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Breakthrough Life CenterSelah
W/ Pastor Amber |
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I remember being a young 14-year-old girl looking out the window over the church property and thinking, wow. Off to the side of the church building, you could see a field, probably 5 acres (if not more) of small white crosses. I remember the community was in an uproar over these crosses, “how could the Pastor do that? It’s disgusting!” they said.
But our Pastor felt strongly about the need to end abortion so, in the effort of awareness, he took acres of the churches interstate property and created “the field of blood.” A small cross was staked in the ground for every abortion in our community. Women from all over would come and write their aborted babies names on a cross, giving their baby a place to rest and hopefully finding closure. Many would also share the pain & shame their abortion had caused them, and of the healing, they have found in God. I watched this for months. After a while, our Pastor was forced to remove his field, but the image and idea of it always stuck with me!
About 2 & 1/2 years later, at 16, I discovered I was pregnant. Most of my friends and their parents all urged me to hurry & have an abortion. Saying things like, “It’s not a baby” or “If you don’t, your life will be over!” Even, “You will never be anything if you don’t!”
But no matter what they said to me, all I could see was the “field of blood” running through my mind. The stories of pain, shame, and heartbreak replayed over and over again in my head for weeks.
Then one day, after my mom found out,🥴she took me to the teen pregnancy center. A lady came in, sat down and began to give me my options. As we got to the abortion option, she started to tell me her story. She, unfortunately, didn’t have a support system and was forced to aborted her baby. As she told me about her experience, you could feel the pain and trauma it caused her with every word she spoke. Pain and trauma that seemed to of never left her side. Pain and trauma that seemed equal to every woman I encountered at the field of blood.
At that moment It seemed to me that no matter which road I chose, it would be hard either way. If I ended the pregnancy, I would be tormented by that decision for the rest of my life. If I kept the baby, I would have to struggle and fight through many tough situations to make it. Either way, it was going to be a battle! So I made a decision, if I was going to fight, I wasn’t going to do it alone, I was keeping the baby!! After all, I was taught with God all things are possible! And I’m so glad I did😊
Was it hard, yes, I was a baby raising a baby! I got married to the father and moved out of my mom and dads house at 17. We were poorer than poor. It was a struggle every day. While my friends were cheering and going to prom, I was changing diapers and trying to get my diploma. While my friends were graduating, I was filing for divorce and fighting for custody. There was nothing fun or easy about the road I chose. But what I can say is, I wouldn’t change it for the world! I have a gorgeous, now 25-year-old😊 and beautiful family.. God stepped into my situation & restored our marriage. Shortly after we enrolled in Bible college and started our journey into ministry! I’ve traveled all over the world and have done things I never thought possible for a pregnant, teenage drop out! And let’s not forget I had 2 more gorgeous babies!
Look, I know every situation isn’t like mine, a teenager just trying to decide what to do. Many have had to make this type of decision in horrific conditions that I can’t even fathom. And for them, my heart breaks. I truly just long to wrap my arms around your heart until your pain goes away! You certainly will find no judgment here. I understand the torment of standing in between these 2 mountains and having to choose one or the other. It’s a horrible place to be that unless you’ve felt the weight of it, you can make no judgments on those who have.
All I can do today is stand and say, for those in this Valley, standing between these to mountains, here I am, a survivor of what was supposed to be “the end of my life!”
Here we are, alive and kicking!! What was said to be my end was only our beginning!!
Deciding to have her started me on a journey that has been nothing but SALVATION for me & her father! She saved us from ourselves! And today, 25 years later, I can say she was worth every struggle & every tear shed! Today, I’m grateful I chose life, and I’ve never regretted it and neither will you!!!
CHOOSE LIFE❤️
Pastor Amber aka “proud former teenage mom” 😊 #noregrets
But our Pastor felt strongly about the need to end abortion so, in the effort of awareness, he took acres of the churches interstate property and created “the field of blood.” A small cross was staked in the ground for every abortion in our community. Women from all over would come and write their aborted babies names on a cross, giving their baby a place to rest and hopefully finding closure. Many would also share the pain & shame their abortion had caused them, and of the healing, they have found in God. I watched this for months. After a while, our Pastor was forced to remove his field, but the image and idea of it always stuck with me!
About 2 & 1/2 years later, at 16, I discovered I was pregnant. Most of my friends and their parents all urged me to hurry & have an abortion. Saying things like, “It’s not a baby” or “If you don’t, your life will be over!” Even, “You will never be anything if you don’t!”
But no matter what they said to me, all I could see was the “field of blood” running through my mind. The stories of pain, shame, and heartbreak replayed over and over again in my head for weeks.
Then one day, after my mom found out,🥴she took me to the teen pregnancy center. A lady came in, sat down and began to give me my options. As we got to the abortion option, she started to tell me her story. She, unfortunately, didn’t have a support system and was forced to aborted her baby. As she told me about her experience, you could feel the pain and trauma it caused her with every word she spoke. Pain and trauma that seemed to of never left her side. Pain and trauma that seemed equal to every woman I encountered at the field of blood.
At that moment It seemed to me that no matter which road I chose, it would be hard either way. If I ended the pregnancy, I would be tormented by that decision for the rest of my life. If I kept the baby, I would have to struggle and fight through many tough situations to make it. Either way, it was going to be a battle! So I made a decision, if I was going to fight, I wasn’t going to do it alone, I was keeping the baby!! After all, I was taught with God all things are possible! And I’m so glad I did😊
Was it hard, yes, I was a baby raising a baby! I got married to the father and moved out of my mom and dads house at 17. We were poorer than poor. It was a struggle every day. While my friends were cheering and going to prom, I was changing diapers and trying to get my diploma. While my friends were graduating, I was filing for divorce and fighting for custody. There was nothing fun or easy about the road I chose. But what I can say is, I wouldn’t change it for the world! I have a gorgeous, now 25-year-old😊 and beautiful family.. God stepped into my situation & restored our marriage. Shortly after we enrolled in Bible college and started our journey into ministry! I’ve traveled all over the world and have done things I never thought possible for a pregnant, teenage drop out! And let’s not forget I had 2 more gorgeous babies!
Look, I know every situation isn’t like mine, a teenager just trying to decide what to do. Many have had to make this type of decision in horrific conditions that I can’t even fathom. And for them, my heart breaks. I truly just long to wrap my arms around your heart until your pain goes away! You certainly will find no judgment here. I understand the torment of standing in between these 2 mountains and having to choose one or the other. It’s a horrible place to be that unless you’ve felt the weight of it, you can make no judgments on those who have.
All I can do today is stand and say, for those in this Valley, standing between these to mountains, here I am, a survivor of what was supposed to be “the end of my life!”
Here we are, alive and kicking!! What was said to be my end was only our beginning!!
Deciding to have her started me on a journey that has been nothing but SALVATION for me & her father! She saved us from ourselves! And today, 25 years later, I can say she was worth every struggle & every tear shed! Today, I’m grateful I chose life, and I’ve never regretted it and neither will you!!!
CHOOSE LIFE❤️
Pastor Amber aka “proud former teenage mom” 😊 #noregrets
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Jan 2019 2019- The year of bones To the body: Alignment is coming to the church, keep watch for it! Stand guard, watch and see... Sound the alarm to get in position. Every bone must pay close attention to its position and purpose & determine within its hearts to not raise itself above another bone. Knowing your place & valuing every bone is vital for proper alignment- For there can be no rivalry between bones. To church leaders: Watch and see these alignments unfold as I connect bone to bone around you. Watch as Kings in the kingdom shift & work equally with other Kings. Queens will work with other queens. Generals will align with other generals. The alignment of the 5fold ministry will also unfold and united kings will lead them. Breath began to blow in 2018 and in 2019 you will see bone connecting to bone, The hand will be reconstructed, the body will take shape and rise to lead once again. Now is the calling going forth to the bones. Come together, bone to bone, it’s time to rebuild the body! Pastor Amber Creedle (Scripture ref, listed below) So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.” Ezekiel 37:1-7 NIV “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:21-31 NIV |
Pastor Bubba’s word regarding 2019
Remember tonight as you lay your head down that God has never and will never leave you. No matter the situation you find yourself in, know this; the presence of darkness doesn’t mean the absence of HIS presence.
Gen 1:2 says it this way,
“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”
No matter how dark it may seem, you are not alone if you allow God to hover❤️
Rest!
Pastor Amber💋
Gen 1:2 says it this way,
“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”
No matter how dark it may seem, you are not alone if you allow God to hover❤️
Rest!
Pastor Amber💋
Shoo-Fly
Today I was driving down the road and noticed Aspen was a tad annoyed.
So, of course, I asked, “why so glum chum?” Her reply was great. She said, “nothing, I just feel “ugh” with people & their drama.”
I laughed & said, “huh?” She explained, “I mean there are people with real problems, Mom. We see it every day! People dealing with suicide, cancer, deaths, addictions, DEMON POSSESSION” (as pastors we’ve dealt with all of these, in some form, every day for the past few weeks, so it’s a tad fresh in her brain)
She continued, “These are real problems... not being able to feed your family, that’s real.. BUT So & so talked about me or I can’t have this or do that... I don't like this, and I don't like that, that’s just stupid & annoying! Like really, grow up!”
I smiled at her, agreed and told her I was proud of her eyes.
(That's great wisdom from a 15-year-old!! A pearl of wisdom that I am grateful she’s learning now in her ministry journey.)
Because here’s the truth:
Too many times we live distracted by the small annoyances in life and rob ourselves from accomplishing the BIG things in life!
You know, we miss the whole forest because we are busy staring at a few trees...
The enemy has been succeeding far too long & we must wake up! There are too many swimming in the sea of distraction & pettiness. Too many are lost, spending their days concentrating on insignificant things that in the scheme of life, doesn’t matter.
Things like the opinions of people, material possessions, houses, cars, popularity, social standing, corporate latter’s, and yes,
FB/IG likes etc.
THERE IS SO MUCH MORE to life than this...
My prayer today is that these scales fall off all of our eyes, & the eyes of our communities. I pray we all can see clearly what is significant and invest ourselves in those things.
LET US ALL SEE LORD, GIVE US EYES TO SEE & THE COURAGE TO PURSUE.
Seek this truth! It’s time we wake up & refuse to be distracted!
Love you,❤️
So, of course, I asked, “why so glum chum?” Her reply was great. She said, “nothing, I just feel “ugh” with people & their drama.”
I laughed & said, “huh?” She explained, “I mean there are people with real problems, Mom. We see it every day! People dealing with suicide, cancer, deaths, addictions, DEMON POSSESSION” (as pastors we’ve dealt with all of these, in some form, every day for the past few weeks, so it’s a tad fresh in her brain)
She continued, “These are real problems... not being able to feed your family, that’s real.. BUT So & so talked about me or I can’t have this or do that... I don't like this, and I don't like that, that’s just stupid & annoying! Like really, grow up!”
I smiled at her, agreed and told her I was proud of her eyes.
(That's great wisdom from a 15-year-old!! A pearl of wisdom that I am grateful she’s learning now in her ministry journey.)
Because here’s the truth:
Too many times we live distracted by the small annoyances in life and rob ourselves from accomplishing the BIG things in life!
You know, we miss the whole forest because we are busy staring at a few trees...
The enemy has been succeeding far too long & we must wake up! There are too many swimming in the sea of distraction & pettiness. Too many are lost, spending their days concentrating on insignificant things that in the scheme of life, doesn’t matter.
Things like the opinions of people, material possessions, houses, cars, popularity, social standing, corporate latter’s, and yes,
FB/IG likes etc.
THERE IS SO MUCH MORE to life than this...
My prayer today is that these scales fall off all of our eyes, & the eyes of our communities. I pray we all can see clearly what is significant and invest ourselves in those things.
LET US ALL SEE LORD, GIVE US EYES TO SEE & THE COURAGE TO PURSUE.
Seek this truth! It’s time we wake up & refuse to be distracted!
Love you,❤️
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Living in perfect peace is a gift you give yourself. How?? Prayer & editing...
Your life will continue on just fine without the drama others can create!
It doesn’t matter who they are- If they want to play “pet my disfunction” let them!
If they want to drink, party, cuss & carry on, let em... Everyone has the right to choose their own path & SO DO YOU!
Choose to not participate!! Choose better for your life, better for your children! Choose PEACE.
Oh they will blame you, make you out to be a horrible person to others..
WHO CARES🤷🏼♀️
They will delete you from FB,
WHO CARES🤷🏼♀️
At some point you have to leave them to the disfunction they’ve created...
And CHOOSE PEACE for yourself!
#EditAway
Pastor Amber
Your life will continue on just fine without the drama others can create!
It doesn’t matter who they are- If they want to play “pet my disfunction” let them!
If they want to drink, party, cuss & carry on, let em... Everyone has the right to choose their own path & SO DO YOU!
Choose to not participate!! Choose better for your life, better for your children! Choose PEACE.
Oh they will blame you, make you out to be a horrible person to others..
WHO CARES🤷🏼♀️
They will delete you from FB,
WHO CARES🤷🏼♀️
At some point you have to leave them to the disfunction they’ve created...
And CHOOSE PEACE for yourself!
#EditAway
Pastor Amber
Open the BOX
This morning as I stepped out of the shower the spirit of God spoke this to me for the CHURCH as a whole:
God moves during certain times, aka; Seasons, windows, moments: All these, as HE ordains. It is the church's job to be ready for this, in season and out!! The church must be ready for these times, moments, & windows. When they are open, the church is responsible to pounce on them. Sadly, many see these times, aka; windows, seasons, moments come and go. Many watch them open and close and do not make a move simply because it requires leaving where they are, who they know.
The church is now in one of these seasons, windows, moments.
I hear God calling to many asking...
Are you really going to let it pass before you once again just because it’s somewhere else?? Are you really going to allow this moment to pass you by because it’s in a package other than YOU & yours? Are you really going to cry out before me for revival and yet see it happening at another church, place or people and because it’s not where you are, refrain from it?
I’ve asked you, DO YOU REALLY WANT REVIVAL CHURCH? You, SHOUT, YES! But your actions say NO! You desire revival only where you are...
Nowhere else...
What you are yes is really saying is, “God send me revival but only in MY church, only with MY leaders, & only on SUNDAYS from 10-12!”
You don’t want a revival you want a SHOW...
As I heard this I felt his grieved spirit. I could feel the spirit felt rejected by many who out of there mouths say one thing but act another...
TODAY, correct this. REPENT, search your heart, have you done this? Evaluate yourself truly!!! If this has been your actions, you have grieved him...
How can we say we want him and act this way. FORGIVE US LORD!
Pastor Amber💋
God moves during certain times, aka; Seasons, windows, moments: All these, as HE ordains. It is the church's job to be ready for this, in season and out!! The church must be ready for these times, moments, & windows. When they are open, the church is responsible to pounce on them. Sadly, many see these times, aka; windows, seasons, moments come and go. Many watch them open and close and do not make a move simply because it requires leaving where they are, who they know.
The church is now in one of these seasons, windows, moments.
I hear God calling to many asking...
Are you really going to let it pass before you once again just because it’s somewhere else?? Are you really going to allow this moment to pass you by because it’s in a package other than YOU & yours? Are you really going to cry out before me for revival and yet see it happening at another church, place or people and because it’s not where you are, refrain from it?
I’ve asked you, DO YOU REALLY WANT REVIVAL CHURCH? You, SHOUT, YES! But your actions say NO! You desire revival only where you are...
Nowhere else...
What you are yes is really saying is, “God send me revival but only in MY church, only with MY leaders, & only on SUNDAYS from 10-12!”
You don’t want a revival you want a SHOW...
As I heard this I felt his grieved spirit. I could feel the spirit felt rejected by many who out of there mouths say one thing but act another...
TODAY, correct this. REPENT, search your heart, have you done this? Evaluate yourself truly!!! If this has been your actions, you have grieved him...
How can we say we want him and act this way. FORGIVE US LORD!
Pastor Amber💋
Heal the Hand and heal the LAND
The enemy has the world so distracted by skin, sex & political segregation that they’ve missed the real one, the spiritual one.
The segregation of the five-fold ministry!
Apostles up here
Prophets over here
Teachers over there
Pastors down there
Evangelists....out there somewhere etc.
Segregation is real and it is everywhere! It's a horrible injustice that we can not tolerate in our lives or the world. The issue is we are not fighting this battle in the right arena. For far too long we have been warring against this natural manifestation of a spiritual imbalance, a spiritual epidemic.
Simply put, This WAR can only be won in the spirit!
Today we have this worldly, outward manifestation of brother against brother and sister against sister, left against right and right against left, men against woman and woman against man, all from what's going on within the spirit realms!
AND NO ONE IS SEEING or ADDRESSING IT!
This WAR is far deeper than skin, sex, race, or politics! This is a spiritual war that can only be won within the spirit!
(as it is in the natural so it is in the spirit)
When the fivefold ministries stop segregating itself, so will the world.
THE HAND MUST BECOME ONE AGAIN!
God says, Heal the hand and Heal the LAND!
Merge the wells!
Pastor Amber❤️
The segregation of the five-fold ministry!
Apostles up here
Prophets over here
Teachers over there
Pastors down there
Evangelists....out there somewhere etc.
Segregation is real and it is everywhere! It's a horrible injustice that we can not tolerate in our lives or the world. The issue is we are not fighting this battle in the right arena. For far too long we have been warring against this natural manifestation of a spiritual imbalance, a spiritual epidemic.
Simply put, This WAR can only be won in the spirit!
Today we have this worldly, outward manifestation of brother against brother and sister against sister, left against right and right against left, men against woman and woman against man, all from what's going on within the spirit realms!
AND NO ONE IS SEEING or ADDRESSING IT!
This WAR is far deeper than skin, sex, race, or politics! This is a spiritual war that can only be won within the spirit!
(as it is in the natural so it is in the spirit)
When the fivefold ministries stop segregating itself, so will the world.
THE HAND MUST BECOME ONE AGAIN!
God says, Heal the hand and Heal the LAND!
Merge the wells!
Pastor Amber❤️
PULL
Standing in front of a door that won’t open is frustrating..
(especially if its the bathroom lol right?!)
After a while of trying to open a door that won't budge, one has to wonder, am I in the right place?Is this the right door? Should I try another door? Should I go somewhere else?
But sometimes it’s not where we are that’s wrong.
Sometimes, the problem is what we are doing!
Much like people, not all doors open the same way and we can not approach every door the same.Some doors require a push but some require a pull. I mean HEY, some even slide to the side. The point is, many of us are living frustrated because we are trying with all our might to get something or someone (a door) to budge.
We have pushed and pushed until we can push no more.
STOP!!!
Sometimes the answer is as simple as changing directions.
Quit pushing & PULL!
Stop trying to force the door to open! Step back, take a deep breath and gently pull!
It's amazing how easy a pull door opens when we stop pushing on it!
SOMETIMES IT REALLY IS THAT SIMPLE!!
~Pastor Amber
We must LIVE our lives WITH OUR MESSAGE IN MIND!
Our message, the topic of our life, the thing God created us to say, that’s the reason why we are here.
But too many times we allow our behavior to diminishes our message! We live lives that constantly contradict the message we are here to preach.
It’s time to stop!! It’s time to ask yourself why? Why is it that I constantly demean my purpose by the decisions I make? Why can’t I allow myself to be what I’m created to be?Why can’t I live a life worthy of the call I have received?
Look, you can't heal what you won't reveal!! It’s time to get honest & to stop this self-sabotaging behavior!
You are great and can be so much more then what you have allowed yourself to become!
Living a life below your means is a great idea financially but not spiritually! You must rise to meet your call!
It’s time to shed the self-hate, guilt and forgive yourself! It’s time to give yourself permission to live out your message!
Pastor Amber
Our message, the topic of our life, the thing God created us to say, that’s the reason why we are here.
But too many times we allow our behavior to diminishes our message! We live lives that constantly contradict the message we are here to preach.
It’s time to stop!! It’s time to ask yourself why? Why is it that I constantly demean my purpose by the decisions I make? Why can’t I allow myself to be what I’m created to be?Why can’t I live a life worthy of the call I have received?
Look, you can't heal what you won't reveal!! It’s time to get honest & to stop this self-sabotaging behavior!
You are great and can be so much more then what you have allowed yourself to become!
Living a life below your means is a great idea financially but not spiritually! You must rise to meet your call!
It’s time to shed the self-hate, guilt and forgive yourself! It’s time to give yourself permission to live out your message!
Pastor Amber
❤️Being willing to do something and wanting to do something are 2 different things!❤️
Anyone who truly knows me knows, I HATE arguing, fighting and fussing!!! Loathe it actually and separate myself from those who do it regularly! I enjoy peace and laughter😊However, if someone brings a valid fight to my door, hurts my children or family, etc. I’m certainly willing to handle it and have on many occasions! Because of this I have fought many battles, stood up to many bullies, and confronted many attackers in life. Not because I wanted to or loved to do this but because I’ve had too!!
I know many of you can say the exact same thing about many things in your life...
The point is, over the past 20 years, I’ve found, many get confused with what someone "has to do" with what they actually "want to do". Taking what someone will do when backed into a corner and confusing it with what they WANT to do, or with who they are!
As a Pastor, hearing many stories, I’ve seen many wrongly defined, misunderstood, used, abused and/or neglected people, simply because they were willing to do what they never WANTED to do! One fight, one job, one situation, one bad decision, had taken over their life and changed who society, the world and the church said they were forever! Wrongly defining them...
❌❌❌WE’VE ALL BEEN GUILTY OF THIS AND WE MUST STOP IT!!❌❌❌
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️Here’s the truth⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Everyone has a story, a history, a chapter in their book that no one ever reads, sees or cares to know. But it’s these scenes that shape and define the reality of what we all see in someone’s everyday. Their who, what and whys!
The truth is until we each take the time to uncover these things, hear these story’s, we KNOW NOTHING! It is this reason that only God can truly judge a person. It’s this reason, that HE can give grace and abundantly forgive things that we can’t even fathom! He knows every backstory to every situation! He’s seen all of the behind the scene footage, the events that “lead up to” and understands it all...
He’s seen the good, the bad and the ugly... and loves us still❤️
This week open your heart and eyes. Allow God to reveal things to you! Determine to see others and their actions through HIS eyes and HEAR through his heart! This is how Jesus was a "friend of sinners"
Refuse to take things personally but instead seek to understand why! Don’t be so quick to judge but rather quick to LOVE!!!
Learn to be more like your Heavenly Father, Seek to respond like him & reflect his heart!
Doing this will change the way you see, think, speak, & hear...
Let us DO BETTER! Let us BE BETTER❤️
Pastor Amber💋
Anyone who truly knows me knows, I HATE arguing, fighting and fussing!!! Loathe it actually and separate myself from those who do it regularly! I enjoy peace and laughter😊However, if someone brings a valid fight to my door, hurts my children or family, etc. I’m certainly willing to handle it and have on many occasions! Because of this I have fought many battles, stood up to many bullies, and confronted many attackers in life. Not because I wanted to or loved to do this but because I’ve had too!!
I know many of you can say the exact same thing about many things in your life...
The point is, over the past 20 years, I’ve found, many get confused with what someone "has to do" with what they actually "want to do". Taking what someone will do when backed into a corner and confusing it with what they WANT to do, or with who they are!
As a Pastor, hearing many stories, I’ve seen many wrongly defined, misunderstood, used, abused and/or neglected people, simply because they were willing to do what they never WANTED to do! One fight, one job, one situation, one bad decision, had taken over their life and changed who society, the world and the church said they were forever! Wrongly defining them...
❌❌❌WE’VE ALL BEEN GUILTY OF THIS AND WE MUST STOP IT!!❌❌❌
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️Here’s the truth⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Everyone has a story, a history, a chapter in their book that no one ever reads, sees or cares to know. But it’s these scenes that shape and define the reality of what we all see in someone’s everyday. Their who, what and whys!
The truth is until we each take the time to uncover these things, hear these story’s, we KNOW NOTHING! It is this reason that only God can truly judge a person. It’s this reason, that HE can give grace and abundantly forgive things that we can’t even fathom! He knows every backstory to every situation! He’s seen all of the behind the scene footage, the events that “lead up to” and understands it all...
He’s seen the good, the bad and the ugly... and loves us still❤️
This week open your heart and eyes. Allow God to reveal things to you! Determine to see others and their actions through HIS eyes and HEAR through his heart! This is how Jesus was a "friend of sinners"
Refuse to take things personally but instead seek to understand why! Don’t be so quick to judge but rather quick to LOVE!!!
Learn to be more like your Heavenly Father, Seek to respond like him & reflect his heart!
Doing this will change the way you see, think, speak, & hear...
Let us DO BETTER! Let us BE BETTER❤️
Pastor Amber💋
Most conflicts, offenses or issues usually arise from a few things- Here’s just 5, that if controlled, we could help ourselves and those around us tremendously✌🏼
1. We bring yesterday’s baggage into today’s relationships/situations (just because they did, doesn’t mean someone else will too)
2. We assume to know or understand things we have not experienced (unless you’ve been there, done that, don’t comment, just LISTEN)
3. We take things that have nothing to do with us personally, failing to realize we aren’t the center of everyone’s focus (it’s not always about you boo)
4. We presume to know what someone actions or statements meant based on our personal experiences and filters.
Instead try listening from their experience and filters (not everyone thinks like you, learn to see from their shoes)
5. We speak when we haven’t earned the right too! (We earn the right to speak into someone’s life by our ability to Listen)
All of the things above are caused by OVER THINKING & OVER ANALYZING... STOP IT!! in the words of Envoge
🎶 Free your mind and the rest will follow🎵
Love you❤️
, Pastor Amber,💋
1. We bring yesterday’s baggage into today’s relationships/situations (just because they did, doesn’t mean someone else will too)
2. We assume to know or understand things we have not experienced (unless you’ve been there, done that, don’t comment, just LISTEN)
3. We take things that have nothing to do with us personally, failing to realize we aren’t the center of everyone’s focus (it’s not always about you boo)
4. We presume to know what someone actions or statements meant based on our personal experiences and filters.
Instead try listening from their experience and filters (not everyone thinks like you, learn to see from their shoes)
5. We speak when we haven’t earned the right too! (We earn the right to speak into someone’s life by our ability to Listen)
All of the things above are caused by OVER THINKING & OVER ANALYZING... STOP IT!! in the words of Envoge
🎶 Free your mind and the rest will follow🎵
Love you❤️
, Pastor Amber,💋
Healing for today!
I am so saddened by those who believe God causes sickness or uses it to "teach" or punish us for something!
Sickness and disease are not part of God's makeup! They are not in HIS DNA nor part of his kingdom! (Therefore not in ours)
He would have to literally rob the enemies camp to make you sick because he doesn't even possess these things.
God's thoughts toward us go in the opposite direction of sickness and disease. Jeremiah says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
⬆️This is the God we serve⬆️
Tthe God that gives us hope & a future.. and there's no hope & future in sickness and disease... jus sayin😏
Pastor Amber💋
#shakeThatStuffOff #hesAGoodGod #aGoodGoodFather #dontBuyTheLie
Sickness and disease are not part of God's makeup! They are not in HIS DNA nor part of his kingdom! (Therefore not in ours)
He would have to literally rob the enemies camp to make you sick because he doesn't even possess these things.
God's thoughts toward us go in the opposite direction of sickness and disease. Jeremiah says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
⬆️This is the God we serve⬆️
Tthe God that gives us hope & a future.. and there's no hope & future in sickness and disease... jus sayin😏
Pastor Amber💋
#shakeThatStuffOff #hesAGoodGod #aGoodGoodFather #dontBuyTheLie
Check your Seeds
Because this has come up 10times this week, let’s talk about it...
One thing about sowing and reaping- We reap whatever we sow, good or bad. Many times we forget this concept within our relationships, especially spiritual ones. Which in the kingdom, hold more weight than carnal relationships.
Many are currently reaping things they have sown toward men and woman of God right now and asking what’s going on? Why aren’t things going smoothly for me etc? What’s happening ???????
Now, there can be MANY reasons for this and today I would light to highlight one of them for you to consider.
👨🌾👩🏼🌾Past Seeds Sown
Many, in times past, have had opportunities where we should of sown mercy, honor and respect. However, instead we slandered, crucified and attacked those God had given us to serve. This does not go without repercussions.
Many seeds we sow we can’t reap a harvest from until we are in the correct field, their shoes, if you will..
This is why one of the main things we tell ministers who come to us wanting to start a church or ministry is;
❗️First❗️
Go back and correct your wrongs to past leaders. The reason is because as soon as you step on their fields (their arena) your are then in position to reap a harvest from the seeds you’ve sown toward them, good or bad.
Annnnnd lets just be honest... You might not be able to withstand your own actions coming back at you.🤨 This kingdom principle is explained when scripture says, “Judge, least ye be judged”.
In simpler terms, sooner or later it’s coming down on you the way you have brought it down on others... (and greater)
I know this sounds harsh but it’s true.
Whenever going through something I can’t explain I am quick to check past seeds. Whether the seed sown was justified in my mind or not doesn’t matter. Fault, doesn’t matter. Who’s wrong and who’s right, doesn’t matter.
Before the throne we aren’t responsible for the actions of others but OUR response to the actions of others!!
In the end all that matters is, did I sow love, mercy and grace? Did I forgive as I have been forgiven? Did I love as I have been loved? Did I give the mercy and grace I want to receive? Did I place myself as judge over someone I had no spiritual authority to judge? Did I defend? Did I restore?
If not, it’s a bad seed, a seed that WILL be reaped until it’s corrected...
Today, Go before the courts of heaven and ask God to reveal these type of seeds to you. Then, have the courage to go through the process to correct them.
This will make you a better kingdom citizen- Living happy, healthy and free😍
Love you
PA💋
One thing about sowing and reaping- We reap whatever we sow, good or bad. Many times we forget this concept within our relationships, especially spiritual ones. Which in the kingdom, hold more weight than carnal relationships.
Many are currently reaping things they have sown toward men and woman of God right now and asking what’s going on? Why aren’t things going smoothly for me etc? What’s happening ???????
Now, there can be MANY reasons for this and today I would light to highlight one of them for you to consider.
👨🌾👩🏼🌾Past Seeds Sown
Many, in times past, have had opportunities where we should of sown mercy, honor and respect. However, instead we slandered, crucified and attacked those God had given us to serve. This does not go without repercussions.
Many seeds we sow we can’t reap a harvest from until we are in the correct field, their shoes, if you will..
This is why one of the main things we tell ministers who come to us wanting to start a church or ministry is;
❗️First❗️
Go back and correct your wrongs to past leaders. The reason is because as soon as you step on their fields (their arena) your are then in position to reap a harvest from the seeds you’ve sown toward them, good or bad.
Annnnnd lets just be honest... You might not be able to withstand your own actions coming back at you.🤨 This kingdom principle is explained when scripture says, “Judge, least ye be judged”.
In simpler terms, sooner or later it’s coming down on you the way you have brought it down on others... (and greater)
I know this sounds harsh but it’s true.
Whenever going through something I can’t explain I am quick to check past seeds. Whether the seed sown was justified in my mind or not doesn’t matter. Fault, doesn’t matter. Who’s wrong and who’s right, doesn’t matter.
Before the throne we aren’t responsible for the actions of others but OUR response to the actions of others!!
In the end all that matters is, did I sow love, mercy and grace? Did I forgive as I have been forgiven? Did I love as I have been loved? Did I give the mercy and grace I want to receive? Did I place myself as judge over someone I had no spiritual authority to judge? Did I defend? Did I restore?
If not, it’s a bad seed, a seed that WILL be reaped until it’s corrected...
Today, Go before the courts of heaven and ask God to reveal these type of seeds to you. Then, have the courage to go through the process to correct them.
This will make you a better kingdom citizen- Living happy, healthy and free😍
Love you
PA💋
In-Spite of |
THE “IN-SPITE OF” people
The world is always scared of what they don’t understand or have never seen/experienced before.
For example-
The light bulb was first rejected by a scientist claiming it was beneath them, only for the commoner.
Coffee was to rejected by some, claiming it caused a form of drunkenness.
Airplanes were also rejected calling them interesting scientific toys, but having no military value.😳
The same type of rejections were also received for other things like computers, taxis, umbrellas, vaccinations, penicillin ..etc and the list continues.
The point is everything that paves a way in any new territory is subject to some form of ridicule & rejection. If we as leaders and pioneers are determined to wage out into uncharted territories we cannot be surprised or stopped by the push back we receive. We can not be people who stop simply because those around us (even our peers) don’t “get it”, support it or approve of what we are doing/pursuing. Every true pioneer in the natural or in the spirit throughout history underwent some type of ostracizing in their respected communities. Even Jesus was by some considered evil and in witchcraft for healing the sick, raising the dead and preaching the kingdom message. (Thank God he didn’t let that stop him!!!!!! Where would we be if he did? Can I get an Amen👏🏻👏🏻)
The point is for us to learn to be like the creators of the things I’ve listed above. Each of them, though their creations were extremely diverse, had one common trait. They each were “in spite of” people! People that set their minds like flint regardless of the atmospheres and opinions around them! No matter what came their way or what was said about them, they kept moving towards their goal!! Each of these creators pursued the visions gifted to them with bulldog faith until it came to pass! Refusing to allow the push back to stop them!! Is this an easy task? NO!! Nothing great is ever easy to obtain!! If it was everyone would be doing it!
I say these things to you based on personal experience having lived on the pioneer road many times now. My husband and I have always seemed to pursue the unpopular things ( at least they were unpopular when we started) Wading out into the unknown has seemed to be our lifestyle. We’ve grown accustomed to living in the risk taker realm and understand the uncomfortable force of the push back. IT CAN BE HORRIBLE!!
Have we always been successful in these ventures? No, at least not in the world’s comprehension of success. Have we always been liked or supported during these times? Good lord NO!! To be honest there were times we had more enemies than friends. Have we had moments where we allowed all of this to hinder and/or stop us? Yes, we have quit many times.. and it is this reason alone I write this. Having been on all sides of this spectrum I can fully say to each of you with great confidence, whatever your journey maybe... DON’T QUIT!! KEEP PUSHING!! Anyone who ever made a difference in any field, invented anything of great significance, or changed the minds of society, didn’t do it with ease.
Every new path we carve out is first filled with trees, weeds, roots, rocks, debris & a slew full of “it can’t/shouldn’t be done!” All this may slow you down, frustrate you, ware you out and even make you want to quit. But no matter what, don’t let it stop you!! Instead, use it as the fuel you need to keep going & growing!!
When times get rough to remember the creators/inventors I listed. Where would we be today without some of their contributions? The lightbulb, computer, airplane... Thank God they never gave up! Thank God they kept going despite the naysayers & negative Nancy’s telling them it couldn’t or shouldn't be done.
Where would we be had they listened?
THINK ABOUT IT!!
Don’t underestimate your vision, calling or value! You never know it may be the very thing that sets this world free, allows the gospel to be preached around the world or lights up the darkness...
So my loves, no matter what, KEEP GOING & KEEP PUSHING. It will be worth it in the end and you just might change someone’s world!
I love you💋
Pastor Amber
The world is always scared of what they don’t understand or have never seen/experienced before.
For example-
The light bulb was first rejected by a scientist claiming it was beneath them, only for the commoner.
Coffee was to rejected by some, claiming it caused a form of drunkenness.
Airplanes were also rejected calling them interesting scientific toys, but having no military value.😳
The same type of rejections were also received for other things like computers, taxis, umbrellas, vaccinations, penicillin ..etc and the list continues.
The point is everything that paves a way in any new territory is subject to some form of ridicule & rejection. If we as leaders and pioneers are determined to wage out into uncharted territories we cannot be surprised or stopped by the push back we receive. We can not be people who stop simply because those around us (even our peers) don’t “get it”, support it or approve of what we are doing/pursuing. Every true pioneer in the natural or in the spirit throughout history underwent some type of ostracizing in their respected communities. Even Jesus was by some considered evil and in witchcraft for healing the sick, raising the dead and preaching the kingdom message. (Thank God he didn’t let that stop him!!!!!! Where would we be if he did? Can I get an Amen👏🏻👏🏻)
The point is for us to learn to be like the creators of the things I’ve listed above. Each of them, though their creations were extremely diverse, had one common trait. They each were “in spite of” people! People that set their minds like flint regardless of the atmospheres and opinions around them! No matter what came their way or what was said about them, they kept moving towards their goal!! Each of these creators pursued the visions gifted to them with bulldog faith until it came to pass! Refusing to allow the push back to stop them!! Is this an easy task? NO!! Nothing great is ever easy to obtain!! If it was everyone would be doing it!
I say these things to you based on personal experience having lived on the pioneer road many times now. My husband and I have always seemed to pursue the unpopular things ( at least they were unpopular when we started) Wading out into the unknown has seemed to be our lifestyle. We’ve grown accustomed to living in the risk taker realm and understand the uncomfortable force of the push back. IT CAN BE HORRIBLE!!
Have we always been successful in these ventures? No, at least not in the world’s comprehension of success. Have we always been liked or supported during these times? Good lord NO!! To be honest there were times we had more enemies than friends. Have we had moments where we allowed all of this to hinder and/or stop us? Yes, we have quit many times.. and it is this reason alone I write this. Having been on all sides of this spectrum I can fully say to each of you with great confidence, whatever your journey maybe... DON’T QUIT!! KEEP PUSHING!! Anyone who ever made a difference in any field, invented anything of great significance, or changed the minds of society, didn’t do it with ease.
Every new path we carve out is first filled with trees, weeds, roots, rocks, debris & a slew full of “it can’t/shouldn’t be done!” All this may slow you down, frustrate you, ware you out and even make you want to quit. But no matter what, don’t let it stop you!! Instead, use it as the fuel you need to keep going & growing!!
When times get rough to remember the creators/inventors I listed. Where would we be today without some of their contributions? The lightbulb, computer, airplane... Thank God they never gave up! Thank God they kept going despite the naysayers & negative Nancy’s telling them it couldn’t or shouldn't be done.
Where would we be had they listened?
THINK ABOUT IT!!
Don’t underestimate your vision, calling or value! You never know it may be the very thing that sets this world free, allows the gospel to be preached around the world or lights up the darkness...
So my loves, no matter what, KEEP GOING & KEEP PUSHING. It will be worth it in the end and you just might change someone’s world!
I love you💋
Pastor Amber
Tested to be trusted!
What we posses now is according to our capacity to steward in the way God would.
Example- Adam and Eve
God gave Adam and Eve the entire world to rule over but in the beginning they only POSSESSED the Garden of Eden.
Kind of like your bank account-
What’s in your account verses what’s in your hand are 2 different things. You have access to more but must go through a process to obtain it!
Adam and Eve owned it all by promise but their control was equal to their maturity. They possessed only what they could steward. LIKE US, they 2 had to grow in their inheritance!
The issue is growth takes time, patience, and ENDURANCE! Growing is hard work!! We have to be people who put in the work to be who and what Gods called us to be!
Remember- Spiritual entitlement without a strong spiritual work ethic, begins and ends in the land of POTENTIAL!!
We MUST REFUSE TO DIE IN THE LAND OF POTENTIAL!
How? Obedience is the KEY.....
Disobedience will cost you the very thing you’ve been given by design- GOD-LIKENESS (to be like your father)
DARKNESS AND LIGHT CAN NOT DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY. Therefore, disobedience forfeits your rights to look, act and be like your Father.
Romans 6:16
"Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living”
At that moment of disobedience Adam and Eve forfeited their rights to the promise given by obeying another. Becoming a slave to that which they obeyed. Thus transferring everything they owned to their new master, surrendering their possessions (authority) to the one they obeyed!
This is the plan of the enemy. He has no rights of his own to anything on earth. Therefore his desire is to posses those who do have those rights. US!! We are his only path to authority on earth!!
So today, be mindful of this fact. Determine not to forfeit your inheritance through disobedience. Allow the spirit of God to direct you, your thoughts, your mouth and your actions.
Be strategic today in the obedience you give! Let nothing and no one rob you of this precious gift given to you by GOD!!!
REMEMBER WHO & WHO'S YOU ARE!!
Pastor Amber
What we posses now is according to our capacity to steward in the way God would.
Example- Adam and Eve
God gave Adam and Eve the entire world to rule over but in the beginning they only POSSESSED the Garden of Eden.
Kind of like your bank account-
What’s in your account verses what’s in your hand are 2 different things. You have access to more but must go through a process to obtain it!
Adam and Eve owned it all by promise but their control was equal to their maturity. They possessed only what they could steward. LIKE US, they 2 had to grow in their inheritance!
The issue is growth takes time, patience, and ENDURANCE! Growing is hard work!! We have to be people who put in the work to be who and what Gods called us to be!
Remember- Spiritual entitlement without a strong spiritual work ethic, begins and ends in the land of POTENTIAL!!
We MUST REFUSE TO DIE IN THE LAND OF POTENTIAL!
How? Obedience is the KEY.....
Disobedience will cost you the very thing you’ve been given by design- GOD-LIKENESS (to be like your father)
DARKNESS AND LIGHT CAN NOT DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY. Therefore, disobedience forfeits your rights to look, act and be like your Father.
Romans 6:16
"Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living”
At that moment of disobedience Adam and Eve forfeited their rights to the promise given by obeying another. Becoming a slave to that which they obeyed. Thus transferring everything they owned to their new master, surrendering their possessions (authority) to the one they obeyed!
This is the plan of the enemy. He has no rights of his own to anything on earth. Therefore his desire is to posses those who do have those rights. US!! We are his only path to authority on earth!!
So today, be mindful of this fact. Determine not to forfeit your inheritance through disobedience. Allow the spirit of God to direct you, your thoughts, your mouth and your actions.
Be strategic today in the obedience you give! Let nothing and no one rob you of this precious gift given to you by GOD!!!
REMEMBER WHO & WHO'S YOU ARE!!
Pastor Amber
|
To be the light that everyone can see you’ve got to handle the heat! Many say they want to be the light, they want to lead, they desire the BIG things of God.. yet no one wants to BE burned alive..
BURNING is the price that must be paid to be the light! To burn brighter means thing must get hotter.. Testing is the currency for trust in the Kingdom- we must be tested to be trusted with the deep, secret, miraculous things of God! To whom much is given, much is required.. There is a price to be paid for the oil in our lamps.. IT WILL COST YOU TO BURN.... “Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1Peter 1:7 Allow Gods fires to cause you to Burn bright my loves🔥 SURRENDER TO THE FIRE🔥 Dare to be the human marshmallow on Gods fire❤️ Pastor Amber |
Clear the stage |
I love this song. For many reasons. First, its true & second, I've lived it! This always comes up with me around this time of year (late fall). If you've read my blog regularly you are well aware of what I am referring to. It was this time of year, about 11 years ago, that I began a journey into EVERYTHING I believed in. I tested it all.....
My husband and I had been in ministry for about 12years. We had moved over and over, uprooting our children multiple times. Within 12 Years we had done more in ministry than most even cared too. We had been to places, met esteemed people & ministered on stages we should of been proud of. (If you even can be proud of such a thing) But we weren't, at least I wasn't!! I was turning 30 and taking inventory of my life. I should of felt a sense of success but instead I was heavy hearted, distraught even. Standing in a room full of people yet still I felt all alone. When I should of felt love & gratitude I was overwhelmed with tears, loss, & pain. 12 years of complete devotion to the "cause" & this is all I was left with. A long list of burnt relationships, things/people I had to 'let go" of and leaders & friends who had hurt, betrayed & lied to me! The list could go on and on. Regardless, I found myself staring down hatred, bitterness & an abundance of loss. All this located in my heart. It was a horrific feeling and let me tell you, no matter who you are, it hurts. Instead of getting better, ministry had left me angry, bitter, broken-hearted, un-trusting, closed off & emotionally shutdown. I had literally become the things I spent years preaching about & tearing down in/for others. I tried for a long time to push through all the debris years of war had created but there was just to much. There was no one left to talk to, no one left to trust. Even my husband and I had stopped talking. Our relationship seemed to of ended a year before when other tragedies & situations had hit our life & relationship. Now, we were just 2 people in the same house, nothing more. I felt I was left with 2 options.. Either end this or end myself. This is when I knew I had no choice. As these thoughts swirled through my mind, I stood there, looking at myself in the church bathroom mirror. It was just before Sunday service & I once again didn't have time to deal with me, or process this junk. I needed to go out there and lead worship. So, I did what I was trained to do. I told myself, "SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP!" Fake it till you make it! Cover your wounds, wipe your tears, put on your fake smile (they never know anyway) strap on your armor and get out there!!" - And this is what I did, once more.
The girl who used to be a part of the solution now had become a part of the problem. A problem, I decided I would contribute to no more! I was walking away. I couldn't be a part of the lie anymore. I couldn't preach God restores while my own marriage was in shambles. I couldn't talk about deliverance & forgiveness while my own heart was shut up tighter then Fort Knox. I couldn't speak on healing while inside my heart was hemorrhaging and family members were dying of cancer. I couldn't preach faith, my own faith was shattered in the floor.. I was DONE!! God would have to get someone else for this job. Because, I quit!!!! That Sunday that girl lead worship for the last time. I closed my music book, cut off my microphone & walked out the door! I remember cutting off the lights as I was leaving and telling God goodbye.. Planning on NEVER speaking to him again. (Of which I didn't for a whole year) Loving and serving him seemed to do nothing but cause me loss & pain and I could do it no longer.. We were breaking up...
I locked the doors of that church that day & I literally never walked back in....NEVER......
I walked away from it all..church, ministry, job, friends, family even my relationship! EVERYTHING..
Anything and everything connected to God & the ministry had to go. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life. But I look back now and see it was a GOD ordained season and he was there the whole time! Carefully directing me, at times SHOUTING at me ( I gave him a few reasons..lol) but always loving me and patiently waiting for me to come back around.
It took awhile to clear the stages I had built (about a year of hell)
I spent a year dealing with me and the years of wrong programming, personal insecurities, false beliefs, and religion. I even found many things the church had taught me that had nothing to do with God. I came face to face with my own bitterness, hatred, anger & a slew of unhandled relationship issues! It literally was HELL. Then finally one day I found myself stripped bare....
I was just like the man at the pool of Bethesda. John 5
I had laid there for years waiting for someone to help me. Internally crying out and no one ever came. Obviously, this time, it was going to be left up to me to help myself. No one else was picking up this bed for me. I made it and so it was I, that had to pick it up. (It was a "You made your bed now pick it up" moment)
I knew I could never change my condition (my hurt & anger) if I didn't first remove myself from the situation. So, I picked up my bed and walked. It was the hardest walk of my life - one that I was harshly judged for and by some, I still am.. (How dare I get out of ministry & fix myself, relationship with God and my marriage.. the horror.. Smh)
The truth is, when I embarked on this journey of destroying myself, I knew there was going to be collateral damage. There's no way to go down that road & escape such a thing. One way or the other I would emerge from this different. Good or bad didn't matter at that point. I just couldn’t stay the same.
I only mention this because after talking to so many of you, I know this is where you are today. God is calling us to CLEAR THE STAGES of our life. He's calling us to strip away EVERYTHING that isn’t serving him or us well. For years instead of dealing with the nastiness of us, we have hid ourselves and pretended these things didn't exist. Instead of going through the pain of yesterday, we add more smoke, mirrors, lighting and effects to cover up our pain & flaws. Its an American epidemic... But its one we must handle.
If left un-handled, un-dealt with, you will find yourself staring at the carnage that was once your life. Trust someone who knows its a horrible place to be! One that can KILL you! God had to force me into this corner and demand I make a move. I am grateful he got me when he did! But how much better (and less damaging) could it of been if I had instead, willingly looked deep inside myself and dealt with me. So, I beg you.. Stop running from what lies within. Allow God to deal with your heart! Allow him to clean out all the JUNK and heal those wounds. It's hard and it's painful yes! But it is worth every bit of discomfort in the end! Find the courage to CLEAR the STAGE of your life. Regardless of what others will do and say to or about you! Look, they are going to judge you anyway. So forget about them, leave them in their own mess! I promise anyone you lose during this time, you don't need! CLEAR YOUR STAGE. Remove the debris of war & make way for the KING! We are running out of options and time. The world needs you but they need you WHOLE!!!
CLEAR THE STAGE...
#DeprogramYourself #GetUnChurched #stripYourHeartDown #DealWithYou
enjoy the song...
My husband and I had been in ministry for about 12years. We had moved over and over, uprooting our children multiple times. Within 12 Years we had done more in ministry than most even cared too. We had been to places, met esteemed people & ministered on stages we should of been proud of. (If you even can be proud of such a thing) But we weren't, at least I wasn't!! I was turning 30 and taking inventory of my life. I should of felt a sense of success but instead I was heavy hearted, distraught even. Standing in a room full of people yet still I felt all alone. When I should of felt love & gratitude I was overwhelmed with tears, loss, & pain. 12 years of complete devotion to the "cause" & this is all I was left with. A long list of burnt relationships, things/people I had to 'let go" of and leaders & friends who had hurt, betrayed & lied to me! The list could go on and on. Regardless, I found myself staring down hatred, bitterness & an abundance of loss. All this located in my heart. It was a horrific feeling and let me tell you, no matter who you are, it hurts. Instead of getting better, ministry had left me angry, bitter, broken-hearted, un-trusting, closed off & emotionally shutdown. I had literally become the things I spent years preaching about & tearing down in/for others. I tried for a long time to push through all the debris years of war had created but there was just to much. There was no one left to talk to, no one left to trust. Even my husband and I had stopped talking. Our relationship seemed to of ended a year before when other tragedies & situations had hit our life & relationship. Now, we were just 2 people in the same house, nothing more. I felt I was left with 2 options.. Either end this or end myself. This is when I knew I had no choice. As these thoughts swirled through my mind, I stood there, looking at myself in the church bathroom mirror. It was just before Sunday service & I once again didn't have time to deal with me, or process this junk. I needed to go out there and lead worship. So, I did what I was trained to do. I told myself, "SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP!" Fake it till you make it! Cover your wounds, wipe your tears, put on your fake smile (they never know anyway) strap on your armor and get out there!!" - And this is what I did, once more.
The girl who used to be a part of the solution now had become a part of the problem. A problem, I decided I would contribute to no more! I was walking away. I couldn't be a part of the lie anymore. I couldn't preach God restores while my own marriage was in shambles. I couldn't talk about deliverance & forgiveness while my own heart was shut up tighter then Fort Knox. I couldn't speak on healing while inside my heart was hemorrhaging and family members were dying of cancer. I couldn't preach faith, my own faith was shattered in the floor.. I was DONE!! God would have to get someone else for this job. Because, I quit!!!! That Sunday that girl lead worship for the last time. I closed my music book, cut off my microphone & walked out the door! I remember cutting off the lights as I was leaving and telling God goodbye.. Planning on NEVER speaking to him again. (Of which I didn't for a whole year) Loving and serving him seemed to do nothing but cause me loss & pain and I could do it no longer.. We were breaking up...
I locked the doors of that church that day & I literally never walked back in....NEVER......
I walked away from it all..church, ministry, job, friends, family even my relationship! EVERYTHING..
Anything and everything connected to God & the ministry had to go. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life. But I look back now and see it was a GOD ordained season and he was there the whole time! Carefully directing me, at times SHOUTING at me ( I gave him a few reasons..lol) but always loving me and patiently waiting for me to come back around.
It took awhile to clear the stages I had built (about a year of hell)
I spent a year dealing with me and the years of wrong programming, personal insecurities, false beliefs, and religion. I even found many things the church had taught me that had nothing to do with God. I came face to face with my own bitterness, hatred, anger & a slew of unhandled relationship issues! It literally was HELL. Then finally one day I found myself stripped bare....
I was just like the man at the pool of Bethesda. John 5
I had laid there for years waiting for someone to help me. Internally crying out and no one ever came. Obviously, this time, it was going to be left up to me to help myself. No one else was picking up this bed for me. I made it and so it was I, that had to pick it up. (It was a "You made your bed now pick it up" moment)
I knew I could never change my condition (my hurt & anger) if I didn't first remove myself from the situation. So, I picked up my bed and walked. It was the hardest walk of my life - one that I was harshly judged for and by some, I still am.. (How dare I get out of ministry & fix myself, relationship with God and my marriage.. the horror.. Smh)
The truth is, when I embarked on this journey of destroying myself, I knew there was going to be collateral damage. There's no way to go down that road & escape such a thing. One way or the other I would emerge from this different. Good or bad didn't matter at that point. I just couldn’t stay the same.
I only mention this because after talking to so many of you, I know this is where you are today. God is calling us to CLEAR THE STAGES of our life. He's calling us to strip away EVERYTHING that isn’t serving him or us well. For years instead of dealing with the nastiness of us, we have hid ourselves and pretended these things didn't exist. Instead of going through the pain of yesterday, we add more smoke, mirrors, lighting and effects to cover up our pain & flaws. Its an American epidemic... But its one we must handle.
If left un-handled, un-dealt with, you will find yourself staring at the carnage that was once your life. Trust someone who knows its a horrible place to be! One that can KILL you! God had to force me into this corner and demand I make a move. I am grateful he got me when he did! But how much better (and less damaging) could it of been if I had instead, willingly looked deep inside myself and dealt with me. So, I beg you.. Stop running from what lies within. Allow God to deal with your heart! Allow him to clean out all the JUNK and heal those wounds. It's hard and it's painful yes! But it is worth every bit of discomfort in the end! Find the courage to CLEAR the STAGE of your life. Regardless of what others will do and say to or about you! Look, they are going to judge you anyway. So forget about them, leave them in their own mess! I promise anyone you lose during this time, you don't need! CLEAR YOUR STAGE. Remove the debris of war & make way for the KING! We are running out of options and time. The world needs you but they need you WHOLE!!!
CLEAR THE STAGE...
#DeprogramYourself #GetUnChurched #stripYourHeartDown #DealWithYou
enjoy the song...
Friendship is a 2-way street, not a one way road!
Relationships are a 2 way street...
To many times we allow God to be our friend and yet forget to be HIS. In Matthew it says:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23 NIV
Look closely, It doesn't say THEY didn't know him, it says, HE didn't know them.
It is these, the ones with the one sided relationship, that he's speaking of. The ones who concentrate on the take and ignore the give. Remember, friendship is a 2 way street! It's not always what YOU want, what YOU need, what YOU'RE going through, what YOU have to say, or what YOU want to do!
We've all had friends like that! Those who want you to be THEIR friend while they never become your friend. They want you to listen to their problems and be there when they need you. Yet, when the tables turn, these same people are nowhere to be found!
I think we would all agree that NO ONE deserves this type of friendship or treatment! Yet this is the way we treat God?!
It's not just us that want the God to man friendship. HE DOES TOO!
Sit and talk to him! Let him tell you about his day, his feelings, the things he wants. Its time to allow your relationship with God to go beyond YOU! And let's be honest, until this happens, it isn't actually a relationship your having with God- it's a counseling session... 😐
It's time to give God more then your words and actions. It's time to truly give him your heart and friendship.
IT'S WHAT HE DESERVES!
A TRUE, 2 way street, kind of friend!
I Love You 😘
Pastor Amber
#SayNoToSelfishRelationships
To many times we allow God to be our friend and yet forget to be HIS. In Matthew it says:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23 NIV
Look closely, It doesn't say THEY didn't know him, it says, HE didn't know them.
It is these, the ones with the one sided relationship, that he's speaking of. The ones who concentrate on the take and ignore the give. Remember, friendship is a 2 way street! It's not always what YOU want, what YOU need, what YOU'RE going through, what YOU have to say, or what YOU want to do!
We've all had friends like that! Those who want you to be THEIR friend while they never become your friend. They want you to listen to their problems and be there when they need you. Yet, when the tables turn, these same people are nowhere to be found!
I think we would all agree that NO ONE deserves this type of friendship or treatment! Yet this is the way we treat God?!
It's not just us that want the God to man friendship. HE DOES TOO!
Sit and talk to him! Let him tell you about his day, his feelings, the things he wants. Its time to allow your relationship with God to go beyond YOU! And let's be honest, until this happens, it isn't actually a relationship your having with God- it's a counseling session... 😐
It's time to give God more then your words and actions. It's time to truly give him your heart and friendship.
IT'S WHAT HE DESERVES!
A TRUE, 2 way street, kind of friend!
I Love You 😘
Pastor Amber
#SayNoToSelfishRelationships
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Perfection- an illusion based on personal interpretation only.
Truth is there is no such thing. The enemy has deceived us with this illusion for years now. By doing this he has kept us busy aiming towards a target that doesn't exists! Keeping us distracted on the Farris wheel of trying to obtain the unobtainable. Round and round we go, where we'll stop nobody knows....
This was a hard lesson for me to learn (being a OCD perfectionist)
I thought if things were perfect I was offering God something "worthy" of HIM. To offer him perfection was a part of my being without blemish, spot or wrinkle. A offering worth having. Living a life worthy of the call. Meanwhile, all along the Cain was killing the Able inside of me.
No matter how hard I tried, nothing I did was ever good enough. None of the songs I sang were ever "perfect" enough. The work I did, messages I preached or things I wrote, nothing was acceptable! Everything was sub-par in my eyes and worthy to be deleted only!
I felt like a hamster on a wheel, working hard and getting no where.
Ever been there??
Then one day God asked me, "Amber, are you tired yet?"
I replied with a swift, "What? Of course I'm tired?" He asked me again.
"Are... you... tired... yet?" I just sat there confused as he continued to question me. He was well aware I was tired! I certainly complained about it enough! At that moment I felt like the man at the pool of Bethesda. He had been there for 38 years wanting to be whole, waiting? Then one day Jesus asked him, "Will you be made whole?" This always seemed like a strange question to me. Of course he wanted to be made whole! He wasn't hanging out for 38 years just because it was a cool place to be! Nope, every time the Angel stirred the water he tried to get there but never made it. HE lived 38 years trying for something and never obtained!! Believing, pursuing and failing…… ( and we think we're frustrated lol)
Just like that man here I was wanting help, crying out for help and trying everything! Jesus shows up on the scene and says, "Do you want help?" I mean, have you not been listening to me God or what??
But there was point to this question. (there always is..)
What I didn't see was I had gotten lost in the offering.
Like Cain who worked hard at giving God an offering created by his own hands. I had gotten lost, working hard to give God something made perfect by my own hands. Then like Cain, I found myself battling the results of rejection when my offering wasn't what he wanted. Living frustrated and wondering why wasn't this working like I had planned? I thought everything was perfect and truthfully it was!
The problem wasn’t in the perfection. The problem was in the weakness. He wasn't interested in my abilities of perfection. He was interested in my ability to be weak! He wasn't looking for someone to offer him something beautiful. He was searching for something messy, bloody and weak. He wasn't interested in beauty but in ugliness.
My strength meant nothing to him and yet everyday I would work myself to death to put it on display. And everyday, I would find myself gasping for air and dying from exhaustion. Then finally one day God having had enough of my asking him to help me carry this "self made burden" he asked that question. "Are you tired yet? Are you tired of being strong? Are you tired of having it all together?"
Because truth is when we walk around creating offerings this way, the Cain in us kills the Able.
The Lion kills the Lamb!
There's power in your weakness!!
He never asked you to be perfect. He never asked you to have it all together. Truth is HE only asked you to be willing. Willing to let him BE STRONG!
Look, I get it, in the world we are taught the weak die and only the strong survive. But we being children of God no longer live according to the worlds system. We are now "Kingdom citizens" and therefore live according to its rules and standards. In the Kingdom, our strengths are our true weaknesses and our weaknesses are our true strengths..
2 Corinthians 12: 8-9. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected inweakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.…
So what does that mean for you??? It means you have got to scratch everything the world has taught you! It means my love, its time to let go, & get weak...
It's time to start doing things God's way!
In the Kingdom you must GET WEAK TO GET STRONG!!
In the Kingdom, only the weak survive..
Get Weak!
I love you,
Pastor Amber
Remember- your attention is valuable.. DO NOT give it to those who don't deserve it!!
You do not have to attend every argument
you are invited to..
Instead, exercise your power of IGNORE, DELETE & BLOCK..
You have every right to protect
the atmosphere around you..
So, GUARD YOUR YARD & your heart!!
It's ok to say:
NOT TODAY, NOT TODAY!
Dare to DREAM again......
Do you dare to dream? This is the burning question right now! Do you dare to step out of the boat and take a chance?
There is a big difference in dreamers and doers. The ultimate goal in life is to be both the dreamer and the doer! For us to have a dream or vision and move beyond thinking about it, to actually doing it.
Doers take chances! The bigger the dream the bigger the risk! Everything in life cost you something. Whither it's money, time, energy, or reputation, something will be spent on things we value. Frederick B. Wilcox once said,
"Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."
We must make a move toward our goal if we ever expect to reach it. Without movement, a dream is no more then a mere idea, a hope. For us to see our dreams come to pass, these 3 things are always involved: risk, courage & faith.
By definition
(Wikipedia)
Risk - the potential that a chosen action or activity (including the choice of inaction) will lead to a loss (anundesirable outcome).
Courage - the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation, in spite of fear.
Faith - confidence or trust (in our case I am referring to faith in GOD)
I know it's hard and scary out there! It take's a lot of courage and a willingness to fail in order to succeed. Getting out of the boat is scariest part! I mean really! You have to be crazy to look out at the Bering sea and willingly go for a swim. After all who looks out and says, “Hey, that looks like fun, maybe I will try to drown today?" lol But the truth is, you have to be willing to drown in order to walk on water! There is always a risk!
Trust me, I get it! Swimming in the deep is scary! My husband and I have moved several times, thousands of miles from home, all for a dream. We have uprooted our children, left our home, friends and family to chase down a “hope” of something more. We have also returned home, several times, when "more" wasn’t what we found. (There is always a risk)
You can't even imagine how many times I have heard comments like, "I thought you said it was GOD", "I knew y'all would move back" or "I knew y'all wouldn't make it". We have been wounded many times over ignorant comments such as these. Comments delivered by those who dare to never follow their own dreams. Those “armchair quarterbacks” can be brutal!
For a while I allowed them to stop me from moving forward. Living in fear of failing in “their” eyes! Then one day God sharply asked me, “Who are you serving? Am I your master, or are they?” At that moment I realized that as long as I allowed the opinions of man to dictate what I will or will not do, they are my masters, not God! Right then I decided I would rather be mocked for daring to live outside the boat, then to be pitied for refusing to try. I would rather take a chance and fail, then to live my life with the disappointment of never trying at all. You know the “what if’s” can kill a man. Better to know then wonder I say.
I share this with you because I know you have a dream! I know there is a calling crying out from deep within. It’s nagging at you! It has invaded your dreams and carved itself into your every thought! It keeps you up at night walking the floor wondering, thinking, and dreaming. I know this because I have been there! I know what it’s like to live with a dream no one else sees or feels but me. It is a difficult thing! But at some point you are going to have to ask yourself, “Am I going to trust God or not? Am I going to give him a place to move?” God will only move within the parameters we allow him. He desires to do all that he can/will in our lives! But if we say, “you can only move where I am comfortable.” Then, as the gentleman he is, that’s all he will do. It’s time for you to allow God to amaze YOU!
Look, you can’t get frustrated with not seeing him move mountains, if you are never willing to stand in front of one. You can’t be disappointed with the lack of signs and wonders in your life, if you never give the opportunity for them to be there! Think about!!
It’s time for you to MOVE! You have heard Jesus call you from afar! You see him standing across the sea waiting, bidding you to come. So get up, put one foot in front of the other and WALK! Keep your head up and don’t look down! What’s below you doesn’t matter! Remember, it wasn’t the water that called your name. He did! It’s time for you to walk on his word and forget about the water! I DARE YOU TO MOVE!
~Pastor A
Amber❤️
www.breakthroughlifecenter.com
There is a big difference in dreamers and doers. The ultimate goal in life is to be both the dreamer and the doer! For us to have a dream or vision and move beyond thinking about it, to actually doing it.
Doers take chances! The bigger the dream the bigger the risk! Everything in life cost you something. Whither it's money, time, energy, or reputation, something will be spent on things we value. Frederick B. Wilcox once said,
"Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."
We must make a move toward our goal if we ever expect to reach it. Without movement, a dream is no more then a mere idea, a hope. For us to see our dreams come to pass, these 3 things are always involved: risk, courage & faith.
By definition
(Wikipedia)
Risk - the potential that a chosen action or activity (including the choice of inaction) will lead to a loss (anundesirable outcome).
Courage - the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation, in spite of fear.
Faith - confidence or trust (in our case I am referring to faith in GOD)
I know it's hard and scary out there! It take's a lot of courage and a willingness to fail in order to succeed. Getting out of the boat is scariest part! I mean really! You have to be crazy to look out at the Bering sea and willingly go for a swim. After all who looks out and says, “Hey, that looks like fun, maybe I will try to drown today?" lol But the truth is, you have to be willing to drown in order to walk on water! There is always a risk!
Trust me, I get it! Swimming in the deep is scary! My husband and I have moved several times, thousands of miles from home, all for a dream. We have uprooted our children, left our home, friends and family to chase down a “hope” of something more. We have also returned home, several times, when "more" wasn’t what we found. (There is always a risk)
You can't even imagine how many times I have heard comments like, "I thought you said it was GOD", "I knew y'all would move back" or "I knew y'all wouldn't make it". We have been wounded many times over ignorant comments such as these. Comments delivered by those who dare to never follow their own dreams. Those “armchair quarterbacks” can be brutal!
For a while I allowed them to stop me from moving forward. Living in fear of failing in “their” eyes! Then one day God sharply asked me, “Who are you serving? Am I your master, or are they?” At that moment I realized that as long as I allowed the opinions of man to dictate what I will or will not do, they are my masters, not God! Right then I decided I would rather be mocked for daring to live outside the boat, then to be pitied for refusing to try. I would rather take a chance and fail, then to live my life with the disappointment of never trying at all. You know the “what if’s” can kill a man. Better to know then wonder I say.
I share this with you because I know you have a dream! I know there is a calling crying out from deep within. It’s nagging at you! It has invaded your dreams and carved itself into your every thought! It keeps you up at night walking the floor wondering, thinking, and dreaming. I know this because I have been there! I know what it’s like to live with a dream no one else sees or feels but me. It is a difficult thing! But at some point you are going to have to ask yourself, “Am I going to trust God or not? Am I going to give him a place to move?” God will only move within the parameters we allow him. He desires to do all that he can/will in our lives! But if we say, “you can only move where I am comfortable.” Then, as the gentleman he is, that’s all he will do. It’s time for you to allow God to amaze YOU!
Look, you can’t get frustrated with not seeing him move mountains, if you are never willing to stand in front of one. You can’t be disappointed with the lack of signs and wonders in your life, if you never give the opportunity for them to be there! Think about!!
It’s time for you to MOVE! You have heard Jesus call you from afar! You see him standing across the sea waiting, bidding you to come. So get up, put one foot in front of the other and WALK! Keep your head up and don’t look down! What’s below you doesn’t matter! Remember, it wasn’t the water that called your name. He did! It’s time for you to walk on his word and forget about the water! I DARE YOU TO MOVE!
~Pastor A
Amber❤️
www.breakthroughlifecenter.com
Gods been preparing and teaching you to be "in spite of" people.
In spite of the circumstances, in spite of those around you, in spite of the haters, in spite of your past, in spite of your family, in spite of what others say about you, in spite of your finances etc..
We are all "in spite of "people! Pressing thru and moving on..... in spite of...
We as the body, have no choice but to be "in spite of" people..
If we aren't, we will never be able to sit at the table he's preparing for each of us...
For he prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies...
That's why you have been surrounded by them.. He's preparing the table.. So hold your head high... Instead of getting discouraged when your enemies surround you, be encouraged for it means a table is coming...
TO SIT AT THE TABLE YOU GOTTA HANDLE THE HATERS
So don't despise your enemies! Love them! For their very presence is setting the stage for your table!!
Psalms 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
So baby you got enemies? Good!!! Your enemies are a indicator you got a destiny!!!
So hold your head high and walk on.... A TABLE IS COMING....
~Pastor Amber
In spite of the circumstances, in spite of those around you, in spite of the haters, in spite of your past, in spite of your family, in spite of what others say about you, in spite of your finances etc..
We are all "in spite of "people! Pressing thru and moving on..... in spite of...
We as the body, have no choice but to be "in spite of" people..
If we aren't, we will never be able to sit at the table he's preparing for each of us...
For he prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies...
That's why you have been surrounded by them.. He's preparing the table.. So hold your head high... Instead of getting discouraged when your enemies surround you, be encouraged for it means a table is coming...
TO SIT AT THE TABLE YOU GOTTA HANDLE THE HATERS
So don't despise your enemies! Love them! For their very presence is setting the stage for your table!!
Psalms 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
So baby you got enemies? Good!!! Your enemies are a indicator you got a destiny!!!
So hold your head high and walk on.... A TABLE IS COMING....
~Pastor Amber
Change Your Perspective
You might be IN a storm but that doesn't mean you have to let the storm
be IN you!!
I know that's hard.. Believe me, many times I have failed to do this successfully..
And as a result, I have had to face the consequences of surrendering myself to the storm.. I have made it through storms having kept my peace and I have made it through storms having lost my mind.. & peace... & temper.. Dignity etc..
So having done both I can say fully- holding on and standing in faith is far better then freaking out, stressing or losing yourself and who God has called you to be…
I know it can feel like this is the end but it never is.. There will be a tomorrow! The sun will still rise in the morning..
So take a deep breath.. It's going to be ok, I promise! The same God who brought you through the "hells" of yesterday will bring you through the trails of today!! Just hold on! Choose to walk in peace.. Choose to believe! After all, what have you got to lose by believing?
I would much rather live my life having believed the best in every situation then to live my life always stressed, worried and expecting the worst…
Like I told a friend the other day- It doesn't matter if the cup is half full or half empty..
THE CUP IS REFILLABLE…
Choose to believe- Choose PEACE!
I love you!!
Pastor Amber
(<<<< watch the video, Let this song be your anthem today)
You might be IN a storm but that doesn't mean you have to let the storm
be IN you!!
I know that's hard.. Believe me, many times I have failed to do this successfully..
And as a result, I have had to face the consequences of surrendering myself to the storm.. I have made it through storms having kept my peace and I have made it through storms having lost my mind.. & peace... & temper.. Dignity etc..
So having done both I can say fully- holding on and standing in faith is far better then freaking out, stressing or losing yourself and who God has called you to be…
I know it can feel like this is the end but it never is.. There will be a tomorrow! The sun will still rise in the morning..
So take a deep breath.. It's going to be ok, I promise! The same God who brought you through the "hells" of yesterday will bring you through the trails of today!! Just hold on! Choose to walk in peace.. Choose to believe! After all, what have you got to lose by believing?
I would much rather live my life having believed the best in every situation then to live my life always stressed, worried and expecting the worst…
Like I told a friend the other day- It doesn't matter if the cup is half full or half empty..
THE CUP IS REFILLABLE…
Choose to believe- Choose PEACE!
I love you!!
Pastor Amber
(<<<< watch the video, Let this song be your anthem today)
Restoring a culture of honor...
Honor is the currency to elevation...
God can not and will not bless those who dishonor/disrespect their leaders (both past & present) The ones he gives us to teach, train and help us become what he has called us to be are a gift. When we step over into criticism and critiquing the Godly leaders given to us, we are in very dangerous terrain..
We have served many men and woman of God in our 20 years in ministry. Some of these leaders have been easy to work with and others not so much..
But, regardless of personality traits, faults or failures, these men and women have all taught us great things. These great lessons in life are ones we put a high value on. Therefore, in respect to their giftings, position & ranks in the kingdom, we have and will never speak anything but honor and respect regarding them... To do anything but that would be to dishonor what they have taught us. Not only that but It would also tell God that we are not grateful for what he has taught us (using them in the process)
We have got to wise up, grow up & give honor where honor is due! Let's take it the scriptures.. Starting in Romans 13:7,
Romans 13:7 NIV
New International Version
Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching
Especially those who labor in preaching and teaching....
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
If we want to reap the benefits of the lessons learned we must honor and respect those GOD used to teach those lessons..
Let's not forget the scripture Jesus himself quoted in Matthew.
Matthew 15:4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’
This is not only referencing our natural born fathers and mothers but our spiritual ones as well! There is a blessing that falls on those who honor and respect those the Lord has given us. We must remember them and give them honor. When we fail to do this we STOP the blessings in our lives, which leads to DEATH! As stated in Matthew, Whoever reviles their father or mother must surely die... Don't let this be you!
Love, respect and HONOR those God has given you, PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE!!!
Honor is the currency to elevation...
God can not and will not bless those who dishonor/disrespect their leaders (both past & present) The ones he gives us to teach, train and help us become what he has called us to be are a gift. When we step over into criticism and critiquing the Godly leaders given to us, we are in very dangerous terrain..
We have served many men and woman of God in our 20 years in ministry. Some of these leaders have been easy to work with and others not so much..
But, regardless of personality traits, faults or failures, these men and women have all taught us great things. These great lessons in life are ones we put a high value on. Therefore, in respect to their giftings, position & ranks in the kingdom, we have and will never speak anything but honor and respect regarding them... To do anything but that would be to dishonor what they have taught us. Not only that but It would also tell God that we are not grateful for what he has taught us (using them in the process)
We have got to wise up, grow up & give honor where honor is due! Let's take it the scriptures.. Starting in Romans 13:7,
Romans 13:7 NIV
New International Version
Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching
Especially those who labor in preaching and teaching....
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
If we want to reap the benefits of the lessons learned we must honor and respect those GOD used to teach those lessons..
Let's not forget the scripture Jesus himself quoted in Matthew.
Matthew 15:4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’
This is not only referencing our natural born fathers and mothers but our spiritual ones as well! There is a blessing that falls on those who honor and respect those the Lord has given us. We must remember them and give them honor. When we fail to do this we STOP the blessings in our lives, which leads to DEATH! As stated in Matthew, Whoever reviles their father or mother must surely die... Don't let this be you!
Love, respect and HONOR those God has given you, PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE!!!
Prophets Warnings
Please carefully listen to me.........
We have got to be very careful who and what we repeat and come into agreement with! Especially during these times in the kingdom.
We must remember there is power in agreement. We must start reacting correctly to these warnings and responding in the spirit instead of just in the natural.
REMEMBER;
Matthew 18:19 NIV
"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
I do not mean we should be ignoring these prophecies or sticking our head in the sand. By no means!! We need to open up and listen to what God is saying. But we must grasp our power in these things and watch what we do and say in response.
Here's my rule of thumb on the matter... If it’s not something you want to see come to pass, don’t agree with it.. INSTEAD GO TO PRAYING OVER IT!!! There are a lot of prophecies coming out right now regarding the times we are in. I praise God for this and do believe it is Gods will for his prophets to arise, take their place and WARN his people. THANK YOU JESUS FOR THE WARNING!! But we must remember it is just that, a WARNING!! One we need to take very seriously.. Not seriously to the point we run for the caves.. But seriously to the point we fall on our face and cry out to the one who can change and rearrange it...
To many times out of fear we hear these things, agree with them, repeat them, get others to agree with them and .. WAAALAAAA we give it power and life… Then we are forced to watch as they unfold, standing there powerless to what has been released!
This isn’t the purpose of the warnings. Gods plan is to inform us, not to scare us, but rather so that we as believers can rise up and PRAY! Stop listening to these things as they are written in stone. The only thing written in stone is the word of God.. Everything else is subject to circumstance. And Guess what??? Circumstances can change.. How??
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
PRAY
Pray, it is time we cry out and seek his face like never before.. It is time we cry out to our creator and repent for our nation. It is time we fall before the mercy seat and desperately cry out for Gods hand of mercy to fall on AMERICA.. It is not time to surrender to what has been said to come... NO.. Its time to cry aloud and spare not.. Its time to GO BEFORE THE THRONE...
So please remember this; you are not powerless
You have the power of LIFE & DEATH in your tongue.. so be careful. Watch what you say, what you release and what you come in agreement with.
Your job as a Christian is to listen, watch, prepare and pray.. Instead of being gripped by fear, enter into the throne and war with intercession. Instead of agree with it and giving it life, go before the throne and render it powerless. REMEMBER you have Dominion over all things EARTH!!
USE IT!! PRAY
You have the power to turn things around..
Please carefully listen to me.........
We have got to be very careful who and what we repeat and come into agreement with! Especially during these times in the kingdom.
We must remember there is power in agreement. We must start reacting correctly to these warnings and responding in the spirit instead of just in the natural.
REMEMBER;
Matthew 18:19 NIV
"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
I do not mean we should be ignoring these prophecies or sticking our head in the sand. By no means!! We need to open up and listen to what God is saying. But we must grasp our power in these things and watch what we do and say in response.
Here's my rule of thumb on the matter... If it’s not something you want to see come to pass, don’t agree with it.. INSTEAD GO TO PRAYING OVER IT!!! There are a lot of prophecies coming out right now regarding the times we are in. I praise God for this and do believe it is Gods will for his prophets to arise, take their place and WARN his people. THANK YOU JESUS FOR THE WARNING!! But we must remember it is just that, a WARNING!! One we need to take very seriously.. Not seriously to the point we run for the caves.. But seriously to the point we fall on our face and cry out to the one who can change and rearrange it...
To many times out of fear we hear these things, agree with them, repeat them, get others to agree with them and .. WAAALAAAA we give it power and life… Then we are forced to watch as they unfold, standing there powerless to what has been released!
This isn’t the purpose of the warnings. Gods plan is to inform us, not to scare us, but rather so that we as believers can rise up and PRAY! Stop listening to these things as they are written in stone. The only thing written in stone is the word of God.. Everything else is subject to circumstance. And Guess what??? Circumstances can change.. How??
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
PRAY
Pray, it is time we cry out and seek his face like never before.. It is time we cry out to our creator and repent for our nation. It is time we fall before the mercy seat and desperately cry out for Gods hand of mercy to fall on AMERICA.. It is not time to surrender to what has been said to come... NO.. Its time to cry aloud and spare not.. Its time to GO BEFORE THE THRONE...
So please remember this; you are not powerless
You have the power of LIFE & DEATH in your tongue.. so be careful. Watch what you say, what you release and what you come in agreement with.
Your job as a Christian is to listen, watch, prepare and pray.. Instead of being gripped by fear, enter into the throne and war with intercession. Instead of agree with it and giving it life, go before the throne and render it powerless. REMEMBER you have Dominion over all things EARTH!!
USE IT!! PRAY
You have the power to turn things around..
Giving up is the one thing I believe we are ALL tempted with at one time or another. If you are determined to try anything in this life you are guaranteed to be face with 2 things: Failure & Frustration
Failure and frustration are 2 of the biggest dream killers out there. But the truth is, in order to be successful in anything you must have both. You simply cannot be successful without going through times of failure & frustration. Thomas Edison was quoted saying, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” Now isn’t that the key to success? Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that the key to success is failure, but, in a way I am. (lol) Go with me....
It is in the times of "perceived" defeat that success is birthed. You can interview any successful athlete i.e. runner, boxer, football player, etc. They will all tell you the same thing. They won the race/game long before it was ever ran/played. Whether they won or lost was determined not on the track/field but in the gym. Their success was decided months prior, in the kitchen. Whether they won or lost was decided when the alarm clock went off at 4am and they made the choice to get up, instead of sleeping a few more hours. You see winning or losing has nothing to do with winning or losing. Winning or losing has to do with ones drive to keep going despite how you feel, what you see or even how others treat you. To keep pushing during the times when things aren’t going well, that’s where success takes place.
Thomas Edison was also quoted saying, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
I know at times we can all look around and see something that isn’t going as we had planned it would. There is always something that could be better, greater or more successful. And let’s be honest, most of the time we can look around and see nothing but problems, complaints and situations we are absolutely tired of dealing with.
However, great things aren’t built over night. The greater things require more effort, more time and certainly more sacrifice.
The word of God promises in Galatians 6:9, So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.
The point is to not GIVE UP!! I know you are tired and if you are working with people, I'm pretty sure you are frustrated. :-) But I am here today to encourage you to keep pushing. Keep pressing toward that mark, that high call. It wouldn’t be called the "high" call if it was easy to reach, now would it?
Nope. Even us as parents put the great things. The things we own of great value up higher so the babies or pets can’t get to it. You know, out of harms way. It’s the same with God. His treasures and great things are kept in safe, high places and he desires you to press in after them. (Philippians 3:14, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.)
So fight today. Fight to PRESS towards that HIGH calling.. Don’t give up, you are soooooo close. Keep going, for Hebrews 11:6 says, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Keep going... Keep pressing...
Forever loving you- Amber
Failure and frustration are 2 of the biggest dream killers out there. But the truth is, in order to be successful in anything you must have both. You simply cannot be successful without going through times of failure & frustration. Thomas Edison was quoted saying, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” Now isn’t that the key to success? Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that the key to success is failure, but, in a way I am. (lol) Go with me....
It is in the times of "perceived" defeat that success is birthed. You can interview any successful athlete i.e. runner, boxer, football player, etc. They will all tell you the same thing. They won the race/game long before it was ever ran/played. Whether they won or lost was determined not on the track/field but in the gym. Their success was decided months prior, in the kitchen. Whether they won or lost was decided when the alarm clock went off at 4am and they made the choice to get up, instead of sleeping a few more hours. You see winning or losing has nothing to do with winning or losing. Winning or losing has to do with ones drive to keep going despite how you feel, what you see or even how others treat you. To keep pushing during the times when things aren’t going well, that’s where success takes place.
Thomas Edison was also quoted saying, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
I know at times we can all look around and see something that isn’t going as we had planned it would. There is always something that could be better, greater or more successful. And let’s be honest, most of the time we can look around and see nothing but problems, complaints and situations we are absolutely tired of dealing with.
However, great things aren’t built over night. The greater things require more effort, more time and certainly more sacrifice.
The word of God promises in Galatians 6:9, So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.
The point is to not GIVE UP!! I know you are tired and if you are working with people, I'm pretty sure you are frustrated. :-) But I am here today to encourage you to keep pushing. Keep pressing toward that mark, that high call. It wouldn’t be called the "high" call if it was easy to reach, now would it?
Nope. Even us as parents put the great things. The things we own of great value up higher so the babies or pets can’t get to it. You know, out of harms way. It’s the same with God. His treasures and great things are kept in safe, high places and he desires you to press in after them. (Philippians 3:14, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.)
So fight today. Fight to PRESS towards that HIGH calling.. Don’t give up, you are soooooo close. Keep going, for Hebrews 11:6 says, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Keep going... Keep pressing...
Forever loving you- Amber
As released to me Saturday night in prayer - May 30 2015, 1:30am
Prepare for the merging of the wells…
Old wells dug long ago merging with new ones. Deep wells of yesterday are joining with the wide wells of tomorrow. Eastern wells merging with western wells. The wells of revival will join the wells of intercession. The Hidden wells that we didn’t even know existed. For years we have stood over them without even knowing their existence. No more says the LORD. It’s time!!
The Wells of the saints that have gone before us will merge with the wells of today.
Many of these wells have been shut down, hidden, and locked away. But now is the time, says the Lord, for the Manhole covers to be removed. And I am BUSTING them off! These wells can no longer be hidden for they must merge. Even dead, dry wells will come back to life.
“It’s time, says the spirit of the living God. It’s TIME to merge!!”
Prepare for the merging of the wells…
Old wells dug long ago merging with new ones. Deep wells of yesterday are joining with the wide wells of tomorrow. Eastern wells merging with western wells. The wells of revival will join the wells of intercession. The Hidden wells that we didn’t even know existed. For years we have stood over them without even knowing their existence. No more says the LORD. It’s time!!
The Wells of the saints that have gone before us will merge with the wells of today.
Many of these wells have been shut down, hidden, and locked away. But now is the time, says the Lord, for the Manhole covers to be removed. And I am BUSTING them off! These wells can no longer be hidden for they must merge. Even dead, dry wells will come back to life.
“It’s time, says the spirit of the living God. It’s TIME to merge!!”
What are you preserving??
Every time you hold on or look back on the past you are pouring salt in a old wound! Preserving the very thing God has been trying desperately to get you to let go of. It's time to stop allowing these dead things to remain alive in your life! Do you not realize by holding on to these dead things, you are drawling the enemy to you?
Matt 24:28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
I get it, from the ground it can be difficult to tell the difference between a soaring eagle and a soaring vulture! This is the very reason why you must open your eyes! Stop allowing the enemy to deceive you by altering what you see. Those aren't eagles gathering around you baby! Wake up and open your eyes. It's time to be sober & vigilant! It's time for you to stop being your own worse enemy! You have allowed the enemy to feed on you for far to long! Let those dead things go!
You must let go of the past before you, like Lots wife, enable the past to kill you! SHUT THE DOOR!
By looking back, Lots wife didn't just delay her deliverance or stall out her destiny! No, she literally KILLED it! In looking back she turned herself into a statue, a preserved pillar of the past. A pillar of salt! A representative of things left behind. A monument of the past with no hope of movement in the future! This is what looking back gets you! Every time you look back, your adding more & more salt to things long gone. Until one day, you've preserved the past so well in your life, that you become that which you see. Let it go! Let go of the past before the past is what you become! Let go of the dead things before the dead things kill you!
I love you!! Pastor Amber
Matt 24:28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
I get it, from the ground it can be difficult to tell the difference between a soaring eagle and a soaring vulture! This is the very reason why you must open your eyes! Stop allowing the enemy to deceive you by altering what you see. Those aren't eagles gathering around you baby! Wake up and open your eyes. It's time to be sober & vigilant! It's time for you to stop being your own worse enemy! You have allowed the enemy to feed on you for far to long! Let those dead things go!
You must let go of the past before you, like Lots wife, enable the past to kill you! SHUT THE DOOR!
By looking back, Lots wife didn't just delay her deliverance or stall out her destiny! No, she literally KILLED it! In looking back she turned herself into a statue, a preserved pillar of the past. A pillar of salt! A representative of things left behind. A monument of the past with no hope of movement in the future! This is what looking back gets you! Every time you look back, your adding more & more salt to things long gone. Until one day, you've preserved the past so well in your life, that you become that which you see. Let it go! Let go of the past before the past is what you become! Let go of the dead things before the dead things kill you!
I love you!! Pastor Amber
Forgiveness vrs Trust
Let’s have chat shall we… Sit on down and lets get it real……
It boggles me at how much I see a lack of understanding in forgiveness and trust. I am shocked everyday at what some expect from those they require forgiveness from…
So let me first say.. Forgiveness is not TRUST- stop confusing the two.
We tend to mingle them together in our relationship’s expecting those who forgive us to automatically “trust” us again. Thinking they are one in the same. Or, we expect those who say they forgive us, to move along like nothing ever happened, welcoming us right back into their lives. Almost like the return to normal is a RIGHT of forgiveness. By acting this way we selfishly discard the hurt and pain we have afflicted on others, expecting them to just “stop” being wounded.
Well, I hate to break it to ya, It doesn’t work that way!
We must comprehend that forgiveness can be granted, but then the trust must be earned. Wounds take time to heal. If we don’t allow the people we love, time to heal from the wounds we have created, then we are selfish and do not love them at all. (at least that is how it’s perceived)
We as “people” have to begin to accept that what we do and say, permanently affects those around us. If we release mean, hurtful, abusive things to those we “love” we cannot be surprised when they release us from their lives. <<< weeeelllllll
I remember when English (my oldest daughter) was little. She had a horrible habit of poking herself in the eye. She would run to me crying and say, “my eye hurt, I poke it.”
My response usually was the same. After I knew she was ok, I would say, “Did that hurt?” She would look up at me with her big brown, tear-filled, now red eyes and shake her head, yes. Then, as the all-wise, loving mother I am, I would say, “Well stop doing that!” “If it hurts don’t do it”! So full of wisdom I was! :-)
She would of course do it again, come to me crying and again I would say, “Stop, doing that.” Eventually as she grew she learned to stop doing things that hurt her. No more did she just poke herself in the eye and act shocked when it hurt. Lol We’re so proud of her! :-)
Such a silly story I know, but aren’t we just like that. We, for a while, do things that hurt us over and over and over again. Until one day we realize this doesn’t feel good, so we wise up and stop! True isn’t it?
So then why are we shocked when someone we have offended or hurt, no longer wants a relationship with us after we have repeatedly hurt him or her?
The reason is, we do not understand forgiveness and trust. So lets talk about it shall we…
Forgiveness and trust are 2 different things. Let’s make it a little more personal… Think about it….
“I can let it go, move on, not hate you, hold things against you, talk or even think about you. I can forgive you!! But does that mean I, as the victim, allow you to re-enter back into a position where you have the authority to hurt me? I can forgive you for your pasts offences, but does that mean I trust you to not be a repeat offender?” NO!
Get me……
At some point we the offenders need to realize that trust is not a right of forgiveness. Trust is a privilege gained only by the actions proven by change. We can not judge those we have hurt for not allowing us back into their hearts, when we have done nothing to deserve that reward. Nor can we judge whether they truly have forgiven us by what they do or do not allow us to be part of. TRUST IS NOT FORGIVENESS…
Forgiveness, simply put, is the act of releasing. This is why we always say; forgiveness is not for them, but for you. Because, by not forgiving someone else you hold captive within yourself the pain, hurt, anger, and resentment associated with the offence. By forgiving them you release these things from yourself, freeing yourself from “their” actions.
Let break it down by definition:
Forgive –
1
a : to give up resentment of or claim to requital for <forgive an insult> b : to grant relief from payment of <forgive a debt>
2
: to cease to feel resentment against (an offender) : pardon <forgive one's enemies>
I love this definition. To grant relief from payment. Meaning, you owe me nothing. I forgive you. Saying, “ok it’s done!” Now does it say, everything goes back to normal. No, it says YOUR DEBT IS PAID, you no longer owe me payment. Much like the forgiveness God grants us. Our debts are paid! Halleljuleh!
The definition for trust is much different…
Trust-
1
a : assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something b : one in which confidence is placed
2
a : dependence on something future or contingent : hope b : reliance on future payment for property (as merchandise) delivered : credit <bought furniture on trust>
You can clearly see here by the definition of trust, that it is not something freely granted to us. Rather something we earnestly seek to prove ourselves worthy of. Especially, to those of which, we have so selfishly robbed of these things, by our own actions.
So, what can we do? Those of us who have hurt, offended, abused or mistreated someone we love…
The first step is to acknowledge the wrong done, take ownership of your actions and ask for forgiveness. A TRUE apology goes a long way. Notice I said a TRUE apology, not a by the way I am sorry.... or a Hey.. can you tell so and so I'm sorry...
The second step is realizing that healing takes time. It is unfair for us to expect everything to continue on like nothing every occurred. We must take the steps to prove that we are worthy to be trusted again.
In some cases, where the wounds are too deep, we must accept that not every relationship can be restored. In those situations we must willing allow those we have hurt, to do what they need to, for complete healing. Let them go and pray God restores their life back to a place where their heart is whole.
It sounds sad doesn’t it? But I say again, not everyone will always be in your life. Many people come and go. Embrace and love who you have now, forgive who you had, and welcome those to come! But most of all Forgive.. God never said he required you to put your trust in man, for anything! But he does require you to forgive, to release those that have hurt you from the debt they owe. You know, like the debt you once owed, the debt he freely paid..
To whom much is forgiven much is required! We must FORGIVE....................
THIS AGAIN!!!
It’s strange, I find that with every new season or level I find myself on.. God walks me through things, people or issues from my past once again. During these times he requires me to search things out, forgive deeper, & let go of more. In one season I was fine, everything was ok.. Go to another one and all of a sudden I find myself offended again with things long gone. I find myself doubting again, not trusting again.. Etc. Then standing there before God, I ask.. WHAT THE CRAP!!!! Lol
I forgave this a long time ago.. I let this go years ago.. Why is this bothering me now?? UGH….
Maybe I am the only one who has dealt with this.. I don’t know… But it makes going to another level/season HARD!!!!
Reason–
When offended, hurt, wounded etc. it is usually not surface level. The root of offense, bitterness, anger etc usually goes deep into the soul. These deep wounds take time to root out and correct. God could of course reach in and sweep them away but usually he walks us through a process of learning to forgive, let go, and move on.
To us this process can seem hard, long and frustrating. But to God this process is necessary for true, real healing. Our job is to just let him work. Let him take us layer by layer.. Like ole’ Shrek, we are all onions, full of layers and layers of smelliness :-) Of course no one wants to admit they are smelly on the inside but lets just get real, Shall WE… ( and the world said AMEN and the church said, umm excuse me)
So today, don’t be afraid to allow God to yet again deal with an issue you’ve already dealt with. Allow him to dig deep into your soul and root out those things that are holding you back. Is it painful, yes! Does anyone enjoy it? NO! But is it necessary? YES!! Will this one day be over? Yes, I promise!!
So surrender to it!! You might not understand what’s going on but allow him to work YOU OUT FOR YOU!!
I promise he’s better at dealing with you than you are.. Lol
Much love my loves
Amber
I forgave this a long time ago.. I let this go years ago.. Why is this bothering me now?? UGH….
Maybe I am the only one who has dealt with this.. I don’t know… But it makes going to another level/season HARD!!!!
Reason–
When offended, hurt, wounded etc. it is usually not surface level. The root of offense, bitterness, anger etc usually goes deep into the soul. These deep wounds take time to root out and correct. God could of course reach in and sweep them away but usually he walks us through a process of learning to forgive, let go, and move on.
To us this process can seem hard, long and frustrating. But to God this process is necessary for true, real healing. Our job is to just let him work. Let him take us layer by layer.. Like ole’ Shrek, we are all onions, full of layers and layers of smelliness :-) Of course no one wants to admit they are smelly on the inside but lets just get real, Shall WE… ( and the world said AMEN and the church said, umm excuse me)
So today, don’t be afraid to allow God to yet again deal with an issue you’ve already dealt with. Allow him to dig deep into your soul and root out those things that are holding you back. Is it painful, yes! Does anyone enjoy it? NO! But is it necessary? YES!! Will this one day be over? Yes, I promise!!
So surrender to it!! You might not understand what’s going on but allow him to work YOU OUT FOR YOU!!
I promise he’s better at dealing with you than you are.. Lol
Much love my loves
Amber
WHO CARES WHAT THEY SAY IN THE BLEACHERS!!
You will always have critics. There will always be someone sitting on the sidelines yelling about how YOUR not playing the game right! There will always be that one who refuses to step out of the boat to do what they are called to do and so they hate you! IGNORE THEM!
What they think doesn't matter! You may have been knocked down, you may have fallen, you may have skipped that part and jumped right out of the will of God all by yourself.... You may have quit, given up and threw in the towel! We all do that at some point in life! No one is without faults and certainly no one is without failures! So what you fell down! Are you gonna refuse to walk the rest of your life? GET UP!!
You are a CHAMPION, not a quitter... and REAL Champions are those who get back up! Those who look defeat, obstacles, persecution, or what ever their ENEMY is, in the eye and says...
IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!!
BRING IT!
I've gotten back up more times than I can count... Failure isn't in the falling down, it's in the refusing to get back up! GET UP and go again... after all, what else is there left to lose... besides your PRIDE...
Please do yourself a favor and watch the clip below...
(*I think it has a cuss word in it somewhere, but it doesn't change the message..watch it.... it will bless you)
You will always have critics. There will always be someone sitting on the sidelines yelling about how YOUR not playing the game right! There will always be that one who refuses to step out of the boat to do what they are called to do and so they hate you! IGNORE THEM!
What they think doesn't matter! You may have been knocked down, you may have fallen, you may have skipped that part and jumped right out of the will of God all by yourself.... You may have quit, given up and threw in the towel! We all do that at some point in life! No one is without faults and certainly no one is without failures! So what you fell down! Are you gonna refuse to walk the rest of your life? GET UP!!
You are a CHAMPION, not a quitter... and REAL Champions are those who get back up! Those who look defeat, obstacles, persecution, or what ever their ENEMY is, in the eye and says...
IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!!
BRING IT!
I've gotten back up more times than I can count... Failure isn't in the falling down, it's in the refusing to get back up! GET UP and go again... after all, what else is there left to lose... besides your PRIDE...
Please do yourself a favor and watch the clip below...
(*I think it has a cuss word in it somewhere, but it doesn't change the message..watch it.... it will bless you)
LIVE A LIFE OF NO REGRETS!
I myself, tend to be an aggressive driver and people getting in
my way when there is somewhere I need to be, aggravates me to no end...
If you are riding with me at some point you are going to hear me say to the person in
the car in front of me, "SERIOUSLY, like REALLY, the speed limit is too hard for
you...MOOOOVE" :-) and my hubs will say, "OK INDY!" lol "CALM DOWN"
The reason is, in my mind I have somewhere I need to be, something I need to do, and if I'm
not there, you are in my way!..lol It's called laser vision!
Yes, my name is Amber and I suffer from LASER VISION...
Now God has had to deal with me a lot throughout the years over this. Because, although it's not a bad trait to
have, it can at times hinder you not help you. Why? Well I am so glad you ask!! lol
Ever heard the saying "Can't see the forest for the trees" ?
In other words, you can't see the whole picture because you’re focusing on one point, seeing only one thing.
You are looking only at the goal, the mark, keeping your eyes on the prize.
But truth be told, LIFE is not about the END result but about the JOURNEY it takes to get there...
If we spend our time only focusing on where we are going we will miss the amazing things we can experience along the
way.. We will of gone thru our lives being alive, but having never LIVED..
Many times I've heard God say, "Amber, slow down & breathe. Live in this moment." I can hear my husband now in my head singing that old Trace Adkins
song
"You’re gonna miss this, you’re gonna want this back, you’re gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast!"
How true that statement is!! Life does go by VERY FAST and it is at times like these, Thanksgiving, Christmas, News Years,
etc. that we need to remember that. You will never get these moments back and there is nothing that is so important that it can't wait until after the puppet
show, the family dinner, the movie, the story you've heard 10,000 times, the family board game etc....
Take time to experience the moments that you are given this week! Drink them in, embrace them and live in the moment. You never know what tomorrow
will hold or who won't be there with you next year! Be determined to live a life of no regrets and actually LIVE!
Be determined to not miss a thing! Below is a YouTube clip of the song by Trace Adkins I mentioned, enjoy!!
Nothing but LOVE!!
P. A
Get out of the GRAY
It's time.. It's time to become who God has called you to be! It's time for you to STAND UP & STICK OUT!!
God never created you to sit down and blend in so, STOP IT!! Shake yourself...
You are more then you have become. YOU ARE GREAT!
God has called you to so much more then you have allowed yourself to walk in. He created you for signs & wonders & miracles. He created you to be a light, a hope, a beacon of FREEDOM. So, why do you sit there on the shelf??
Why do you sit comfortably in the cage and refuse to fly??
Do you not know that you are no longer bound? Do you not know that you are no longer locked behind the bars of yesterday?
Stand up & get out of the gray!! Being in the middle does you no good. Make a decision says the LORD. Be either HOT OR COLD.. BUT PICK ONE...
Revelation 3:16-21
16 But since you
are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my
mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have
everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are
wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by
fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be
shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to
see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I
love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock.
If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal
together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I
was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
It's time for you to rise up and GET OUT OF THE GRAY.... LIVE THE GRAY-LESS LIFE
Pastor Amber
God never created you to sit down and blend in so, STOP IT!! Shake yourself...
You are more then you have become. YOU ARE GREAT!
God has called you to so much more then you have allowed yourself to walk in. He created you for signs & wonders & miracles. He created you to be a light, a hope, a beacon of FREEDOM. So, why do you sit there on the shelf??
Why do you sit comfortably in the cage and refuse to fly??
Do you not know that you are no longer bound? Do you not know that you are no longer locked behind the bars of yesterday?
Stand up & get out of the gray!! Being in the middle does you no good. Make a decision says the LORD. Be either HOT OR COLD.. BUT PICK ONE...
Revelation 3:16-21
16 But since you
are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my
mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have
everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are
wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by
fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be
shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to
see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I
love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock.
If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal
together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I
was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
It's time for you to rise up and GET OUT OF THE GRAY.... LIVE THE GRAY-LESS LIFE
Pastor Amber
It's Harvest TIME...
A season of Harvest is coming... This is what I hear the spirit of the Lord saying.. Get ready, for a season of harvesting is coming!!
Now it depends of the kind of farmer you are as to whither or not you get excited or fearful when hearing these words. If you have sowed and planted good seed in good ground, then this is a reason for you to shout.
For this reason, this subject has been one of the main topics that has filled this page over the past 3 years. This is a subject my husband & I have preached from the pulpit many, many times. Anyone who has been around us long enough has heard us say, "You are the prophet of your own life! The seeds you plant today you will eat tomorrow!" - How true this is!! I am hear to tell you today that the anointing to Harvest is here!! Harvest is falling on the earth and the time to reap the works of our hands & hearts has come!! The kind of harvest you shall reap is up to you!! Your harvest is in your hands... Good or bad - In Rev 14 (listed below) you see there is a Harvesting going on.. 2 as a matter of fact and we are in these days...
Harvesting the Earth and Trampling the Winepress
14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud,
and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man
with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then
another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your
sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest
of the earth is ripe.” 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth
was harvested.
17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he
too had a sharp sickle.18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the
altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, “Take your sharp
sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are
ripe.” 19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its
grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath.
20 They were trampled in the winepress
outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of
1,600 stadia
So what's the point?? The point is a harvest is coming... and the kind of harvesting that you will go through is solely up to you...
So GET READY!! Lift up your eyes... Look, for the anointing to Harvest is falling on earth...It is coming like a theif in the night... can you hear it?? the count down has started........ 1...2...3...4...5.... . READY OR NOT........ HERE IT COMES.....
GET READY!!
Now it depends of the kind of farmer you are as to whither or not you get excited or fearful when hearing these words. If you have sowed and planted good seed in good ground, then this is a reason for you to shout.
For this reason, this subject has been one of the main topics that has filled this page over the past 3 years. This is a subject my husband & I have preached from the pulpit many, many times. Anyone who has been around us long enough has heard us say, "You are the prophet of your own life! The seeds you plant today you will eat tomorrow!" - How true this is!! I am hear to tell you today that the anointing to Harvest is here!! Harvest is falling on the earth and the time to reap the works of our hands & hearts has come!! The kind of harvest you shall reap is up to you!! Your harvest is in your hands... Good or bad - In Rev 14 (listed below) you see there is a Harvesting going on.. 2 as a matter of fact and we are in these days...
Harvesting the Earth and Trampling the Winepress
14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud,
and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man
with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then
another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your
sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest
of the earth is ripe.” 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth
was harvested.
17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he
too had a sharp sickle.18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the
altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, “Take your sharp
sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are
ripe.” 19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its
grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath.
20 They were trampled in the winepress
outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of
1,600 stadia
So what's the point?? The point is a harvest is coming... and the kind of harvesting that you will go through is solely up to you...
So GET READY!! Lift up your eyes... Look, for the anointing to Harvest is falling on earth...It is coming like a theif in the night... can you hear it?? the count down has started........ 1...2...3...4...5.... . READY OR NOT........ HERE IT COMES.....
GET READY!!
It's your Move
Remember the seed's that create your tomorrow are not only in your hands, but also in your mouth!!
You are the prophet of your own life and the words you release today create your tomorrow! We were created in the image & likeness of God!!
Genesis 1:26
New International Version (NIV)
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind
in our image,
in our likeness, so that they may rule
over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over
all the creatures that move along the ground.”
The word image found in Gen 1:26 translates into Shadow. We are the shadow of God.. we do what he does.. move as he moves.. and the creative power that resides in him, now, resides in us... With his words he created the heavens and the earth! With his words he created us and formed us from the ground, as his shadows on earth. Created to emulate who he is, what he does...
Oh we say, yes, I am created in the image of God.. Yet do nothing with it.. and by denying this fact with a lack of action, we are denying HIM!!..
For it is who he is... and who WE ARE!!
Oh come on.. don't you remember the kid in school that was always saying.. MY DADDY is so and so... Don't mess with me, my daddy will beat your daddy up... Or the child that no matter what happened, or what he did, always seemed to run to his father to get involved.... More then likely you didn't like this kid...lol They got on your nerves and you dreamed of smacking them upside the head...lol and probably said to them sooner or later, "You just wait until your daddy ain't around!" But truth be told.. who could blame them.. They had a trump card, why not play it..We make the most of our lives by how we play the cards were dealt.. Cant blame them for playing well and accessing the rights of who they are....
The sad thing is, as children of God, Kingdom citizens, we have a stacked deck.. Yet we never play the hand... WHY?? We go through this life living as citizens of earth... when in all actuality we are only missionaries here, on a heavenly issued, temporary visa's.. We are citizens of heaven.. therefore have access to all the benefits heaven has to offer... Joy, peace, love, health, wealth, protection..etc Yet we continue to draw from earth's benefit package instead.. thus we remain stressed, sick, tired, depressed, angry, frustrated, broke..etc.. Go figure.. your withdrawing from the wrong well.. It's time for you to realize who you are.. Upon salvation you transferred your citizenship.. You were BORN again. No longer born of this world but of another.. born in heaven.. thus having access to all it's rights.. You are now Kingdom subjects dear friends.., so act like it!! ... Jesus spoke this in Matt 5: 48
Matthew 5:48 The Message (MSG)48
“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your
God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God
lives toward you.
"Live out your God-Created Identity..... ( I love that) Ephesians also speaks of our citizenship...
Ephesians 2:19 New Life Version
(NLV)19 From now on you are not strangers and people who are not citizens. You
are citizens together with those who belong to God. You belong in God’s family.
And in Philippians...
Philippians 3:15-21 The Message (MSG) 15-16 So let’s keep focused on that goal,
those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something
else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred
vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.
17-19 Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same
course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths,
choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned
you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy
street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those
who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they
can think of is their appetites.
20-21 But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high
heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ,
who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll
make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting
everything as it should be, under and around him.
So then now that you have read it for yourself.. ask yourself why?? Why am I determined to live a ordinary life?? Why am I not living as the royality that I am.. Why am I not accessing all that my heavenly citizenship has to offer.. ??
The good part is, now you know.. so ignorance can no longer be a excuse.. It's all down to willingness to be who you were called to be...
So fellow citizens.. what say you?? How will you play your hand now that you know that all the cards are in your favor...
It's Your MOVE............ Well.... GO
Pastor Amber :-)
You are the prophet of your own life and the words you release today create your tomorrow! We were created in the image & likeness of God!!
Genesis 1:26
New International Version (NIV)
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind
in our image,
in our likeness, so that they may rule
over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over
all the creatures that move along the ground.”
The word image found in Gen 1:26 translates into Shadow. We are the shadow of God.. we do what he does.. move as he moves.. and the creative power that resides in him, now, resides in us... With his words he created the heavens and the earth! With his words he created us and formed us from the ground, as his shadows on earth. Created to emulate who he is, what he does...
Oh we say, yes, I am created in the image of God.. Yet do nothing with it.. and by denying this fact with a lack of action, we are denying HIM!!..
For it is who he is... and who WE ARE!!
Oh come on.. don't you remember the kid in school that was always saying.. MY DADDY is so and so... Don't mess with me, my daddy will beat your daddy up... Or the child that no matter what happened, or what he did, always seemed to run to his father to get involved.... More then likely you didn't like this kid...lol They got on your nerves and you dreamed of smacking them upside the head...lol and probably said to them sooner or later, "You just wait until your daddy ain't around!" But truth be told.. who could blame them.. They had a trump card, why not play it..We make the most of our lives by how we play the cards were dealt.. Cant blame them for playing well and accessing the rights of who they are....
The sad thing is, as children of God, Kingdom citizens, we have a stacked deck.. Yet we never play the hand... WHY?? We go through this life living as citizens of earth... when in all actuality we are only missionaries here, on a heavenly issued, temporary visa's.. We are citizens of heaven.. therefore have access to all the benefits heaven has to offer... Joy, peace, love, health, wealth, protection..etc Yet we continue to draw from earth's benefit package instead.. thus we remain stressed, sick, tired, depressed, angry, frustrated, broke..etc.. Go figure.. your withdrawing from the wrong well.. It's time for you to realize who you are.. Upon salvation you transferred your citizenship.. You were BORN again. No longer born of this world but of another.. born in heaven.. thus having access to all it's rights.. You are now Kingdom subjects dear friends.., so act like it!! ... Jesus spoke this in Matt 5: 48
Matthew 5:48 The Message (MSG)48
“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your
God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God
lives toward you.
"Live out your God-Created Identity..... ( I love that) Ephesians also speaks of our citizenship...
Ephesians 2:19 New Life Version
(NLV)19 From now on you are not strangers and people who are not citizens. You
are citizens together with those who belong to God. You belong in God’s family.
And in Philippians...
Philippians 3:15-21 The Message (MSG) 15-16 So let’s keep focused on that goal,
those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something
else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred
vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.
17-19 Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same
course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths,
choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned
you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy
street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those
who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they
can think of is their appetites.
20-21 But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high
heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ,
who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll
make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting
everything as it should be, under and around him.
So then now that you have read it for yourself.. ask yourself why?? Why am I determined to live a ordinary life?? Why am I not living as the royality that I am.. Why am I not accessing all that my heavenly citizenship has to offer.. ??
The good part is, now you know.. so ignorance can no longer be a excuse.. It's all down to willingness to be who you were called to be...
So fellow citizens.. what say you?? How will you play your hand now that you know that all the cards are in your favor...
It's Your MOVE............ Well.... GO
Pastor Amber :-)
From the GRAVE...
Get up.. that is what I am hearing the spirit of God say today... GET UP.. Rise from the ashes... Remove the blinders from your eyes.. see as the spirit of God sees... Who you were is not who you are.......
Look I know that life can throw many things at us and sometimes we handle things not as we should.. We have up's and we have down's. Sometimes life is good and sometimes its bad. Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. It's called LIFE and it falls on the just and the unjust..
Matthew 5:45
New Living Translation (NLT)
45 In that way,
you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his
sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the
unjust alike.
It's not the storms we go through in life that matter.. It's the way we go through the storm... It's the way we get back up..
Proverbs 24:16
16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
See even the Godly fall.. We make mistakes.. we trip.. But we get back up.. Isnt it time to Shake it off, let it GO, forgive yourself... MOVE ON..
You may of jumped off the potter's wheel.. You may have decided that this road was costing you to much, more then you were prepared to pay. But I am telling you today that God says, If you will trust him. Trust that he has a plan to prosper you and not harm you & allow his PERFECT will for your life. Then you will recieve more then you could ever imagine. Your gain will far out way your pain...
Look... is the road hard? Yes, but what isnt? Every thing that is worth anything in life, is paved through a road called "high price". Lined with scars, blood sweat and tears.. It will all cost you something. Nothing we have is ever obtained for free. Whoever told you that once you got saved or accepted the call, it would all be easy.. LIED.. They flat out LIED to you.. It's not easier, and sometimes it's harder.. But it will and is, definitely worth it!!
So decide today to get out of the Potter's field (grave yard) and get back on the potter's wheel... Leave the valley of death.. and return to valley of life..
It truly is the only choice you have... It's Life or death.. choose LIFE!!
Look I know that life can throw many things at us and sometimes we handle things not as we should.. We have up's and we have down's. Sometimes life is good and sometimes its bad. Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. It's called LIFE and it falls on the just and the unjust..
Matthew 5:45
New Living Translation (NLT)
45 In that way,
you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his
sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the
unjust alike.
It's not the storms we go through in life that matter.. It's the way we go through the storm... It's the way we get back up..
Proverbs 24:16
16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
See even the Godly fall.. We make mistakes.. we trip.. But we get back up.. Isnt it time to Shake it off, let it GO, forgive yourself... MOVE ON..
You may of jumped off the potter's wheel.. You may have decided that this road was costing you to much, more then you were prepared to pay. But I am telling you today that God says, If you will trust him. Trust that he has a plan to prosper you and not harm you & allow his PERFECT will for your life. Then you will recieve more then you could ever imagine. Your gain will far out way your pain...
Look... is the road hard? Yes, but what isnt? Every thing that is worth anything in life, is paved through a road called "high price". Lined with scars, blood sweat and tears.. It will all cost you something. Nothing we have is ever obtained for free. Whoever told you that once you got saved or accepted the call, it would all be easy.. LIED.. They flat out LIED to you.. It's not easier, and sometimes it's harder.. But it will and is, definitely worth it!!
So decide today to get out of the Potter's field (grave yard) and get back on the potter's wheel... Leave the valley of death.. and return to valley of life..
It truly is the only choice you have... It's Life or death.. choose LIFE!!
Delivered & not Damaged....
That statement alone speaks volumes to me. We all go through
trials, we all have things that life has dealt us from which we must recover. No
one ever escapes this type of thing from occurring in life. But one day here
recently, God began to speak to me about the aftermath of the past. Many people
are now suffering from the effects hurricane Sandy had on them and their lives.
They are no longer going through the storm, it has passed, however the damage,
the aftermath, of this storm is still something that they are dealing with. Now they must find a way to pick of the pieces of what is left and forge a way to a new future.
Most of us in the body of Christ are doing the exact same thing spiritually. We, through his grace and mercy, receive deliverance but then
continue to walk around damaged/scared. We stand now free from yesterday, yet the effects of yesterday still dictates and controls our decisions,
relationships, and thought life. We are clean through Christ but not yet made WHOLE. This is not God's will for our lives!!For we have been redeemed...
Galatians 3:13-14 New International Version (NIV)13 Christ redeemed
us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written:
“Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the
blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so
that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
We as believers stand in the redemption of Christ.. What does that
mean??
(By definition) Redeemed: to buy back; to free from what distresses or
harms; to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental; to release
from blame or debt; to free from the consequences of sin; to change for the
better; REFORM, REPAIR, RESTORE
I love that!! We have been RESTORED back! That
being said, those of us in Christ are now, DELIVERED & NOT DAMAGED! God
clearly made provisions for us to live a truly FREE life. Free from the effects
of SIN.. FREE from anything and everything that may lie somewhere behind you!!
YOU ARE FREE!!
So today walk in your God given freedom.. Set your mind to this gift
and refuse to think on anything else... FREEDOM is a choice.. CHOOSE
IT!!
trials, we all have things that life has dealt us from which we must recover. No
one ever escapes this type of thing from occurring in life. But one day here
recently, God began to speak to me about the aftermath of the past. Many people
are now suffering from the effects hurricane Sandy had on them and their lives.
They are no longer going through the storm, it has passed, however the damage,
the aftermath, of this storm is still something that they are dealing with. Now they must find a way to pick of the pieces of what is left and forge a way to a new future.
Most of us in the body of Christ are doing the exact same thing spiritually. We, through his grace and mercy, receive deliverance but then
continue to walk around damaged/scared. We stand now free from yesterday, yet the effects of yesterday still dictates and controls our decisions,
relationships, and thought life. We are clean through Christ but not yet made WHOLE. This is not God's will for our lives!!For we have been redeemed...
Galatians 3:13-14 New International Version (NIV)13 Christ redeemed
us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written:
“Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the
blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so
that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
We as believers stand in the redemption of Christ.. What does that
mean??
(By definition) Redeemed: to buy back; to free from what distresses or
harms; to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental; to release
from blame or debt; to free from the consequences of sin; to change for the
better; REFORM, REPAIR, RESTORE
I love that!! We have been RESTORED back! That
being said, those of us in Christ are now, DELIVERED & NOT DAMAGED! God
clearly made provisions for us to live a truly FREE life. Free from the effects
of SIN.. FREE from anything and everything that may lie somewhere behind you!!
YOU ARE FREE!!
So today walk in your God given freedom.. Set your mind to this gift
and refuse to think on anything else... FREEDOM is a choice.. CHOOSE
IT!!
What do you worship??
We all worship……………………
Worship is the thing we desire most of in our lives, it is how God made us. We all have this incarnate need to worship and adore something.. God’s intention was that we would worship him, of course, thus he wired us this way. However, unfortunately for him, it doesn’t always work out that he is the object of our focus and affection and I am sure it breaks his heart.
Many say, “I worship God”! Yet, they go through their day without even acknowledging him and who he is! The truth is, the things in your life that you concentrate on and put your time and effort into, that is the thing you WORSHIP! WE ALL WORSHIP SOMETHING
Most of us put more time into our favorite football team or TV show then we put into anything that has to do with GOD… Most of us spend more time putting our make up on, doing our hair, or working out at the gym then we spend in PRAYER! Yet we fuss about God and get mad at him for what he hasn’t done for us… Sounds like spoiled, bratty children to me..… (WELL…)
Isn’t it high time we as his children check our priorities and see what really matters to us? I believe we owe this to ourselves and to God! You may be surprised. So today I challenge you to take a look at your life, your week, your day and ask yourself, “Where does God fall into my “TO DO” list?” “What and who am I worshiping?” Is God something I only think about or consider on Sundays? Or is he a part of my everyday life? Do I spend just as much time loving on him, as I do loving on myself and everything else? Because there my friend, is where your true WORSHIP lies. It lies on the thing you are loving.. check yourself.. then answer. Also, remember;
Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Never mistake being busy for God with knowing him and worshiping him..... just food for thought my loves... food for thought..
Worship is the thing we desire most of in our lives, it is how God made us. We all have this incarnate need to worship and adore something.. God’s intention was that we would worship him, of course, thus he wired us this way. However, unfortunately for him, it doesn’t always work out that he is the object of our focus and affection and I am sure it breaks his heart.
Many say, “I worship God”! Yet, they go through their day without even acknowledging him and who he is! The truth is, the things in your life that you concentrate on and put your time and effort into, that is the thing you WORSHIP! WE ALL WORSHIP SOMETHING
Most of us put more time into our favorite football team or TV show then we put into anything that has to do with GOD… Most of us spend more time putting our make up on, doing our hair, or working out at the gym then we spend in PRAYER! Yet we fuss about God and get mad at him for what he hasn’t done for us… Sounds like spoiled, bratty children to me..… (WELL…)
Isn’t it high time we as his children check our priorities and see what really matters to us? I believe we owe this to ourselves and to God! You may be surprised. So today I challenge you to take a look at your life, your week, your day and ask yourself, “Where does God fall into my “TO DO” list?” “What and who am I worshiping?” Is God something I only think about or consider on Sundays? Or is he a part of my everyday life? Do I spend just as much time loving on him, as I do loving on myself and everything else? Because there my friend, is where your true WORSHIP lies. It lies on the thing you are loving.. check yourself.. then answer. Also, remember;
Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Never mistake being busy for God with knowing him and worshiping him..... just food for thought my loves... food for thought..
Keep pressin on....
A few weeks ago I got a text message from a friend.. Telling me to go listen to this song.. saying that every time they hear this song they saw my face and knew this was a word for me. So I listened to it and obviously it made me cry because it’s a very sweet song…
Last week I went to a worship conference and during this time 3 prophets spoke a word over me confirming this very thing.. Calling me a pioneer, forerunner, door opener, way maker.. They spoke of a great harvest coming and my part in bring this harvest in. It was an awesome word and a hard word all at the same time. The forerunner has to labor to create a path for those who come behind them. A hard task yes, but it is one of honor that I gladly accept.. Now the reason I share this is because I know certainly I am not the only one God is speaking this too.. I know that there are thousands of men and women of God out there right now that are fighting, digging up the dirt in their hearts and in the hearts of others, preparing a way for the KING. Well can I say to you my fellow pioneers...You are not alone....Keep pressing on, I know its hard, I know that its trying and sometimes giving up seems like it’s the only option.. But I am asking you, begging you.. DON’T STOP! You are making a difference, you are making a way for someone who without you and your sacrifices might never have a chance.. So keep pushing, pressing & plowing!! Don’t stop and look at the dirt, just keep moving.. Don’t look back, just keep pressing on and know that God is on your side.. He’s going before you, he’s right beside you and he is right behind you every step of the way… You must remember that there is a legion of followers coming right behind you. One’s that need your lessons and your experiences.- Don’t neglect to teach that which you have toiled to learn!! Never fear for you’re a pioneer!! Enjoy!!
Last week I went to a worship conference and during this time 3 prophets spoke a word over me confirming this very thing.. Calling me a pioneer, forerunner, door opener, way maker.. They spoke of a great harvest coming and my part in bring this harvest in. It was an awesome word and a hard word all at the same time. The forerunner has to labor to create a path for those who come behind them. A hard task yes, but it is one of honor that I gladly accept.. Now the reason I share this is because I know certainly I am not the only one God is speaking this too.. I know that there are thousands of men and women of God out there right now that are fighting, digging up the dirt in their hearts and in the hearts of others, preparing a way for the KING. Well can I say to you my fellow pioneers...You are not alone....Keep pressing on, I know its hard, I know that its trying and sometimes giving up seems like it’s the only option.. But I am asking you, begging you.. DON’T STOP! You are making a difference, you are making a way for someone who without you and your sacrifices might never have a chance.. So keep pushing, pressing & plowing!! Don’t stop and look at the dirt, just keep moving.. Don’t look back, just keep pressing on and know that God is on your side.. He’s going before you, he’s right beside you and he is right behind you every step of the way… You must remember that there is a legion of followers coming right behind you. One’s that need your lessons and your experiences.- Don’t neglect to teach that which you have toiled to learn!! Never fear for you’re a pioneer!! Enjoy!!
It was that woman you gave me.....
STOP THE BLAME GAME…
Genesis 3:11-13 New King James Version (NKJV)
11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”
12 Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”
Can you imagine how differently this story would of panned out had Adam taken ownership of his own actions. Instead Adam instantly blamed Eve and then blamed God for giving her to him with his, "YOU GAVE ME" comment. (that takes some guts right there) Thus starting the horrible BLAME GAME that still continues on today. Think about it...
“They shouldn’t of talk to me like that, they shouldn’t of looked at me wrong.. If they would of acted better this wouldn’t of happened, If I was born to a better family or had more money” … ETC..
Yep, it’s always someone else’s issue. Always someone else’s attitude, problem, conflict… but sooner or later babycakes, we have to look in and say.. WHAT DID I DO?? What part did I play?? Other wise we will continue to go around the same mountain over and over again. We will spend another day dealing with the same issues attacking us over and over again, just through a different face!
I think one of the hardest things to do in almost every situation is to look in, I’ve said this many times... Most of us fight doing this because it is then that we see our own wrongdoings, which causes us more pain. It hurts to look in! It’s not that we don’t want to admit we are wrong, it’s that we don’t want to accept that we’ve had a part in hurting ourselves and/or someone we love. It’s usually easier to point the finger at someone else instead of pointing at us. So we take the perceived “easier road”.. The road of AVOIDANCE.. Pretend it isn’t there, sweep it under the rug.. RUNAWAY.. DENI, DENI, DENI.. But there is no healing in this kind of attitude, allowing us no room for change and no room for healing! We must become introspection people…
WE MUST LOOK INWARD!
If we do not allow ourselves to take this painful tour of who we really are, we only prolong our own pain as well as, prolong the much needed healing of those we have unleashed pain/hurt on. In order for complete healing and restoration, we must take a cold hard look in, acknowledge what we are, what we did wrong, and what we must do to change. STOP THE BLAME GAME! This should be done in every situation. None of us are completely the victims. We all have a part to play in whatever situation we currently find ourselves in. Now don’t get me wrong I am sure there have been times when someone hurt you, betrayed you, or turned on you for no apparent reason. Maybe so, it does happen.. Lord knows I have felt the arrows of betrayal numerous times. But if I am honest with myself, in most situations, I can look back regardless of what occurred and see where I was also to blame.. Maybe I should have been kinder, less selfish, more observant, less aggressive or even less gullible, etc. The point is, I am not a victim.. I am always a constant contributor to situations in my life.. Good or bad (to some degree)..
This is a part of growing up.. Learning to think past your presence moment and realizing that everything we do and say affects someone, somewhere, at some point. This type of behavior comes with time and is a learned trait.. But it is one we must take the time to develop and work at in order to live a healthy life. When we master this attribute in our own lives, we learn to not be so judgmental and critical of others. Because we too can see no one is perfect, no one is without fault or blame.. We all make mistakes, it’s just some choose to grow from them while others remain in their grasp, controlled and dominated by their memory..
The choice is yours. You will either choose to learn and grow from these trying times in your life or you will DIE.. Get Bitter or get better.. The choice is yours.. I for one, am choosing to grow, get better and change.. Adapt or die? I choose ADAPT.. GROW.. I CHOOSE TO CHANGE..
Genesis 3:11-13 New King James Version (NKJV)
11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”
12 Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”
Can you imagine how differently this story would of panned out had Adam taken ownership of his own actions. Instead Adam instantly blamed Eve and then blamed God for giving her to him with his, "YOU GAVE ME" comment. (that takes some guts right there) Thus starting the horrible BLAME GAME that still continues on today. Think about it...
“They shouldn’t of talk to me like that, they shouldn’t of looked at me wrong.. If they would of acted better this wouldn’t of happened, If I was born to a better family or had more money” … ETC..
Yep, it’s always someone else’s issue. Always someone else’s attitude, problem, conflict… but sooner or later babycakes, we have to look in and say.. WHAT DID I DO?? What part did I play?? Other wise we will continue to go around the same mountain over and over again. We will spend another day dealing with the same issues attacking us over and over again, just through a different face!
I think one of the hardest things to do in almost every situation is to look in, I’ve said this many times... Most of us fight doing this because it is then that we see our own wrongdoings, which causes us more pain. It hurts to look in! It’s not that we don’t want to admit we are wrong, it’s that we don’t want to accept that we’ve had a part in hurting ourselves and/or someone we love. It’s usually easier to point the finger at someone else instead of pointing at us. So we take the perceived “easier road”.. The road of AVOIDANCE.. Pretend it isn’t there, sweep it under the rug.. RUNAWAY.. DENI, DENI, DENI.. But there is no healing in this kind of attitude, allowing us no room for change and no room for healing! We must become introspection people…
WE MUST LOOK INWARD!
If we do not allow ourselves to take this painful tour of who we really are, we only prolong our own pain as well as, prolong the much needed healing of those we have unleashed pain/hurt on. In order for complete healing and restoration, we must take a cold hard look in, acknowledge what we are, what we did wrong, and what we must do to change. STOP THE BLAME GAME! This should be done in every situation. None of us are completely the victims. We all have a part to play in whatever situation we currently find ourselves in. Now don’t get me wrong I am sure there have been times when someone hurt you, betrayed you, or turned on you for no apparent reason. Maybe so, it does happen.. Lord knows I have felt the arrows of betrayal numerous times. But if I am honest with myself, in most situations, I can look back regardless of what occurred and see where I was also to blame.. Maybe I should have been kinder, less selfish, more observant, less aggressive or even less gullible, etc. The point is, I am not a victim.. I am always a constant contributor to situations in my life.. Good or bad (to some degree)..
This is a part of growing up.. Learning to think past your presence moment and realizing that everything we do and say affects someone, somewhere, at some point. This type of behavior comes with time and is a learned trait.. But it is one we must take the time to develop and work at in order to live a healthy life. When we master this attribute in our own lives, we learn to not be so judgmental and critical of others. Because we too can see no one is perfect, no one is without fault or blame.. We all make mistakes, it’s just some choose to grow from them while others remain in their grasp, controlled and dominated by their memory..
The choice is yours. You will either choose to learn and grow from these trying times in your life or you will DIE.. Get Bitter or get better.. The choice is yours.. I for one, am choosing to grow, get better and change.. Adapt or die? I choose ADAPT.. GROW.. I CHOOSE TO CHANGE..
Don’t get distracted…
I know it’s hard and Lord knows I have been there. Sitting in the mist of situations that are the complete opposite of what you have believed and prayed for. It’s easy to get frustrated when believing for something and seeing nothing! Knowing you have sown seeds that demand the opposite of what you’re getting in return. It's hard knowing you place this seed carefully in the ground, watered it, nurtured it.. and still nothing..It’s enough to make you scream I know..
It’s hard to not get angry with God, people and situations… It’s hard to wait…. Sitting there staring at the seed, knowing that its there located deep down inside… But still all you see is dirt.. But we must remember that every seed sown must first be placed in dirt (ground) to grow... It's easy to get distracted after the seeds sown.. when all you see is the dirt..
But let me challenge you today… Believe in the seeds you’ve planted, the prayers you have prayed and the God you serve. You may look around you and all you see is trials, tribulations, problems, pain, issues etc.. aka your dirt. But pay no attention to what you see and hear. God’s word promises to not return to him void… It will accomplish what it is sent out to do…
Isaiah 55:11 King James Version (KJV)
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
So remember today while you sit there with tears in your eyes staring at your dirt, searching for life… Remember that there is a seed under there, a seed that has no choice but to eventually grow… Believe in the seed sweethearts and IGNORE the DIRT…
I love you all...
It’s hard to not get angry with God, people and situations… It’s hard to wait…. Sitting there staring at the seed, knowing that its there located deep down inside… But still all you see is dirt.. But we must remember that every seed sown must first be placed in dirt (ground) to grow... It's easy to get distracted after the seeds sown.. when all you see is the dirt..
But let me challenge you today… Believe in the seeds you’ve planted, the prayers you have prayed and the God you serve. You may look around you and all you see is trials, tribulations, problems, pain, issues etc.. aka your dirt. But pay no attention to what you see and hear. God’s word promises to not return to him void… It will accomplish what it is sent out to do…
Isaiah 55:11 King James Version (KJV)
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
So remember today while you sit there with tears in your eyes staring at your dirt, searching for life… Remember that there is a seed under there, a seed that has no choice but to eventually grow… Believe in the seed sweethearts and IGNORE the DIRT…
I love you all...
Throwin down the Gauntlet...
Do you take the CHALLENGE??
It’s time to force yourself to let it go! It’s time that you demand your mind submit to you and to the will of the Father and let IT go! Let that old way of thinking go, let your past go, let your old nature go, let your sin go, let those people go, let the pain go, let those memories go….….
Philippians 3:13-14 New Century Version (NCV)
13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead,14 I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.
For the next 10 days I want you to forget all those things that are behind you and concentrate only on what's ahead of you!! Refuse to think about anything concerning your past!! This is your FAST YOUR PAST challenge!! We are no longer going to allow the enemy to control us based on our past, we are laying it down!! EVERYTHING... let it go and demand it let go of you!
So today whether you like it or not, I'm gettin up in your face..... I refuse to allow you to be bound any longer...
I'm throwing down the gauntlet, issuing a challenge for change!
This is your Philippians 3:13-14 FAST YOUR PAST challenge… Will you accept??
Remember whatever you concentrate on is what grows in your life.. the more you think about something the bigger it seems (2 you) So for the next 10days refuse to let this be the case in your life! Concentrate on God and your future; let him grow in your life! Forget your past and let it die...... there is no life there anyway.... LET IT GO!!
It’s time to force yourself to let it go! It’s time that you demand your mind submit to you and to the will of the Father and let IT go! Let that old way of thinking go, let your past go, let your old nature go, let your sin go, let those people go, let the pain go, let those memories go….….
Philippians 3:13-14 New Century Version (NCV)
13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead,14 I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.
For the next 10 days I want you to forget all those things that are behind you and concentrate only on what's ahead of you!! Refuse to think about anything concerning your past!! This is your FAST YOUR PAST challenge!! We are no longer going to allow the enemy to control us based on our past, we are laying it down!! EVERYTHING... let it go and demand it let go of you!
So today whether you like it or not, I'm gettin up in your face..... I refuse to allow you to be bound any longer...
I'm throwing down the gauntlet, issuing a challenge for change!
This is your Philippians 3:13-14 FAST YOUR PAST challenge… Will you accept??
Remember whatever you concentrate on is what grows in your life.. the more you think about something the bigger it seems (2 you) So for the next 10days refuse to let this be the case in your life! Concentrate on God and your future; let him grow in your life! Forget your past and let it die...... there is no life there anyway.... LET IT GO!!
Check Yourself, B4 you wreck yourself!! :-)
I am reading Romans this week and read this in the message bible this morning…, LOVED IT! So I am posting it for all of you.
I chose the message version, mostly due to its straight forward, in your face, interpretation. I, being that kind of person, appreciate its brutal honesty. So because of that this scripture requires no interpretation on my part… Just a open mind to read it while looking inward….
Romans 2 The Message (MSG)
Romans 2 God Is Kind, but Not Soft
1-2 Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. (<<ouch)
Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn't so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you've done.
3-4You didn't think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he's such a nice God, he'd let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he's not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change. (<<< radical changed life... radical : very different from the usual or traditional : extreme : favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions>)
5-8You're not getting by with anything. Every refusal and avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire. The day is coming when it's going to blaze hot and high, God's fiery and righteous judgment. Make no mistake: In the end you get what's coming to you—Real Life for those who work on God's side, but to those who insist on getting their own way and take the path of least resistance, Fire!
9-11 If you go against the grain, you get splinters, regardless of which neighborhood you're from, what your parents taught you, what schools you attended. But if you embrace the way God does things, there are wonderful payoffs, again without regard to where you are from or how you were brought up. Being a Jew won't give you an automatic stamp of approval. God pays no attention to what others say (or what you think) about you. He makes up his own mind. (<<<< I love that.. whoop whoop)
12-13If you sin without knowing what you're doing, God takes that into account. But if you sin knowing full well what you're doing, that's a different story entirely. Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God.
And the church said.... AMEN!!!
Blessings to all
Pastor A ~
I chose the message version, mostly due to its straight forward, in your face, interpretation. I, being that kind of person, appreciate its brutal honesty. So because of that this scripture requires no interpretation on my part… Just a open mind to read it while looking inward….
Romans 2 The Message (MSG)
Romans 2 God Is Kind, but Not Soft
1-2 Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. (<<ouch)
Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn't so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you've done.
3-4You didn't think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he's such a nice God, he'd let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he's not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change. (<<< radical changed life... radical : very different from the usual or traditional : extreme : favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions>)
5-8You're not getting by with anything. Every refusal and avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire. The day is coming when it's going to blaze hot and high, God's fiery and righteous judgment. Make no mistake: In the end you get what's coming to you—Real Life for those who work on God's side, but to those who insist on getting their own way and take the path of least resistance, Fire!
9-11 If you go against the grain, you get splinters, regardless of which neighborhood you're from, what your parents taught you, what schools you attended. But if you embrace the way God does things, there are wonderful payoffs, again without regard to where you are from or how you were brought up. Being a Jew won't give you an automatic stamp of approval. God pays no attention to what others say (or what you think) about you. He makes up his own mind. (<<<< I love that.. whoop whoop)
12-13If you sin without knowing what you're doing, God takes that into account. But if you sin knowing full well what you're doing, that's a different story entirely. Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God.
And the church said.... AMEN!!!
Blessings to all
Pastor A ~
Know your ENEMY....
OPEN your eyes!! What are you fighting???…
Aren't you tired? Tired of fighting the same battle over and over again…
It is time that we lay this foolish fighting aside. We must begin to look past the actions, words and faces that seem to surround us. All these things are just outward manifestations of a much LARGER battle that is raging on. We must open our eyes!
To many times during these battles, all we see is the “vehicle” the enemy is using against us. And rightly so, this is his plan…His diversion! A smart enemy will distract his prey from seeing where the real threat lies. This way, he can sneak in and overtake that which he longs to overcome and domenate. WISE UP!!
We spend our time fighting the “vehicle” which has no control or power on its own and wonder why we are not gaining the victory! When the victory is not the vehicles to give! Think about it.. In a boxing match, the gloves do not hold the title, the boxer does! Your not fighting the gloves, you are fighting the boxer! Have you ever heard a fighter say in a after the fight interview, "Man, those gloves really put up a good fight!" Absolutly not! Why, because that would make no sense! Its not the gloves, its whats behind the gloves matters! I know, this sounds like a common sense analogy but it's true!
So, then why do we continue to waste our time and energy fighting the wrong thing or wrong person! We must realize who the enemy is and recognize who/what he is using (vehicle) to attack us! Then & only then is the victory is within our grasp! Simply put, stop beating up the gloves...:-)
Ephesians 6:12 New International Version (NIV)
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
It's time to pick your battles wisely.....
How many wars do you think that we, as a nation, would win if we spent our time fighting the tanks, planes and guns alone? And notice I said WIN, not postpone....
What good is it to take out the weapons without taking out the warrior? Yes in doing so, you may buy yourself some time and slow your adversary down. But sooner or later another weapon will be found. If the operator of the weapon is not taken out you will find yourself staring down the same battle using just a different face… You must take out the SOURCE...
In order to do this effectively, we must take our eyes off of the “things” that are attacking us! WE MUST CHANGE OUR FOCUS and SEE OUR REAL ENEMY! It's time to fight smarter and not harder….Stop letting the enemy ware you out by fighting things that avail nothing...
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 New International Version (NIV)
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Lets read it in the New Life Version..
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 New Life Version (NLV)
3 It is true, we live in a body of flesh. But we do not fight like people of the world. 4 We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil.
Is the battle real, YES! I am not questioning that.. But in order for us to be truly successful we must recognize the thing we are truly fighting.. and its not each other..
In order to gain total victory we have got to learn and see what and who our enemy is. We have allowed him to distract us with each other and/or the situations at hand, for far to long… Its time to rise above and fight this fight not in the natural but in the spiritual, through the weapons he has given us! Again, LETS FIGHT SMARTER NOT HARDER!!!
Aren't you tired? Tired of fighting the same battle over and over again…
It is time that we lay this foolish fighting aside. We must begin to look past the actions, words and faces that seem to surround us. All these things are just outward manifestations of a much LARGER battle that is raging on. We must open our eyes!
To many times during these battles, all we see is the “vehicle” the enemy is using against us. And rightly so, this is his plan…His diversion! A smart enemy will distract his prey from seeing where the real threat lies. This way, he can sneak in and overtake that which he longs to overcome and domenate. WISE UP!!
We spend our time fighting the “vehicle” which has no control or power on its own and wonder why we are not gaining the victory! When the victory is not the vehicles to give! Think about it.. In a boxing match, the gloves do not hold the title, the boxer does! Your not fighting the gloves, you are fighting the boxer! Have you ever heard a fighter say in a after the fight interview, "Man, those gloves really put up a good fight!" Absolutly not! Why, because that would make no sense! Its not the gloves, its whats behind the gloves matters! I know, this sounds like a common sense analogy but it's true!
So, then why do we continue to waste our time and energy fighting the wrong thing or wrong person! We must realize who the enemy is and recognize who/what he is using (vehicle) to attack us! Then & only then is the victory is within our grasp! Simply put, stop beating up the gloves...:-)
Ephesians 6:12 New International Version (NIV)
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
It's time to pick your battles wisely.....
How many wars do you think that we, as a nation, would win if we spent our time fighting the tanks, planes and guns alone? And notice I said WIN, not postpone....
What good is it to take out the weapons without taking out the warrior? Yes in doing so, you may buy yourself some time and slow your adversary down. But sooner or later another weapon will be found. If the operator of the weapon is not taken out you will find yourself staring down the same battle using just a different face… You must take out the SOURCE...
In order to do this effectively, we must take our eyes off of the “things” that are attacking us! WE MUST CHANGE OUR FOCUS and SEE OUR REAL ENEMY! It's time to fight smarter and not harder….Stop letting the enemy ware you out by fighting things that avail nothing...
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 New International Version (NIV)
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Lets read it in the New Life Version..
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 New Life Version (NLV)
3 It is true, we live in a body of flesh. But we do not fight like people of the world. 4 We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil.
Is the battle real, YES! I am not questioning that.. But in order for us to be truly successful we must recognize the thing we are truly fighting.. and its not each other..
In order to gain total victory we have got to learn and see what and who our enemy is. We have allowed him to distract us with each other and/or the situations at hand, for far to long… Its time to rise above and fight this fight not in the natural but in the spiritual, through the weapons he has given us! Again, LETS FIGHT SMARTER NOT HARDER!!!
Reflections...
Every year around my birthday I am always reflecting. Evaluating my life and where I am verses where I thought I would be. Sometimes I am pleased with myself, but usually, I am left with a long list of “AMBER Get with it GIRL”
There is always something I wish I would of done. Some task or goal I had planned on accomplishing and in my eyes had failed to do.
This year turning 35 (OH MY WORD) was no different. It was very bitter sweet. I, in 35 years have accomplished a lot. Been places & done things most would only dream of. Then on the other side of the coin I see that I could of done or been so much more. I should of reached more, pushed harder, and ran further. We all have these kinds of lists that play through our heads from time to time. (Or at least we all should have them) Introspection is a vital tool in propelling you from your now to your tomorrow. You cannot be successful without doing this… Truly!
However this year’s introspection was just a little different. This year I looked back with so much JOY, more so then sorrow! Of course I had some things I regretted or what have you. But more so I had an amazement of GOD! He, this past year, has done more then I ever expected! I can honestly say that without him I am nothing. He has changed me over and over again. He has redesigned me more times then I can count. He has never failed me, never left me even when I have ran out on him. He has been faithful through it all! He is my SUCCESS.. He is my best friend… He TRULY is all I could ever want and need. No one has ever loved me like him, accepted me like him…Many have betrayed my trust, left me, lied about me, etc.. But HIM, he never has.. He is wonderful, amazing, loving, gracious, powerful, and GREAT! He is someone I could never live without…
He is NOT something I have in my life because I have to. Loving him isn’t something I do because it’s the “right” thing or my “get out of hell” free card. He is my CHOICE… Above him there is no other…..
There are many things in life we cannot choose. We can not choose our parents, our siblings, where we are born, the way we look, our talents or attributes.. etc.. There are many things forced upon us in life, things we must learn to adapt to and grow with. But GOD, he is our choice. We either take him or leave him… We either love him or hate him… Serve him or deny him. The choice is ours to make! I for one proudly and LOVINGLY say.. Lord, I CHOOSE YOU!!! I CHOOSE to love you and I CHOOSE to be loved by you!! I am yours and you are mine!! Forever :-)
So now after all this introspection I find myself VERY excited to see what this next year holds... I am sure God will once again amaze me.. and I cant wait! Because with him, everything and anything is possible!!
There is always something I wish I would of done. Some task or goal I had planned on accomplishing and in my eyes had failed to do.
This year turning 35 (OH MY WORD) was no different. It was very bitter sweet. I, in 35 years have accomplished a lot. Been places & done things most would only dream of. Then on the other side of the coin I see that I could of done or been so much more. I should of reached more, pushed harder, and ran further. We all have these kinds of lists that play through our heads from time to time. (Or at least we all should have them) Introspection is a vital tool in propelling you from your now to your tomorrow. You cannot be successful without doing this… Truly!
However this year’s introspection was just a little different. This year I looked back with so much JOY, more so then sorrow! Of course I had some things I regretted or what have you. But more so I had an amazement of GOD! He, this past year, has done more then I ever expected! I can honestly say that without him I am nothing. He has changed me over and over again. He has redesigned me more times then I can count. He has never failed me, never left me even when I have ran out on him. He has been faithful through it all! He is my SUCCESS.. He is my best friend… He TRULY is all I could ever want and need. No one has ever loved me like him, accepted me like him…Many have betrayed my trust, left me, lied about me, etc.. But HIM, he never has.. He is wonderful, amazing, loving, gracious, powerful, and GREAT! He is someone I could never live without…
He is NOT something I have in my life because I have to. Loving him isn’t something I do because it’s the “right” thing or my “get out of hell” free card. He is my CHOICE… Above him there is no other…..
There are many things in life we cannot choose. We can not choose our parents, our siblings, where we are born, the way we look, our talents or attributes.. etc.. There are many things forced upon us in life, things we must learn to adapt to and grow with. But GOD, he is our choice. We either take him or leave him… We either love him or hate him… Serve him or deny him. The choice is ours to make! I for one proudly and LOVINGLY say.. Lord, I CHOOSE YOU!!! I CHOOSE to love you and I CHOOSE to be loved by you!! I am yours and you are mine!! Forever :-)
So now after all this introspection I find myself VERY excited to see what this next year holds... I am sure God will once again amaze me.. and I cant wait! Because with him, everything and anything is possible!!
SERIOUSLY....It is time for me to accept several things.....
1. My husband (Pastor Bubba) will never accept that he is not 20... NEVER 2. No matter how many warnings I give, my husband will still try something dangerous.... 3. When it comes to the potential of possible pain/injury... i am usually right...... And Lastly..... 4. Always keep a first aid kit on hand.... |
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Tick Tock
Can you hear it??? Tick, tick, tick, tick...
The sound of time moving...
Can you feel it??? The wind is blowing…The air is changing..
Can you see it??? The leaves on the trees have turned over expecting rain…
OPEN YOUR EYES!
A shift is coming…..
As the clock ticks & the hand approaches twelve, we must prepare for the shift! A moment of greatness is upon us!
I can feel it approaching!
The anticipation of this moment is great as I hear God saying with excitement, “ARE YOU READY?” For he has waiting for this moment too!
I am telling you today, it is coming! It is right around the corner, don’t stop! Every battle you have faced or dream you have fought for is coming down to this moment! It’s the final curtain call, are you ready?? It is upon us!! Everything has been for this! Every tear cried, price paid has been for this moment…
Nothing can stop it, its coming.. People can deny it, say it will never happen and call you crazy for believing it. But mark my words...IT IS COMING, IT WILL COME TO PASS... Like a freight train from heaven with the spirit of God driving… you are about to have a suddenly moment...
The question is are you looking for it? Are you preparing for its arrival....
I suggest you do my friend... I suggest you do!!
GET READY PEOPLE!! ITS COMING!!
The sound of time moving...
Can you feel it??? The wind is blowing…The air is changing..
Can you see it??? The leaves on the trees have turned over expecting rain…
OPEN YOUR EYES!
A shift is coming…..
As the clock ticks & the hand approaches twelve, we must prepare for the shift! A moment of greatness is upon us!
I can feel it approaching!
The anticipation of this moment is great as I hear God saying with excitement, “ARE YOU READY?” For he has waiting for this moment too!
I am telling you today, it is coming! It is right around the corner, don’t stop! Every battle you have faced or dream you have fought for is coming down to this moment! It’s the final curtain call, are you ready?? It is upon us!! Everything has been for this! Every tear cried, price paid has been for this moment…
Nothing can stop it, its coming.. People can deny it, say it will never happen and call you crazy for believing it. But mark my words...IT IS COMING, IT WILL COME TO PASS... Like a freight train from heaven with the spirit of God driving… you are about to have a suddenly moment...
The question is are you looking for it? Are you preparing for its arrival....
I suggest you do my friend... I suggest you do!!
GET READY PEOPLE!! ITS COMING!!
Hey Jonah, It’s better to obey!
I am sure this very thing ran through Jonah's mind as he layed there in the belly of the whale. I am positive while covered in half digested fish guts, he had plenty of things to say to himself! I know I would of gave myself a lashing & a half! lol (and thats alot in case you were wondering)
The point is, in the end, Jonah still did as God instructed him too. No matter how far he ran or what he did to avoid it, he still followed through in obeying God.
So then my question to you today is, why are you determined to make everything harder then it needs to be? You know you can’t run from God! Please, why try?? I mean seriously Jonah, where are you going??? Do you not know that you are a word spoken out of the mouth of God?? Thus, you cannot and will not return to him void. You will do what you were sent out to do.. Stop fighting it!
Isaiah 55:11 New International Version (NIV)
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Before time God knew you! He spoke you into being & created you with a purpose!
Jeremiah 1:5 New International Version (NIV)
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. ”
So, what are you saying Amber??? I am saying, that whither your clean or covered in fish guts, you will do as instructed…You will be what you were created to be! So then, I guess the question you need to ask yourself today is.. Do I want to do this clean or dirty???? It's your choice! Either way it will be done. The answer is up to you!!
Whatchu thinkin??
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Every battle in life is won or lost in the arena of our minds. In order to succeed we have no choice but to hold every thought captive. Bringing every thought under subjection to the word of GOD! We must cast down everything that does not line up with the word of God or the destiny God has called us to! It’s a lot to think about, I know! This task alone would take all day….(Well some of us less time then others..lol) But we must develop a habit of mental examination if we long for positive results in our LIVES!
2 Cor 10: 4-5 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Remember; thoughts produce words, words produce actions, actions become habits, habits become character, and your character determines your destiny....
Therefore, your thoughts today, create your world tomorrow….
With that being said..Isn’t it time to change your stinkin thinkin….
Just sayin…
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Every battle in life is won or lost in the arena of our minds. In order to succeed we have no choice but to hold every thought captive. Bringing every thought under subjection to the word of GOD! We must cast down everything that does not line up with the word of God or the destiny God has called us to! It’s a lot to think about, I know! This task alone would take all day….(Well some of us less time then others..lol) But we must develop a habit of mental examination if we long for positive results in our LIVES!
2 Cor 10: 4-5 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Remember; thoughts produce words, words produce actions, actions become habits, habits become character, and your character determines your destiny....
Therefore, your thoughts today, create your world tomorrow….
With that being said..Isn’t it time to change your stinkin thinkin….
Just sayin…
All you gotta do is FALL
Life is about taking chances! Stepping out on a limb! Standing on the edge! Daring to not just DREAM about something but allowing your dreams to become a reality! I dare you to step out of your “normal” today! Step into the unknown! LEAP BABY! You will never know until you try!
A bird can not fly until it spreads it wings and FALLS.... ewewe scaring huh?? The falling part, yeah I don’t like that either.. I am not a free falling kinda gal.. NOPE! But the truth is my dear sweet cupcakes; in order to FLY you must be willing to fall! There is always a "crash and burn" risk with every dream you have. But wouldn't you rather TRY and "crash and burn" then to continue sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else play… SERIOUSLY!! What fun is that?? NONE AT ALL!! Quite a boring life that is! But most of all, it's a life you are not created to live! So do something today! Smile, laugh, love, speak, jump, leap, give, receive, fly, etc. Whatever it is, just DO IT… Get a little frogy today!! LEAP! :-) Remember the GREAT men/women in this world have always taken risks. That is how greatness is achieved!! In order to achieve greatness you must take a risk! You have no choice but to step out & jump!! Think about it...
Here's a few quotes for you to chew on:
"The trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more. -Erica Jong”
"To achieve anything, you must be prepared to dabble on the boundary of disaster. - Stirling Moss
"The men who have done big things are those who were not afraid to attempt big things, who were not afraid to risk failure in order to gain success. - B. C. Forbes
JUMP BABY!! JUMP!!
I love you all!! I do I DO!! xxoo
P. Amber
A bird can not fly until it spreads it wings and FALLS.... ewewe scaring huh?? The falling part, yeah I don’t like that either.. I am not a free falling kinda gal.. NOPE! But the truth is my dear sweet cupcakes; in order to FLY you must be willing to fall! There is always a "crash and burn" risk with every dream you have. But wouldn't you rather TRY and "crash and burn" then to continue sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else play… SERIOUSLY!! What fun is that?? NONE AT ALL!! Quite a boring life that is! But most of all, it's a life you are not created to live! So do something today! Smile, laugh, love, speak, jump, leap, give, receive, fly, etc. Whatever it is, just DO IT… Get a little frogy today!! LEAP! :-) Remember the GREAT men/women in this world have always taken risks. That is how greatness is achieved!! In order to achieve greatness you must take a risk! You have no choice but to step out & jump!! Think about it...
Here's a few quotes for you to chew on:
"The trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more. -Erica Jong”
"To achieve anything, you must be prepared to dabble on the boundary of disaster. - Stirling Moss
"The men who have done big things are those who were not afraid to attempt big things, who were not afraid to risk failure in order to gain success. - B. C. Forbes
JUMP BABY!! JUMP!!
I love you all!! I do I DO!! xxoo
P. Amber
PRAY, PRAY, PRAY
Have you watched the news lately?? Have you really looked around you? I am not a dooms day speaker, by no means. But, as a watchmen on the wall, I can clearly see we are headed in one direction. Anyone who takes time to open his or her spiritual eyes can see there is a war going on. A war that will not be won on soil or with the blood of men. But won only through the power of prayer. It's time to pray children of GOD! All you have to do is look around and you can see signs of warfare. Whether it's an issue of politics, race, sexual orientation, education, religion, murder or oil... our country is at war. Not war outside our boarders, no! War on our own soil with our own members. One by one we have slowly handed over this country and given up our rights. This has to be stopped! The enemy has slipped into our ranks. He has infiltrated our front lines and the only way to regain our control is through PRAYER! We must rise up and take back the authority God has given us over our land! You know the land of the FREE home of the BRAVE.. really??? Not if we don’t PRAY!!
2 Corinthians 10: 3-6 KJV
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
I like the message interpretation of this scripture:
2 Corinthians 10: 3-6 Message
3-6The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.
You have been given all the tools needed to change the situations we now find ourselves in. USE THEM!! PRAY! We have no right to argue or complain about a problem if we are not willing to become part of the solution. What’s the solution to this problem? For the children of God to rise up take their place & PRAY!!! For the sake of your children and your children’s children… PRAY!! This country & our government need it!! Take action now, use the weapons you have been given and seek the face of GOD! There is much more then our freedom at stake… We must pray!
2 Corinthians 10: 3-6 KJV
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
I like the message interpretation of this scripture:
2 Corinthians 10: 3-6 Message
3-6The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.
You have been given all the tools needed to change the situations we now find ourselves in. USE THEM!! PRAY! We have no right to argue or complain about a problem if we are not willing to become part of the solution. What’s the solution to this problem? For the children of God to rise up take their place & PRAY!!! For the sake of your children and your children’s children… PRAY!! This country & our government need it!! Take action now, use the weapons you have been given and seek the face of GOD! There is much more then our freedom at stake… We must pray!
And they Wait......
LOOK over there, at that person next to you! Next to you on the bus, waiting room, gas station, standing in line at the grocery store, the person sitting next to you at work… Yeah that one!
Last night that person asked, “God are you real?” That person decided to give up on their marriage, that person decided to leave their children.. Yep, that one! That person is contemplating suicide…. That person wares a smile on their face but on the inside they are lonely, depressed, & needing someone to love them. Yeah that person, right there! That person is waiting; waiting for God to show up in their lives…that person needs a voice of HOPE! That person is waiting on YOU! Waiting on YOU to step up and be the voice they’ve longed to hear!
The truth is usually whats going on deep inside a person is nothing compared to what you see on the outside. One can never judge the inside of a man or women based on what they let you see on the outside…. NEVER.. this kind of judgement is very superficial, thus very unwise.
So the question is Christian, what have you done for these people today? What have you said? How much have you given? What seeds of love, mercy and forgiveness have you sown today? Have you raised your voice, the voice of hope, freedom or deliverance to someone who needs it today? No? Why not???
John 14:12-14 New International Version (NIV)
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
So, I guess the big question for all of us is, if we as “Christians” aren’t doing greater things then Jesus, or coming at least close to what Jesus did, do we actually believe? Ask yourself!!!
Jesus said, “whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing”. So again, ask yourself, what have I done today? How many sick people have been healed today because I was willing to pray for them? How many lost people have been saved today because I was willing to be the voice of hope for them????
What am I doing???
The message says it like this:
John 14:12-14 The Message (MSG)
11-14"Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can't believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I'll do it. That's how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I'll do."
Now, we all say we believe & trust in God! I certainly am not saying we/you don’t believe in him! Not at all! However, one has to ask themselves, what am I doing on a daily bases to prove this belief, this trust I profess to have? Hummmm???
Remember faith without works is dead.. right?? If we believe, trust and have faith.. then we must accompany this with outward motions toward these beliefs.. If not, do we really believe???
James 2:14-26 New King James Version (NKJV)
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
So once again I repeat: The bible says, “whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing”…
What are you doing?
Think the JESUS scale today… “For greater things shall they do”… When? When they believe……Why? Because they believe. Believe in what? JESUS…
Simply put..............
If you want to know what a person believes in, look at what they are actively doing???
So, ask yourself today, If I BELIEVE, What am I doing?? -(on the JESUS SCALE…)
Food for thought loves, food for thought!
Last night that person asked, “God are you real?” That person decided to give up on their marriage, that person decided to leave their children.. Yep, that one! That person is contemplating suicide…. That person wares a smile on their face but on the inside they are lonely, depressed, & needing someone to love them. Yeah that person, right there! That person is waiting; waiting for God to show up in their lives…that person needs a voice of HOPE! That person is waiting on YOU! Waiting on YOU to step up and be the voice they’ve longed to hear!
The truth is usually whats going on deep inside a person is nothing compared to what you see on the outside. One can never judge the inside of a man or women based on what they let you see on the outside…. NEVER.. this kind of judgement is very superficial, thus very unwise.
So the question is Christian, what have you done for these people today? What have you said? How much have you given? What seeds of love, mercy and forgiveness have you sown today? Have you raised your voice, the voice of hope, freedom or deliverance to someone who needs it today? No? Why not???
John 14:12-14 New International Version (NIV)
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
So, I guess the big question for all of us is, if we as “Christians” aren’t doing greater things then Jesus, or coming at least close to what Jesus did, do we actually believe? Ask yourself!!!
Jesus said, “whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing”. So again, ask yourself, what have I done today? How many sick people have been healed today because I was willing to pray for them? How many lost people have been saved today because I was willing to be the voice of hope for them????
What am I doing???
The message says it like this:
John 14:12-14 The Message (MSG)
11-14"Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can't believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I'll do it. That's how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I'll do."
Now, we all say we believe & trust in God! I certainly am not saying we/you don’t believe in him! Not at all! However, one has to ask themselves, what am I doing on a daily bases to prove this belief, this trust I profess to have? Hummmm???
Remember faith without works is dead.. right?? If we believe, trust and have faith.. then we must accompany this with outward motions toward these beliefs.. If not, do we really believe???
James 2:14-26 New King James Version (NKJV)
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
So once again I repeat: The bible says, “whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing”…
What are you doing?
Think the JESUS scale today… “For greater things shall they do”… When? When they believe……Why? Because they believe. Believe in what? JESUS…
Simply put..............
If you want to know what a person believes in, look at what they are actively doing???
So, ask yourself today, If I BELIEVE, What am I doing?? -(on the JESUS SCALE…)
Food for thought loves, food for thought!
I dare you to MOVE
Do you dare to dream? This is the burning question right now! Do you dare to step out of the boat and take a chance?
There is a big difference in dreamers and doers. The ultimate goal in life is to be both the dreamer and the doer! For us to have a dream or vision and move beyond thinking about it, to actually doing it.
Doers take chances! The bigger the dream the bigger the risk! Everything in life cost you something. Whither it's money, time, energy, or reputation, something will be spent on things we value.
Frederick B. Wilcox once said, "Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."
We must make a move toward our goal if we ever expect to reach it. Without movement, a dream is no more then a mere idea, a hope. For us to see our dreams come to pass, these 3 things are always involved: risk, courage & faith.
By definition (Wikipedia)
Risk - the potential that a chosen action or activity (including the choice of inaction) will lead to a loss
(anundesirable outcome).
Courage - the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation, in
spite of fear.
Faith - confidence or trust (in our case I am referring to faith in GOD)
I know it's hard and scary out there! It take's a lot of courage and a willingness to fail in order to succeed. Getting out of the boat is scariest part! I mean really! You have to be crazy to look out at the bering sea and willingly go for a swim. After all who looks out and says, “Hey, that looks like fun, maybe I will try to drown today?” But the truth is, you have to be willing to drown in order to walk on water! There is always a risk!
Trust me, I get it! Swimming in the deep is scary! My husband and I have moved several times, thousands of miles from home, all for a dream. We have uprooted our children, left our home, friends and family to chase down a “hope” of something more. We have also returned home, several times, when "more" wasn’t what we found. (There is always a risk)
You can't even imagine how many times I have heard comments like, "I thought you said it was GOD", "I knew yall would move back" or "I knew yall wouldn't make it". We have been wounded many times over ignorant comments such as theses. Comments delivered by those who dare to never follow their own dreams. Those “armchair quarterbacks” can be brutal!
For a while I allowed them to stop me from moving forward. Living in fear of failing in “their” eyes! Then one day God sharply asked me, “Who are you serving? Am I your master, or are they?” At that moment I realized that as long as I allowed the opinions of man to dictate what I will or will not do, they are my masters, not God! Right then I decided I would rather be mocked for daring to live outside the boat, then be pitied for refusing to. I would rather take a chance and fail, then to live my life with the disappointment of never trying at all. You know the “what if’s” can kill a man. Better to know then wonder.
I share this with you because I know you have a dream! I know there is a calling crying out from deep within. It’s nagging at you! It has invaded your dreams and carved itself into your every thought! It keeps you up at night walking the floor wondering, thinking, and dreaming. I know this because I have been there! I know what it’s like to live with a dream no one else sees or feels but me. It is a difficult thing! But at some point you are going to have to ask yourself, “Am I going to trust God or not? Am I going to give him a place to move?”
God will only move within the parameters we allow him. He desires to do all that he can/will in our lives! But if we say, “you can only move where I am comfortable.” Then, as the gentleman he is, that’s all he will do. It’s time for you to allow God to amaze YOU!
Look, you can’t get frustrated with not seeing him move mountains, if you are never willing to stand in front of one. You can’t be disappointed with the lack of signs and wonders in your life, if you never give the opportunity for them to be there! Thank about!!
It’s time for you to MOVE! You have heard Jesus call you from afar! You see him standing across the sea waiting, bidding you to come. So get up, put one foot in front of the other and WALK! Keep your head up and don’t look down! What’s below you doesn’t matter! Remember, it wasn’t the water that called your name. He did! It’s time for you to walk on his word and forget about the water! I DARE YOU TO MOVE!
~Pastor A
3/07/2012
There is a big difference in dreamers and doers. The ultimate goal in life is to be both the dreamer and the doer! For us to have a dream or vision and move beyond thinking about it, to actually doing it.
Doers take chances! The bigger the dream the bigger the risk! Everything in life cost you something. Whither it's money, time, energy, or reputation, something will be spent on things we value.
Frederick B. Wilcox once said, "Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."
We must make a move toward our goal if we ever expect to reach it. Without movement, a dream is no more then a mere idea, a hope. For us to see our dreams come to pass, these 3 things are always involved: risk, courage & faith.
By definition (Wikipedia)
Risk - the potential that a chosen action or activity (including the choice of inaction) will lead to a loss
(anundesirable outcome).
Courage - the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation, in
spite of fear.
Faith - confidence or trust (in our case I am referring to faith in GOD)
I know it's hard and scary out there! It take's a lot of courage and a willingness to fail in order to succeed. Getting out of the boat is scariest part! I mean really! You have to be crazy to look out at the bering sea and willingly go for a swim. After all who looks out and says, “Hey, that looks like fun, maybe I will try to drown today?” But the truth is, you have to be willing to drown in order to walk on water! There is always a risk!
Trust me, I get it! Swimming in the deep is scary! My husband and I have moved several times, thousands of miles from home, all for a dream. We have uprooted our children, left our home, friends and family to chase down a “hope” of something more. We have also returned home, several times, when "more" wasn’t what we found. (There is always a risk)
You can't even imagine how many times I have heard comments like, "I thought you said it was GOD", "I knew yall would move back" or "I knew yall wouldn't make it". We have been wounded many times over ignorant comments such as theses. Comments delivered by those who dare to never follow their own dreams. Those “armchair quarterbacks” can be brutal!
For a while I allowed them to stop me from moving forward. Living in fear of failing in “their” eyes! Then one day God sharply asked me, “Who are you serving? Am I your master, or are they?” At that moment I realized that as long as I allowed the opinions of man to dictate what I will or will not do, they are my masters, not God! Right then I decided I would rather be mocked for daring to live outside the boat, then be pitied for refusing to. I would rather take a chance and fail, then to live my life with the disappointment of never trying at all. You know the “what if’s” can kill a man. Better to know then wonder.
I share this with you because I know you have a dream! I know there is a calling crying out from deep within. It’s nagging at you! It has invaded your dreams and carved itself into your every thought! It keeps you up at night walking the floor wondering, thinking, and dreaming. I know this because I have been there! I know what it’s like to live with a dream no one else sees or feels but me. It is a difficult thing! But at some point you are going to have to ask yourself, “Am I going to trust God or not? Am I going to give him a place to move?”
God will only move within the parameters we allow him. He desires to do all that he can/will in our lives! But if we say, “you can only move where I am comfortable.” Then, as the gentleman he is, that’s all he will do. It’s time for you to allow God to amaze YOU!
Look, you can’t get frustrated with not seeing him move mountains, if you are never willing to stand in front of one. You can’t be disappointed with the lack of signs and wonders in your life, if you never give the opportunity for them to be there! Thank about!!
It’s time for you to MOVE! You have heard Jesus call you from afar! You see him standing across the sea waiting, bidding you to come. So get up, put one foot in front of the other and WALK! Keep your head up and don’t look down! What’s below you doesn’t matter! Remember, it wasn’t the water that called your name. He did! It’s time for you to walk on his word and forget about the water! I DARE YOU TO MOVE!
~Pastor A
3/07/2012
LET "YOU" GO....
Letting go of yesterday and the mistakes of the past is one of the hardest things to do. Many times in life, the hardest one to forgive is US! After all, we know that it was us, that made the bad choices. It was us, that put ourselves in that situation. It was us, that hurt someone we loved. It was us, that gave up, quit or walked away! Anyone who does any kind of self inspection can clearly see their own responsibility in past situations. And truly, this kind of examination of ourselves is good. It is necessary to look inward and inspect our own fruit. How else will we change or learn from our mistakes unless this is done. The hard part in doing this is, first, looking our own ugliness in the face! Second, forgiving ourselves for things done or said. Third, moving on and letting it GO! To many times we hold on to the mistakes of the past and create monuments of "perceived failure" in order to remind ourselves of what we've done. Now look, I am all for not forgetting from where you came. There are great lessons to be learned from past mistakes. But we must get to the place where we learn our lesson and let it GO! Carrying around the regrets of the past will only hinder us in our future! As Pastor Bubba says, "I will not let my past, victimize my future". Meaning no longer will my past dictate to me what tomorrow holds. We must let yesterday go, forgive others, and forgive ourselves. Jesus clearly gave us instructions on this.
Luke 6:37
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Yet we still hold ourselves guilty for every mistake made, lie told, or loved one hurt! Why? Why do we feel the need to punish ourselves for something already under the blood. LET IT GO!
Philippians 3:13-15 New International Version (NIV)
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Paul makes it clear in this scripture by saying, "Hey, I am not perfect, I make mistakes. But I chose to let it go, and push for what's ahead! This is the choice God is wanting you to make also. It's time for you to rise from the ashes of the past. Stand up, dust yourself off and LET IT GO!! You are not your mistakes, you are not your issues! You are more then what you have done, or where you have been! Choose to rise above yesterday and demand today to be different! In the words of Mufasa (Lion King) to his son, Simba. "You are more then you have become". - So be like Simba today! Listen to the Prophets in your life! :) And most of all, listen to the voice of your Father! Let the past go and remember who you are!!
~Pastor Amber
The Real Me (everyone has one)
For one reason or another, at some point , we feel the need to mask what is truly wrong in our lives. During hard, trying times, it’s easy to slip into the frame of pretending. We do this not to be fake or as some call it, being hypocritical. We do this as a means of surviving LIFE. In our desire to stand in faith and believe that things will change, that we will & can change, we put on FACE while trying hard to have FAITH. We have all done it.
The problem with this is, many of us become so accustomed to the “face” that we find it hard to function without it. We find it easier to fake it, easier to pretend instead of looking our issues in mirror, and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable before others and GOD. Until one day we no longer recognize who we see looking back at us. We forget who we are! We walk around Masked in everything we do and with everyone we see. We learn to be “churched”, talking the talk, mimicking what we see in others. We find ourselves hiding behind our masks, living a life of pain, hurt, and issues. We are never changing. We are not growing We are always the same! When all God wants is for us to come clean, remove the band-aid and be honest with him…
I remember as my kids were growing up it seemed like everyday one of them would run in the house crying, having scraped their knee or elbow. I would always react the same way by saying, “Okay, let me see it.” They would stand there every time screaming, jumping up and down saying, “It hurts!” and my reply, “Okay, let me see it. I can’t help you unless you let me see it.”
This is the truth with God and us. He desires to heal our wounds, fix the things bothering us and correct our issues. But until we are willing to remove the masks, the band-aids, and let him see it, there is nothing he will do. (Notice I said WILL not can) If we live protecting our wounds, shielding our hearts, & living behind our own walls, God’s hands are tied. Many of us are standing in front of him crying, “God, it hurts!” his reply to us is no different then that of mine, to my children, “Okay, let me see it.” “ I can’t help you unless you let me see it.”
We must get to the place in our walk with God that we trust him enough to truly reveal who we are to him. This FOREVER long reaction of hiding ourselves from God must STOP!
Gen 2:8
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”
10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
We must stop the cycle of hiding who we are from God. Have you ever wondered what would have happened if Adam and Eve, instead of hiding from God, ran to him, fell down on their knees and asked for forgiveness? Never during this time did either of them do this. Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed the serpent. But never an admission of guilt.
This is the damaging cycle of sin that must be stopped in our lives. If we, as children of God, truly want to be healed of our hurt and pain, and if we want to be delivered from our past we must be willing to unveil ourselves before the king. We must show him who we truly are, so that in return he can show us who he truly is. We must allow the veil to be torn in our lives. God, in his mercy, removed the veil that separated us from him. He longs to be with us, to truly know US. Why are we so determined to put the veil back up? Why do we try so hard to cover up as Adam and Eve did? There is no more need to hide. No need to fear, to cover up in shame. He loves you. He accepts you in all that you are. The only need there is for you now is to unveil. To stand before God, remove the masks and show him "The Real ME". It truly is up to you!
Pastor Amber ~
The problem with this is, many of us become so accustomed to the “face” that we find it hard to function without it. We find it easier to fake it, easier to pretend instead of looking our issues in mirror, and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable before others and GOD. Until one day we no longer recognize who we see looking back at us. We forget who we are! We walk around Masked in everything we do and with everyone we see. We learn to be “churched”, talking the talk, mimicking what we see in others. We find ourselves hiding behind our masks, living a life of pain, hurt, and issues. We are never changing. We are not growing We are always the same! When all God wants is for us to come clean, remove the band-aid and be honest with him…
I remember as my kids were growing up it seemed like everyday one of them would run in the house crying, having scraped their knee or elbow. I would always react the same way by saying, “Okay, let me see it.” They would stand there every time screaming, jumping up and down saying, “It hurts!” and my reply, “Okay, let me see it. I can’t help you unless you let me see it.”
This is the truth with God and us. He desires to heal our wounds, fix the things bothering us and correct our issues. But until we are willing to remove the masks, the band-aids, and let him see it, there is nothing he will do. (Notice I said WILL not can) If we live protecting our wounds, shielding our hearts, & living behind our own walls, God’s hands are tied. Many of us are standing in front of him crying, “God, it hurts!” his reply to us is no different then that of mine, to my children, “Okay, let me see it.” “ I can’t help you unless you let me see it.”
We must get to the place in our walk with God that we trust him enough to truly reveal who we are to him. This FOREVER long reaction of hiding ourselves from God must STOP!
Gen 2:8
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”
10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
We must stop the cycle of hiding who we are from God. Have you ever wondered what would have happened if Adam and Eve, instead of hiding from God, ran to him, fell down on their knees and asked for forgiveness? Never during this time did either of them do this. Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed the serpent. But never an admission of guilt.
This is the damaging cycle of sin that must be stopped in our lives. If we, as children of God, truly want to be healed of our hurt and pain, and if we want to be delivered from our past we must be willing to unveil ourselves before the king. We must show him who we truly are, so that in return he can show us who he truly is. We must allow the veil to be torn in our lives. God, in his mercy, removed the veil that separated us from him. He longs to be with us, to truly know US. Why are we so determined to put the veil back up? Why do we try so hard to cover up as Adam and Eve did? There is no more need to hide. No need to fear, to cover up in shame. He loves you. He accepts you in all that you are. The only need there is for you now is to unveil. To stand before God, remove the masks and show him "The Real ME". It truly is up to you!
Pastor Amber ~
Enough is Enough
Enough is Enough! How much does the enemy have to take before we as the church rise up and demand ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! How much of your peace, joy, love, hope, etc.. are you willing to throw away? How many more loved ones are you willing to lose? How many more beat downs are you willing to take? Had enough yet??
It's time! Time for you to look yourself in the mirror, shake your past off your shoulders and WILL to never be the same again! You are more than what you have become! You are a mighty warrior!
What happened? What happened to the fire, the holy rage that once burned on the inside. What happened to the standard that once stood against all things not of GOD! When did you lose YOU? When did the enemy enter and steal who you are?
I am here today to declare enough is enough! No more will you be allowed by God to stand by and do nothing while the enemy has his way! You will rise up, says the LORD, for I need you! My Army! My chosen people! I CHOSE YOU, says the Lord. Yes, YOU! With all your flaws, insecurities and issues! I chose you! You, with all your faults and precieved failures! YOU! It was you that I created before the hands of time, you that I carved out of eternity! You that I ordained worthy, justified and CALLED by my name! You! No more will you draw back when the enemy rises against you, for you are a mighty warrior! So rise up, stand to your feet, see who you are! IT IS TIME! NOW, IT IS TIME!
Pastor Amber
It's time! Time for you to look yourself in the mirror, shake your past off your shoulders and WILL to never be the same again! You are more than what you have become! You are a mighty warrior!
What happened? What happened to the fire, the holy rage that once burned on the inside. What happened to the standard that once stood against all things not of GOD! When did you lose YOU? When did the enemy enter and steal who you are?
I am here today to declare enough is enough! No more will you be allowed by God to stand by and do nothing while the enemy has his way! You will rise up, says the LORD, for I need you! My Army! My chosen people! I CHOSE YOU, says the Lord. Yes, YOU! With all your flaws, insecurities and issues! I chose you! You, with all your faults and precieved failures! YOU! It was you that I created before the hands of time, you that I carved out of eternity! You that I ordained worthy, justified and CALLED by my name! You! No more will you draw back when the enemy rises against you, for you are a mighty warrior! So rise up, stand to your feet, see who you are! IT IS TIME! NOW, IT IS TIME!
Pastor Amber