshiping him it's because the focus is on us-- not on Him.

Thank You Lord for help to lay down all the stuff and problems that get in the way of our devotion to you.  Thank You Lord for prompting us with a song to sing as we work today and let us bless your heart today.  Let us be your hands and feet in the world today and please flow through us for your glory.  Thank You Lord that we have your love shed abroad in our hearts and that we have sound minds that are not full of fear.  (ref. Rom. 5:5,  2Tim. 1:7) Amen!

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Confessions for a Hospital Patient

Often when you are in the hospital, the drugs they give you make it difficult to focus on the Bible or to do any type of study.  Here are some thankful confessions that I typed up to give the people I visit in the hospital. They are full of God's word and any believer can read them over the patient and both people will get blessed.   There is power in agreement and we must always remember that healing starts in our spirits, so we want to keep our spirits strong by speaking the Bible's promises over ourselves.

As we meditate on God's promises  all of a sudden they become a rhema or living word that is our sword of the spirit to use. (2 Cor. 10:3-5)

Also,  you believe what you say over yourself more than you believe what others say... so it's very powerful to speak supernatural words over yourself.   Every Bible promise has supernatural power in itself to bring it to pass in any believer's life, if they'll work it by speaking it and claiming it.   This  is one of the big keys to transforming  your mind and any situation you face. (2Pet. 1:3-4, Rom. 12:2)

Finally, the reason I always start the confessions with "Thank You Jesus or Lord" is that thankfulness is one of the portals to God's presence and glory.  It is often hard to play praise and worship music in the hospital-- but you can always be thankful!

Anyhow.... enjoy them and feel free to print them off to help someone else! Please hit the share button if you like this article!
Blessings,
Brenda Gale Thompson
(Photo courtesy of photobucket.com)

_Thank you Lord that you sent your word and healed us and delivered us from all our destruction's.(Psalm 107:20)
-Thank You For so many angels protecting us this day. Thank You Lord that Your angels are lifting us up in their hands so we won't get hurt. (Psalm 91:11-12)
-Thank You Lord that God’s angels are listening to us speaking your words and they are getting all their testimonies today! (ref. Psalm 103:20)
-Thank You Lord that  Pain goes in Jesus’ name and healing flows now.  (1 Pet 2:24)
We decree that the trouble or affliction may not come back, in Jesus’ name. (Nahum 1:9)  No more delay!  (Rev. 10:6)

-PTL, we can beat every temptation with God’s word and Holy Spirit. Praise God we’re now aware of the triggers.  You promised Lord that we would not be unaware of the devil’s schemes and we claim your revelations now. (2Cor. 2:11)
-Thank you Lord that every soul tie that allows the devil access to me has been broken, in Jesus’ name.
-Thank You Lord that every ordinance or legal argument that the devil has against us to attack us has been blotted out by the blood of Jesus.  We claim bloodline cleansing on our mom and dad's bloodline in Jesus name all the way back to Adam and Eve.  Hallelujah!  (ref. Col. 2:15)

Thank You Lord that the blood of Jesus is over me, spirit soul and body-- protecting and renewing me. We shout covenant!  Jesus took all our curses and gave us all his blessings! Hallelujah! (Gal. 3:13-14)

-Thank You Lord that we are teachable and that you are wakening us every morning to hear clearly. (Is. 50:4-5)  Thank You Lord that we repent quickly when you show us something so we can live in constant liberty and healing!
Thank you Lord that  turmoil and confusion go now! We do have the mind of Christ now!
Thank you Jesus that  we have great memories and we build ourselves up in our most holy faith by praying in other tongues!  (Jude 23)

Thank You Jesus that we are beautiful, smart, witty and wise  and full of self-control. PTL!
Thank you Jesus that we have supporters around us forever. PTL! We can’t fail for winning or lose for succeeding. Hallelujah!
Thank You Lord that never once did we walk alone. Never once did you leave us!
You have been with us through it all, even carrying us when we didn’t think we could go on. 
-Thank You for carrying us Lord. Thank You for such great love. Thank You for all the support you’ve given us. Thank You for dear friends and loved ones that care so much.

-Thank You for sunshine and rain and that we will fulfill all the plans you have for us. Thank You Lord for arming us with Your strength and power today!  (2Sam. 22:33) Thank You Lord for your grace that is so powerful. Thank You for...

-Thank You Lord that we have God’s help to do all these tasks You have prepared for us to do.
-Thank you Lord that we are stronger than we realize!  Holy Spirit is constantly adding to us.
Thank You Lord that we have favor with God, Favor with all leaders and favor with all people!

-Thank You Lord that by your stripes we were healed and my your wounds we were cleansed. (1Pet. 2:24, Is. 53:3-5)
-Thank You Lord Jesus that Your Grace is Enough for Us.  It’s not about what we can do.  Hallelujah!
-Thank You Lord  that we believe we receive all the good things you have for us... now, not later! (Matt. 21:22)
-Thank You Lord that all our days are ordained by you and written in your book. (Ps. 139:16)  The devil does not call the shots. God does. We break off every diagnosis that’s become a curse to us and exalt your truth in our situation. Your truth changes things. (ref. 2Cor. 4:18)

-Thank You Lord that we always overcome through Your power, (Holy Spirit) and we spread everywhere the fragrance of you. (2 Cor. 2: 14) 
-Thank You Lord that we have the mind of Christ. (1Cor. 2:16)
Thank You Lord that the Heavens are open over us and that we are seated with you in Heavenly places. (Matt. 3:16, Eph. 2:6)
-Thank You Lord that we have bound the strongmen and the angels are bringing back all the stuff they stole; healing, provision, wisdom, breakthroughs, ministry, etc., etc. (Matt. 12:29, Ps. 149:8-9)

Thank You Lord that we do lay down in peace and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make us dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)
-Thank You Lord that, “No weapon forged against us will prevail, and we will refute every tongue that accuses us. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” (Is. 54:17)

-Thank You Lord that we have a clear mind and we easily receive from Holy Spirit.  We command turmoil and confusion to go now!  Side effects from all drugs and pain killers go now!  (ref. Mark 16:18)
-Thank You Lord that the peace of Christ rules, guards and reigns in our hearts, now! (Phil. 4:7)

-Thank You Jesus that we have  supernaturally expanded minds and we build ourselves up in our most holy faith by praying in other tongues!  (Jude 23)
-Thank You Lord that we practice your love and it flushes out and casts out all fear. (1John 4:18)
 Thank You Lord that we live/walk by faith and not by symptoms or feelings. (ref. 2Cor. 5:7)
-Thank You Lord that we call those things that be not as though they were. (Rom 4:17)
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Life is not Fair!

Life is not fair!  There's just no way around it.  I can't find a verse to say that I'm justified in demanding justice from people.

We want to retaliate, to make them pay and that can be a problem if we focus on the wrong issue.  We don't fight flesh and blood. We fight spiritual wickedness in heavenly places. (Eph. 6:10-18)

Yup.....  that person that hurt you was a pawn in the enemy's hand.  

We don't want to play into the enemy's hand by retaliating and hurting them back. We want to give it over to a higher court and let the true judge look after our situation. (ref. James 4:11-12)  This is what forgiveness is. He has promised to repay.

The best thing we can do is bless them with a revelation of Jesus' love and that they would fulfill their God given destiny.   Not fair!  I know... but no matter what they did, they don't deserve hell.   Hell was not designed for people.  It's a jail for all the wicked spirits that rebelled against God.

Forgiving  people works and the price for unforgiveness is too high. (ref. Matt. 18: 21-35) We forgive and bless so that we are like Jesus, who didn't trade insult for insult. (ref. Luke 6:22-23) We do it "without complaining or grumbling so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." (Phil 2:14-15)  That's a good reward for not complaining and grumbling.

Let's keep working on it.   It gets easier and easier as we  practice.   God's glory will be released on us in greater measure because we chose to react the way Jesus did.  He lived a life of love and we can too. (ref. Eph. 5:2)   We choose to put away all evil speaking and malice and we choose to be kind to others, tender hearted, forgiving everyone even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven us. (ref. Eph. 4:31-32)

I bless you today. May you have his joy in your journey with him and may you hear his well done today. Amen!

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

The Glory is Available Now!

Did you know that God has given us all things already? "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:" (2Pet. 1:2-3)    That means that the glory has been given to us already.

Is 60:1-2 says that the glory of the Lord has risen upon us.  I know so many people that know this verse, but it's almost like they don't expect it to manifest in their lives till some far off day.   I am hear to tell you that it's yours now!  Don't put God off.   Heaven is a place where we will spend eternity, the glory is the manifest presence of God in the earth now.

I am claiming it now too.  "Thank you Jesus that your glory is seen on me now.  Thank You Lord that your glory flows through my hands today.  Thank You Lord that your glory manifests in my life today."

God has promised to meet all our needs according to his riches in glory so that's even more reason to want the glory of God in our lives. (Phil. 4:19)

Time in your secret place with God is the way to grow in God's presence and glory.   I always bring some music, my song recorder, my Bible, notebook and pens and a tea or drink.  I try to hide in my bedroom but sometimes if my hubby is sleeping I just sit in my kitchen.  Then I ask Holy Spirit to lead and guide me.

Every time it's a little bit different.  I use Psalm 100 as a baseline.... where we enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.  I make sure to repent where Holy Spirit leads and make amends as he asks and I wash in the word of God figuratively speaking.  (The fastest way to change is to get a promise from the word of God to help you reprogram your mind to react differently to the stimuli.)

You know I have gone back to look at old journals and the notes I have made in the secret place are still full of glory (anointing). I don't understand how but I can feel Holy Spirit all over me as I read them.

I try to spend time in my secret place every day.  I heard that one lady has had the glory so thick that gold dust has fallen in her home.   Amazing eh?  I  want more of God, which ever way he wants to show up is fine with me.

I have noticed that when I get too busy and don't spend time in my secret place that the glory level decreases... so I am trying to be more consistent.   A famous Christian once said that "In consistency lies the power."  There's lots of truth in that saying.

Prayer and fasting as Holy Spirit leads helps me to draw near and hear more clearly too, especially if there has been a lot of warfare going on. That's another tool to put in your tool belt.

People have told me that they can feel burning when I put a hand on them so I think it's working. PTL!

Let me pray for you now:  "Lord we want more of you.  Hear our heart's cry and help us to make time for you in our daily lives.  We choose to die to so many other good things to pursue the best... You.  Help us to hear your voice more clearly and love you more dearly, day by day. Thank you for our angels and we loose them now to help us in every way. We ask all this in Jesus' precious name, Amen!"

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson