For the Glory, the Majesty and the Grace of God we pray for our Nation, our armed forces world wide and their families.  We must also pray for those in leadership, even when we don't agree with them, as the Bible directs that we should do.

Jesus changed the world with forgiveness, and when we forgive our Leaders, and pray God's will into their lives, we are using heavenly power to change things.  My understanding of Agape Love (Greek word for love in the Bible) is that it means wanting the best for everyone.  Of course we want the best for all our leaders even when we adamantly disagree with their standards or behavior.

So I hope where ever you are, you will be wearing 'red, white and blue' this weekend…..that you have the opportunity to say the pledge of allegiance to the Flag, that you will sing patriotic songs and share with our young ones, love of country!

If we do not demonstrate to the youth, if we do not bring our patriotism into the church…..how will it grow, how will we prosper?

And, church is the perfect place……

Most of all we must not forget to thank God for all we have and bless Him for all He is doing!

My thanks to Him for all of you!

Carol

Pressing in and pressing on….

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."  Words of Jesus in Matthew 10:16. 

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."  John 13:34,35

"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and for beariance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth to thee to repentance?"  Romans 2:4

When we started years ago, we thought if we told people the Truth from the Bible they would change.  What a deep disappointment to find that only worked when first we loved the person (love-wanting the best for them) and encouraged them to know Jesus and the Holy Spirit and then sometimes we could share  info on 'sin' and see some change.  That only happened when the Holy Spirit worked in the situation.

I am so convinced we do not trust the Holy Spirit to do what He is so capable of doing in the will and desire of God's heart.  Because God looks for our faith–using our free will to pray for others. Tthen we need to step back and trust the Holy Spirit to work in the situation.

So we use our heart, as Jesus said, "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.  Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you."  Luke 6:27,28 

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12

Prayer is the answer, not judgment, condemnation, or confrontation, unless of course, it is truly led by the Holy Spirit.  If we love people into the Kingdom of God, into relationship with Jesus, and give them a Bible–then they can read for themselves what God says, directs and let the Holy Spirit convict them of truth. 

What good would it be to go to jail for a position that allows the media to brings more criticism to the church as a whole?  Unless of course the person wants an inside prison ministry.  I am not speaking of denying Jesus, I am talking only of adamantly defending one issue, refusing to give up  a right to be right without consideration of the cost….losing an ability to share the love of Jesus instead.

Prayer is a covert operation.  We won't tell anyone, just pray, set an example of respect and love, and the Holy Spirit will lead the army of heaven to move into those dark areas and set people free.  Not using our head (that tells us what is right and wrong right out of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil) but using  our heart (settled in the Tree of Life, the teachings of Jesus with mercy, love and grace) following Jesus example to take up our cross of forgiving and loving all men for Him, leading them to Him.

Pressing in and pressing on…..

To understand God there are a couple of keys we must have.  One, a decision to believe in the supernatural, to believe there is a God who created all things; two, a decision to believe the history of the Bible no matter how bazaar it seems. 

Whoops, there is one more key to comprehending the Truth….the very reason for celebrating Easter Sunday…..we must believe and accept the fact (YES, IT IS FACT), that Jesus died to give us forgiveness, reconciliation with the Heavenly Father, and was resurrected to give us abundant spiritual life.  It is very hard and maybe impossible to understand the true meaning of the Bible, Jesus and all it represents without accepting Jesus into our hearts, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us.

To enjoy the new 3-D movies we need special glasses.  To enjoy 'supernatural truth'  we need to accept Jesus as Lord, as Savior and receive Him!  Wow, 3-D glasses give you 3 or 4 hours of pleasure and the 'come as you are' party of Jesus is for eternity.

What a trip!!

I believe all LIFE. reflects God and His brilliant  creation.  I think Easter eggs,  chicks and bunnies represent the newest of life and spring coming forth.  I think Jesus would love Easter baskets and the joy children have at Easter…..He was resurrected to give abundant life.  Hopefully parents will bring Jesus into the picture as the Sheppard for the little sheep and explain Him more and more as children advance in age.  They understand the supernatural more than we do…..we learn to deny or question it with age and education….ugh! 

So we can decide by a decision of our free will to enjoy all that Jesus is, and was and will be; we can pray in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth; we can love and forgive our fellowman; and truly enjoy His presence in all of Easter.

And, of course enjoy some of those great movies….even though they are second class to the supernatural realm of our Lord!

Pressing in and pressing on….

For those of you who don't know…. Pat spoke of the pacts that the Haitian people made with the devil' years ago, speaking that the country has had many problems and is one of poorest in that area of the world.  He certainly (in my opinion) was not condemning the people who are there now, and he has spoken of his deep grief over this added tragedy to their country.

AND, his  MINISTRY, OPERATION BLESSING, was on the way to Haiti to help within 48 hours.

The Bible clearly speaks of curses, witchcraft, and occult activities.  I had heard this about Haiti years ago and knew some people who had lived there and spoke openly about prevelent witchcraft was.  Pat's heart (again in my opinion) is to reverse those curses and get these people blessed–and I definitely do not think he was blaming this earthquake on that….only the poverty of the country.

However, what if he was wrong?  What if he spoke unadvisedly?  What are we Christians doing condeming each other insead of defending each other, letting the Lord handle the person?  

In my judgment (ugh, there I go)….how much have any of those critics done in and for the Kingdom of God? 

Pat Robertson paid a great price for the ministry he is a part of…..they have helped people all over the world and have been responsible for millions coming to the Lord.  Doesn't that deserve our loyality  and support?

Why aren't we more forgiving?  And now I have to forgive, and repent for my judgment, as I am doing the same thing, being critical of what they are saying and 'spreading' to others.  When Jesus said, "FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO." He certainly knew our need and paid the price for our ability to turn from condemnation to grace, so let's do  that!

To everyone who enjoys the Christian faith in Jesus, OR NOT, please look at all the wonderful things Pat Robertson has done and will continue to do, because of his heart for God and for people every where.  Pat is not my idol, or on any 'pedastil', I just admire what he has accomplished,  and thank God that we have him and men like him.  We all make mistakes….God help us to be more tolerant of each other.

Most importantly please give financially to help Haiti where ever you feel led, pray for them, and trust that no matter how bad this is, and it is devastating and overwelming to even comprehend….but, God will bring some good out of it…..may Haiti be rebuilt better than ever, with what ever they have left, and the help of the world.

Pressing in and pressing on….

Lisa has written a new book,  NO MATTER WHAT, as she has an extraordinary testimony and is now a ‘Life Coach’.  I met Lisa briefly years ago at the meeting of a week long business forum.  She has achieved and overcome some of  life’s most difficult problems, and her work with youth is life changing.

So why are Christians collaborating with New Age and Quantum Physics Scientists on a DVD such as THE SECRET?  My friends and I were very convicted about our ’stinking thinking’ after watching it…..others warned you could pick up demons watching it.  My answer to that is, that number one I pray before watching or reading anything.  The Holy Spirit directed me away from the book by the same name (go figure?  That’ s why I ask Him).  Second I cover myself with the blood of Jesus  every day and trust that protection.   However, wanting to tell the whole truth, I wrote a book, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SECRET.   Knowledge without Jesus is like a ship without a rudder.

The Supernatural Is Super-Natural….

Wow, that is profound!  Ho Ho!   But my heart cries out as the Church needs to accept, acknowledge and realize the supernatural is more real than the physical.  When this physical is gone, and it will be, for each of us, the supernatural, the spirit realm will still be for eternity. 

Strong believers in ‘New Age’ believe in the spirit realm and get information and direction from ’spirits of light’.  My experience has been, in knowing many that they are good people…..kind, loving and wanting to change the world.  The enemy always duplicates what the Lord does, and he is very convincing when he uses good to enlist his followers into a life of building the ‘god within’…..not the God of the Universe.  

WOULD GOD USE THE NEW AGE TO WAKE US TO SOME OF HIS TRUTH?  HE used a donkey, so he just might.  These are not evil people, just deceived in one area, and pretty smart in other areas. 

Pastor Lance Wallnau, who spoke at our church a year ago, said, “THE SECRET belongs to us, we should take it and use it.”  THE SECRET….the Law of attraction….or in our language….AS A MAN THINKS IN HIS HEART SO IS HE, is only part of the path of life.  But certainly not one we want to ignore. 

The point of this Blog is not to endorse or discredit….but to suggest that we think, really think (Selah) about the supernatural.  Expect miracles from the Holy Spirit  in all areas of our life and adapt our life to the commandments of Jesus that we are prepared for those things we desire.   Not to run out and buy THE SECRET, but not to throw the baby out with the bath water. 

WE ARE THE BODY OF THE LIVING GOD and we should be  way ahead of the world in all areas.  Our KING has all power and authority in this world and HE extends that to us…..not to judge and condemn but to love others into the Kingdom and welcome them into eternity! 

 Holy Spirit, help us to see Your work in the world all around us, help us to see the supernatural in the physical world every time we watch a bird or a butterfly or a fish or a child at play.   I pray you lead us to wisdom and knowledge that we can use to bless and prosper ourselves and the the world!   Help us to know, experiencially know we are the King’s Kids.  Thank You!   In our JESUS……

Pressing in and pressing on……

There are so many issues that we disagree on…..in the Church….to sprinkle or dunk in baptism….are the ‘gifts’ or ‘tongues’ for today.  In politics, etc.  And one that comes to mind was an issue debated during the campaign.  When talking about abortion, our now President Obama, said, “If you believe life begins at conception, then we have nothing to talk about.” 

I was some what surprised because I think anyone who is  elected to the Presidency of our country must be intelligent and educated.   Then I realized I used to think the way he does…..well, not really….I didn’t think…..I just assumed that babies have life when they come into the world.  Then I met Jesus personally and I began to think about things like abortion and learned the scientific truth and the Biblical truth of life from the very beginning.

So what seems right to President Obama is a lack of knowledge of God’s ways and scientific facts about the growth and development of a fetus.  How many others lack that knowledge and how do we get the word, the understanding to them?  It actually seems ‘good’ to many not to bring in unwanted babies, and to others abortion is not an answer it is ‘death’ not life, and is evil.

To some who believe they are ‘gay’…..that it is a good lifestyle.  They feel it is ‘good’ that they have found someone to love and who loves them.  Others believe it is un-natural and evil.

I understand from the Bible, anything that is not faith is sin.   Boy, you put ‘good’ or ‘evil’ to that and you could sure be confused, because faith to one is different than faith to another.  And, P. S. to that,  God is not the author of confusion.

 Years ago, in an attempt to be more ‘holy’ I fasted and prayed for 8 days.  I was going for 40 days but only made it 8.  That night when I went to sleep I told the Lord He could have my ‘halo’ back, I just couldn’t cut it…..I gave up. Then next morning I felt the presence of Lord on me and I rushed into a quiet room and fell to my knees to hear, “You have never loved Me, you love what is right.”   Tears poured out of my heart in repentance and sadness.  I immediately knew what He meant.  I felt convicted, yet still loved…..repentant but forgiven.  My life was changed from that moment and I remember it clearly.

Jesus said, “They will know you by how you love one another.”  When our focus is on good and evil, we will strive to be right at any cost–we will judge without thinking, let alone any counsel from the Holy Spirit.  When our focus is loving, forgiving and ‘what will bring life’ to a situation,  we will get the help we need from the Holy Spirit.  There are times we will be called to stand for our faith and trust in Jesus….hopefully not at the expense of others.

Loving and helping people the way they are, not the way we want them, is the toughest thing in life.  We must lay down the fuse-lit-bombs of good and evil, and take up the artillery of mercy, grace and forgiveness…..and pray for those we don’t agree with…..especially those we don’t agree with! 

Pressing in and pressing on….

 I am sharing this because it is a great (yet, for me very uncomfortable) present day example of II Corinthians 12;7.  “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”

I have met many who think if they ignore the devil, he will leave them alone….so I want to be clear.  I definitely do not expect demonic interference nor do I dwell on the possible ‘fears’ of our life on this earth.  However, I spend my life seeking the heart of God, and building my faith in the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, and thanking Jesus for the authority and power He has delegated to us. (Matt 28; Mark 16; Luke 10:19)  Not only to teach the Kingdom of God on earth with our King Jesus but to fight the enemy when he attacks.   Am I ’super-saint’ …..happy horse feathers, no…..just like Paul saved from being one of worst of all sinners, and excited about the things of God and His work in all our lives.

If people ignore the demonic realm (God love them) I just don’t know what Bible they are reading as it is all there……especially John 10:10.

I had forgotten the amount of work and effort it takes to put on a seminar.  Without a team–and I am blessed with a great one–it could never happen.  The hosting Church was gracious and the accommodations super-duper, as the Pastor made sure all our needs were met–I am so impressed with the heart of that leader.

This is no different than a meeting, or special occasion, you may have or be planning.  It is a group effort and truly enjoyed as such.  My personal prayer partner, (we all need at least one) was invaluable, and a very special friend came from Los Angeles and covered every detail for me, so I could focus on the teaching.  Don’t we all need a ‘keeper’ at times–special friends and I am so blessed with many.

We gathered in a group ahead of time and prayed.  Just as we parted to take our ‘posts’ an excruciating pain hit my head, neck and shoulders.  I never, I mean, never have headaches.  I immediately fought the attack and asked others for help.  The day was a ‘roller-coaster’ of physical discomfort and pain.  When Paul writes in the scripture quoted above, ‘ thorn in the flesh to buffet me’   I could personally relate.  ‘Buffet’ means to hit with clenched fist, metaphorically to assault.

The MIRACLE in all of this, was, that I was able to teach for six hours, despite my physical condition.  The Holy Spirit is always with us….never leaves or forsakes us….and it was clear to me, He was working through me to express the revelation of His work and will, and I was just the vehicle. 

That scripture says, “ lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelation”  reveals the threat to the enemy and his evil work.  In other areas  of the Bible all the disciples encourage us to seek  boldness to speak the Word of God, etc. so it sure isn’t God worried about our ego being inflated…..but just the opposite…..the devil and his demons want to discourage, halt and bring discord, and confusion to our lives. 

We finished the day, giving Glory to God, and thanking Him for the breakthroughs that were experienced by many.  More on their stories later.  For me, the attack lasted almost three weeks.  Each day I got better.  Judy and other faithful friends prayed for me often.  I sought the Lord, like Paul, that it would depart from me.  We questioned how this could of happened?  With my focus on my presentation and direction of the Lord, did I forget to cover myself with the  Blood of Jesus ?  And I think I might have forgotten to do that–Something we should always do–for protection–especially when praying for others.  How could that happen?  The demonic world are experts in distraction.

Was it a physical attack because of a new ‘hair spray’ I used that morning? Maybe! Possibly an allergic reaction? That was a possibility.

We are so funny….it seems easier to ’see’ the physical, logical answers, rather than deal with the supernatural realm.  I am pretty good at this, but I still search for answers.  In the process of being healing I had several revelations that will serve me well in helping others.  I think it says, “God’s grace is sufficient….”   Many I have found, think that means God is saying,  ‘just grin and bear it’.  We get so wrapped up in our self-righteousness we think suffering is to our credit.  Hardly!

I didn’t take this laying down…..(excuse the pun) even though I spend a great deal of time in bed for the past two weeks….I continued to ’stand’ my ground on my belief in the power, willingness and love of God in Jesus to heal…..Acts 10:38 for all doubting Thomas-es.

One of the definitions of Grace is the the Empowering presence of God.  We want and expect healing to be immediate and that is a good thing…..a very good thing.   However, sometimes it is a process and the Empowering presence of God  will sustain us and lead us to victory. 

My total release from this attack sent by Satan came this week when I attended a two-day training class by the Bethel SOZO Healing Team.  First the Holy Spirit told me four or five times (sometimes I am a little dense) to attend.  Second, during the first session the leaders ask if anyone had been on a mission trip and felt they had come home with ’something’.

Since I don’t consider myself a ‘missionary’ I didn’t stand.  Until the Holy Spirit said very clearly, “STAND UP”!  Boy, I sure can be dense at times.  As I stood and they prayed I was ‘jolted’ from head to toe, top to bottom for several seconds and it was gone!  A strong confirmation from the Lord that it was a “messenager who had brought a thorn in the flesh” to buffet and discourage me from the truth of God’s Word and even more to give up sharing that truth when ever possible.

Did I get discouraged and feel hopeless?  You bet I did….and this certainly isn’t the first time.  I have wanted to give up (whatever that means), go a different way (whatever that means) and not trust God.  Those thoughts come from the enemy and are easily captured in our mind because pain is a great conditioner.

Many will say to me, ”Well, God will never give me more than I can bear.”  That is a mis-understanding of  I Corinthians 10:13, in my opinion.  In truth, God will not, but in reality the devil will.  He comes to ‘kill, rob and destroy’ (John 10:10) and he will if he can.  Miracles and healings are now more abundand than any time in history, since Jesus.  And, the good news is that if, the devil, his demons manage to take our life Jesus is standing at the door to receive us into His Heavenly Kingdom.  It is a win-win situation for those of us who love and follow our Jesus!  And, how foolish it would be not to fight the good fight of faith until our last breath!   That’s my plan I pray it is yours also!

Pressing in and pressing on….

Working and praying with people for 23 years I have learned that very few (myself included) have a real picture of who God is and His power and plan for life.  I have a passion for seeking answers and to know more and more. 

I offered the book because I did not want anyone to miss it because of ‘money’–especially those in the rest of the world.  At the time of Jesus death on the cross He said, “Forgive them Father, they know not what they do.”  How interesting that His Heart and the Heart of the Father are almost  summed up in that one sentence.  Well…..hardly!  Since God is beyond anything we can truly conceive.

But it represents the Heart to heal and restore relationship and open the doors to a Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.  If we learn true forgiveness, how to release ‘judgment’, to know the power of ‘repentance’ (that in the Greek means ‘to change the way we think’) it is a good foundation to build on for the rest of our life on this planet.

So if you have not taken advantage of accepting the free book, please do.  We will be taking it off the Blog on Tuesday, May 26th, following memorial day.  THAT IS JUST A LITTLE OVER A WEEK….I hope you won’t miss it.

I will be in the San Diego area doing a one day seminar on “SUPERNATURAL RULES OF ENGAGEMENT” on May 30th at Grace Community Church in San Marcos, California. 

Our publisher is working feverishly to have the book re-published and in print by that time.  The Seminar will cover just a small part of the book, and other topics the Lord has put on my heart to help people cope with today’s problems and challenges.  To sign up and receive more information just click on the page to the right of this message…..San Diego Meeting, May 30th Registration.

When Jesus left He said, “Go ye there fore, and teach all nations…..”  This is a wonderful time to be building the Kingdom of God, bringing His influence and forgiveness to the world.  When we set an example, influence others with the Love (wanting the best for everyone) of Jesus, the Holy Spirit will draw people in untold numbers into Eternity.   We have a precious privilege to be Ambassadors for Christ!

Pressing in and pressing on….

When we have a heart’s desire to build the Kingdom of God on earth–when we want everyone to have the opportunity to know Jesus personally–when we love people and want the best for them–just what do we do?

When we state what we believe and stand our ground, too often it comes across as judgment.  In other words, we are right and you are wrong, scenario.  But does that really bring Life?  Can the Truth flourish in an atmosphere of condemnation?  My Bible says, “It is the goodness of God that brings men to repentance.”  (Romans 2:4)

One of my favorite Pastors says, “I don’t enter any battles I have no opportunity to change.”  And, I think that is what I am saying to myself these days, “Choose your battles carefully, Carol, that you do not strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.”

There are times when we must stand for Jesus and what we believe…..and I certainly pray I will be embolden when that happens.  However, there is a strong group–that I follow–in the Church who are saying we must (as Jesus directed in Matthew) to teach all Nations about the Kingdom of God.  That we must have an influence in media, government, the market, education, entertainment, the arts, family and so on.

We will definitely not make friends and influence people with attitudes of superiority, and hearts filled with judgment about how wrong our associates may be.  To even enter those fields we must be well equipped and ready to be the absolute best….for whatever is required.  Then we need to soak in the Love and Grace of God until it permeates our being and our hearts are filled with a desire to bless and care about everyone we meet.

Do we really trust the Holy Spirit?  Do we know that our part is to set an example, pray for others and trust Him to work?  Or do we think it is totally up to us to confront with what we know to be the truth, and people will change?  In 23 years of ministry I have not found that to work.  However, loving and caring with mercy and compassion, is overwhelming to even the nastiest of demons–their power pales under that kind of influence.

Carrie Prejean, Miss California, stood for what she believes and lost the crown for Miss USA.  She was put in a no-win situation by the question given her.  The Holy Spirit was there for her and has provided the help she has needed through the hours and days that followed. 

Ten or twelve years ago I was blessed to meet two great women of God, who were at the time living in Israel.  They worked in the community and never talked about Jesus openly, but prayed at night, for those who crossed their path during the day.  They learned as time went on, that Jesus was going personally to those individuals and they were accepting Him as their Messiah.  And to this day, my heart cries out that we would have that kind of faith for the Lord do His part when we do ours!  He is sooooo good at what He does and it is His plan after all.

If I love my neighbor as myself……how would I like Jesus presented to me ?

This is such a dazzling age.  Information and knowledge abounds everywhere.  But love?  It seems scarce and many are searching for it in all the wrong places.  I do not mean sentimental love….I mean the kind of love that truly cares about others and their welfare.  Jesus spent a great deal of time with those the Bible calls ’sinners’ ….must be a clue there, for us! May we move, not in self-righteousness, but in the righteousness of Christ to move the Kingdom beyond our doors, for the King of all kings, our Jesus!

Pressing in and pressing on….

P S If you would like  hear Carrie’s testimony at her church, click here

http://inspirationmanifestation.com/142/miss-california-carrie-prejean-tells-all-at-church-interview.php