Saturday, December 5, 2015
The Church Must Pray
Prayer changes things, situations, circumstance and people. What should our response be to all we see happening around the world? Shake our heads in despair, restrict our lives in fear, sit back and wait for the impending redemption of the church?! None of these things are going to help fix the situations around the world, specifically the tragedies being perpetuated by our brothers and sisters around the world. Yes, I said our brothers and sisters.
We were all created by God for good works that would glorify Him. Yet, some have been led astray by the enemy and are yielding to his lies and deceptions. As the church what must we do? Just like we would pray for a brother or sister in the church to be healed, delivered or made the victor in a predicament, WE MUST PRAY for those that need to have their minds and souls redeemed. Ephesians 3:8-19 is one of many clues to how we, the church of Jesus Christ, are to respond to tragedies in the world. Verses 9 and 10 in particular say this,
"To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,.."
The mysteries of God were hidden until the coming and resurrection of Christ. Now that Christ has been revealed and the multi-faceted wisdom of God can be accessed by His saints, that same manifold wisdom must be used by the saints to deal with the principalities and powers in heavenly places. Why? To build the Kingdom of God through Christ, which was the eternal purpose of His coming. THE CHURCH MUST PRAY. Are we to fear? NOT AT ALL! The next verse says we have boldness and confidence through our faith in Christ. So, Paul prays that the saints would be strengthened with might through the Holy Spirit in the inner man. We must take on holy boldness and let the Holy Spirit lead and strengthen us to do the work for which we were called and chosen.
Then he talks about comprehending the width, length, depth and height of Christ's love, which passes knowledge... We have often applied this verse just to ourselves. But in the context of the entire chapter, we are to comprehend how much God loves every man and woman in His creation. How can God love such wicked people? This is why Paul says His love passes our natural knowledge and understanding. If we let the love of Christ live within us, we can begin to understand how He loves ALL of us.
It is with that understanding WE MUST PRAY for these lost ones to shift out of their dark places and into the light of God's glory. How? Acts 2:17 says that in the last days, He will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. Even if some limit that to the last days of the old testament dispensation, His Spirit is still being poured out upon the men and women of earth. So WE MUST PRAY that the Spirit of Christ be poured out upon these brothers and sisters caught up in the web of terrorism. For only the light of Christ can drive out darkness. WE MUST PRAY that the light will cause them to see the truth, which is God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, so that who ever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting LIFE (John 3:16) God is LOVE, not death and destruction, which are the purposes of the devil. PRAY that these ones would have their minds renewed and encounter Christ even as Saul before becoming Paul encountered Christ on the road to Damascus. PRAY that they realize they are serving the wrong master and switch to serving the true Master who is Christ, the Lord of all who has all things under His feet (Ephesians 1:21-22). PRAY for their deliverance!
THE CHURCH MUST PRAY for our world leaders who have agreed to band together to destroy this terrorist activity, which we know is demonically induced. PRAY that God give them divine strategies and His wisdom. PRAY that they agree to Pray together to receive the wisdom and instruction of God, PRAY that they rely on the wisdom of God and be unified in trusting Him. We have the power and authority through the Holy Spirit to arrest these demonic spirits and destroy their assignments.
WE MUST PRAY for that is our charge from the true and living God, our Father. It is now time for the church to BE the church. Rise up and take your stand in prayer. Love like Christ loved us and PRAY for true salvation to take over throughout the world. Trust God and do this so that we all, as many as will turn, may live and come to know Christ as our Savior. He desires that none be lost. PRAY, CHURCH, PRAY! Yes, Prayer changes things and prayer will change this thing...
To our God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit be glory, honor dominion and power, now and forevermore.
For a "Prayer For Healing" go to https://soundcloud.com/e-r-reid/prayer-for-healing-copyright-2011-e-r-reid
For the Live For Results System go to www.HeightsUnknown.com
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Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Thanks, Father
It's Thanksgiving time and, yes, we have so much to be thankful for. Life, strength, provision. We could go on. Yet, I am most thankful for my best friend, Jesus Christ, my helper, Holy Spirit and God, our Father. I realize how imperfect I am as I look at all the mistakes I've made throughout the year and the times I didn't quite do exactly what I know God wanted me to do. Truly, regrettable.
But God, still loves me! He bestows His Spirit and encourages me. He leads me in right paths so I can encounter blessings and He opens doors that I could never open on my own no matter how "good" I might try to be. I am grateful that God is who He is; Faithful even when I'm faithless, Generous beyond my expectations, Comforting in my moments of despair, Uplifting when the enemy tries to weigh me down, Perfectly loving even when I need an attitude check. Wonderful to me even when I've been distracted by "stuff", Protective even when I've made the wrong turns in life, Patient when I do all the talking, Knowing how to get my attention when I don't realize its His turn to talk.
I love the Lord, Jesus Christ, for He still defends me before the Father regardless of my faults. The Holy Spirit is always there and ready to engage with me, even if I didn't give Him the attention He deserves. So here is my goal: To Let the Holy Spirit truly lead me from this moment on (I'm not waiting for the New Year) by allowing Him to govern my thoughts and decisions at all times. This will replace my making a mental decision and asking for His approval after the fact. I also strive to Not resist Him when He's trying to tell me to go in a direction other than the one that SEEMS normal, appropriate, expected by others or that I want. So, daily I yield, daily I seek Him at the start, during and at the end of the day. Daily I am learning how to trust God with all my heart and not lean towards my own understanding as society has taught us to do. To, truly take to heart and line my life up with Proverbs 3. That is my goal and I'm determined to achieve it. Life requires persistence. It's not a do it once and that's the end. Every day we have to run the race that lies before us. It requires a daily re-commitment to live life according to the Word of Truth (And there is only ONE truth). Happy Thanksgiving and stay connected to God!
To get the Live For Results System go to www.HeightsUnknown.com
To get the Start It Right Business Seminar go to http://heightsunknown.uscreen.tv/programs/start-it-right
But God, still loves me! He bestows His Spirit and encourages me. He leads me in right paths so I can encounter blessings and He opens doors that I could never open on my own no matter how "good" I might try to be. I am grateful that God is who He is; Faithful even when I'm faithless, Generous beyond my expectations, Comforting in my moments of despair, Uplifting when the enemy tries to weigh me down, Perfectly loving even when I need an attitude check. Wonderful to me even when I've been distracted by "stuff", Protective even when I've made the wrong turns in life, Patient when I do all the talking, Knowing how to get my attention when I don't realize its His turn to talk.
I love the Lord, Jesus Christ, for He still defends me before the Father regardless of my faults. The Holy Spirit is always there and ready to engage with me, even if I didn't give Him the attention He deserves. So here is my goal: To Let the Holy Spirit truly lead me from this moment on (I'm not waiting for the New Year) by allowing Him to govern my thoughts and decisions at all times. This will replace my making a mental decision and asking for His approval after the fact. I also strive to Not resist Him when He's trying to tell me to go in a direction other than the one that SEEMS normal, appropriate, expected by others or that I want. So, daily I yield, daily I seek Him at the start, during and at the end of the day. Daily I am learning how to trust God with all my heart and not lean towards my own understanding as society has taught us to do. To, truly take to heart and line my life up with Proverbs 3. That is my goal and I'm determined to achieve it. Life requires persistence. It's not a do it once and that's the end. Every day we have to run the race that lies before us. It requires a daily re-commitment to live life according to the Word of Truth (And there is only ONE truth). Happy Thanksgiving and stay connected to God!
To get the Live For Results System go to www.HeightsUnknown.com
To get the Start It Right Business Seminar go to http://heightsunknown.uscreen.tv/programs/start-it-right
Friday, June 12, 2015
Introduction to My Story
I promised to share my life story, though at this point it only covers the first fifty years of my life. I believe it is important to be transparent and share the challenges we face and what we've overcome. More importantly, we should share how we overcame, especially if we've faced multiple challenges. Over the next few weeks I will share my "hows" for those that need encouragement.
As an introduction, I will briefly describe what I've faced. Now, I recognize that there are many others who have faced far worse circumstances than I. Truly, I have been privileged to avoid a number of issues. But I also recognize that each person is faced with circumstances that, though different from others, can evoke the same degree of pain, worry or sadness.
For me, from a toddler, I faced molestation several times over many years by different people until I was ultimately raped in my teens. I've faced ridicule, been ostracized and plotted against to the point of losing jobs and job opportunities. I've been stabbed in the back many times; each time losing loving relationships or ministry that meant so much to me. I've been heckled during speeches by hateful, jealous people who admitted their jealousy to my face before acting out their envy. Yes, I've been cheated on by men I loved and supported wholeheartedly. I've been gravely misunderstood to the point of losing lifelong friendships that I cherished for decades. I've endured blatant disrespect and insult from those closest to me time and time again. I've lost all my possessions more than once including houses, cars and land. I've had to move 8 times in three years. I've had to live day to day for more than six years, some days literally only having ten cents in my pocket with two children to feed. For over a month I lived in a home with no heat or lights with my children because the electric bill was out of control. I was diagnosed with cancer and sarcoidosis with no insurance for treatment. I could go further, but this is enough for now.
If I were to carry all of these circumstances, I could say that in my life I've faced far more bad than good. But because of God's grace I cannot say such a thing. Today, I am happier than I've ever been and have more hope than I've ever had. Life is great and I'm full of joy! The one consistent cord through all my experiences is God's love. That is how I made it. As I share more over the next few weeks, I will go into detail on how He manifested His love for me alongside these circumstances so that I would not give up but rather rejoice and be happy while I overcame. I hope it will encourage you to take heart and persevere through your situations.
As an introduction, I will briefly describe what I've faced. Now, I recognize that there are many others who have faced far worse circumstances than I. Truly, I have been privileged to avoid a number of issues. But I also recognize that each person is faced with circumstances that, though different from others, can evoke the same degree of pain, worry or sadness.
For me, from a toddler, I faced molestation several times over many years by different people until I was ultimately raped in my teens. I've faced ridicule, been ostracized and plotted against to the point of losing jobs and job opportunities. I've been stabbed in the back many times; each time losing loving relationships or ministry that meant so much to me. I've been heckled during speeches by hateful, jealous people who admitted their jealousy to my face before acting out their envy. Yes, I've been cheated on by men I loved and supported wholeheartedly. I've been gravely misunderstood to the point of losing lifelong friendships that I cherished for decades. I've endured blatant disrespect and insult from those closest to me time and time again. I've lost all my possessions more than once including houses, cars and land. I've had to move 8 times in three years. I've had to live day to day for more than six years, some days literally only having ten cents in my pocket with two children to feed. For over a month I lived in a home with no heat or lights with my children because the electric bill was out of control. I was diagnosed with cancer and sarcoidosis with no insurance for treatment. I could go further, but this is enough for now.
If I were to carry all of these circumstances, I could say that in my life I've faced far more bad than good. But because of God's grace I cannot say such a thing. Today, I am happier than I've ever been and have more hope than I've ever had. Life is great and I'm full of joy! The one consistent cord through all my experiences is God's love. That is how I made it. As I share more over the next few weeks, I will go into detail on how He manifested His love for me alongside these circumstances so that I would not give up but rather rejoice and be happy while I overcame. I hope it will encourage you to take heart and persevere through your situations.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Why Worry When You Can Trust?
Only one God can pour water on your thirsty land and make streams flow
where you are dry and cracked. Trust Christ for He will take good care of you because He cares for you. (Isaiah. 44)
It doesn't matter if you are searching to know who to believe, have just started believing in Christ or have known Him and believed for decades. One of the key ways the enemy tries to defeat Christians is through worry and anxiety.
You see, many of us focus on steering clear of the most talked about immoralities and sins. Some of us have mastered, so we think, not fornicating, lying, stealing, backbiting, lusting or being mean and angry. But there is this nagging spirit that seeks to zap life from everyone that would believe. It is called, "worry" and "anxiety" and comes out of the spirit of fear.
It manifests most often when you think you finally have things in order. A thought, a suggestion about something, anything to make you wonder or worry. It might be something as simple as, "Did I lock the door or turn off the oven before I left for my trip?" and it will come when you are too far gone to go back and check. It may also be a replay of something that happened earlier in the day or two weeks ago. Something that at the time was perfectly all right but now you are concerned that someone may have misunderstood what you said or did. Or it may be a trusted friend or relative, who under an unseen, ungodly influence, tells you negative things about yourself or launches false accusations against you that you take to heart.
The objective is to keep you from ever having rest, which is the promise of God for His beloved. Psalm 127:2. Another way that scripture reads is, "He provides for those He loves while they sleep". But what does worry do? Keep you from sleeping.
Since we know worry and anxiety is not from God, but from the enemy who despises us, I recommend you strongly rebuke it when it rises against you, praise the Lord God and affirm your trust in Him. As you rest in Him, He will take care to provide for you.
www.HeightsUnknown.com
It doesn't matter if you are searching to know who to believe, have just started believing in Christ or have known Him and believed for decades. One of the key ways the enemy tries to defeat Christians is through worry and anxiety.
You see, many of us focus on steering clear of the most talked about immoralities and sins. Some of us have mastered, so we think, not fornicating, lying, stealing, backbiting, lusting or being mean and angry. But there is this nagging spirit that seeks to zap life from everyone that would believe. It is called, "worry" and "anxiety" and comes out of the spirit of fear.
It manifests most often when you think you finally have things in order. A thought, a suggestion about something, anything to make you wonder or worry. It might be something as simple as, "Did I lock the door or turn off the oven before I left for my trip?" and it will come when you are too far gone to go back and check. It may also be a replay of something that happened earlier in the day or two weeks ago. Something that at the time was perfectly all right but now you are concerned that someone may have misunderstood what you said or did. Or it may be a trusted friend or relative, who under an unseen, ungodly influence, tells you negative things about yourself or launches false accusations against you that you take to heart.
The objective is to keep you from ever having rest, which is the promise of God for His beloved. Psalm 127:2. Another way that scripture reads is, "He provides for those He loves while they sleep". But what does worry do? Keep you from sleeping.
Since we know worry and anxiety is not from God, but from the enemy who despises us, I recommend you strongly rebuke it when it rises against you, praise the Lord God and affirm your trust in Him. As you rest in Him, He will take care to provide for you.
www.HeightsUnknown.com
Monday, March 30, 2015
It only takes a momentary decision
The widow at Zarephath ( I Kings 17: 8-16) seemed to have nothing more than a handful of meal and a little oil. She also had her son and a place that she could call home. But she made up in her mind that it was her final moment; it appeared she had reached the end of the food that would sustain her life. But God...
At the same time, Elijah, the man of God was being fed by ravens that God sent to him each morning and evening. When he ran out of water, God sent him to Zarephath saying He commanded a widow there to feed him.
Here are two believers both in need of food. One resolved to die and the other having just been fed miraculously by ravens. God sees both their needs and puts them together to bring about a divine miracle that turns both their situations around.
But what if Elijah had delayed in obeying God to go to Zarephath? What if the widow had been so distracted by her thoughts of death that she refused Elijah when he asked for water? What if she refused to give him what she thought was her last OR tried to split it three ways?
No where in the text do we see where the woman audibly heard from God. But God said He commanded her. She obeyed and brought Elijah water, she obeyed in faith and made him food even as he proclaimed that she would not run out. Because of obedience they both lived on that word.
What is God asking us to do that seems less important than or even opposed to our circumstance? Are we letting our thoughts and threats prevent us from hearing God? Are we hearing God but choosing to follow our rationale rather than the command of God? The woman made the choice to obey God even in what she thought was her last hour. She chose to believe God's word and gave away the one thing she had left.
As Christ taught us, we pray "Give us this day, our daily bread..." The daily bread is the wisdom, insight and the Word we need today to help us make the right decisions and do what God requires of us. Let us trust God more than our circumstances. Let us choose His commands over our own plans.
For, just as a man of God ministered to some of us on yesterday during prayer, as long as you have a little time, God can turn your situation around. As long as there is breath in your body, God can turn your circumstance around. As long as you have a little something to work with God can use it to turn you life around for good. Trust and obey Him.
www.HeightsUnknown.com
At the same time, Elijah, the man of God was being fed by ravens that God sent to him each morning and evening. When he ran out of water, God sent him to Zarephath saying He commanded a widow there to feed him.
Here are two believers both in need of food. One resolved to die and the other having just been fed miraculously by ravens. God sees both their needs and puts them together to bring about a divine miracle that turns both their situations around.
But what if Elijah had delayed in obeying God to go to Zarephath? What if the widow had been so distracted by her thoughts of death that she refused Elijah when he asked for water? What if she refused to give him what she thought was her last OR tried to split it three ways?
No where in the text do we see where the woman audibly heard from God. But God said He commanded her. She obeyed and brought Elijah water, she obeyed in faith and made him food even as he proclaimed that she would not run out. Because of obedience they both lived on that word.
What is God asking us to do that seems less important than or even opposed to our circumstance? Are we letting our thoughts and threats prevent us from hearing God? Are we hearing God but choosing to follow our rationale rather than the command of God? The woman made the choice to obey God even in what she thought was her last hour. She chose to believe God's word and gave away the one thing she had left.
As Christ taught us, we pray "Give us this day, our daily bread..." The daily bread is the wisdom, insight and the Word we need today to help us make the right decisions and do what God requires of us. Let us trust God more than our circumstances. Let us choose His commands over our own plans.
For, just as a man of God ministered to some of us on yesterday during prayer, as long as you have a little time, God can turn your situation around. As long as there is breath in your body, God can turn your circumstance around. As long as you have a little something to work with God can use it to turn you life around for good. Trust and obey Him.
www.HeightsUnknown.com
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Rising with Christ Jesus
"Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever." Psalm 145:2
When I think about how wonderful our Lord, Jesus Christ, is, I feel reverence and a solemn praise comes over me. One day I will share my whole story. But I can truly say, our Lord God - Father, Son and Holy Ghost, is faithful, alive, truthful, loving, generous, compassionate and did I say faithful already? I have seen so much trouble in different forms throughout my life thus far but God has truly delivered me from them all.
The trouble has worked in me patience, strength and the desire for wisdom while working out folly, arrogance and the pride of life. Things I prioritized years ago no longer rank high on my list of priorities. My main desire now is to please Him.
One of the main ways we please Him is by blessing Him every day and moment that we can think to do it. We spend so much time asking for Him to bless us, but He requires that we bless Him, too. Is it because God is arrogant and selfish that He wants us to spend all our hours blessing Him? NOO!! Everything God does or requires is to help us live the blessed life that He ordained for all His children-those that would believe.
When we bless the Lord, it lifts us up spiritually, emotionally and even physically. When we bless the Lord in truth, darkness, confusion and oppression move away as they cannot stand in the light of God's glory that manifests in our praise. The true worship and praise we give the Lord breaks off bondages because it acknowledges that no matter what circumstances we may be facing, Jesus Christ is still Lord and sovereign and thus trouble has no authority in our lives. When we acknowledge His greatness, He is more inclined to speak words that bring more favor and blessings into our lives because we show we understand who He is and how much He loves us as our Father.
So, if you're feeling down and can't seem to find the way up, begin to bless the Lord. Look up to Him spiritually, emotionally and physically and you will begin to rise from the ashes of life into the wonderful splendor of His glory. It is in that glory you will hear Him speak and find the solutions you need to go forward in life. www.HeightsUnknown.com
When I think about how wonderful our Lord, Jesus Christ, is, I feel reverence and a solemn praise comes over me. One day I will share my whole story. But I can truly say, our Lord God - Father, Son and Holy Ghost, is faithful, alive, truthful, loving, generous, compassionate and did I say faithful already? I have seen so much trouble in different forms throughout my life thus far but God has truly delivered me from them all.
The trouble has worked in me patience, strength and the desire for wisdom while working out folly, arrogance and the pride of life. Things I prioritized years ago no longer rank high on my list of priorities. My main desire now is to please Him.
One of the main ways we please Him is by blessing Him every day and moment that we can think to do it. We spend so much time asking for Him to bless us, but He requires that we bless Him, too. Is it because God is arrogant and selfish that He wants us to spend all our hours blessing Him? NOO!! Everything God does or requires is to help us live the blessed life that He ordained for all His children-those that would believe.
When we bless the Lord, it lifts us up spiritually, emotionally and even physically. When we bless the Lord in truth, darkness, confusion and oppression move away as they cannot stand in the light of God's glory that manifests in our praise. The true worship and praise we give the Lord breaks off bondages because it acknowledges that no matter what circumstances we may be facing, Jesus Christ is still Lord and sovereign and thus trouble has no authority in our lives. When we acknowledge His greatness, He is more inclined to speak words that bring more favor and blessings into our lives because we show we understand who He is and how much He loves us as our Father.
So, if you're feeling down and can't seem to find the way up, begin to bless the Lord. Look up to Him spiritually, emotionally and physically and you will begin to rise from the ashes of life into the wonderful splendor of His glory. It is in that glory you will hear Him speak and find the solutions you need to go forward in life. www.HeightsUnknown.com
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