Revisiting Roses and Peonies

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,

and they that dwell therein. KJV

While shopping last week I saw some lovely roses at the checkout counter and just couldn't leave them behind.  They graced my sisters breakfast table until this morning when  I knew it was time to let them go.  As is my usual practice, I removed the heads from the stems so they could be tossed into the wind, set free to return from whence they came.  While removing the heads something surprising occurred-but a delightful surprise indeed especially since this was only the second time I saw something similar.  The  following snapshot of what I saw will be an excellent introduction to a re-post from this blog.  I hope you'll enjoy it!

Saturday, February 11, 2017

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose, Unless...

Today I'm sharing part of an email I sent to my daughters recently.  I was telling them about how I'd changed the appearance of this website, and in part, why I used something so *frilly [see picture below] which is not how I normally design or arrange things.  Well, sometimes I do incorporate some girly frills, but not nearly as much as you see here now.  Truthfully, it makes me happy each time I see it!  And the reason for it was told to my girls in the email which I'm now sharing with you.

...it looks a bit frilly, but many of those flowers in the background are peonies.  They're the ones that God showed me one day while out in the backyard when I took the head off a rose.  I was doing this because it was one of the most beautiful roses I'd seen, and because it had lived it's life fully and was at the point of wilting which I couldn't bear to see.  It was large so when I pulled it off the stem so I could toss it up into the wind allowing it to return to the earth,  I noticed how it looked in my hand and was amazed! All I could see was a handful of one of the most beautiful flowers I'd ever seen!  It was an upside down rose in full bloom!  I remembered I'd seen flowers before that looked just like this one, but I didn't know what they were called.  After some research  I discovered they were peonies and also grew from a bush as roses do.  While I was in the backyard in a state of awe, I thanked God for allowing me to see it and immediately, He said something like this to me,  "I could see the rose from the bottom as well as the top when I created it, so I made them both."  The experience was so wonderful!  I can't see a peony to this day without remembering it.  And He showed me this because.....He's good and He loves me as He loves all His children.  And He loves to show His children who He is and what He's like as we give Him the opportunity!  His creative ways are matchless!  

Times and seasons change, and the freedom to occasionally share on a more intimate level seems to have come with it, and I like that pretty much.  Maybe it's because God wants to share with everyone on a more intimate level.  He's very willing.   It depends on if we're willing or not.  And He probably won't reveal secrets to you in the same way He does to me, because He knows your unique personality and what you enjoy.  Sharing about the rose with me is so part of how I'm put together.  All I can say is how much I thoroughly enjoy knowing this:  A rose is a rose is a rose unless, of coarse,  it's turned up-side-down and becomes a peony!

P.S.

It probably won't do you any good to try to see a peony in just the same way as I saw it.  I actually tried a couple of times and it didn't work!

*Added April 21, 2017

Since you can no longer see the peonies because I changed the blog background, I'm uploading a picture of what the previous background looked like.

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

*Micah 6:8 

*Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  

Traversing The Unknown

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,

and they that dwell therein. KJV

If you're in a season of traversing the unknown as I am, you'd probably like and be BLESSED by Joel Osteen's video, Step In To The Unknown.   I trust whatever season you're in this will be a Blessing.

For all of you who celebrate Christmas as I do in acknowledging Jesus, I say a hearty "Merry Christmas to you and yours!", but whatever you celebrate during this time I trust all will be well with you and your household and wish you a lovely holiday!

My first Christmas Season in Virginia in 51 years.

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

*Micah 6:8 

*Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Derek Prince: Sharing God's Pleasures

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,

and they that dwell therein. KJV

I decided to receive this gift today. It's funny how much the realization of a choice to receive something you didn't really know was available to you can change your life. I'm expecting this choice, this decision to accept God's Word, to Bless me and my household in ways we couldn't receive before. After all, He's not only Author and Finisher of our Faith, He's that all important Developer of it as well.

I recommend clicking on  the link available below to listen to Derek's original audio--it made a powerful difference to me .

    The following devotional is used by permission from Derek Prince Ministries.

November 6, 2017 Sharing God’s Pleasures Psalm 36:7–8 How precious is Thy lovingkindness, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings. They feast on the abundance of Thy house and Thou dost give them to drink of the river of Thy delights.     NASB, NIV     That, to me, is the most beautiful picture of God’s goodness. First of all, we turn to Him out of our need. We come to Him for refuge because we’re oppressed, because we cannot handle our problems. We take refuge in the shadow of His wings, but when we get in there under the shadow of His wings, then we discover that He’s provided much more for us than mere refuge. He’s provided a feast. He’s provided abundance. We feast on the abundance of His house, and not only that, but He gives us to drink of the river of His delights. To me, that’s staggering! God does not give us to drink of a river of our own delights, but of His delights. He shares with us the things that delight Him.     You see, there are so many things that we would naturally take pleasure in that are harmful. For instance, take the practice of smoking. Many people find great pleasure in smoking, but unfortunately we all know today it’s extremely harmful. It’s a potential cause of cancer. The difference with God’s pleasures is they are never harmful, and God wants to share with us His pleasures. He wants to give us to drink of the river of His pleasures, and not only are they pleasant but they are beneficial. They’re never harmful. —Derek Prince To listen to Derek's original audio on our website click here. He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? *Micah 6:8  *Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Another Jewel from Derek Prince's Legacy

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,

and they that dwell therein. KJV

Presented in his unique, but practical style, Derek share's a word of wisdom concerning the scripture which invites all to taste and see that the LORD is good. 


    The following devotional is used by permission from Derek Prince Ministries.

October 23, 2017 Taste and See Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.     NIV      Notice that first word, taste: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” You realize, of course, that we are endowed with five physical senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. What is it that’s distinctive about the sense of taste? I’ll tell you one distinctive feature of taste. If we see something, it’s external to us. If we hear something, it’s external. If we touch something, it’s still outside us. If we smell something, it may be still far from us. But there’s one thing about taste: when we taste something, we take it right into us and it becomes part of us. And I believe that’s why the Lord challenges us to “Taste and see.” Don’t let the Lord remain external, don’t let Him remain something outside of you.      Paul says in the New Testament, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” You’ll never really have that hope of glory until you’ve actually tasted of the Lord, till you’ve taken Him within you, and then you’ll know for sure He is good. Not because the preacher says it, not because the radio evangelist declares it, but because you’ve proved it in your experience, you’ve tasted, you’ve invited the Lord to come in and be an integral part of your life. And when you do that, you’ll know He’s good. —Derek Prince To listen to Derek's original audio on our website click here.            He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? *Micah 6:8  *Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Trusting

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,

and they that dwell therein. KJV

In this flurry of activity- packing and all that goes with it- I'm trusting the excellency of the glory of His power one day at a time.  Hopefully by next week-end I will be in Virginia somewhere!  And since this is on my mind I decided to share it with you. 

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (KJV)

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

*Micah 6:8 

*Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

A New Season Is Here!

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,

and they that dwell therein. KJV

I participate in a daily national prayer call for the United States, our leaders, as well as national and world-wide events and the Body of Christ.   After the call the morning of September 21, I was walking about wondering about everything which concerns my immediate family.  As I was just "wondering before the LORD" about several very important situations and how things might work out, I heard a familiar voice from within say, " It's coming to an end."   Hmm, this really made me wonder especially since He said it twice, but I must say I was puzzled and surprised by this answer. I finally asked Him what was coming to an end.  Shortly I heard His response even in the midst of all the activity occurring in my home. "Attrition."  And again, "Attrition."  I knew I'd have to look up the word in order to grasp its fullest meaning because I understood this was very important.  Even as I'm writing this I see something new in this exchange.  Jesus rarely said something 2 times and when He did, it was because of the great importance associated with its meaning.  Wow! This is a "selah" moment for me, my goodness! *(I really do need to stop and consider, and emphasize the importance of this! )  

Back to the original thought.  After I heard the words, I stayed busy with the required activities I was involved in at the moment, but upon finishing those responsibilities I was reminded I needed to look up attrition which was a small miracle in itself considering the flurry of activity that was underway inside and outside my home.  I did look it up, but it's necessary to include the following information about the timing of it since the evening of September 21 is the first day of Rosh Hashanah on God's calendar.  Here's a short definition.

Most of us think of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, as a very serious day—the day on which we proclaim G‑d as King of the universe as He sits in judgment of the world and its inhabitants. And yet, Rosh Hashanah is also a joyous holiday, since we have faith that G‑d will grant us a sweet new year. These two ideas are expressed in the different laws and customs of Rosh Hashanah.

Now the definition of attrition:

at·tri·tion

əˈtriSH(ə)n/

noun

1. 1.

   
   

   the action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure.

   
   

   "the council is trying to wear down the opposition by attrition"

   
   

   synonyms:

   wearing down, wearing away, weakening, debilitation, enfeebling, sapping, attenuation;  gradual loss "the battle would result in further attrition of their already lame naval force"

   • 
     

     
     
   • 
     

     
     

     
     
2. 2.

   (in scholastic theology) sorrow, but not contrition, for sin.

I have such confidence in this Word from The LORD for several reasons.  One, He initiated it.  Two, the timing of it, which is during His appointed Feast, the Jewish New Year.  For us, His children who have experienced sustained opposition over a long period, it is His timing for it to come to and end. He is judging our enemies and bringing us out into a new season of His protection, strength and recovery in every area. I believe we've entered a new season of being restored and renewed in strength  to overcome in every area as He goes before us in this new day.  What else can it mean when He said twice, "It's coming to and end."  Add to that the answer to my question of "what's coming to an end" and His responding twice, "Attrition."    Put that together with what takes place in this appointed feast of Rosh Hashanah and we have His direct intervention in our lives to overcome our personal enemies as well as to begin begin to recover and prosper! I have to say I am  excited over this Word and I release my faith in it and I RECEIVE it now! This is God doing what He does when His children unify and cry out to Him, and at the appointed time He always acts!  

*Now, concerning Him saying these things twice to me. I've understood that when Jesus said something twice like verily, verily, or said a persons name such as Martha, Martha, He was emphasizing the importance of  what He was going to speak.  After my "light coming on moment" I knew I needed to look it up and find out more.   Here's a portion of what got Questions?org has to say in part about verily, verily or truly, truly:

..when we read Jesus' words and see statements beginning with "verily," "truly," or some variation, we should recall the deeper meaning. Those claims are not only Jesus' opinion on the truth. Those are ideas about which He has intimate, personal, firsthand knowledge.

And concerning His repeating names according to Bible.org  :

We might miss the strength of these statements unless we realize that repeating a person’s name is a Hebrew expression of intimacy....when God encourages Jacob in his old age to take the trip to Egypt, He says, “Jacob, Jacob”...When Jesus confronted Martha, when He warned Peter, and when He wept over Jerusalem—in each case we find the word repeated for intimacy’s sake...

Because of not only the greater understanding concerning Jesus' use of speaking a word twice, it confirms as well, the certainty of the Word He spoke to me twice, but also how important it is to Him for us to know His heart in this matter.  Out of His great LOVE for us He spoke (and is speaking)  a word which He has intimate, personal, and firsthand knowledge of.

I close this with a thankful heart for the privilege of being enabled to share this with great confidence in His overwhelming  desire and ability to bring this word to pass for all of us who will receive for ourselves and families what He desires to do in this new season.  Let's follow Him and do what He instructs us to do and it will surely come to pass!

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

*Micah 6:8 

*Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Words, Words, Words (with video from) KCM: Change Your Words and Change Your Life

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,

and they that dwell therein. KJV

I just watched Kenneth Copeland on his 30 minute television broadcast today, September 17, 2017.  Oh my, it was exactly what I still need to hear so much. Really.  I had a list started of scripture references about the words  we speak and their importance  so I could post them later upon completion. Whether or not we've received Jesus as LORD we are all governed by the words we speak. Those of us who know Him have the power to be like Him and since He said His words "are spirit, and they are life", we need instruction on how to speak the same way.  Since Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy, our words spoken in line with his plan gives him permission to begin acting on them to bring them to pass. Thank God for His great grace which covers and keeps us all while we're learning to grow up In Him!

I'm not saying we have to go around quoting Bible verses all the time, but I do know we need to speak in line with life, health and all that comes with His covenant promises of Blessing-- which is our privilege to receive--but we need to learn "how to."  Honestly, this is something that I have to continually be aware of especially during prolonged seasons of stress and pressure.  I've had practice dealing with the careless words I've spoken, but I thank God He's faithful and not only forgives but teaches us how to enforce cancellation of their negative  effects.  

Okay, so back to the scripture list I was going to post and the Kenneth Copeland video.  Everything he says about words, and how he connects them with forgiving and loving is so much better than my sharing only part of how words work, and YAY! he shares a list!  I do hope you'll watch the following video because the information he shares is essential to understand in the days we're living in. I apologize to those of you who visit here who may not speak English, but I'm including a list of the references Kenneth Copeland mentions on his video in rapid fire progression.  

Kenneth Copeland Ministries - Change Your Words and Change Your Life

Matt 12:36-37

2 Cor 4:13

Heb 3:11;  4:14 

Joel 3:10

Prov 4:24;  6:2;  12:18;  15:2

Isaiah 57:19  

Prov 15:4;  18:7

Malachi 3:13

Prov 18:2,21,23

Psalm 19:14;  18:34

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

*Micah 6:8 

*Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Standing

                                                                                

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,

and they that dwell therein. KJV

Not a lot to share, though much has been happening.  Having to apply the scripture by faith, which says "having done all to stand, stand *therefore". Though there are giants in the land, Jesus the mighty man, the giant slayer, the David who already made a public spectacle of them for us is ever present in us. His triumphing over them in it is our place of victory where we can,  in Him, firmly stand one day at a time, perhaps even one moment at a time.

The Blessing of the LORD's Presence, strength, comfort, encouragement and  peace to all.


* Take note that it is God's armor not our own! So it is His truth, His righteousness, His peace, His faith, His salvation  that He's given to us to wear.   We don't have to work it up, figure it out, or try to get it by our works.  All we need to do is choose to believe it, receive it, and in His strength, stand against everything contrary to what the Word says remembering we get stronger in it as we practice, practice, practice it daily and moment to moment...and especially in the most difficult of times.

More From DEREK PRINCE Ministries

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,

and they that dwell therein. KJV

The following devotional is used by permission from Derek Prince Ministries.

September 4, 2017 Call for Help! Psalm 30:2 O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.     NIV      One of the things that blesses me about the Bible is its profound simplicity. It comes out with the most profound statements in the simplest and shortest words. What interests me as I glance at that verse that I’ve just presented to you, is that there is not a single word in it of more than one syllable. “O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.” And yet in those simple words of one syllable what tremendous truth is expressed.      I wonder if you realize that God is the healer of His people? In the second book of the Bible, Exodus, He says, ”I am the Lord that healeth thee”: I am the Lord, your doctor. And in the New Testament in the epistle of James, James writes, “Is there any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, let them anoint him with oil and pray over him. The prayer of faith shall save the sick.” Are you carrying around some sickness, some physical oppression, some burden that the Lord would gladly relieve you of? Have you thought about calling to the Lord? Consider the simplicity of those words: “I called to you for help and you healed me.”      May I recommend that to you? May I say that I thank God for doctors and nurses and all who help the sick and infirm. But the ultimate healer is God. Why not take your case to Him? I’ve done it many times and He’s healed me. I believe He’ll do it for you. —Derek Prince To listen to Derek's original audio on our website click here.

Again, Pray for the U.S.A.

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,

and they that dwell therein. KJV

I've been in a time and place where much is required of my time and attention, so posts have been few and far between. However, we're in a time where prayer for our country is urgent and very necessary, so I'm re-posting a letter from Billye Brim from April of this year.  First, I'm sharing a phone number for a daily prayer call for the United States of America. To participate dial:

(1) 712 451 0755   code: 988990#  

Announce yourself when prompted- generally, first name and state- then please mute your phone and wait.  Times are 9:00 a.m. Eastern and 6:00 a.m. Pacific time.  Other countries have called in also, but I have no information for times outside the continental U.S.  Also, there's a weekly prayer call for Israel which will generally include prayer for the U.S.A. as well, and takes place weekly on Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern and 6:00 a.m. Pacific time as well. That number and code is:

(1) 701 801 1211   code 492 836 754#

The same instructions apply.  Along with Hawaii and Alaska, we've had people from Canada, Belgium, Australia and perhaps others join us for prayer- and for this we are very thankful. Forgive me  if your country  was not mentioned here and you have participated.  And I just remembered that I believe Venezuela has called in as well  So wherever you live, if it's on your heart to join us, please do so because the prayers include the Church and all people around the globe.

At this point Billye Brim's  letter follows which was previously posted on April 1, 2017, entitled A Word from Billye Brim

Billye Brim Blog 3-31-17

From the Parsonage

I'm writing a book about FIRST OF ALL and the Awakenings.

I just finished the first draft of the first chapter and decided to send it out as a blog.

Here it is.  If you would like to join the FIRST OF ALL Campaign, call us at 1-800-972-3447.

Chapter 1

First of All

Before the 2016 US election, I knew (perhaps with a reasonable doubt) that Donald John Trump would be elected to the office of President.

            How I knew was because of supernatural revelations given to someone else. The Bible says that in the end of days men would be given visions. The Amplified Bible calls them "divinely granted appearances." The early New Testament believers experienced them and in the Book of Acts it says they will occur in the end of days.

            I was not a Trump supporter at the beginning. But I became one when he and Dr. Ben Carson invited a thousand or so ministers to New York City for a "conversation." There I began to see in my spirit that He might be God's choice.

            The man to whom the Lord granted the visions asked me to judge them. A former Muslim, he'd accepted the Lord after hearing an audible Voice call him by name.  In the visions that began in September before the election, he'd heard that Donald Trump would be elected, but that the church would have to pray for him, and for our leaders as never before.

            I knew that meant we would have to obey the Lord's command in First Timothy 2:1 as we never had.

1 Tim. 2:1-4, 8 (KJV)

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth...

8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Up To The Church

Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin, whose books and publications I edited from 1970-1980, was granted a vision in which he saw three demonic frog-like creatures rise up out of the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. They hopped along the eastern seaboard and landed in Washington D.C. He was made to know their intent was to harm this nation.

            He was shown, however, that their evil assignment could be stopped by the prayers of the people of God. He was instructed to come back to Tulsa (he'd been on a ministry trip) and to start a regular prayer service to stop this strategy of the enemy. He initiated the prayer group, which stayed focused for a while, but let up in its initial purpose.

            When the Watergate scandal in all its depths and cover-ups caused great hurt to the nation, the Lord told Brother Hagin this was the strategy of the enemy revealed to him in the vision. Then he was told something to this effect, I'm not going to hold Richard Nixon primarily responsible for this; I'm not going to hold the Republican Party primarily responsible for this; I'm going to hold you primarily responsible for this. For I revealed it to you and the church could have stopped it. What ever happens in this nation happens because the church allows it to happen.

             I heard Brother Hagin say this was one of the hardest things he ever had to pray and receive forgiveness for.  But he did!

           

FIRST OF ALL

Remembering this, I knew that the success of President Trump's Administration falls primarily upon the shoulders of the Body of Christ.

            It came into my mind to initiate a campaign. Not a political campaign. But a spiritual campaign. A "FIRST OF ALL" Campaign. A campaign which calls upon believers to commit to pray FIRST OF ALL for our leaders just as our Lord instructs.

            FIRST OF ALL before we pray for our family, before we pray for ourselves, before we pray for the lost, before we pray for our jobs or businesses, our ministry, before we pray for anything we are instructed to pray for our leaders, for kings (today it's usually presidents, prime ministers, etc.) and those in authority.

            So through the various prayer avenues the Lord has granted me, I began to call for people to commit. To call us or write us. To say, "Count me in. I commit to pray every day FIRST OF ALL for our leaders."

            We have never obeyed 1 Timothy 2:1 as we should have. If we had, this nation would not be in the darkness and division it now suffers. Satan (and his kingdom of darkness) is behind division. He seeks to divide and conquer.

            The kingdom of the Light can and must overcome his evil plots. The most powerful weapon we have is obedience to the Word of God. And particularly concerning good government, obedience to 1 Timothy 2:1. We can unite in this effort and overcome the enemy's plot to destroy us through division.

Commandment With Promise

This is a commandment with promise. The revealed purpose of God is that we can expect to receive a time in which we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. A time conducive to men's being saved and coming into the knowledge of the truth.

            Is this even possible in such a terrible time as this? God didn't put a time limit on the promise. When these Holy Spirit inspired words were given through Paul Timothy was the young pastor of the church in Ephesus. Ephesus was a wicked city that worshipped the goddess Artemis. The Roman Empire was in the throes of its most evil emperors such as Nero. Christians and Jews were thrown to lions in the evil bloodthirsty games in the great theatres. Nero dipped them in pitch and burned them as human torches. 

            The kings were evil. But the church was instructed to pray for them and to expect their prayers to bring about what God said they would. And things did eventually change.

            If you are a believer in the truth of the Bible, you are commanded to pray first of all for your leaders, whether or not you like them. Whether or not you voted for them. Won't you please do so? And won't you please commit to do so? Please contact us if you would like to be counted in a huge company of praying people who are committed to pray FIRST OF ALL as our Lord commanded.