John Piper Books For Free

John Piper has made many of his books available online for free

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/OnlineBooks/ByTitle/

Amongst those on offer, Desiring God and Don't Waste Your Life.

There is a stirring audio of 'Don't Waste Your Life'. I highly recommend that you take the time to listen to it.

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/1858/Audio/

Pursue God In The Secret Place of Intimacy

PURSUE GOD IN THE SECRET PLACE OF INTIMACY
DISCOVER YOUR TRUE IDENTITY AND DESTINY
2 Peter 1:10

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.

God wants us to be clear about our destiny and calling. There needs to be something within us that will not settle for less than what He has called us to. God planted the seeds of destiny in our hearts before we were born (Proverbs 4:23).

How we grow and understand our destiny is in the place of intimacy and communion with God. This is where we will see destinies come alive to grow up and out of our lives. This is where we will discover our destiny determined before the foundation of the world.

Laying Hold From Birth

Genesis 25:26

Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; so his name was called Jacob.

Jacob was one who grasped at destiny from birth. From his mother's womb he was aggressive for the blessing of God on his life, grabbing for the heel of Esau. He did not have to be taught this. It was in him from birth to be this way. This desire for the blessing and inheritance of the Lord continued in his life to the point where He persuaded Esau to sell his birthright for nothing more than a bowl of soup (Genesis 25:33).

In this we see the difference in people. Esau was one who could be bought for a price. Jacob was one who would sell all for the inheritance of the Lord. Jacob knew what was valuable in God's sight and would do anything to get it. Jacob was a seeker of God (Psalm 24:6). He pleased God with his persistence and attitude, receiving the blessing that was meant for another. Esau acquiesced his authority and inheritance for a little more than nothing. Because he so belittled the blessing of God, he lost it all!

God's Blessing For You

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Jacob was determined to have the inheritance and blessing of God. He had faith. He made the Hall of Faith in the Book of Hebrews. He knew it was for him. Do you know that the blessing of God is for you? Or do you think it is for someone else? Yes, it is for all. But do you realize that God is asking you if you believe it is for you?

Everyone who has been rubbed with the mud of religiosity and condemnation, where intimacy with God has grown cold, has a hard time receiving anything from God or believing that God would do anything good for them. They believe they are last on the Father's list. But the reality is that the Father wants to place His robe upon us, His signet ring of authority and have a banquet of celebration for our lives. See the story of the prodigal son:

Luke 15:22-24

But the father said to his servants, "Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." And they began to be merry.

The Father's inheritance is for all the sons of God. The older son represents one bound by the spirit of religion. He represents one who boasts in works and achievements but never finds true joy because of lack of intimacy with the Father. The older son was jealous and upset, not realizing the inheritance was always for him as well.

Luke 15:25-16:1

Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, "Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf." But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, "Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him." And he said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found."

We need to know that the blessings of God are for us individually as His sons and daughters. Jacob was taught humility through process and through encounter with God (Genesis 32:24). Faith brought Jacob to the place of humility. Because of Jacob's insatiable desire for God, he opened the door for many others to come to know Him. Because he followed God and coveted the treasures of heaven, he triggered events in such a way that an entire nation of people was born.

Staying in His Presence

We all have dreams and God-given desires. It is His desire to see these fulfilled. Just like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, there is a process the Lord takes us through to see destiny fulfilled (Hebrews 11). But it is worth it all, and many will be blessed in the process. As we position ourselves to receive in His Presence, we then can pour out upon others. Staying before the Lord will transform us and usher us into our calls and destinies.

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

It is in the place of intimacy with Him that we discover who we are and what He is calling us to. It is in this place that we lay our lives down. All of our ideas and agendas must be laid at His feet. In seeking Him and beholding Him, we become like Him. By staying in the secret place with God, we find our true identity and destiny. Don't compare yourself to another. The Lord's call is unique and specifically designed for your life. As you stay in His Presence, you will find clarity of mind and blessings that overflow into the lives of others.

In His Overflowing Love,

John Belt
Live In His Presence Ministries
http://www.liveinhispresence.com

As posted on The Elijah List
www.elijahlist.com

The key to doing greater things than Jesus did is to become more like Him. You become more like Him by spending more time with Him and learning His ways. The door is open, God has done His part, now it's up to you.

The Power of Proclamation

Decree and proclamation are powerful. When you speak out the words of God and pray Scripture you can be sure that God will watch over His word to perform it. He has promised that our words will not fail.

James Goll has written a powerful article about the power of proclamation. If you don't already pray Scripture, it's time to begin.

I pray that the Lord will speak to you as you read this article by James Goll

A HIGHER VISION - A HIGHER APPLICATION!

A word of the Lord came to me saying

"It is time to make a worldwide impact by calling forth the watchmen to the prophetic power of proclamation."

As Watchmen on the Walls - Isaiah 62:6-7

"I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give Him norest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth."

The task as a Prophetic Intercessory Watchman is to remind God of His Word, but not just any word. We remind the Lord of the proclamations of the Scriptures as well as the current promises that are in the Father's Heart for us today. Then we become a megaphone to echo that which is prophetic promise back to earth.

This is effective when it is based out of the revelation that the "Blessing" is greater than the "Curse" as found in Romans 12:14. It is by proclaiming the power of the blessing that we break the power of the curse.

The job of these prophetic watchmen on the walls is to pray the promises, praise the Lord with a whole heart, and then to release proclamations of prophetic blessing.

Testimonies of the Power of Proclaiming the Blessing

Through a vision of the Father’s blessing, I was shown an interchange where there was an infusion of security and identity released from receiving the Father’s blessing. Let us pray for this and pursue a revelation of this.

In a series of dreams, I saw the pronouncing of the blessing being done in public gatherings where people were delivered from various curses of darkness. The proclamation of the blessings broke the power of the devil. It was like turning on a light switch and the darkness fled.

When ministering in Cambodia and in Thailand, I saw this principle in action. As I proclaimed the power of the blessing of the finished work of the "Cross" of Jesus I saw many people delivered from demons and dramatically healed. The electric presence of the Lord went down the entire side of one lady and she was instantly healed of partial paralysis. The power of proclamation of the blessing is greater than the power of darkness.

Definition and scriptures on Proclamation

Proclamation defined:To proclaim, announce, declare, ascribe, call out, cry, invite, preach, pronounce, publish, read and to herald.

Primary Scripture Verses and Concepts

1. Deuteronomy 32: 3-4

I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

2. Isaiah 61: 1-3

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his plendor."

3. Wrestling with the concept of who or what do we address?

While in prayer and intercession, we clearly address God the Father through Christ Jesus; in proclamation, the rules change.

The power of proclamation isn't only released in an intercessory orientation as found in Dt. 32:3-4 of reminding and ascribing to God the greatness of His name.

Neither is the power of proclamation only ministered through praise warfare of ascribing greatness to His name.

In Isaiah 61, it is different. It is proclaiming liberty directly to the captives, freedom to the prisoners, proclaiming the favor of the Lord, a mantle of praise as oaks of righteousness. We release faith filled proclamations over people, congregations, cities etc, as the Holy Spirit directs.
4. Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16

These scriptures talk of singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to one another. The power to bless is in you and it is a privilege to be a mouthpiece of God to proclaim the power of the blessing and declare freedom to the captives. We are given the wonderful privilege to proclaim, to pronounce, to decree, to ascribe, to declare liberty, freedom to those in any form of bondage.

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES FOR ADDITIONAL UNDERSTANDING

1. Matthew 10: 27

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roof. The power of proclamation here is seen in declaring His great mercy from the rooftops, proclaiming the name of the Lord over your city.

2. Acts 26: 22-23

But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen, that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles".

Jesus declared, ascribed, released and pronounced light to the Jews and Gentiles. So in Paul's brilliant judicial defense before King Agrippa, he declared life where there was darkness, turning testimony into proclamation, even to those in authority.

3. Job 22: 21-28

Yield now and be at peace with Him; Thereby good will come to you. Please receive instruction from His mouth, and establish His words in your mouth. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored; if you remove unrighteousness far from your tent, and place your gold in the dust, and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks, then the Almighty will be your gold and choice silver to you. For then you will delight in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God. You will pray to Him, and He will hear you; and you will pay your vows. You will decree a thing, and it will be established for you; and light will shine on your ways.

The council given to Job shows a pattern in God’s purposes:

a. Confession of sin
b. Removing obstacles that are in the way
c. Establishing the word of God in your heart (vs22)
d. Having a heart of submission
e. Receiving instruction
f. Repentance and returning to the Lord
g. Revelation that God is to be your all (vs 24)
h. Removing, cleansing any other gods before you
i. Then God will be your delight (vs 26)
j. And then to pray to Him
k. What you decree (proclaim) shall come to pass

Further Examples of Prayers and Proclamations

The following are some prayer proclamations that work. Take these and proclaim them over your self, family and those within your sphere of influence.

By This I Overcome The Devil by Derek Prince

I testify to satan personally as to what the Word says the blood of Jesus does for me. Through the blood of Jesus, I am redeemed out of the hand of the devil. Through the blood of Jesus, all my sins are forgiven. The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, continually cleanses me from all sin. Through the blood of Jesus I am sanctified, made holy, set apart to God. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, redeemed, cleansed, by the blood of Jesus Christ. Satan has no place in me, no power over me, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Cleanses Ourselves With The Blood of Jesus - author unknown

Father, we cleanse our Hands with the Blood of Jesus.
We apply the Blood of Jesus to our eyes Lord, so that we might see into the Spirit realm clearly and with clarity.
We apply the Blood of Jesus to our ears, to cleanse our ears out of any defilement, wickedness, garbage, gossip or slander that has been poured into our ears so that we might hear clearly what you are speaking to us.
We apply the Blood of Jesus to our lips and to our tongue, so that you would be able to cleanse us of all those things that we have spoken that really hasn't been of you at all.
Father we apply the Blood of Jesus to our heart and our minds.
So Father we ask you to put the Blood of Jesus on our hearts, our thoughts, and our emotions and to cleanse our minds from the dead works so that we might serve the living God.
Father we apply the Blood of Jesus to our feet. Cleanse us from the corruption in this world and from the dust of the world. Father cleanse us of those places that we've walked in that really haven't been ordered of you.

Lord we receive the words of the Bible that say "the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord." We will have holy steps walking on that Highway of Holiness. Praise you Lord and we ask that you cleanse us from the top of our head to the souls of our feet.

Thank you Lord. Amen

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES FOR YOUR APPLICATION!

Finally, the following are some scriptural proclamations of blessings you may model and release:
A proclamation from the leaders to the people - Numbers 6:24-26
A proclamation from the people to the leaders - Ephesians 6:10-18
A proclamation over your family - Joshua 24:15
A proclamation over our cities - Psalm 24:1-2; Isaiah 25:3
A proclamation over Israel - Jeremiah 16:14; 30:3

Find more from James Goll at www.encountersnetwork.com

Please read this article again and put steps in place to make proclamation part of your everyday life.

Consider passing it on to your friends so that they can be blessed and empowered too.

Who Is The Holy Spirit? You Can Know Jesus And The Father And The Holy Spirit

GETTING TO KNOW THE HOLY SPIRIT HE IS MORE THAN A GHOSTHE IS THE THIRD PERSON OF THE GODHEAD
The Holy Spirit is the third divine person of the eternal Godhead, coequal, coeternal, and coexistent with the Father and the Son. It is His ministry to convict and convert man as well as to reveal the Son and the Father to the believer.

While growing up in church, we recited the Apostles' Creed each week. Following the minister, we would declare, "I Believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, conceived of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried, and on the third day, was risen from the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost...."

This was the only statement concerning the Third Person of the Godhead recited, "I believe in the Holy Ghost." He was presented as a "ghost" and to me, that was all I knew! Who was this invisible member of the triune God?

If we can fellowship with Father God, and know His Son Jesus Christ, don't you think it is time that we learn to know Who the Holy Spirit really is? After all, the Holy Spirit is God!

The Holy Spirit is the Most Overlooked Person of the Godhead

Of the eternal Godhead - God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit seems to be the most misunderstood and least appreciated. The Holy Spirit is the vital and intimate aspect of our personal conversion, growth in Christ, and the ongoing building of God's glorious Kingdom on the earth. Part of this misunderstanding and lack of appreciation of the Holy Spirit comes from the fact that His work is NEVER to call attention to Himself, but to exalt the Lord Jesus.

John 16:13-15 tells us,

"However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore, I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you."

The Dutch Reformed minister Andrew Murray stated:

"The Father is the eternal being - I AM - the hidden foundation of all things and fountain of all life. The Son is the outward form, express image, and the revelation of God. The Spirit is the executive power of the Godhead. The nature of the hidden unity is revealed and made known in the Son, and is imparted to us and is experienced by us through the agency of the Spirit."

The Primary Purpose -To Enjoy the Holy Spirit. To enjoy a person, you must first know them. Most believers do not enjoy a relationship with the Holy Spirit because they do not know Him. My purpose in this teaching is to bring us into a greater understanding and deeper intimacy with the person of the Holy Spirit, and through this union with Him, experience greater power, greater joy, and greater hope.

The Holy Spirit is the third divine person of the eternal Godhead, coequal, coeternal, and coexistent with the Father and the Son. It is His ministry to convict and convert man as well as to reveal the Son and the Father to the believer. Since the glorification of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit in all His glorious operation is working through all who believe of the Father through the Son. This is why the present era is known as the age of the Holy Spirit.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON

The Holy Spirit is more than a mere influence as some suggest ... He is a real person with a mind and feelings and a will, just like the Father and the Son. The following are 12 Scriptural Points to help us know the Person of the Holy Spirit:

1 The Holy Spirit was sent by the Father to take the place of Jesus in the earth. Jesus said, "It is to your advantage that I go away..." (John 16:7-15).

2 The promise, "He will guide you ... whatever He hears ... He will speak ... He shall glorify Me ..." (John 16:13-14).

3 He speaks (Acts 8:29) (to Philip).

4 He strives (Genesis 6:3).

5 He can be lied against (Acts 5:3).

6 He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30).

7 He can be sinned against (Mark 3:29).

8 He searches all things (I Corinthians 2:10-11).

9 He makes intercession for us (Romans 8:26).

10 He distributes gifts (I Corinthians 12).

11 He is called the Counselor (John 15:26).

12 He is called the Comforter or Helper (John 14:26).

THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

"The personality and deity of the Holy Spirit are practical teachings, for it is by the activity of this divine being that the Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ is made clear to us and changes our lives. He is the key to a vital and truly personal religion." James Montgomery Boice

The following are eight diverse Scriptures depicting the deity of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, let us not treat Him lightly, but let us revere and enjoy Him just as we do God the Father and Jesus our Lord!

1 He is specifically called God (Acts 5:4; 2 Corinthians 3:16-17).

2 He is eternal (Hebrews 9:14).

3 He is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7).

4 He is the Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2).

5 He is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13).

6 The Spirit participated in creation (Genesis 1:2).

7 He participates in regeneration (John 3:8).

8 Jesus was raised from the dead by the Spirit (Romans 8:11).

THE FIVE GREAT REDEMPTIVE ACTS

When it comes to blessing the human race, no Person of the Godhead is willing to be left out. In each of the five great interventions of God in redemption, each person of the Godhead is directly involved. Watch for the unique working of the Holy Spirit in each of these redemptive acts.

1 The Incarnation of Jesus. God the Father, by the agency of the Holy Spirit, incarnated Jesus the Son in the womb of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:20).

2 The Earthly Ministry of Jesus. God the Father anointed Jesus the Son with the power of the Holy Spirit. The result: healing and deliverance for humanity.

Acts 10:38,

"You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."

3 The Atonement of Jesus. Jesus the Son offered Himself to God the Father through the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 9:14,

"How much more shall the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

4 The Resurrection of Jesus. God the Father raised up Jesus, the Son by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 1:4,

"Who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of Holiness."

Romans 6:4,

"Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of God the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."

5 The Gift of the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, Jesus the Son received from God the Father the gifts of the Holy Spirit and poured them out upon His disciples (Acts 2:32-33). Likewise, the ongoing relationship of God to His people in this age, directly involves all three personas of the Godhead. The end purpose of God is that we come to Him as Father, but we have access to God the Father only through Jesus the Son by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18-19).

Similarly, God the Father indwells His people only in Jesus the Son through the Holy Spirit: Ephesians 2:22

"In whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."

I trust this study will help you grow in your communion and fellowship with our precious Holy Spirit. He is the present tense God of today. He is waiting to spend time just with you! Blessings to each of you!

"Keep on coming Holy Spirit! More Lord!"

James W. Goll
http://www.encountersnetwork.com

Have Faith - Anything Is Possible With God

Our God is God of the impossible. He's calling us to keep our eyes upon Jesus and do that which He has called us to do. Get out of the boat and learn to walk on water. Anything is possible to those who believe.

JESUS IS CALLING US TO
DO THE IMPOSSIBLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM
by
Francis Frangipane
"The real Jesus will require you to look the impossible straight in the eye and believe God for His power."

Not only is Jesus our Savior, He is also the "Author and Perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). Grab with both hands the thought that He is the "Perfecter of our faith." The faith Christ started in you, He is now working to perfect.

The fact that Jesus is the "Perfecter of our faith" is important because even if we seek to move in prayer and spiritual authority, even if we fearlessly continue to persevere, even if we continue forward with motives purified by love, it is the power of faith that undergirds all.

Now the idea that Christ seeks to perfect our faith makes a fine doctrine, but in the practical outworking of our lives, we deeply resist the idea. For we know that faith, in order be perfected, must be tested.

When I speak of faith, I do not mean a thorough compilation of Bible facts or an intellectual assent to our need of salvation, both of which are elements of spirituality, but not the very substance. To amass Biblical knowledge primarily takes time; to possess true saving faith, I will tell you again, takes courage. Christ desires we obtain a trust in Him that can actually withstand and overcome the terrible storms of life--faith that brings the reality of Heaven to earth.

Faith, therefore, is more than head knowledge; it is our lock upon the goodness and power of God so that no matter what we face outwardly, inwardly we stand secure. And no matter what the world looks like outwardly, it has the potential to be transformed by our faith. As Hebrews 11 makes clear, all those who possessed true faith changed the world around them.

Perfect or Protect?

Knowing that faith is much more than religious doctrines, I wonder: Do we truly know the Jesus of the Bible and what He seeks to give us? Too often, I think, we desire a Savior who, after assuring us of eternal life, leaves us alone until our next crisis. We want Him to comfort us but never convict us; we desire Him to heal us but not inhabit us. We want the Holy Spirit to help us obtain the "American dream." Yet what we have is a Holy Spirit who, instead, seeks to give us the dream of God: man living in the image of Christ (see Genesis 1:26).

This means that God's goal is not merely to save us, but to conform us to Christ. He seeks to perfect us, not merely protect us. To perfect faith, God intentionally allows conflicts to storm against our souls. I know we picture Jesus gently holding us, patting us on the back, saying, "There, there, it'll be all right." Listen, that is not the voice of Jesus; that is the echo of your mother speaking. Thank God for mothers, but Jesus is seeking to get us to stop being such babies. He wants us to grow up into His image.

Remember, I am talking about the real Jesus now, the one who said, "All things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23). If the Jesus you are following is not leading you into the realm of the impossible to make changes in your world, you are probably following the wrong one.

You see, we do a disservice to people when we tell them, "Give your life to the Lord and He will keep you from trouble." That is not true. We would be more honest to say, "Give your life to Christ, and He will empower you to overcome trouble and adversity." Yes, He will take care of you. But He will not do so by putting you in a harmless world void of problems; rather, He will perfect virtue in you by developing character and by requiring faith--all of which creates the spiritual shelter of a transformed life.

A Storm, a Ghost or Jesus?

Get used to the idea that Jesus is seeking to perfect your faith. Plan on the fact that He will probably set you in some otherwise impossible situation to force your faith to the surface. Sooner or later, the real Jesus will require you to look the impossible straight in the eye and believe God for His power.

Consider the incident when Christ sends His disciples ahead of Him by boat across the Sea of Galilee; that night He crosses this same sea Himself walking on water (see Matthew 14:22-33). Yet, He decides to wait until a storm is rolling in with contrary winds and waves before He sets out. He could have waited for a calm day or simply arrived at the other side, supernaturally, without stopping alongside the boat in the middle of the sea. No, He comes to the disciples with something in mind--He comes to teach a lesson on trust.

Please note that this is a violent storm and that He offers no preliminary instruction, no "Basic Water-Walking 101." He doesn't let them practice on puddles or wait until winter so they could walk on frozen water first. He waits for a storm to teach water-walking, which is by all accounts harder to do on rolling waves than on a placid sea. Then, on top of that, He does not come in daylight; He comes at night. So Jesus comes to the disciples in the middle of the sea, in the middle of a storm, in the middle of the night to teach them to walk on water. He doesn't make it easy. But this is the real Jesus with His real disciples. And we can add to the degree of difficulty the probability that they are physically tired and more than a little fearful about the storm.

Scripture says that the sight of a figure walking on the water, coming out of the blowing wind and spray in the darkness of the night, turns the disciples' fear into terror. They cry out, "It is a ghost!" (Note: Some of the things we label as "ghostly" or demonic are really the Lord stirring life to set the stage for a lesson on faith.)

As Jesus approaches the roll of the boat, He calls out, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."

When Jesus says in the midst of your storm, "It is I," it is a call to faith. When He says, "Take courage," it is a call to action: True faith will always, at some point, require courage.

Peter says, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."

This is wonderful, really. Here is an insight not only into Jesus Christ, but also into Peter's relationship with Jesus. Ever since Peter has known the Lord, Christ has required him and the disciples to do impossible things--heal the sick, feed multitudes with a lunch pail of food, and raise the dead. Over and over Peter has seen Jesus work miracles; over and over Jesus has empowered Peter to do what he saw Jesus just do.

That night on the stormy sea, Peter has this amazing discernment: "If it's really the Lord, He will tell me to do what He is doing--something impossible. If it's the Jesus I know, in a moment, He will be telling me to walk on the water, too." And true to form, Jesus calls out to Peter, "Come!"

Now Peter is not about to walk on the water, not really. When he steps out, he is walking on the word "Come." He knows that the power to accomplish the impossible resides in Christ's word, and it is this supernatural reality upon which he steps.

You see, this is all about trusting the integrity of Jesus Christ's command. Do you think Peter feels power when he steps on the water? I don't think he feels anything besides the storm. No goose bumps. No "glory chills." Peter sits on the topside rail of the rocking boat and swings his legs over the churning water. Peering through the wind and rain, he looks at Jesus. Then he slips down, stands upright in the water, and begins to walk!

Splash! One step. Splash! Then another and another until Peter walks right up to Jesus. This is no little walk. Admittedly, anyone can walk on water for the first step. It is the second step and beyond that is difficult. Peter walks until the waves grab his attention; then he begins to sink. Jesus saves him, of course, and when they get into the boat the wind stops.

Maybe we would expect the Lord to say, "Peter, you did it!" Maybe Peter was expecting praise for his short water-walking career, but no, Jesus rebukes him saying, "Why did you doubt?"

Christ sees the beginning of something great within Peter and He does not want it contaminated by pride or self-pity. Most of us want a medal every time we do something for God, but He is not about to let Peter or us build a monument to our accomplishments, especially when we are just beginning. If this miracle of Peter's were done by some of us here in America, in two weeks we would have tours, T-shirts and commemorative celebrations of the day we walked on water. But Jesus will allow none of that for His disciples. He sees greatness emerging in Peter and He will not press any of His disciples toward anything other than full conformity to His image.

Remember: God's goal is that we become Christlike. The real Jesus is going to call us to do the impossible. This means that we will be called to do what we have never done before. You will see Jesus ahead of you, probably in some kind of storm, but it will be the beginning of a miracle that will change you--and the world around you.

Let's Pray: "Lord, forgive me for seeking a safe life instead of a supernatural life. I want more of You. Call me out of the boat of my familiar, predictable world. Master, for the sake of reaching the lost, increase my faith until I am standing with You on the water of divine potential. In Jesus' name, Amen."


Francis Frangipane
www.frangipane.org
As posted on
www.elijahlist.com
info@elijahlist.net

Trust God To Give You All You Need

Francois de Fenelon was a godly man who left a treasure house of spiritual riches. He lived at the same time as Jeanne Guyon.

Here is an excerpt from one of his many spiritual letters.

Simply trust God. If you come to Him, He will give you all that you need to serve Him. You need to believe that God keeps His word. The more you are able to trust Him, The more He will be able to give you. Know that if you were lost in a desert, bread would fall from heaven for you alone.

Fear nothing except to fail God. And do not fear that so much as to let it upset you. Learn to live with your failures and forgive the failures of your neighbours.

Do you know what would be best for you? Stop trying to appear so mentally and spiritually perfect to God and to man.

There is a lot of sefishness and complacency in not allowing people to see your faults.

Be simple with God. He loves to communicate Himself to simple people. Live day by day, not in your own stength, but by completely surrendering to God.


Take time to get to know God more. Spend time with God every day. Your life will be richer if you do.

Believe God: Don't Let Unbelief Rob You

"THE ENEMY IS AFTER YOUR FAITH

DON'T LET UNBELIEF KEEP YOU FROM
RECEIVING YOUR PROMISED LAND"

"If He has shown you your promised land, then believe
He will lead you into that promise."

I truly believe one of the greatest thieves in our walk with God is unbelief! When the spirit of unbelief rules our hearts and minds, God is unable to give us the wondrous, supernatural blessings He so desires. His incredible blessings and miracles are stolen away from us by this deceitful spirit.

God is looking for believers who will look at their circumstances with eyes of faith - people who will, despite all odds, believe for what God can do in any situation. He is also looking for people who will encourage the Body of Christ by reminding them of His great power. Will you be one of those who bring God's viewpoint to His people?

A Different Kind of Spirit

A person of true faith is a rare commodity. There always seems to be five negative people to every one positive person. Have you ever noticed how it is much easier to see the negative? It seems to be the obvious choice, at times. The circumstances that surround us often scream our defeat. But if we take the time to look into God's heart on the matter, we will see it differently. We will see that all is not lost and He has a plan for our good (see Jeremiah 29:11).

Two positive reporters in the Bible were Caleb and Joshua. In Numbers 13 and 14, Moses sent twelve men into the Promised Land to see what it was like and to bring back a report to him and the people of Israel. Twelve spies went in, but only two viewing the situation saw things from God's perspective. Caleb and his friend Joshua saw the land was good and wanted to go get it! Indeed, there were giants in the land, but they knew their God was bigger than any giant.

Unfortunately, their reports were contradicted by the negative reports of the other spies. The ten negative spies saw only the barriers that stood between them and their promised land. They did not believe God was bigger than their circumstances. They said,

"We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us"(Numbers 13:31).

But

"Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, 'We should by all means go upand take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it'" (verse 30).

However, Caleb, try as he might, could not turn the people away from the bad report of the other spies; they refused to believe him. They continued to spread a bad report among the Israelites about the land they explored, saying,

"The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants" (Numbers 13:32)

That night all the people wept and complained about their situation. They grumbled against Moses and were ready to give up, even to the point of death. They cried out,

"Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword?" (Numbers 14:2-3)

Of course, we know that God did not bring them to the wilderness to die, but rather to give them a great victory. But their hope in God had been deferred by the many bad reports they heard. Their faith had been stolen from them! Proverbs 13:12 says,

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick."

A spirit of unbelief had robbed the people of their faith in God and caused them to stumble and rebel against Him.

We see the same struggle today with the negative and positive people pitted against one another, fighting for the hearts and minds of God's people. Those with the positive reports, the ones who fight to declare God's goodness, are terribly outnumbered. But, oh, what a wonderful message they have to bring to God's people! They are the ones who bring the true GOSPEL, which is the good news.

Whether our situation is good or bad, we must have faith in God and know He is in control. Any obstacle that lies in our path is really just another opportunity for God to show us how much He loves us and what He can do.

We can trust Him! No matter how bad a situation is, He is bigger. Tell Him it's impossible and He grins from ear to ear, because He devours the impossible and leaves us amazed. How could we even think for a moment the situation was impossible?

"With God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26)

Caleb wasn't stupid. He could see the battle against the inhabitants of the land would not be easy. He saw the giants, but he also had a revelation of how BIG his God was. He said,

"Do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them" (Numbers 14:9).

Pious Deception

"We don't realize what affect our negative words have on God - how hurt He is by our disbelief in Him."

Even some Christians can come to us seeming to be very righteous, when in reality they have been sent by the enemy to discourage the people of God. They feel as though they have been given special insight as to just how bad the situation is. But it is not God's way to show us the negative circumstance without giving us an equal or greater revelation as to how He will redeem it.

Divine reporters view difficulty from God's point of view. They see the light of Christ even in the difficulties surrounding them, and know the favor of the Lord is with them. Refusing to be misled by fear, they allow faith to lead them.

We don't realize what effect our negative words have on God - how hurt He is by our disbelief in Him. He is not a bad God; He is very good and kind. And He wants us to believe and trust in His goodness. When we lead others to view God as "bad" or not in control, we cause them to lose heart and stumble. In doing so, we come under God's judgment, just like the ten spies who caused the Israelite people to rebel against Him.

God judged the Israelites for their rebellion, but His judgment against the ten "bad reporters" was much more severe.

"As for the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land and who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing out a bad report concerning the land, even those men who brought out the very bad report of the land died by a plague before the Lord. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land" (Numbers 14:36-38).

Thousands of people died in the desert because of the negative influence of ten men.

When God saw He was treated with contempt (see Numbers 14:22-23), He became very angry with the Israelites. Their disbelief in Him and their focus on their circumstances had caused them to offend God.

Caleb, on the other hand, had pleased God.

"But my servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it" (Numbers 14:24).

God is pleased with those who trust in Him. If He has shown you your promised land, then believe He will lead you into that promise. We need to take captive any thought, word, or report that would raise itself above what the Lord has declared to be true. If God says you can do it, then you will!

Warning Against Unbelief

God equals the sin of unbelief to that of rebellion (see Hebrews 3). I have never been sorry that I have trusted in God, even if what I have believed for has not happened. However, I have regretted not trusting in Him. Our unbelief hurts God, so much so that He refers to it as a hardened heart (see Hebrews 3:15).

"For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief" (Hebrews 3:16-19 emphasis mine).

Many of the children of Israel were unable to enter the Promised Land because of their unbelief. They saw the miracles God had previously performed, and heard the Word of God He spoke through His prophets.

"But the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard" (Hebrews 4:2).

Their unbelief led to their disobedience to God; it caused them to sin.

God is honored by our faith in Him. He takes it very personally, and rightly so. If we truly have a personal relationship with Him, we would know Him as faithful and true (see Revelation 19:11). Indeed, our faith in God is an element of our worship to Him. Do not let unbelief keep you from giving Him your heart completely and receiving ALL that He has for you.

Pray this with me:

Dear Father,

Forgive me for not trusting in You completely, and forgive me for my lack of faith and any discouraging words I have spoken. Help me to be an encouragement to Your people. I want You to be pleased with me, so help me to follow You with my whole heart.

In Jesus' name, Amen!

Victoria Boyson Speaking Life Ministries Email: victoria@boyson.org

The Assurance Of Faith: Faith Is The Assurance Of Things Hoped For

Let me encourage you to spend time with God every day. Take your eyes off the circumstance and put them firmly on Jesus.

I have another guest article for you this week. This article really encouraged me to be a believing believer. I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me.

It was posted on www.elijahlist.com

FAITH'S ASSURANCE - STAND ON THE PROMISES

AND EXTEND YOUR STAFF INTO THE WATERS OF ADVERSITY

by

Kathi Pelton

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

We have all read this Scripture time and time again, but do we fully understand the very faith by which we live? How do we know that we are saved? The answer is - by faith alone. We know that the Bible is true by faith alone. And we know that we have been forgiven by faith alone. Yet, we often bring this very faith that we rest our eternal life upon into question when life's circumstances seem more troubling than our minds and emotions can process. But be assured - our faith has nothing to do with our emotions!

The other day, I was remembering back to the beginning of this year, when my family stood together in front of our burning home watching three fire companies try to contain the fire that would take our home from us. My husband, Jeff, was an emotional rock for all of us. When he is in a crisis situation, he becomes absolutely calm and reassuring until the crisis has passed and the pieces are put back together. Our oldest son is the same way. The two of them went from family member to family member bringing comfort and help. They remained calm and steady for many days following. I, on the other hand, felt like I was having an "out-of-body" experience for the next few days. Nothing seemed real and my emotions were raw. I felt like I'd been thrust into a nightmare. The first three days were absolutely terrible for me.

Now, let me ask you: whose faith was greater, my husband's or mine? Neither! Just because I'm wired emotionally different than him didn't mean that I didn't have the same assurance and knowing that God was in control and He would come through for us. My faith is what kept me from entering into hopelessness and despair. I just process differently than Jeff does. I had three days of processing my emotions immediately after the fire, and my husband had a few of days of it a month after the fire, because he processed "after" the crisis had passed and his family was taken care of. Grieving or processing the emotions of a traumatic situation does not mean that you don't have faith; it merely means that you are human.

Emotions vs. Faith

God gave us emotions so that we could feel things like love, pain, joy, and sorrow. These emotions are healthy, but they sure can play with our minds regarding our faith. Many people feel as though they have wavered in their faith when they are having an emotionally hard day (or season). This may not be true at all. You may be having a day that brings strong feelings, even negative feelings, regarding your health, finances, or relational issues. You may feel deep sorrow and pain, but this does not mean that you have lost your faith. Who do you cry out to when your emotions are failing you? Is it God? If so, then you have not lost faith! You probably just need a greater dose of intimacy and comfort in that dark hour.

The enemy loves to come to us when we are in grief or sorrow to throw accusations about our "lack of faith." He will try to rob us of our intimacy and comfort when we need it the most. He comes with words of condemnation accusing us of being "double-minded" and weak. Can our emotions and thoughts enter into doubting God's promises in stressful times? Of course, but this is part of discerning between your soul and spirit. At the point of doubt, we must rely on what our spirit knows, not what our feelings feel or thoughts think. If I remember correctly, the Bible tells us that God manifests His strength in our weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 states:

"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Is Paul talking about physical infirmities? Probably not! He is most likely talking about struggles and sufferings that all of us battle. God loves our emotions, and He loves our dependency upon Him for strength in those weak times. When my kids are hurting, I am honored when they come to me and find strength and comfort in my arms. It is very intimate, and it is a privilege to comfort them. The last thing I want is to find out that they have cried alone. God is a much better parent than I am, so I know that He is the same regarding our times of sorrow and weakness. He loves it when we allow Him, our Comforter, to comfort us in times of pain.

"If you love Me, obey Me; and I will ask the Father and He will give you another Comforter, and He will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive Him, for it isn't looking for Him and doesn't recognize Him. But you do, for He lives with you now and some day shall be in you. No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm - I will come to you." John 14:15-18 (paraphrased)

This is a promise that we can put our faith in. He will not leave us as orphans in a storm! If you are facing a storm, know that you can stand in the realization that you have not been left orphaned or abandoned. You may not feel strong, but let your faith arise knowing that your Comforter is there with you.

Fear vs. Faith

"When we come into an agreement with a spirit of fear, it binds us to its control."

This past weekend, I went to see some friends who were speaking at a church in our city. As they spoke, they reminded me of a very important truth that we need to understand about fear. There are two types of fear: emotional fear and a spirit of fear. The emotion of fear is a very healthy thing to have. When we feel fear it causes us to quickly evaluate a situation for the sake of a proper response. Such as, do you need to call 911? Do you need to move out of the way of a falling object? Do you need to stop and ask God for help?

While my friend Carol was speaking, she told a story of a woman that she knows who was shopping at her local mall. When the woman had finished shopping, it was just past closing time. She walked out to the garage where she had parked her vehicle and noticed that the garage was completely empty, except for her car. She was not afraid, but she was cautious as she walked alone in the dark.

When she arrived at her car, a strange woman came up behind her and told her to get in her car and drive her to the nearest ATM (automatic teller machine). Carol's friend refused to obey her command. The woman once again insisted, and then pulled a gun on her. Obviously, at that point Carol's friend was frightened, and rightfully so! The fear caused her to quickly evaluate the situation. She realized that it would not be wise to get in her car alone with an armed woman, so she did the only thing that she knew to do--she yelled as loudly as she could, "Help, Jesus!"

As soon as she did this, the armed woman was thrown against the vehicle by something unseen, and what appeared to be a cloud wrapped around Carol's friend. She ran away from the armed woman, and then noticed her attacker ran away from the parking garage, leaving her in safety. She also realized that she had been surrounded by angels immediately after calling out for God's help.

Why did I tell this story? Because it is an example of healthy fear. Apart from this fear, this woman may have gotten into her car with this armed woman and become a victim of a violent crime. But healthy fear caused her to quickly evaluate the situation, and she responded in the counsel of the Holy Spirit.

A spirit of fear is a different issue. A spirit of fear stays with a person whether there is rightful cause or not. For example, sometimes people with a history of cancer in their family line can enter into a spirit of fear. Healthy fear (the emotion of fear) would probably cause an individual in that situation to do some preventive tests and to be sensitive to any unusual pain or abnormalities in their bodies (and possibly get some prayer ministry).

A spirit of fear would cause the individual obsessive fear and anxiety. It would likely steal the peace of God from them and could cause them to be defensive rather than offensive. A spirit of fear brings forth a reaction rather than a healthy response. When we come into an agreement with a spirit of fear, it binds us (chains us) to its control, rather than to the counsel of the Holy Spirit that leads us into a wise response. 2 Timothy 1:7 states,

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Breaking The Spirit of Fear

If you have a spirit of fear, you can either pray alone or ask someone to pray with you to break (renounce) the binding agreement with the spirit of fear. You can begin by praying this simple prayer:

"Father, I want to thank You for my emotions and even for the emotion of fear that You have put within me to keep me safe and to alert me when I need to respond to a situation. I confess that I have moved from an emotion of fear into a spirit of fear that has bound me and stolen my peace and confidence in You. I renounce any agreement with the spirit of fear that has tormented me and caused me to react in anxiety and strife rather than allowing me to respond in the counsel of Your Spirit. I now come into agreement with the fear of the Lord that keeps me in confident peace and healthy responses. I ask for peace, power, love, and a sound mind to return to me. Thank you for aligning me with Your truth. In Jesus Name, Amen."

Circumstantial Evidence

Recently, I was sitting alone and thinking about a number of circumstances that were quite difficult in the lives of some believers who I am acquainted with. The circumstances surrounding their lives were quite contradictory to the prophetic promises that God had spoken over them. As I pondered these situations, I heard the Holy Spirit speak these words:

"Will My people draw a conclusion about what I have said in My promises based on circumstantial evidence?"

I was taken aback with this question. Have we stood as the judge of God's promises based on circumstantial evidence in our lives? Will we lose heart and reject His prophetic promises based on circumstances that are contrary to what God has said? Circumstantial evidence is usually a theory (opinion or speculation), supported by a significant quantity of corroborating evidence.
Think back to Moses and the people of Israel leaving their captivity in Egypt--they had the Red Sea before them and the Egyptian army behind them with no place to go. The circumstantial evidence was stacked heavily against the promise that God had given for deliverance. If Moses had allowed the circumstantial evidence of the situation to be his dictator, he would have surrendered himself, and the Israelites to death then and there. But he did not allow circumstances to deter what the Lord had said to him. His faith in the midst of fear caused him to respond to the situation by touching his staff to the Red Sea, causing it to part, and allowing the promise to be fulfilled.

By My Spirit, Says The Lord

It is very difficult emotionally to have circumstances stack up against all the promises you have received from the Lord, but do not lose heart! Even when you feel like death is about to take you over, stand on the promises and extend your staff of faith into the waters of adversity. You will see the parting of the waters as you walk in obedient faith. Remember - do not let your emotions dictate your behavior and decisions. Always go with what you know, not what you feel.
Many people are having their faith tested in this season. We are being prepared and strengthened in the current season to be able to stand firm in the seasons ahead - in times when we will have to live by what we know, not by what we see or feel. In God's mercy and grace, He is allowing a "spirit work-out" to get our spirits into shape so that we are not ruled by thoughts and emotions (or circumstances) but by His Spirit!

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the LORD of hosts." Zechariah 4:6

May you rest in the assurance of His promises this day!

Kathi Pelton - Choose Life - jkpelton@sbcglobal.net

Hearing God - The Counsel of the Lord

If you've got a decision to make, you might like to read this article by Simon Whitton. One size doesn't fit all. God does things differently with different people. We can take principles from Scripture, but it's never a good idea to reduce the things of God to a formula.

The Counsel of the Lord

"The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.

Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him.

Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.

They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him ...

After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed." Acts 12:6-10;19a

The chains fell off Peter’s wrists and a gate opens by itself! What an amazing account of the Lord's intervention in a grim situation. However, it did not end so well for his guards, who were executed.

A couple of chapters after this, Luke writes about a similar situation but this time it's the other 'super-apostle' Paul who is in jail:

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the
other prisoners were listening to them.

Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.

The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.

But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" ...

The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God-- he and his whole family." Acts 16:25-28;34

Paul is praying and singing and there's an earthquake, the doors fly open and everyone’s chains come loose. Wouldn’t he think 'God must have sent an angel to release me'; but Paul stays!

Two very similar circumstances, yet completely different decisions and outcomes: Peter's jailers were executed, Paul's jailer was saved along with his family; yet God seems to endorse both.

How do we make decisions like this … to stay or go? Using scripture is always good, but unlikely to help when there's a biblical precedent for either decision. Common sense decisions would have kept most of the amazing events of the Bible from ever occurring. The 'What Would Jesus Do' approach wouldn’t help because, what Jesus would do often varied. 'Getting counsel from many advisors' is a commonly quoted proverb, but it's not always right to take a poll.

A less quoted proverb says "Counsel and sound judgment are mine"; (Prov 8:14 & Is 11:2) they belong to the Lord. Surely the answer is found in our relationship with Him. Although all of the above should be considered, only He can ultimately guide us in the complicated circumstances of our lives.

Take some time to pray, and give to the Lord any difficult decisions you have to make. He will not judge by what He sees with His eyes, or decide by what He hears with His ears; He has wisdom, understanding and knowledge, and the Spirit of counsel is upon Him. He will show you what to do; and then you will see His purposes unfold in amazing ways.

Copyright: Simon Whitton ©2006-2007 www.spiritsword.org

If you haven't yet tried keeping a spiritual journal and using a journal to hear God, I recommend that you take a look at A Guide To Spiritual Journaling.

You might also want to take a look at Journaling For Personal Growth

Understanding Your Dreams

As promised - keys to help you understand what God is saying to you in your dreams

Understanding the Dreams You Dream

by James W. Goll September 2006 www.jamesgoll.com

I. WHERE DO I START?

Does understanding and interpreting dreams seem like a giant maze with no apparent end in sight? Take comfort. Others throughout the ages have felt the same way. But He has a word for us, "I will be your Helper!"

A. Help for the Helpless!

1. John 14:16: I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;
2. John 14:26: But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
3. John 15:26: When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,
4. John 16:7: But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

B. Our Personal Tutor

1. 1 John 16:13 – 15: But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
2. Quote from The Beginner's Guide to Hearing God, pages 24, 25 by James W. Goll, Regal Books:
   

   "The Holy Spirit is our counselor and our teacher, yet He is more than a teacher - more like a tutor. But He is not just any tutor; He’s the kind who truly loves to spend individual, personal time with each of His students. He is like that rare kind of guidance counselor who actually becomes a friend. He is like the teacher who becomes a personal mentor. As a personal Tutor, He is also a personal coach to help us win out on the playing field of life.
   In addition--great news!--He’s not like an ordinary tutor or teacher who clocks in and out. As we graduate from one level of spiritual development to the next, he remains our lifetime personal Tutor. We start with the best and we end with the best. As we end our days here on earth, He even prepares us for our postgraduate course in life hereafter! All long, He individually instructs us as to what life lessons we need to learn, and in what order to take them."

C Ask and You Will Receive!

1. James 1:5-8: But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
2. James 4:2: You do not have because you do not ask.
3. Matt. 7:8: For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

II. THE MOST COMMON DREAMS PEOPLE HAVE

Various ministries and organizations have logged thousands of dreams and therefore have been able to decipher the most common dreams people have. The following is a partial listing of these most common types of dreams. This list is not comprehensive and the dreams are not listed in any certain order.

A. Dreams of your House The house normally represents the individual’s life and the circumstances taking place in the house reflect specific activity in the person’s life. These dreams may also represent a church as well.

B. Dreams of Going to School Often these dreams center around the taking of tests. This can be a dream of going through a test for the purpose of promotion. It might find yourself searching for your next class - guidance is needed; or classes might need to be retaken - tests were failed in the past and an opportunity is being given to learn from past failures. High School dreams can be a sign that you are enrolled in the School of the Holy Spirit etc.

C. Dreams of Various Vehicles These may indicate the calling a person has, the vehicle of purpose that will carry them from one point to another. Cars, planes, buses, etc. may be symbols of the type and even size of the ministry a person is or will be engaged in.

D. Dreams Concerning Storms These are often hints of things that are on the horizon - both dark negative storms of demonic attack for the purpose of prayer and showers of blessings that are eminent.

E. Dreams of Flying These dreams deal with the spiritual capacity to rise above problems and difficulties and to soar into the heavenlies. These are some of the most inspirational in tone of all dreams.

F. Dreams of Being Naked or Exposed These dreams indicate the dreamer will be or is becoming transparent and vulnerable. This may be exhilarating or fearful.

G. Dreams of the Condition of Your Teeth Often, these dreams reveal the need for wisdom. Are you teeth loose, rotten, falling out, bright and shining, etc.?

H. Dreams of Past Relationships These might indicate that the person is being tempted to fall back into old patterns and ways of thinking. Depending on who the person is in the dream and what they represent to you - these dreams might also be an indication of the need to renew your former desires and godly passions for good things in life.

I. Dreams of Dying These dreams are not normally literal about that person seen in the dream but are symbolic about something that is passing away or departing from your life. The type of death may be important to note. Watch to see though if resurrection is on the other side.
J. Dreams of Births Normally these dreams are not about an actual childbirth, but rather about new seasons of purpose and destiny coming forth into the life of the dreamer. If a name is given to the child - pay close attention.

K. Dreams of Taking a Shower These are cleansing type dreams (toilets, showers, bath tubs etc.) revealing things that are in process of being flushed out of your life, cleansed and flushed away, etc.

L. Dreams of Falling These drams may reveal that there is a fear of losing control of some area of life or that you are getting free of directing your own life. What the person falls into in the dream is a major key to proper understanding. The outstanding primary emotions in these dreams will indicate which way to interpret them.

M. Dreams of Chasing and Being Chased These dreams often reveal enemies that are at work coming against your life and purpose. Or on the opposite side - they may indicate the passionate pursuit of God in your life and you towards Him. Again, the emotion will often determine the direction of interpretation.

N. Dreams of Relatives Alive and Dead These dreams probably indicate generational issues at work in your life - both blessings and curses. Discernment will be needed on whether to accept the blessing or cut off the darkness. This is particularly true if grandparents appear in your dreams as they will indicate generational issues.

O. Dreams called Nightmares These dreams tend to be more frequent with children or new believers in Christ. They may reveal generational enemies at work that need to be cut off.

P. Dreams of Snakes This is possibly the most common of all of the categories of animal dreams. These dreams reveal the serpent - the devil with His demonic hosts - at work through accusation, lying, attacks etc. Other common dreams of this nature include dreams of spiders, bears, alligators etc.

Q. Dreams Dogs and Cats This is one of the other most frequent categories of dreams with animals - dogs. This will indicate friendship, loyalty, protection and good feelings. Dreams with dogs may also reveal the dark side including growling, attacking, biting, etc. These dreams could reveal a friend who is about to betray you. Dreams with cats are also quite common. These dreams also vary in nature with everything from the feeling of being loved, to being smothered, to persnickety attitudes to occultic sexual activity.

R. Dreams of Going through Doors These dreams are revealing change that is coming. New ways, new opportunities, new advancements are on the way. Similar to dreams of doors are also dreams including elevators, escalators etc. You are coming up higher in your purpose and calling.

S. Dreams of Clocks and Watches These dreams reveal what time it is the dreamer’s life or the need for a wake up call in the body of Christ or nation. It is time to be alert and watchful. These dreams might indicate a scripture verse as well giving a deeper message.

T. Dreams with Scripture Verses Bible passages might appear indicating messages from God. This phenomenon may occur in a number of ways: verbal quotes, digital clock read outs, a dramatization of a scene from the Bible etc. These are often watchmen type dreams, dreams of instruction filled with the ways of wisdom.

Receive the spirit of revelation and be a dreamer!
James W. Goll

The important thing to remember is that dreams are usually symbolic. Ask yourself what the dream elements mean to you. The same thing can mean different things to different people.

What is God saying to you through your dreams? Ask Him and wait for His answer.

There are some excellent books that will help you to understand your dreams. James Goll's book is very good and well worth buying. Follow the link in the left hand column for details.

God Still Speaks Through Dreams

God is speaking though our dreams and many of us are missing what He's saying to us because we don't realise that God uses dreams to communicate with us.

What follows is the first part of a 3 part teaching on understanding your dreams.

James Goll sent these teachings out to his subscribers in the summer of 2006.

Please pray for James and his wife Michael Ann. They're both undergoing treatment for cancer.

Take a look at their website and explore the resources they have on offer, I'm sure you'll find many things to help you draw closer to God.

The Master Dreamweaver

by James Goll www.ministrytothenations.com

God is the Master Dream Weaver.

Through dreams God communicates directly with us concerning our destiny as well as the destinies of our families, our nation, and our world. Many people today, particularly in the Western culture, never recognize God speaking to them in this way because they have been conditioned by a skeptical and sophisticated society to discount the language of dreams. Within our own generation, God is reconnecting us to a vital part of our spiritual heritage.

THE LANGUAGE OF HEAVEN

Over 200 times the Scriptures give reference to dreams and visions. Three hundred times the Scriptures refer to angels. God is a supernatural God, and He communicates to His people through supernatural means.

What Is A Dream?

A dream is a series of thoughts, images, or emotions that appear in our minds during sleep. Sometimes they are straightforward, but most of the time they are not. In the case of Holy Spirit-inspired dreams, often there is the need for careful interpretation, as these dreams tend to be parabolic in nature. In other words, like the parables of Jesus, the meaning of a dream is sometimes hidden.

Mark 4:10-13: As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables. And He was saying to them,

“To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, so that while seeing, they may see and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear and not understand, otherwise they might return and be forgiven.” And He said to them, “Do you not understand these parables? How will you understand all the parables?”

Jesus’ pattern of teaching was to speak in parables and mysteries—not to keep people in the dark, but to whet the appetite of those who were truly hungry for the truth. He wanted to draw them in so they would press forward to know more. He loves this journey of hooking us with revelation with the purpose of actually reeling us into His very heart.2. Dreams and visions often use parabolic language. Like parables, dreams are mysteries that need careful deciphering. Dream language is the mystical language of Heaven.

Mark 4:22-25: “For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides. For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”

Things are hidden for a divine purpose: the purpose of being revealed. God is going to speak secrets to you – things that in the beginning you might not quite comprehend and understand. But as you go on the journey and you receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation, you will learn how to understand mysteries and secrets.2. We need to be attentive. Listening is in many ways is a lost art, but it’s a vital skill we need to learn to become fluent in dream language.

GROUNDED IN THE WORD

Walking in the fullness of the Spirit is like sailing. We must learn to put up the sail to catch the wind, so as to be driven along by the wind. That is like the moving of the Holy Spirit. We also need to have an anchor that gets dropped beside our boat, which is like the Word of God. At times we need to go into the harbor and drop the anchor, rest, meditate on the Word of God, and get refueled. But then there are other times that you pick up your anchor (you carry the Word of God with you), you put up the sail, you catch the wind, and go where the Holy Spirit leads you. The anchor the Word of God is what grounds us, and what serves as a solid foundation.

Numbers 12:6: “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream.”

God says that He will speak to His people in a dream and He will make Himself known in a vision. He uses both of these instruments to draw us into His purposes.

Job 33:14-18: “Indeed God speaks once, or twice, yet no one notices it. In a dream, a vision of the night, when sound sleep falls on men, while they slumber in their beds, then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, that He may turn man aside from his conduct, and keep man from pride; He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from passing over into Sheol.”

Our minds are often so preoccupied that it is hard for us to hear God. If He cannot catch our attention during our waking hours, He will speak to us during our sleep through dreams. Our heavenly Father will use dreams and visions as an avenue of identifying the hindrances that are in our path to His purpose.

Joel 2:28-29: “It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”

Dreams and visions are a major part of the prophetic outpouring of God’s great love in the Last Days!

Hebrew Old Testament Words

Three very similar Hebrew words are used in the Old Testament to refer to dreams. Whichever word is used, the Old Testament makes clear that God is the Master Dreamer. He downloads His dreams within us and thereby transforms us into dreamers as well.

1. Chalam: "to cause to dream" or "to be a dreamer"
2. Chelem: "to dream"
3. Chalom: "dreamer"

Greek New Testament Words

1. Onar: The common word for “dream.” It is the kind of dreaming we all do when we sleep. God can and does use these common dreams to communicate with ordinary people. Example: Joseph’s dreams to marry Mary, escape to Egypt, and then return home and the dreams of the wise men who are told not to return to Herod (Matthew 1 and 2; also see Matthew 27:19).
2. Enupnion: Refers to a vision or a dream received while asleep. Enupnion stresses a surprise quality that is contained in that dream. It is the kind of dream that has a startling effect, like waking suddenly from a dream and finding yourself strangely alert with your senses particularly acute. Also see Jude, verses 8 and 10.

HISTORIC CLIPS

Cessationism has done a great damage in the church. Cessationism is the basic teaching that the spiritual gifts stopped when the canon of Scriptures closed, or when the last apostle passed away. The good news is that the book of Hebrews says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. The truth is that the false doctrine of cessationism is going to cease because God’s Word says, “I’m going to pour out My Spirit upon all flesh.” What God did then, God does today, and God will continue to always do. Dream language is the language of the ages. It is this mysterious way that God comes into our lives, invades our uncomfortable zones, and simply comes to speak to us.

Early Church Fathers

Great portions of the church father’s writings about dreams and visions have only recently been being translated into English, and have, therefore, been largely ignored in the past.

• Thomas of India received instruction from his dreams.
• Polycarp was given a vision of his martyrdom.
• Irenaeus had wise understanding of dreams.
• Clement believed that dreams come from the depth of a soul.
• Tertullian devoted eight chapters of his writings to dreams.
• Gregory of Nyssa spoke of the meaning and the place of the dream.
• John Chrysostom, the one who was called “golden mouthed” because he had such oratorical grace upon him, called dreams the source of revelation.
• Constantine was directed in a dream regarding the heavenly sign that he was to carry into battle.
• Thérèse de Lisieux life was changed through a dream.
• John Newton, an early slave trader, was stopped in his tracks in his lifestyle and his vocation by a dream from God. This became the man who was so turned around in his life that he eventually became a chaplain to the King of England. He went on to write the hymn that is possibly one of the greatest Protestant hymns of all ages: “Amazing Grace.”

Abraham Lincoln

It was said that Abraham Lincoln had a dream where he saw his own body lying in state when he was President. I wonder what effect that had upon Abraham Lincoln. I wonder if that dream was not used to help prepare him to be able to meet his Maker at any moment.

Rev. A. J. Gordon

The following is an amazing dream that impacted a man who became one of the great pulpiteers in America. A seminary is named after him today in Boston: the Gordon Conwell Seminary. The Rev. A. J. Gordon, a famous Baptist preacher of Boston, told of a dream that drastically changed his ministry, even though he had never paid attention to dreams before this.

"I was in the pulpit before a full congregation, just ready to begin my sermon, when a stranger entered and passed slowly up the aisle as though silently asking with his eyes that someone would give him a seat. Half-way up the aisle a gentleman stepped out and offered him a place in his pew, which was quietly accepted. As I began my sermon my attention became riveted on this hearer. To myself I said constantly, ‘Who can that stranger be?' After the service ended, the visitor had left before I could reach him. The gentleman with whom he had sat remained behind however. I asked him, ‘Can you tell me who that stranger was who sat in your pew this morning?' In the most matter-of-course way he replied: ‘Why, do you not know that man? It was Jesus of Nazareth.'"

The dream was the seminal event out of which came a complete change in Gordon’s approach to ministry and a vivid transformation in his parishioners. This dream is written up in his book How Christ Came To Church: The Pastor’s Dream. A. J. Gordon never preached a sermon again to please men. He preached as though his guest was the Man Christ Jesus, and he preached to please Him.

THE RECEIVER

The secret to becoming a good dreamer is to become a good receiver. God did not only send dreams to those who believed in Him, but also to unbelievers because He wants their hearts to turn to Him.

Dreams to Prophets

• Abraham (Gen. 15:12-17)
• Jacob (Gen. 28:12; 31:10)
• Daniel (Dan. 7)

Dreams to Unbelievers

• Abimelech (Gen. 20:3)
• Laban (Gen. 31:24)
• Midian (Judges 7:13-14)
• Pharoah’s Butler and Baker (Gen. 40:5)
• Pharoah (Gen. 41:7 &15-26)
• Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2:1, 4, 36)
• Wisemen (Matt. 2:12)
• Pilate’s Wife (Matt. 27:19)

Dreams to Other Believers

• Solomon (I Kings 3:5)
• Joseph (Matt. 1:20)

THE TRANSMITTER

Every receiver needs a transmitter. In human experience dream transmission originates from any one of three different sources.

• Personal God (II Pet. 2:1, Acts 27:15-17)
• Natural Man (Ezek. 13:1-6, Jer. 23:16)
• Demonic Darkness (Acts 16:16-18)

THE PURPOSE

Proverbs 25:2: "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search it out. It’s the glory of a king for something to be searched out."

You’re a king and God gives you the right to go into the King’s palace. He wants to give you the keys of revelation to be able to search something out. Being able to understand revelation is about being a son, a daughter; it’s about kingship. What are dreams for? To whet our appetite, because if you’re left musing, you’re more likely to find out what it was all about.

THE INVITATION

God has a dream for your life, and He wants you to have the spirit of revelation upon your life. He has a great plan, and He wants to use these ways to speak to you. Perhaps you will be a Joseph and you’ll have a dream, and you’ll blab it prematurely, and you’ll get in all kinds of trouble, and you’ll end up learning about the ways of God not just the knowledge of God. May God raise up such a people in the earth that the world will come and say, “Behold here comes the dreamer.” We live for Christ, but we also live to release the fragrance of His presence wherever we go. I don’t want to live an ordinary life; I want to live a supernatural life that would cause the people to say, Who is that strange man crying in the wilderness? Behold here is a dreamer. Lord, I ask for Your grace, and that the Spirit of wisdom and revelation would be released to us. Dream through us and weave an incredible tapestry for the world to see!

For Jesus’ sake,

Amen.

James W. Goll

I'll post the next part in a few days when you've had time to digest this. James goes on to share keys for understanding your dreams

Why You Won't Understand Everything God Tells You

I hope you enjoy this article written by John Paul Jackson
You can find more from John Paul at his website www.streamsministries.com

Out of all the prophetic men and women in Scripture, only two are described as being gifted to understand dreams and visions: Daniel and Joseph. There are many prophetic people in the Bible, but only two who were gifted like this. In other words, we shouldn’t be shocked or downhearted when we don’t understand all of our dreams, visions or experiences. All of us aren’t going to understand our dark knowings, the deep things the Lord has called us to do — the deep things He has told us about. We have to depend on other people to help us.

You Will Always Need Other People

As simple as it sounds, this creates incredible tension. We have a gift - we're supposed to be the ones with the revelation! If we depend on others, what if they see us as weak? Well, I'm the one with the gift, we think. If I don’t know, who's gonna know? Yet we often don't know, and the not knowing forces us to go one way or the other: We can choose God and His "family plan," or we can choose to become orphans who have to survive on our own. We are part of the body, and we cannot exist solo, no matter how gifted we are.

Walking in Faith

God will make us walk through life in faith so that we can understand how other people walk through life in faith.

Walking in faith involves believing that what God has said about us is true. It means we take Him at His word - which takes a lot of courage, depending on our personality type and our fears. We accept the fact that He did not create us to be loners who know everything. In fact, even though we can prophetically see for others, often we can't see worth a flip for ourselves.

If we didn’t have to walk in faith, we would have absolutely no comprehension or understanding of the divine dynamic tension that everybody else has to walk under. In essence, God tells us, "I’m going to let you see for everybody else but you. Very seldom will I let you see for yourself. I am going to have others come to you and tell you, 'This is what’s going to happen,' so that you have to walk by faith just like they do. You will know, then, how it feels when you go and tell that to them."

All of Us Equal

As we go through this maturing process, we realize that comforting others as we ourselves have been comforted (2 Corinthians 1:4) doesn't just apply to helping others through their pain. It is also a general statement of how God created us to live with one another whether there's pain involved or not. We are not separate from one another. What one goes through, we all experience; and so, we learn to live in deep compassion and humility, realizing that God created all of us as the apple of His eye. All of us are equal in His sight, even if one gifting seems to be spotlighted more than another.

His affection does not pertain to gifting. It does not pertain to accomplishments. It pertains to His heart. He has chosen us to be recipients of His compassion. When we realize this, loving people becomes a little easier. Their destiny is just as important as ours, and we cannot make it to ours if they cannot make it to theirs.

© 2007 John Paul Jackson, Streams Ministries International. All rights reserved.
This article and previous Streams e-letter articles can be accessed at www.streamsministries.com/blogger

Lord, Teach Us How To Pray

"Prayer is fellowship with the unseen and Most Holy One." Andrew
Murray"

Everything that Jesus is and has is yours if you belong to Him.

Because He is your life, if you ask, Jesus will draw you into closer fellowship and teach you how to pray.

""Lord, teach us to pray." Yes, us, Lord. We have read in Your word about the power Your believing people of long ago had when they prayed, and what mighty wonders were done in answer to their prayers. This took place under the Old Covenant, in the time of preparation. Now, in these days of fulfillment, how much more will You give Your people a sure sign of Your presence? We have heard the promises given to Your apostles of the power of prayer in Your name, and have seen how gloriously they experienced their truth. We know for certain they can become true for us, too. We hear continually, even in these days, what glorious tokens of Your power You still give to those who trust you completely. Lord! Teach us to pray with power too! The promises are for us; the powers and gifts of the heavenly world are for us ... to us too you have entrusted Your work." Andrew Murray

Prayer needs to be

• to the glory of God
• in full surrender to His will
• in full assurance of faith
• in the Name of Jesus
• persevering

It's much easier to pray with faith when you've heard from God and know that what you're praying is what God wants.

"It is Jesus, praying Himself who teaches us to pray. He knows what prayer is. He learned it amid the trials and tears of His earthly life. In heaven it is still His beloved work. His life there is prayer. Nothing delights Him more than to find those whom He can take with Him into the Father's presence, clothing them with power to pray down God's blessing to those around them, training them to be His fellow-workers." Andrew Murray

Jesus teaches us

• by the urgency of felt need
• the study of the Word
• the testimony of another believer
• by His Holy Spirit
• showing us sin that hinders prayer
• giving us assurance that we please God
• giving us thoughts of what to ask
• living within us as the intercessor

"Lord. You live eternally to pray, and can teach me, too, to live eternally to pray. You want me to share your glory in heaven by sharing this unceasing prayer with You, standing as a priest in the presence of my God.

Lord Jesus. Enroll my name among those who confess that they don't know how to pray as they should, and who especially ask you for a course of teaching in prayer ... Lead me to forget my thoughts of what I think I know, and make me kneel before you in true teachableness and poverty of spirit.

Fill me, Lord, with the confidence that with You for my teacher, I will learn to pray ... Unfold for me everything I need to know about the mysteries of the prayer-world ... teach me to be strong in faith, giving glory to God."

The above is based on 'With Christ In The School Of Prayer' by Andrew Murray

How To Pray

Jesus taught us how to pray.

He told us that we need a secret place for prayer - a solitary spot where we can be alone with God.

The pupose of 'closet' prayer is simply to meet with the Father.
He wants us to withdraw ourselves from the things of the world and step aside to meet with Him.

Are you setting yourself apart and allowing Jesus to lead you into the Father's presence?
Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to be your teacher?

"The secrecy of the inner chamber and the closed door, the separation from everything around us, is an image of the inner spiritual sanctuary, the secret of God's tabernacle. It is there within the veil that our spirit truly comes into contact with the Invisible One. We are taught at the very beginning of our search for the secret of effective prayer to remember that it is in the inner chamber, where we are alone with the Father, that we learn to pray properly.The Father is in secret. In these words Jesus teaches us where He is waiting for us and where He is always found." Andrew Murray

When you draw aside to the secret place, the Father is already waitng there for you.

"Our Lord teaches us that because God meets with us in secret with infinite Fatherliness and faithfulness, we should meet Him with child like simplicity of faith and be confident that our prayer will receive a blessing." Andrew Murray

When you meet with God, believe that He rewards those who seek Him. The promised blessing doesn't depend on how fervently you pray. It depends on the love and power of the Father. You can leave the secret place in confidence, knowing that God has heard and that He will answer.