Light Interacts With Matter

 While skimming over search engine results, the number 137 caught my attention; immediately, I remembered a dream from many years ago in which God reminded me of my destiny and how Jesus intervenes to fulfill it. Physicists describe 137 (1/137) as the fine-structure constant, the probability that an electron will emit or absorb a photon ("Fine Structure Constant - Sixty Symbols", 2009). I knew that God was providing deeper insight into the dream. A photon is a particle of light, and an electron is the negatively-charged particle that whirls around an atom. All matter is comprised of atoms. In effect, the number 137 represents the interaction between light and matter. 

I feel like God is reminding me that I cannot live this life without His intervention, His interaction with me. God is light and I am matter.

1 John 1:5 Amplified Bible (AMP)

God Is Light

This is the message [of God’s promised revelation] which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness], and in Him there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection]. (BibleGateway, n.d.)

 I have begun praying that Light would interact with matter in personal situations as well as situations involving others. God is so good. He never leaves us to figure this life out alone. He empowers us in difficult circumstances and ultimately, we will be victorious as we submit to Him and His ways.

Below, I have reprinted my dream, which I pray will be as much of an encouragement to you as it is to me.

Much love, Beautiful Grace

I was in a school, the warning bell had rung, and it was time to go to my locker to get my books for the next class. I approached my locker, number 137, noticing that the word DESTINY was spray painted over it in large red letters. I was unable to open the combination lock, and because of this, became more and more anxious. I didn't want to be late for class! I looked down the hall to my left and noticed a friend had opened her lock without difficulty, grabbed her books and headed to class. I didn't understand why I was having such difficulty in opening my lock. Suddenly, behind me, I heard the janitor say, "I'll take care of that lock for you." He easily removed the lock and opened the locker door. I reached into the locker and found no books. I became anxious again, thinking, I won't be prepared for class! At the bottom of the locker, I found an envelope. Inside was a bill, which I thought was unpaid. Again this caused distress to rise up. I opened the to envelope to find that my father had already paid the bill. I was debt free!!!!!

The interpretation of the dream is that my destiny is locked up. I observe other Christians appear to be able to open the door to their destiny without difficulty. The locker number-137, was the goal weight that I had set during a period of dieting. The janitor, representing Jesus, was the One Who unlocked my destiny/goal. I thought that my destiny rested on studying, but in reality, my destiny/goal only relies on the fact that my debts (sins) have been paid by my Father (God). I woke up with deep peace flooding my soul.

 References

BibleGateway. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1 John   1:5&version=AMP

Fine Structure Constant - Sixty Symbols. (2009, April 14). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/WlSLIW0gZtk

Matthew 10: Do Not Be Afraid of Those...

Matthew 10:26-28 

So have no fear of them; for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, or kept secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna).

I am a dreamer.

Throughout my life, there have been seasons where dreaming was very lucid and active.  In other seasons, dreams remained hidden in the recesses of my asleep brain. However,  I do believe that God sometimes chooses to communicate through dreams, therefore, when I remember one, I ask Him about it.

Last week, I had a brief but terrifying dream in which a large man was attacking women and then attempted to attack me.  I woke myself up with loud shrieking.  Poor hubby.

This dream reminded me of a dream I had years ago when I was in a season of extreme emotional turmoil.  I believe the man represents the spirit of fear who attempts to control its victims by stimulating fear, terror, anxiety.  As I told my husband about the dream, he revealed that that night prior to my dream, he was praying for me in a very specific way.  His disclosure confirmed my suspicion.  Immediately, I began to pray against this spiritual attack.

Then Jesus steps in...

This past Sunday during the worship service, the images from the dream flooded my mind's eye, but this time Jesus was with me.  His eyes locked with mine as he stepped between me and the man.  Jesus reached behind His back and pushed the man away.  Jesus did this, never breaking His loving gaze directed towards me.  Then Jesus hugged me, and I could feel the perfect love that drives out all fear.

Gratitude fills my heart, that the King of the Universe would encourage me in such an intimate way.

Friends, do not be afraid of those who talk behind your back.  Do not be even be afraid of those who can kill your body, because the Keeper of Souls, Jesus, is Your Protector.  He's got you!  Receive His perfect love which casts out ALL fear.  In the great and awesome name of Jesus!  AMEN!!!

Matthew 12: The Man With the Withered Hand

Matthew 12:9-14
 
9 And going on from there, He went into their synagogue.

10 And behold, a man was there with one withered hand. And they said to Him, Is it lawful or allowable to cure people on the Sabbath days?—that they might accuse Him.

11 But He said to them, What man is there among you, if he has only one sheep and it falls into a pit or ditch on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?

12 How much better and of more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful and allowable to do good on the Sabbath days.

13 Then He said to the man, Reach out your hand. And the man reached it out and it was restored, as sound as the other one.

14 But the Pharisees went out and held a consultation against Him, how they might do away with Him.


The last time I wrote a post was July.  The sermon this past Sunday inspired me to take the time.  Imagine my surprise when the next Bible reading just happened to be the very stories which Sunday's sermon included.  

I don't believe in coincidences!

Many years ago, I had a dream set in a church.  

I was standing in the front when I noticed a black man with a withered right hand sitting in the front pew.  This man was not black as a matter of of race, he was black because he had been burned, charred. As I prayed for the man, his hand was healed.

I understood that the man represented those people who had been "burned" by the religious structures (Pharisees) within the church.  These people were so hurt that part of who they were (gifting, talent, personality, etc.) had withered. 

The Lord is speaking! If you have been hurt, there is healing!  Jesus has placed great value on you, because He loves you!  He doesn't want any part of who you are to be withered.  

You and I were made to shine!  We were made to go into the world spreading His love to all we contact.
 
We were made to demonstrate compassion!
  

Ezekiel 32-34: God's Hydrangea Promise

Ezekiel 34:11-16
Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹¹ For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I Myself, will search for My sheep and will seek them out.

 

¹² As a shepherd seeks out his sheep in the day that he is among his flock that are scattered, so will I seek out My sheep; and I will rescue them out of all places where they have been scattered in the day of clouds and thick darkness.

 

¹³ And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and will bring them to their own land; and I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

 

¹⁴ I will feed them with good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be; there shall they lie down in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.

 

¹⁵ I will feed My sheep and I will cause them to lie down, says the Lord God.

 

¹⁶ I will seek that which was lost and bring back that which has strayed, and I will bandage the hurt and the crippled and will strengthen the weak and the sick, but I will destroy the fat and the strong [who have become hardhearted and perverse]; I will feed them with judgment and punishment.

 

These verses give me personal encouragement among many verses of censure directed towards the Lord's sheep.  No matter how we have failed or others have failed us, our Heavenly Father promises...

 

• I Myself, will search

• I will rescue

• I will bring them out

• I will feed them 

• I will cause them to lie down

• I will seek and bring back

• I will bandage and strengthen

 

The Lord is wonderful!  He has revealed Himself to me, personally in all of the ways He has promised above!

 

One of the ways He fulfills His promises to me is through dreams.  Several years ago, my Abba gave me a beautiful "promise dream." 

 

In this dream, Jesus handed me a single blue hydrangea.  My heart could feel His intense love and I awoke feeling loved simultaneously a sweet flowery scent permeated the atmosphere in the room!

 

I knew the Lord was pouring out His love.  I knew He was giving me a gift.  But, I didn't fully comprehend what He was communicating until recently.

 

My husband, Strongman, and I just celebrated thirty years of marriage on September 22nd.  My sweet husband took me to the beach for a week to celebrate. 

 

During the months before our trip, the Lord reminded me of the beautiful "blue hydrangea dream."  I felt like He said that His gift of love to me was a husband who has loved me from my youth.  That no matter what trials or temptations or failings both of us have walked through, His grace kept us together.  His grace empowered us to love and forgive each other.

 

In honor of the Lord and my Strongman, I covertly planned a beach renewal of vows.  Both of my wonderful sisters assisted me with my plan.  My sister, Maryann, ordered the dress so Strongman wouldn't see the charge on our credit card.  My sister, Jane, altered the dress.  Thank you, wonderful Sisters!  My Dad allowed me to store the dress at his house, so Strongman wouldn't see it.  :)

 

Let me encourage those who are married.  The Lord binds two together; His grace is the glue.  No matter what attack the evil one launches against your marriage, His grace, the awesome power of God is available.  Cling to Father!  Embrace your mate!  Remember to forgive!  Receive His gift!

 

 

 

 

 

Ezekiel 20-21: Constrain Me, Oh Lord

 

Ezekiel 20:37-38
Amplified Bible (AMP)

37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod [as the shepherd does his sheep when he counts them, and I will count you as Mine and I will constrain you] and bring you into the covenant to which you are permanently bound.

38 And I will purge out and separate from among you the rebels and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they temporarily dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you shall know, understand, and realize that I am the Lord.


Years ago, the Lord gave me a personal promise that "My rod and staff will comfort you."  Of course, I thought of Psalm 23 where God offers this promise to all of His kids.


Psalm 23:4
Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁴ Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.

 

 

I understood God my Shepherd to be my Protector, and an excellent Protector is He!  What I didn't understand at the time of His promise was the methods God uses in order to accomplish protection.

 

In verse 37 above, the shepherd counts his sheep be having them pass, one by one, under his rod.  God promises that He will count His kids and He will constrain them.  Constrain is an intense verb!

 

Definition of constrain (vt)

Bing Dictionary

• con·strain
• [ kən stráyn ]

1. force somebody to act: to force somebody to do something, especially through pressure of circumstances or a sense of obligation
2. restrict somebody or something: to limit or restrict somebody or something, especially to prevent the free expression of something
3. restrain somebody or something: to hold somebody or something back from an action

Sheep don't have the understanding of the shepherd.  They may not understand if they wander from the field under the shepherd's protection, that a wild animal may attack and devour them.  A shepherd may "force" the sheep to remain within his ability to protect.

I have often been like a sheep!  As a matter of fact, my Shepherd calls me His sheep!  Looking back over my life, evaluating difficult circumstances, I can see how my Shepherd was working to protect me. 

We can't separate this verse from the context of the whole book of Ezekiel!  Our God is a passionate God!!!  He loves us with an eternal and sometimes violent love.  He sees, not only this world, but eternity.  His will fight against any "thing" which may damage our eternity with Him.  Just like He used Babylonian attack and captivity to discipline his kids, to constrain them. 

We cannot become offended by God's ways.  He understands eternity, we do not!  Not even the most gifted prophet understands eternity the way God does!

I don't want to struggle against God's constraint!  He sees eternity in me; He sees Jesus in me!  He understands what could hurt and damage for eternity!

Part of the way my Shepherd leads, protects, constrains me, is by dreams.  Recently, He has given me a dream, which I believe contains significant direction and warning.

Dream #1:

I was outside walking when a lady rushed up behind me.  I felt uncomfortable that she was within my personal space because she was a stranger.  I looked over my right shoulder to see the face of this woman.  She had a smile, but it wasn't genuine.  I had knowledge in the dream that her intentions towards me were evil.  Suddenly, she reached out to grab my purse.  As she yanked, I turned around to face her.  I had a key in my hand, which I used to jab her in the breastbone. The incident cause great anxiety!

I believe the woman in this dream was symbolic for anxiety, which attempts to steal my purse.  My purse contains forms of identification.  Anxiety seeks to steal my identity in the Lord.  I had a key, which I used to protect myself.  I believe the key is the power of His Spirit within my, His word spoken to my heart and written in the Bible. 


I need to listen to His direction and obey His leading.  Empower me always, Lord.  In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Lamentations 1:1-3:36: Two Paths Before Me

In a dream, I was being shown two paths, which led to my home. The first path was a narrow, dirt path running parallel and about 20 feet above a creek with fast-moving water. It was dark because a thick forest had blocked out the light. Ahead, I could see that a tree had been uprooted by the erosion of the flowing water's action on the tree's roots.  The tree had lost its foundation and had fallen across the path. This route would be difficult to traverse because of this obstacle and a slippery mud path.

The second path was a paved road free of obstacles. The road was straight and twice as wide as the previous path. It was bright with nothing to block the sun rays. Far in the distance, I could see my home. 

 

My guide made it clear that I could choose the path leading home.  I felt relief that I could choose an "easy" path.  Then I awoke.

 

 

 I have been meditating on and praying about this dream.  Although the Lord empowered me to choose the path leading home, I don't necessarily want to choose the easy way.  I have been praying, "As long as You are with me, Jesus, the path I take will be ok with me." 

Like the "Daughter of Jerusalem" mentioned in today's text, I have chosen wrongly in the past.  We all have made unwise choices at various times.  But the encouragement we receive is that even in our wrong choices, there is mercy.

 

Lamentations 3:22-23
Amplified Bible (AMP)

22 It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.

The Lord's discipline was for my good, for your good.  The impurities in us are removed.  We are as pure gold.

Lamentations 3:27-28
Amplified Bible (AMP)

27 It is good for a man that he should bear the yoke [of divine disciplinary dealings] in his youth.

28 Let him sit alone uncomplaining and keeping silent [in hope], because [God] has laid [the yoke] upon him [for his benefit].

 

I am thankful that I have a choice, but hesitant to proceed without hearing the direction of Holy Spirit.  I have learned that the easiest path isn't necessarily the preferred path.  The difficult path may be the one, which yields the greatest glory for my Beloved.  All glory goes to Jesus!

Lord, this one thing I ask, Continue to walk with me.  Be my Guide.  I don't want to choose the paved way, just because it seems easy.  I will go wherever You lead just as long as You are walking beside me!  In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!
 

Time for a Train Change

Dream:  A woman was riding an old train used to transport goods from place to place.  This train was controlled by personnel of advanced age.  She knew her destination, but the train stopped short of it.  She disembarked into the train yard, not sure of how she would reach her final destination.  As she walked away from the train which had transported her as far as it could, she noticed the tracks it was on had just stopped. No new tracks had been laid.  The train stopped because it was unable to move farther; there was no tracks for it to move upon.

As she walked across the train yard, she noticed a beautiful blue passenger train. She climbed the steps onto the train to be met by a man who informed her that the train could indeed take her to the appointed destination, but that not enough workers had been assigned to the train.  The train could not move without the appropriate personnel.  

The woman disembarked the train and proceeded into the yard a second time, where she came upon two gorillas.  Their only motive was to fight the other. The woman watched as each gorilla worked on their car engines, each preparing their car for a head on collision with the other.  The woman found herself between the two warring gorillas.  She knew if she stayed between them she would be injured or even killed as an innocent bystander in the gorillas warfare!  Then she heard the Conductor call her.  

The passenger train had been made ready with workers.  As the woman climbed onto the train a second time, she was greeted by the train personnel.  They all had on the line's uniforms and hats. These people were multi-generational.  Young children would be working along side of those advanced in age.  The woman knew in her heart that she would reach her destination.

I am the woman.  You are the woman.

Life's journey leads us on paths, which guide us to our ultimate destination.  As the train's path stops short of the intended destination, we may need to change trains (paths).  Disembark from one train (path) in order to board the next.  Never despise the old train (path).  It did its part in getting you to the place where the new path (train) awaits.  The transition from the old to the new can be dangerous, but the Conductor (Jesus) will call us, thereby removing us from the position between those in conflict, a place of danger.  We are safe because we heeded His call and boarded the new train, which will transport us to the new destination.  All the workers come together because the Conductor called, and they responded.  They did it for the Conductor, but to also to serve the woman.  Each was happy to assist the woman get back on the path that the Conductor had set for her.

Listen for His call, friends.  Your path is changing.  Don't stay on a path because it is familiar or comfortable.  Paths end, new ones begin.  This is life.  Be flexible, hear His Spirit.  Don't shrink back from the change.  The path set before you is life and health and peace.  He is conducting you on the path set before you.  Your destiny lies along this path.  Your ultimate destination, the arriving point only occurs when you step onto the golden streets of holy city Jerusalem and behold His face for eternity.  Receive courage!  Don't listen to the naysayers!  Listen only to Him!!!  He is calling you!!!  He longs for you to receive His direction.   In the name of Jesus, AMEN!!!

Spirit of Prophecy Bulletin

2010 A YEAR OF BREAKTHROUGH
by Bill Burns

The following is what the Holy Spirit has revealed to me about what will take place in the Church in 2010. (John 16:13)

The number 5 is God's number for grace (strength, empowerment and blessing), so ten is the number of double grace. A double portion will be available to God's people in 2010. Romans 5:2 tells us that "we have access by faith into this grace." Therefore, every person should establish himself in a position of faith to receive a double portion of God's grace that is now being released.

Small Straws by Marsha Burns: I'm giving you an extra measure of grace. I will exert My holy influence over your life to strengthen you and bolster your faith, says the Lord. If you will discern it, you will find and enjoy the unusual fragrance of My company. Receive with joy, and bask in the sweetness of My presence. Come and find your delight and rest with Me. 2 John 1:3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

In 2009, the year of fullness, some Christians began to exercise a fuller and more complete faith. However, many in the Body of Christ went through a crisis of faith because of hardship of the circumstances that they found themselves in.

Fractured FaithThe Lord used the term "fractured faith" to describe the condition of many of His people. This is what I saw:People were praying by holding up bowls (representing faith) with their prayers inside the bowls (Revelation 5:8). However, when they lifted the bowls up before the Lord, the bowls fractured and then fell apart. The prayers then fell out of the bowls because they had no faith to support them.

Then, I had an understanding that these were Christians who knew the Word of God, and they knew that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). They also knew that faith works through love (Galatians 5:6).

So these were those whose faith should have worked, but didn't. So, I asked the Lord why , and He said it was because of the intensity and length of the battle that many had been worn out and had become discouraged.

I then asked how one recovers their faith when they already know the Word and love God, but their faith is fractured.

Faith's RestorationI saw the Holy Spirit come as the Wind and pick up the pieces of the bowls and restore them by cementing them back together, and He said, "This is My gift to the people of faith."

And, He said, "This is the process of the restoration of faith."

1. Repent for discouragement because it gives birth to doubt, and whatever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)

2. Call on the name of Jesus because He is the Author and Finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Ask Him to restore your faith and to send the Holy Spirit to you. (John 16:7)

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the Gift of Faith (1 Corinthians 12:9).

This is the faith that restores. It is God's faith and not man's. This is the faith that becomes the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

2010 will become the year of the restoration of faith if this God-given plan is followed. "Ask and it shall be given." (Matthew 7:7)

Small Straws by Marsha Burns:

I am not a God who cannot see or understand the tests and trials that you have endured. I see, and I have sustained you through the trouble, for I am with you. And now, today, I pronounce a blessing on you -- a tangible blessing; just open your heart to receive, says the Lord.

Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

A Year of BreakthroughThe number 10 also signifies the perfection of divine order. The following is a word that the Lord gave me concerning His "divine order" for 2010:

The Trumpet: That which I give you shall become completely yours because that is My heart towards you, that you fully possess the kingdom that I have translated you into. So get ready for this new year. For indeed it shall be a year of triumph for many and it shall be a year of overcoming because it will be known as the year of the breakthrough of those who follow Me. Zion's path has already been established. Follow it. Follow it through My word as led by the Spirit. For all things will manifest at Zion. Come then, I say, My children to that mountain. Come to the mountain that transfigures you, changes you. Come and see, come and taste, come and dine, come enjoy that which I am about to do, says the Lord.

The Lord told me that He was going to give us a "new centering point" to work from. This will be a new point of entrance into the supernatural realm of the kingdom.

The Holy Spirit will move us and center us in a position that aligns with heavenly portals. This is much like your satellite television dish, which must be perfectly aligned with the satellite so the signal can be received. As we enter into the heavenlies through these portals, we will see more clearly into God's purposes than we ever have before. Out of the portal experiences visions, dreams, and prophetic words will be more revealing than ever before.

We will break through into a higher spiritual order than we have known. As these portals are established, angelic visitation will occur more frequently. These experiences will quicken our faith and establish such a spiritual reality of the kingdom that we will begin to have breakthroughs on all levels. Breakthroughs will occur most frequently in our finances and in health issues first and then in other areas.

The Lord of the Breakthrough is coming in this year to lead His people into victory, which will result in the recovery of those things lost.

A Year of Recovery The thief has been relentless in this season, and he has stolen from many of God's children. Nevertheless, the Lord is calling 2010 a year of recovery. He is speaking to us in the same way that He spoke to David in 1 Samuel chapter 30. While David and his men were away from camp, the enemy came and stole the women, children, and belongings. David was discouraged when his men blamed him and wanted to stone him.

The Path to Victory:

1. Like David, we must learn to overcome discouragement by encouraging ourselves in the Lord.

2. David inquired of the Lord, and God said, "You will without fail recover ALL." And, He is saying this to us!

3. David pursued the enemy. Recovery will come because of spiritual warfare. David attacked the enemy and recovered all that had been taken from him and more.

This will be a year of recovery for those who will do spiritual warfare and demand the return of that which has been lost. Have you lost your health? Have you lost your finances? Or, has it been something else? Do you want those things stolen? Then, go to war, and you will recover all!

A Year of Equipping Last year the Lord told me that 2009, 2010 & 2011 would be years of equipping. We are being equipped with more of the authority of the Lord to defeat the enemy.

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

This is one of the reasons that so many people had a hard time in 2009. Equipping takes place in adversity. In other words, adversity is the playing field of equipping. In fact, adversity is necessary for spiritual growth. Adversity is the opposing force against one's growth. Adversity is trouble, persecution and tribulation that comes against us. "We must, through many tribulations, enter the Kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22)

We are leaving the Church Age (age of compromise), and we are being moved prophetically into the Kingdom Age (rule of Christ). In doing so, we are going to encounter more opposition from Satan. He does not want us to have the kingdom authority that we are being equipped with.

If we want to be equipped with Christ's authority, then we must embrace the adversity.

Romans 5:3-4 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

The enemy will come, but do not fear because the Lord will come to us in His glory.

Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.

The word "standard" here means to establish a way of escape, to cause to disappear or hide.
We will be hidden by the glory of the Lord as He comes to fight with and for us so that we can receive His authority. I believe that this next move of God's glory will be seen in the West - west of Jerusalem, in the United States.

The cry of the Spirit in this time of equipping is: Isaiah 60:1-2 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.

Allow the Lord to equip you. Embrace the adversity by trusting in the Lord to protect you. Walk in the glory, and grow in your authority. It is your destiny.

A Year of the Tithe The tithe is a tenth part of our income that we give to honor the Lord and those who do His work. In this year of 2010, God is going to honor those who tithe. He spoke these words to me: "I am going to honor those who honor Me with their giving. The benefits of the tithe will be multiplied and amplified in this year. Give, and it will be given back to you as it is written."

Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

God's benefits of the tithe: Malachi 3:10-11 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the LORD of hosts.

Some would say tithing is not a New Testament principle, but what did Jesus say in the New Testament? In Matthew 23:23 He said tithing is something "you ought to have done".

Some would say that tithing was part of the law and was eliminated when Jesus fulfilled the law. However, tithing was part of Abraham's covenant with God (see Genesis 14:20) before the law, and the law could not "annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ". (Galatians 3:17)

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Galatians 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Instruction - do not give your tithe because you have to, but because you want to give to the Lord with great joy.

2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

When you tithe, wrap it up with faith, and then release it with joy, expecting God to bless you because of your obedience. God will then rebuke the devourer on your behalf and pour out His blessing upon you.

Financial recovery will take place for many in 2010 because of the tithe.

Mysteries Revealed 2010 will be a year when mysteries will be revealed. Some of the things that God ordered in 2009 have not been understood. However, revelation of God's purposes that took place in our circumstances will be fully understood in 2010, and the benefits of those changes will be received this year.

The Lord usually gives me a chapter in His word that reveals that which will take place in the coming year. This year I was given Revelation chapter 10. In chapter 10 the apostle John hears seven thunders that spoke.

Revelation 10:4 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them."

The seven thunders are mysteries yet to be revealed prior to the seventh trumpet.

Revelation 10:7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.

The seven thunders may reveal seven distinct mysteries, but I believe they will be more than that. I say this because seven is God's number of perfection brought to completion. I believe that the seven thunders represent the voice of the Lord that reveals many hidden things.

The book of Revelation is a book of sevens (completion) in which God finishes (through Jesus Christ) all things that pertain to His creation. Therefore, I believe that a multitude of mysteries concerning the lives of believers will be revealed.

These revelations will set them free from bondages, reveal their purpose, release their gifting, and many other things.

Mysteries will be revealed that will give direction to the Church (corporately), and mysteries will be revealed personally for individual believers.

2010 will be a year of mysteries revealed, mysteries that will give wisdom and direction, much of which will come prophetically.

In verse 11, John is told that he must prophesy again. Prophets, do you see this? Many of you have been silenced by the enemy. But, God says that you must prophesy again.

The gift of prophecy will become more revealing in these days. We are living in the days of divine announcement. Will you listen, hear, and speak?

These are those things that I was shown for 2010. May you have a blessed and prosperous year!

Fountains of Living Water: A New Season

I believe God showed me in a dream last night that the new season I am entering will be difficult, but will yield many blessings. Jesus even named the season in the dream, but I can't recall it now. Heart to heart relationships during this season, will cause unity to flow. Similar circumstances and trials bind us together.

Take heart, Beloved, Jesus knows the season we are in. He is with us!!! He will be with us now and forever!!!!

He Will Not Allow Me to Slip

"He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved;

He Who keeps you will not slumber."

Psalm 121:3 (Amplified Bible)

Last night's dream:

I was walking over freshly mopped floors through the hallways of a school. I was concerned that I would slip on the wet floors, but I kept walking without slipping.

Part of this morning's Bible reading included Psalm 121! God was telling me that even though I am walking over slippy areas, He will not allow my foot to slip or be moved!!!

Thank You, my Jesus, for Your encouragement. It's just one of the very many reasons that I love You!!!

Craig Kinsley: "The Bait"

In nursing school I remember learning that the medical profession is cautious in attaching psychiatric diagnoses to a patient, because once a diagnosis like, for example, schizophrenia is made, that diagnosis stays with the patient for the rest of his life.

In the body of Christ we must be careful not to label those caught in the midst of sin. We must, empowered by His Spirit, see sinners as God sees them. See sinners and the awesome destiny for which they were created by God and for God.

Holy Spirit empower us not to label others, for labels, like diagnoses, have the potential to stay with a person the rest of his life.

With Much Love...
Beautiful Grace

Craig Kinsley: "The Bait"

Awake International

Email: info@awake.org

Article reprinted from the Elijah List

Recently, I awoke from a dream which I knew had serious meaning both for myself and, in a larger sense, the Body of Christ. I have been in a heightened prophetic season as of late and I believe God is giving both me and our team fresh outlook on life and ministry. In the ministry of reformation, I'm finding that at times God challenges my life and thought processes without giving me a definitive answer to the question that He poses. This dream was just that sort of situation.

Without going into every detail of the dream, I will give you the highlights, and then the core, of the message. Myself and many other people I know, including my wife, died. We found ourselves in what seemed to be a large lodge on the edge of a large river. One by one each person was interviewed by a group of heavenly beings that took the form of three or four women. After the interview process, the people were placed onto a boat which took small groups to Heaven. For a long while I stood on a dock by the river and watched as one group after another disembarked down the channel. Soon, I realized that I was the only person left and began to wonder if there was a problem. As soon as I thought this, the heavenly beings were standing next to me. They said that it was my time to be interviewed, but that it wasn't my time to go.

As I walked into the room where I was to be interviewed, I had an intense feeling that what was about to happen had serious and eternal significance. I sat in a chair across from a desk which one of the beings sat behind. She posed one question to me, and only one: "Just what kind of bait were you all fishing with?" As soon as the question was posed, I awoke. It took me a few minutes to gather myself and to fully come out of the experience.

As I pondered the dream, it didn't take long to grasp the core of the message. The general feeling of the dream was that God was speaking a message to me with consequences that dealt with people's eternal salvation. This wasn't something to be taken lightly. The question was simple, the answer is not. We are called as fishers of men (see Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17). The question posed is, What exactly are we using to attract people to our message?
I believe the idea of evangelism is one of the major areas of our lives, churches and ministries that God is calling us to reform. If we will have ears to hear, I believe God is guiding us to question both our thought processes toward reaching those outside of His Kingdom and the actual processes that we put into action.

"Hate the Sin, Not the Sinner"

I am not a fan of clichés, especially within the Church. My reason being that when a word of wisdom becomes too commonplace, it loses its power and is no longer actually considered.

The old adage, "Hate the sin, not the sinner," is a true word but has lost its power, and it is not widely understood nor practiced by a large majority of Christians. We have lost our compassion and love for those without Christ and have replaced these with a disdain and disgust for those in the world. We call this "standing for righteousness." I believe one of the keys to Jesus' effectiveness at changing the hearts of men from the world to the Kingdom, was His ability to not look at people where they are, but to look at them in the sense of where they could be. He called people out of their sin, but not simply by condemning their sin; rather, by giving them the gift of hope in something greater.

The main message that Jesus spoke of was, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." This phrase has become synonymous with evangelism, as I believe it should, but how can we truly use the message of Christ in preaching the Gospel without a true understanding of Jesus' heart behind the message?

The word repent has become a word that brings connotations of weeping, guilt and, at times, pain. In actuality, true repentance has nothing to do with pain, guilt or sadness. In reality, the message of repentance has its foundation in the hope of the Kingdom of Heaven being available. You see, Jesus never condemned the people, but rather gave them something better. Changing from one way of life and one thought process, which is what true repentance is, doesn't come by simply realizing that your current way of life is bad, but rather by the reality of a better way. "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." That is the central theme of Jesus' message. That message is what actually causes repentance.

In our quest to condemn sin, we have actually begun to condemn the people that are caught in the traps of sin. We place the focus of our message on how bad sin is, rather than on how amazing Jesus is. Before I knew Jesus, I was living in the depths of the world's system and in a drug culture. I knew what I was doing was wrong. Between my past in religion and the ingrained human knowledge of morality, I knew that the life I was living wasn't the best that my life could be. The problem was that I had tried religion; I had tried to do all of the right things, but that didn't change me. What finally changed me was the reality that something better existed. That God had ordained a destiny for my life, a destiny that had eternal significance. And the knowledge that the Kingdom of Heaven was a living reality available to me...that is what changed me.

The world is looking for hope. Our current president was elected on this message. People understand that the current state of things is hopeless. They are looking for change. Between war, famine, disease, economic struggles, there isn't much to believe in. We have the answer. The grace and love of Jesus Christ is the greatest message of hope in all of eternity. Our message should be a message of hope, and leave the conviction to the Holy Spirit.

What are We Standing For?

A few weeks ago I was part of a summit involving Christian leaders from every facet of entertainment, government, education and many different denominations. We gathered to discuss the current crisis facing Christianity in America and to gather a strategy to continue to move forward the message of Christ throughout society. One of the truths that I realized as I sat through a few days of deliberation, was that we as Christians are much more known for what we are against, rather than what we are for. There is much talk within the Church about standing stronger than ever against immorality, but there isn't much talk about standing for anything.

The world knows that we believe homosexuality is wrong. And the majority of people know that the majority of Christians believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Now is not the time to stand stronger against homosexuality, now is the time to begin to let the world know why we do. Is it simply because the Bible says so? Or could there be a better way?

I believe if we begin to stand for what Jesus stood for, more and more people would be attracted to our cause. Jesus' message of love and grace is sufficient. This message is what causes those in sin to leave their current life and to embrace a new life in Christ. For the most part, those outside redemption do not know that the core of our message is love and grace. Why? Maybe because it hasn't been the core of our message.

Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Grace?

Some people would say, "Craig, aren't you afraid that a simple message of love and grace would cause people to be more open to sin?" This is a widespread concern for some. I understand the concern and I am not a proponent of sin; in fact, just the opposite. My belief is that the more love we acquire, the less sin we will desire. *No rhyming intended.

What changed the woman caught in adultery recorded in John, Chapter 8? I believe this is one of the greatest stories of love and grace found in the Gospels. The Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus. This woman was caught in the act of adultery. There was no question that she had committed the sin in dispute. The law of the day was that this woman should be stoned. This, in the eyes of everyone present, is what should happen. Jesus stooped down to the dirt and began writing on the ground. He then posed a question to all of her accusers and condemners that had gathered: "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first" (John 8:7).

Soon all of her accusers were convicted of their own sin and left. Jesus was left alone with her. He then poses a question to the woman, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" The woman replies, "No one, Lord." To this Jesus responds, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." No committee needed. No discussion of what should be done. No process of healing needed. Only one thing was needed: pure and undiluted love and grace. Jesus didn't send the woman out to sin again, rather the love that He showed changed the woman.

Was this too much grace? Did Jesus allow her to "get away" with her sin? Should something more have been done? You see, the love of God is so beyond our human understanding that we feel the need to insert something "more" into the process. Divine love changes people. Condemnation does not. That day the woman found hope. In her search for fulfillment and pleasure she fell into sin. In the very moment the religious system wanted to condemn her, Jesus saw an opportunity to show her the love of the Father. That is evangelism.

After Jesus' instruction to the woman, He addresses the religious leaders that were gathered to Him and says, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." For the most part, our mindset says, "If you don't walk in darkness, then you can follow Jesus." The truth is that encountering the love of Jesus causes you to not walk in darkness. Follow Him and you will not follow darkness. Show people love and the darkness ceases to have power.

Jesus: Was He a Minister to Sinners? Or a Friend of Sinners?

Part of the reformation that is coming to the Church has already begun. I believe the message that calls us to get outside of our buildings and reach people is a needed message. We weren't called to gather people to our buildings, but rather to go out and be light in the world. I applaud this growing message in the Church, but I want to challenge you to take it a step further.

Over the years I have been challenged more and more about Jesus' life in and around those outside of redemption. Lately, what has been especially challenging to me, is the name given to Jesus, "Friend of sinners." While I was pondering this picture of Jesus recently, the Lord said to me, "Craig, was I called a minister to sinners? Or a friend of sinners?" God always seems to ask me questions in order to cause me to think. I thought to myself that I have ministered to those trapped in sin on many occasions, but can I honestly say that sinners are my friends?

In our righteous quest for holiness, it seems that we have forsaken being a friend of sinners, in favor of simply seeing our time with them as a ministry opportunity. We are scared to associate with these people for fear of seeing it as condoning their lifestyle. Jesus' life of love was evident at all times. Whether He was speaking directly about the Kingdom or simply displaying the Kingdom through the Spirit that was upon His life, He was both a friend and a minister, at all times. I believe we are missing a large part of the evangelistic call, which is the call to friendship.

View Through the Eyes of Friendship

As I have sought to understand more and more how Jesus was able to so love us when we were so filthy, I believe I have grasped a key to His heart. I was taught this through the calling of Peter. Peter was a guy that I so relate to. He wasn't perfect by any means, but through the love and grace of God He was able to change the world. As Peter was fishing one day, Jesus came walking by. He simply said, "Follow Me." This wasn't Peter's first encounter with Jesus; his brother Andrew had taken Peter to Jesus prior to this in John 1:42— although this time Jesus called him not just to be near Him, but to be a part of His life in an intimate way.

What would cause Peter to drop his entire life and follow this Man? I believe the key is found in the way Jesus saw Peter. Peter was a fisherman. Not a pillar of society by any means. If you've ever been to a fishing wharf, it's not the most godly place on earth. Peter was probably not the most godly man on earth, but Jesus was able to see past that. Jesus didn't see Peter according to his present circumstances, but saw him according to who he was created to be.

It is hard to see the eternal potential created within someone when we become aware of their faults. We even seem to label people according to their sin instead of according to God's design for them. Once we see a person's or a people's sin, we immediately link them to that sin. For instance, we call people trapped in drug addiction, drug addicts. We call people trapped in homosexuality, homosexuals. At times we even call people trapped in religion, Pharisees. Once we have labeled someone by their sin, it is hard to see them any other way. What caused Peter to follow Jesus so quickly could be Jesus' willingness to look past Peter's faults and into his heart. Jesus continually called Peter to a high calling. He drew him to His heart and did not let Peter's faults, even when Peter denied their relationship, disqualify him from that high calling.

We should pray that God would give us the eyes of Christ, that we would be able to see the lost through their eternal destiny. Only then will we be able to effectively call them out of darkness by showing them the light.

Signs and Wonders Show the Love of the Father

As we begin to talk more and more about relationships with the lost and seeking to love, somehow it gets separated from the power of God. Miracles, signs and wonders are a vital part of demonstrating the Kingdom of God and showing people the reality of His love. We need to understand that Jesus had one life. His life as a friend was at the same time the life of a healer. His life as a teacher was also a life of a miracle worker. He didn't switch gears in order to do ministry, it all went hand in hand.

Jesus taught of the necessity of signs and wonders in this often misunderstood passage concerning a nobleman and his sick son: "When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, 'Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe'" (John 4:47-48).

Out of context, it seems that Jesus is rebuking the man for coming to Him for healing on behalf of his son. If we look at this in context of the nature of Christ, we know that Jesus desires that we would come to Him. His gentle rebuke was not on the sign and wonder, but on not believing unless one can actually see it. You see, Jesus did perform the sign, but not in the pomp and circumstance that was expected. The man wanted Jesus to actually come to his house to perform the miracle. He didn't understand that all Jesus had to do was speak the word and it was done. Jesus simply said, "Go your way; your son lives."

Jesus actually said that the works He does, the signs and wonders, are what point to Him as the Son of God (see John 10). The supernatural works of God cannot be separated from our establishment of God's Kingdom on the earth. If we are to accurately point people to the Father, we have to not simply tell them about the Father, but show them the Father.

The signs and wonders themselves are not where a problem arises. The problem arises when the motivation for the supernatural becomes the building of ministry or the building of self rather than love. I cannot say it enough. Love is our foundation. Without it, none of this exists. The pursuit of love is the now word of the Lord. We have pursued the supernatural and rightly so, but why? Some have rebuked me for preaching a message that promotes the pursuit of the miraculous. I say that I am guilty as charged, but I also preach first and foremost the pursuit of love. Love mixed with power will change the world. Power absent of love will promote your own kingdom. Paul said, "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy" (1 Corinthians 14:1). The gifts are needed, as long as the pursuit of love is the foundation.

The Bait

So, back to the question at hand: What bait are we using? What is or is not drawing people to our message of salvation? What bait should we be using? The answer is both quite simple and yet eternally complicated. Love is the answer. Not a manmade love, but divine love. A love that should be pursued because it is not natural. A love that Jesus displayed in such a way that the hardest of hearts could be turned to Him. A love that was demonstrated through a variety of miracles, signs and wonders. A love that broke the chains of sin and gave food to the hungry. A love that looked past natural circumstances and excavated the divine purpose buried deep within the human heart. Simply showing someone their sin doesn't change them. Showing them the way of love and life will change the world.

Fountains of Living Water: Let Them Eat Cake!

I had a dream last night about a woman who was sitting at a kitchen table with a piece of white cake with coconut frosting in front of her, as well as a walkie-talkie on the table before her. (This woman is someone that I know in the natural realm who has the bad habit of grumbling and complaining.) All this woman could do was grumble about the last time she ate at a particular restaurant. She complained that they purposely withheld the cake from her. She was so distracted by the the apparent injustice, that she didn't see the cake right in front of her.

As she continued to complain, her grandson, who was filled with joy, played with his friends across the street. He had a walkie-talkie which he occasionally used to call the woman's name in an attempt to change her focus. In an attempt to clear up the reception, I took the plug and raised it up in the air and attached it to the metal light frame. The voice of the child was now very clear and he was calling the woman's name, but she did not hear him. Not only did she have the cake before her now, but she also has a child who loves her dearly. The woman was preoccupied to the point where she could see none of these blessings.

This world is full of hurts and injustices, and all of us have been hurt at one time or another. The deepest hurts and injustices have come by the hand of those we have trusted, and we have been wounded to the very depths of our souls, BUT I believe the Lord is saying..."It is time to let go of the past injustices and forgive those who have hurt you. For by rehearsing the past, you are blinded to the blessings right in front of you."

It really doesn't matter who was wrong and who was right; That's for Jesus to decide. What matters now is that forgiveness flows from our hearts...a daily, moment by moment, choice to forgive. Jesus, empower us to forgive from our hearts!!! Amen!!!!

Colossians 3:13 (Amplified Bible)
"Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]."

A Leaking Coffee Maker...a Sign of God's Care?

The first thing I do in the morning is grab a cup of coffee and yesterday was no different. Though groggy, I lumbered (my family says I'm a loud walker) through the hallway and to the kitchen, where the preprogrammed coffee maker awaited containing freshly brewed java. The brown liquid appeared darker than usual, but I continued on my mission to get that cup of coffee. As I poured the french vanilla creamer into my cup, I noticed the counter was full of water. Upon close inspection, I observed that water from the coffee maker had leaked all the way to the microwave. I quickly unplugged all electrical items and began the sopping process.

It was then I noticed my book Understanding the Dreams You Dream by Ira Milligan was laying in a pool of water, in fact, the book was saturated! I finished wiping the counter and then took my book downstairs to begin the painstaking process of drying each of the 249 pages with my blow dryer. Working slowly so as not to tear the pages of this helpful reference, I continued for about 30 minutes. During that time, I felt that God said that the water saturating the dream book was a sign of His Spirit saturating not only my dream life, but the dreams of my family. Then I heard Him say, "You have asked for My Spirit to flood your home. The water is a sign that I have heard you."

If you have read my blog for any length of time, you know that I love symbolic communication. Water, symbolic for God's Holy Spirit had saturated my kitchen (symbolic for the heart) of my family's home!!! Not only had God heard my prayer, but He responded in the most unique way to my prayer!!! How I love You, Jesus!!!

Last night before bed with a son on each side, I prayed for dreams that would be saturated with God's Spirit, and lives would overflowing with the Spirit. Then after Strongman prayed for me, I prayed for both of our dreams and lives to be flooded with the Spirit.

The coffee maker's leaking was not an inconvenience, it was a sign of God's care! He had heard my prayers, and He cares!!!!!

May all of you have a revelation of God's care in your own lives. He has heard your petitions! You just never know the creative way He may answer!

Oh, by the way, I did have have a dream of direction and encouragement last night, and Strongman just shared a dream he had last night. Thank You, my Jesus!!!! The boys are still sleeping. Can't wait to hear what God said to them!!!

Seeing into the Unseen, Taking Authority, and Infusing Love

It started the beginning of last week with a phone call from a friend. She had a heavy prayer request. After agreeing to pray about the situation she faced, I knew I needed to seek the Lord as to how to even begin to pray. I asked the Lord for a dream that night and I believe He gave me direction on how to pray. But did you ever experience heavy prayer issues do have the potential to weigh down the pray-er?

Wednesday evening, I was faced with a choice which stirred a little anxiety in me. I prayed about what to do, and then felt to push through the fear.

On Friday, someone said something that stirred my flesh and anxiety came a little heavier on me. I even started to get a little nauseated. I commanded my stomach to quiet and it immediately obeyed, however, I did not command the anxiety to leave.

On Friday evening, as I was walking through my kitchen (which I believe represents my heart/soul), I saw out of my left peripheral vision a thin mist. I turned to actually see it, only to see it immediately dissipate. I believe I saw an angel sent to minister my heart/soul.

Friday night was difficult for sleeping because anxiety hung like a weight on my chest. I prayed, but still no resolution of the heaviness.

Finally, on Saturday, enough was enough and God's Spirit rose up in me to command anxiety to go in the name of Jesus!!! Guess what...immediately anxiety flew off my chest. I'm not exaggerating! It actually felt as though something was perched on my chest and left at lightning speed at my command. In anxiety's place, I could feel God infusing me with Peace and Love and Joy!

A little later, I gave a "Love Infusion" to a girl who had been having chest pain. "Love Infusion" was what Jesus told me to call it. It simply was a hug in which I prayed for the Love that Jesus infused me with would be transferred to the girl.

This past Monday, Mom started to experience dizziness. I checked her and her vital signs were stable. We had her checked in the afternoon and nothing definitive was determined.

Tuesday, while driving to co-op, I was singing and worshipping Jesus. I started to feel holy electricity strongly over various parts of my body. I was being infused again. The Lord instructed me to pray for a friend, who reported that she could feel electricty coming off of me as I placed my arm around her back.

Early Wenesday morning Dad found Mom on the floor beside the bed. I immediately went to check her and found her heart racing at 140 beats a minute. She was having an attack of atrial fibrillation. The ambulance was called and they actually gave her an IV push med to slow her heart rate before leaving for the hospital. Mom was admitted to the Harrisburg Hospital. Her white blood cells are elevated (indicative of infection) and I also discovered she hadn't been taking her heart medicine. Please pray!!!
The awesome thing about all of this is that the whole time, I could feel Jesus' Presence (electricity) and Peace...not a bit of anxiety.

I spent the majority of Wednesday at the hospital came home for about 20 minutes and then headed back to the big city to attend Youth service. My husband ussually doesn't come with us on Wednesdays, but did because he knew I was tired. Isn't that sweet?

While turning into CCC I saw out of my right periphery, a white mist hovering around the CCC sign. Again, I believe an angel assigned to protect. Awesome!!!

Thank you, Jesus, for Your Infusions, for Your Love and Strength in me. You are my Beautiful Friend!!! I love You!!!