Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Luke 6: When the Torrent Burst

 Luke 6:47-49

Amplified Bible 
Classic Edition (AMPC)

47 For everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words [in order to heed their teaching] and does them, I will show you what he is like:

48 He is like a man building a house, who dug and went down deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood arose, the torrent broke against that house and could not shake or move it, because it had been securely built or founded on a rock.

49 But he who merely hears and does not practice doing My words is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation, against which the torrent burst, and immediately it collapsed and fell, and the breaking and ruin of that house was great.



In order to fully appreciate this verse, the image it evokes, we must study the definitions of two words...torrent and burst.


Torrent

: a large amount of water that moves very quickly in one direction
: a large amount of something that is released suddenly 


1 : a tumultuous outpouring : rush
2 : a violent stream of a liquid (as water or lava)
3 : a channel of a mountain stream

 

Burst

1.
a. To come open or fly apart suddenly or violently, especially from internal pressure.
b. To explode.
2. To be or seem to be full to the point of breaking open: The sacks were bursting with grain.
3. To emerge, come forth, or arrive suddenly: burst out of the door.
4. To come apart or seem to come apart because of overwhelming emotion: thought his heart would burst with happiness.
5. To give sudden utterance or expression: burst out laughing; burst into tears.
v.tr.
1. To cause to burst: burst the balloon. See Synonyms at break.
2. To exert strong pressure in order to force (something) open.
3. To separate (a continuous form or printout) into individual sheets.
n.
1. A sudden outbreak or outburst; an explosion.
2. The result of bursting, especially the explosion of a projectile or bomb on impact or in the air.
3.
a. The number of bullets fired from an automatic weapon by one pull of the trigger.
b. A volley of bullets fired from an automatic weapon: The machine gunner fired a quick burst.
4. An abrupt, intense increase; a rush: a burst of speed; fitful bursts of wind.
5. A period of intense activity: "I write in very short bursts—10 or 15 minutes" (Zoe Heller).



Life happens.

There are instances when circumstances "exert strong pressure" against us.  Sometimes stressors feel like "bullets fired from an automatic weapon" violently piercing our heart.  

The tsunami of a serious medical diagnosis precedes "an abrupt, intense increase of "overwhelming emotion: [as though]  his heart would burst."

Unpredictable relationships, unstable employment, an unfaithful spouse, overwhelming debts, uprising unrighteousness.

All these are the "Torrent Burst."

Just how do we stand on a strong foundation during these stormy times?


Friends, being a Christian means that we are Christ followers.  That means we listen to His words and do them.  Then when life happens, we will stand on a strong foundation.

Holy Spirit, fill us to overflowing.  Cause us to hear Your voice clearly and obey You fully!  In the great Name of Jesus, AMEN!!!



Wednesday, March 2, 2016

"Sudden Spring Miracles" by Jo Ellen Stevens



 I received this word today from the Elijah List.  It spoke to my heart.  My hope is that you are blessed too.

With Love,
Beautiful Grace

Sudden Spring Miracles, and Lost Things Recovered

The Lord has spoken to me that March is a month of miracles to those who have been waiting. I am believing for mine, and I am expecting it. Many in March will receive what they have been believing for, and this March will be the beginning of an outpouring for hard cases that cannot be healed any other way but by God!

Suddenly, Things that were Gone Forever, Coming Home!

Some will also step out of hard issues that have seemed like a mountain to you, but there are suddenlies coming to many in March. 

I just saw lightning, and the Lord says that, "As the lightning strikes, so shall it be with the healing and recovery of lost things!" 

I believe that the Lord is also saying, "Some of the things that you had lost in the past and you thought that you never would recover will begin to show up!" I heard Him say, "Diamonds that some lost will SUDDENLY show up, and some will say...'Where has that been and how did it get there?'" but I feel the Lord is saying that He is going to return these things to you suddenly!

Lost Loved Ones Coming Home

Lost children will suddenly show up! Lost loved ones are coming back to the Lord! Yes, things lost in seasons past are coming back to you, and by this you will know that there have been angels sent to help you recover all that the enemy has stolen! 

You are going into spring entering a season of the recovery of the years that the locust has eaten! 

There are people in your lives that have literally disappeared, and God says, "There will be those that will return and be discovered alive, for I will bring them home.”

Ministries that Have Been Put on Hold Will Begin to Get the Red Flag to Go Again

"There are people who have had to put their ministry on hold because of family situations and sickness that came to destroy you, but you stood and became the one who was the caretaker in many cases, and now," God said, "you will begin to get new vision for the next season, and you will see why the delay had to take place!" 

He said, "I have been saving you for such a time as this, to go into the harvest with the knowledge you have gained in this pain, and what seemed like delay will only be a display of My glory as you are catapulted into the new thing that I am about to do!

"Don't try and reenact what you did in seasons past, for I will do something brand new, and your capacity to go into this new season has been enlarged through what you have been through in this season! Break into it with no false expectations, but let me give you new ones!

"Yes, get ready, for this is the season of lost things regained, loved ones returned, miracles suddenly coming, and ministries restored! Glory to God!

Joel 2:25-26 (NIV) "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten – the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm – My great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you..."
Arise, shine!

Jo Ellen Stevens
TCIC Ministries