When You Fail You Simply Learn A Way NOT To Do Something - You Have Not Blown It When You Fail

Be encouraged to see apparent failures as stepping stones. When you fail you've simply learned how not to do something. Pick yourself up and try another way.

I hope this article by Robert Riccardelli will encourage you to dust yourself down and have another go.

THAT'LL PLAY! YOU HAVE NOT BLOWN IT WHEN YOU HAVE FAILED

There is a golf term that is used often after a player has hit the ball in the direction of the green. The ball may have not landed in the desired location (the place you were aiming), yet, there is still hope to get the next shot one step closer to the mark. An encouraging phrase that is sometimes used is, "That'll play," which means, "You have not blown it." You are still in the game and can believe for a better shot on your next swing.

A friend of ours was recently playing golf with his son. His son is grown, has a family, and has experienced success and failure along the path of life. On one of the fairways, the son hit a wayward shot that would normally frustrate the average golfer. The father said, "Son, that'll play." The son reflected on the many times his father had encouraged him with this phrase on the golf course, but also, how many more times this expression had encouraged him as a principle for life. His Dad had always been there to remind him that no matter how many times he blew it--it was okay. He knew his dad was proud of him, and had felt continual love and encouragement to trust the Lord's abounding grace in every situation.

What a wonderful picture of a father who loves and encourages his son no matter how many times he misses the mark in his life. This is a tremendous example of the Father's love for us when we have failed. He is always saying, "My dear children, in Me and through Me--that'll play."

What a comfort to know that we do not have to worry about our past. The Father is saying, "It does not matter, take another swing towards the upward calling I have for you." So, if you have hooked your life into the deep, rough, and have sliced your life onto the fairway of failure, that'll play--just readjust your aim, lean into the wind of the Holy Spirit, allowing His presence to guide you, swing again, and continue to walk the course the Lord has set for you.

Get Back Into the Game

Some helpful reminders in getting back into the game of Spirit-led, Kingdom living:

Start Where You Are: No matter where you have been, you can start now by turning away from unfruitful living. Repent and the Lord will forgive you and not hold your past against you. Begin where you are. Where you are is good enough for our God as you give the rest of your life to Him today, this very moment.

Use What You Have: The Father has created you in His image with incredible potential inside of you just waiting to be released. You have gifts and talents beyond what you realize and they can be used today. Do not be deceived in thinking you do not have enough to give to this world. You have everything you need and you have the Father to fill in the gaps along the way.

Do What You Can: You do not need to hit "a hole in one." You only need to stay in the game and do the best that you can as the Holy Spirit navigates your steps. All you can do is truly--all you can do. So, be at peace and rest in Him.

Love, Love, Love: Love is the answer. God is love, so Jesus and love are the answer. Love God with all of your heart and love yourself, because God loves you and created you with greatness in mind. As you build from the foundation of love, you can love those around you and even your enemies. Watch as His Presence in you begins to extend from your life to impact others and even transform the spiritual climate, wherever He leads you. This is all to the glory of God as you begin walking anew this day.

Pull Out That Driver: So you have blown it like every other human being. Maybe you hit the rough more times than others. In the agape love of our wonderful Savior, it does not matter. It matters that you do not give up. It matters that you get on the course again, put the ball on the tee, pull out that driver, and rip it down the fairway of your new life.
Do not fear as you give it a go, because whether you hook, slice, or hit the mark, in Jesus--"That'll play."

Robert Ricciardelli Vision Advancement Strategies Email: info@vision2advance.com

As posted on the Elijah List www.elijahlist.com email: info@elijahlist.net

We Are A People Who Will Do Great Exploits

Consider This

You are a child of God and were born again in order to do great exploits. In the Old Testament these exploits were perhaps more exciting and visible as the mighty men of David killed hundreds and thousands of enemies for God.

You were born again not so that you could wait and enjoy the God-life upon your death and entrance into heaven. No, you were born again so that you could experience the God-life (the abundant life) right now; right here where you live, work, and play regardless of the circumstances you find yourself in.

You may not free a nation thru miraculous signs and wonders, you may not slay a Goliath in front of a multitude of men, and maybe you will not get promoted from menial housekeeper to ruler over the land. But, then again, maybe you will!

Consider this: YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD and were created to do great exploits.

Great Exploits = Defeating the works of the enemy
Great Exploits = Expanding God's dominion of love and grace

You can be this person. You are this person of great exploits. God says it about you and I believe it. Believe it with me!

Your great exploit may be praying and slaying a co-worker's giant of cancer. It could be standing in the gap for a family that is going thru a financial catastrophe. It may look like a smile and an encouraging word each and every day you walk into work.

It could be stepping up to the plate and leading a needed ministry and providing a service in your community. It might mean being a dad or a mom and providing for someone without family.

Maybe it looks normal to you and you are already naturally doing it. Look at it again and do it as unto God and it will produce supernatural fruit.
Learn to THINK BIG, BELIEVE BIG and BE BIG; not for your selfish gain but for the sake of the rest of the world around you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Les_Herron

A Year of New Beginnings

This is a long post but well worth the read. I hope it will inspire you to look for more and raise your expectations.

May the Lord cause His face to shine upon you and give you peace.

"Embracing the Year 5768

Be Simple and Let this be the Year of the New Beginning!"

Introduction by by Jessica L. Miller:

Many years ago, when I was in my early thirties, I had a profound prophetic dream that filled me with unquenchable longing for revival (the manifest sustaining presence of God). The dream was long and detailed, the following is a small piece of it:

I was walking up a green hill carrying a hard bound book. I reached the top of the hill and stood under a huge majestic oak tree. I realized I was middle aged (which is about now in real time - the dream being 14 years ago). I looked at the book in my hands and saw that it was bound in beautiful elegant cream colored paper. Embossed on the cover in gold was an enormous oak tree (similar to the one I was standing under). In a circle around the oak tree were the words, "The Full Circle of Life," also in gold.

I opened the book and read about my life, about my future and about the greatest revival of all time (a revival with a beginning but with no end). One of the hallmarks of the revival that stood out was "creative miracles" - not just blind eyes opening - but eyes forming where there had been none, and much, much more. I wept as I read the account of the impact that the miraculous would have on the world, and the mind boggling masses of people who would become born again lovers of Jesus as a result.

In all the years that have followed, that dream has never been far from my heart or mind.
As publications manager here at the ElijahList, one of the great things I get to do is chase down prophetic authors for articles. While working on a recent project, I realized we were entering into the time frame of the Jewish New Year 5768. We asked Chuck Pierce for the prophetic meaning of the year 5768, which begins at sundown September 13th. You can imagine my surprise and thrill when he told us this:

"The Year of Samekh Chet...The Year of the Full Circle of Life...A New Beginning Is Yours."
jmiller@elijahlist.net

Chuck D. Pierce: Embracing the Year 5768 - Be Simple and Let this be the Year of the New Beginning!

For years, I have taken the Hebrew calendar and looked at the meaning of the numbers and prayed for my year to reflect His year! When we are serving the Lord and seeking His Kingdom plan, I believe each year brings new challenges and new joys for each of us. The Hebrew number system has always helped me as I focus each year on decreeing the "best" the Lord has for me and my family and those connected with me.

I do not think you have to understand the Hebrew year to know the will of God. However, in Hebrew, numbers have word meanings, which have picture meanings, which have sounds. This brings a fuller perspective than just saying we have entered the year 2008. The Hebraic year 5768, which will encompass the Gregorian calendar's, Year of the Lord 2008 A.D., is the "The Year of Samekh Chet!" That means we are coming into "The Year of the Full Circle of Life - A New Beginning Is Yours!"

Time is an interesting concept. God is not in time as we are in time. Our Father has access to every moment in our lives from beginning to end as though they were the present. By the Holy Spirit, we can actually access those times in our pasts when we felt abandoned, abused, betrayed, fearful, happy, fulfilled, or any other emotion or condition. Not only can the believer be forgiven for the past, they can also travel back in time with God, see Him as "a very present help" in the past, and redeem those past times that the enemy wanted to use for evil.

Stepping Into Time

Imagine for a moment that all of eternity is represented by a large piece of paper. This is where God is: unlimited by time and space. Now draw a line on that piece of paper that represents time with a beginning and an end. This line begins when God instituted time at creation, and it will end when God says, "Time's up!" Man lives on the line, while God can step in and out of time according to His purposes and plans. God sees all of time at once and doesn't have to wait for anything to happen; all is present for Him. This is a simplified explanation of a complex idea, but it works.

We, however, must learn to respond to Him within time. We are called to represent Him as ambassadors in our generation. The decisions and actions we take now affect three generations ahead. Therefore, when we know how the Lord wants us to respond and we do so, His glory infiltrates the earth and we see Him change our atmosphere and environment. Because of God's position relative to time, He can - and often does - seem to answer our prayers before they have been uttered!

God has chosen us as the necessary link to bring His will from Heaven to earth. He wants us to commune with Him, listen carefully to His voice, gain prophetic revelation, and decree that revelation into the earth. This will unlock miracles and release His blessings. Once we hear God, we can intercede. We can also prophesy. Prophecy is declaring His mind and His heart. When we receive prophetic revelation, we need to decree the prophetic revelation and then the atmosphere into which we decree goes on "Heaven's time" instead of "earth time."

A Season Of War!

Issachar was the tribe that knew how to move into the new. They were a tribe that understood times and seasons. Consequently, I have tried to present that tribe in the earth today so God's children would know the times we are living in and what we should do to ready ourselves to advance in the earth. We entered a new season of war in the Hebraic year 5762.

Before I share on the year ahead, I felt the necessity of reviewing the last several years. This will give you a good record of how we have gotten to where we are today. By looking at the Hebraic numbers, we can perceive the revelation we need to decree a new thing. Once we decree a thing, we then watch to see God's will manifest. Revelation builds! Revelation overcomes the gates of hell! Revelation gives us the keys to the Kingdom.

Because I could foresee the war season ahead of its onset, I wrote "The Future War of the Church" to help God's people get prepared with the mindset of the season. This season is very real to most of us now. Here is a summary from a Hebraic perspective of the season we have been living in:

5762/2001-2002: The Beginning of Wars for 7 Years. This was ushered in with the tragedy of September 11, when the World Trade Center was destroyed by terrorist activities. This war over God's covenant plan in the earth began. The war over passing the mantle to the next generation began.

5763/2002-2003: A Sabbath Day Rest Year - A time of increasing faith; a year to ride the bull. Changing economic structures began and will fully manifest over the next five years.

5764/2003-2004: The Year of Samekh Hei! A year filled with secrets, mysteries and surprises; a year to run with the horses, gain new strength and roar louder than the roaring lion.

5765/2004-2005: A Year to Circle, Surround and Plunder the Enemy's Camp. A year of violent praise! A year of hurricanes! A time the wind of Heaven brought change in the earth.

5766/2005-2006: The Year of Samekh Vav! A year of staking your claim in the midst of the whirlwind. A time to overthrow old mindsets that have held you captive!

5767/2006-2007: The Year of Samekh Zayin! The year of seven is always a year of completion and fulfillment. This was a time to finish strong. The number seven, Zayin, is a sword with a crown. How you have overcome in the past season causes you to receive favor for your future! The sword is the Word so we are living in a time of the prophetic decrees!

Hebrews equate the passage of time as the life cycle. The Hebrews saw man as participating in two time dimensions. One "age" of time was temporal. We were placed in nature and we interact with the laws of science around us. The other dimension of time was an age to come. 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 says,

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

Wisdom is available that God has stored for a time such as this. We can get to a place to gain wisdom that no enemy of hell has access to. From a Hebraic mindset, events that occurred through life created smaller styles of review of a bigger picture of life. When one summed up all of these smaller temporal cycles, the finite age was determined. We are living in a year of "summing up." We are not just living from year to year, but when you look at the season as a whole, you see the Lord doing something in our generation. He is preparing us to move more quickly and advance in Kingdom purpose in days ahead.

The Kingdom Of God Is Moving Forward!

"The Kingdom is ruled by grace and love--not by rules, regulations and laws."

Kingdom life in the earth realm was used to help individuals understand the Kingdom of God. There are two terms throughout the Bible that we must embrace and understand: the "Kingdom of God" and the "Kingdom of Heaven." Anyone who willingly subjects themselves to the sovereign rule of a Holy God is aligned with Kingdom Principles.

The "Kingdom of Heaven" represents the rule that God asserts on the earth at any given period in time. This is what links Kingdom understanding to time. John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Apostles all announced that the Kingdom of God was "at hand." As a matter of fact, the Lord said, "the Kingdom of God is within you." If this is so, then when the King moves, we must move with Him.

The manifested rule of God on the earth is ever-maturing. The Kingdom of God represents God's rule in the earth realm. The King is moving us from "just going to church" to understanding His Kingdom in our territory. He is bringing us into a place of dominion, occupation, and ruling with Him in the spheres and places He has assigned us. Jesus taught so much on the Kingdom.

The Kingdom is GOOD NEWS! Kingdom life was proclaimed throughout the three years that we have record of Jesus ministering in the earth realm, with His authority.

The Kingdom is NOT based on needs, since "the poor will always be with us." Jesus gave us a responsibility to work with the poor, orphans, and widows, but on the other hand, He also showed us the necessity to lavishly worship Him as Mary did in John 10.

The Kingdom cannot be controlled by civil government. Through the ages, civil government has made the attempt to govern and rule God's government in the earth. However, the Kingdom is not based on worldly patterns. Another important fact that we must all recognize is that we cannot comprehend the Kingdom by our natural mind. The mind is at enmity with God and longs to be conformed to the world around it. However, as we renew our minds, we break out of worldly conformity and move into seeing Kingdom life in the midst of the societal structures that are molding us.

The Kingdom cannot be obtained by ambition. The exciting thing about the Kingdom is that it cannot be POSTPONED! The Kingdom is filled with power. Over these last two decades, we have seen Kingdom government for the next season of God in the earth realm.

A Kingdom people understand Kingdom grace. The Kingdom is ruled by grace and love - not by rules, regulations and laws. God has appointed Kingdom administrators for every age. We find those gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11-14.

We Are Moving From Glory To Glory - The Year 5768

You are being positioned to make a transition into the next realm of glory. Here are eight key issues that we can look forward to as we enter the Hebraic year 5768 and mature through the year ahead! First of all, the last two years actually come together to form this year's momentum. The two symbols of Vav and Zayin come together to form the symbol for Chet. In other words, the staking your claim and the sword with a crown actually join together to produce your new beginning.

You will begin something new! Even if you refused to shift into a visible new dimension, your present state is your new state. With God, He will meet you where you are and cause you to start new if you yield! You can catch up quickly and gain momentum even if you have resisted change. If you do not yield, your new place will be your old cycle with the old structures reinforced seven times.

The number eight is always linked with "new beginnings!" This Hebrew word is linked with life and being hot! We are entering into a year where we must choose to be hot, filled with passion, so we conceive our future! Choose the fire and the zeal of God!

1. This is a year of manifestation! There will be a physical manifestation of what you have been watching and waiting to see!
2. You can supernaturally transcend your limitations and begin your new era.
3. The land and the Heavens align to create a new Divine Presence in your atmosphere.
4. "Dominion" will be the key word for this year! Rule where you have been positioned. Rule or watch the "wild beasts" gain ground in your land.
5. This is a year that God's people will have great authority over their enemies. The nations against you can be driven out of your land! All squatters must go from your inheritance or they gain "squatters rights" and their encroachment will remain another season. Land is equated to the state of our mind. Therefore, this is the year to transform the mind so we have a new victory mentality in the war season we are living in.
6. Subdue your "animal impulses." Find your place of deliverance and do not let any wild beast enter your highway. Be aggressive to overthrow all poverty mentality! "A lion is on the road, I will hide myself," should not be your theme. Stand firm and face any transgression so you can move down your path! Isaiah 35 is a key for us this year.
7. Exodus 23 is also key this year. God forms His covenant with us to advance into our future destiny. This applies to families, regions and nations. If we have forgotten and rejected His covenant in areas, that will not be a part of our future. We must return and review our covenant roots and realign now!
8. Fasten yourself to the Lord. Don't let the enemy's hook drag you off the stage of your future! Break your orphan spirit! Return to a place of innocence! The secret place calls you forth. Stay in the secret place so you can be sent forth on key missions. The book of John and all of his Epistles are key for our transition this year.

I am writing this article earlier than usual. However, I started thinking of the year ahead at Passover time this past year. I left early one morning and came to the office to seek the Lord. While I was meditating on where we had come from since September 2001 and the year of seven, and looking at various Biblical words linked with the number eight, my wife, Pam, called to share a dream.

You should first know that Pam's favorite Scripture passage is Ephesians 5:8-16,

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: 'Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.' See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

To redeem means to "buy back" or "to be released from prison." We have been in a buying - back season. This year we must receive the prize of our battles!

This is the dream she shared: "I woke up slowly this morning, to the sound of singing birds, and it was as though I was walking through a curtain that divided the dream world from the waking world. As I lay there, I began remembering my dream: 'I was with a group of travelers, none of whom I recognized, but I knew they were important to me. We were told we had to take a trip, but we had no luggage, tickets or itinerary. We were standing in a hallway similar to one you might see in an airport, waiting for our departure.

Suddenly, this strong wind began to blow down the hallway (wind tunnel) and push us toward the open end of the corridor. As we got closer to the end of the corridor, some kind of portal opened up, but it wasn't like what you see in the science fiction show, Stargate! The light was warm, and as we entered the portal area, we were disembodied and transported to another place. Strangely, the other place didn't look any different than the place we had just been. However, it was not the same place. We were inside a building, made mostly of glass.

We all knew we had to fly to get where we needed to go. Well, none of us knew how to fly, but we just took off and started flying around the lobby. The people in the lobby were amazed and started reaching for us, saying they wanted to fly, too. We knew we needed more momentum to get to where we needed to be, so we landed softly, turned around, and got a running start before launching ourselves from a mini trampoline in the cafe area of the lobby. Instantly, we were outside the building, in a country setting, and we knew our mission: rescue a captive in the nearby village and bring him/her back with us.

The mission itself is still vague, but I remember what happened when we were ready to return. One of the villagers wanted to go with us but knew it wasn't possible, so he gave each of us a tiny jewel case. Mine was a small, gold case encrusted with pearls. Inside the case were bits and pieces of broken jewelry: pearls, gold beads, crystals. Each case had a word on it. The word on the outside of mine was "Simplify." We thanked the one who gave us the gifts, then turned to launch back into the sky for the return trip. That's when the birds woke me up."

5768 Will Be A Year Of Momentum!

The year ahead will not only be a year to begin a fresh season in your life, but 5768 will be a year when the Body of Christ gains momentum. An object with momentum is difficult to stop. To stop such an object, it is necessary to apply a force against its motion for a given period of time. The more momentum which an object has, the less likely to stop its forward motion. Thus, it would require a greater amount of force or a longer amount of time (or both) to bring an object with more momentum to a halt.

As the force acts upon the object for a given amount of time, the object's "velocity" is changed. When a force acts for a given amount of time, an object's "momentum" changes. If the force acts opposite of the object's motion, it slows the object down. If a force acts in the same direction as the object's motion, then the force speeds the object up. Either way, a force will change the velocity of an object.

This will be a year when forces vie for momentum. God will be moving on us! Will we respond to Him? The enemy forces that we have not resisted will be moving with force to slow down a Kingdom that is advancing in the earth realm. We must bind the strongman's operation and gain access to the spoils. We must start moving as the people of God did when they left Egypt and keep moving until we reach the manifested Promise for this generation. We must not allow the voices of fear, unbelief and doubt to stop us from advancing. There will be three 40-day periods when we overthrow major strongholds that are holding treasures captive.

5768 Will Be A Year Of Impulse!

In physics, force when multiplied by time equals the mass multiplied by the change in velocity. This is known as impulse. Impulse is one body, individual or kingdom working against another. Impulse is the effect of force being communicated. This results in motion. Once things get in motion, they are hard to stop. The Body of Christ will advance with great momentum in the year ahead!

Impulse can be very negative. We must know what is driving us. The Holy Spirit must be preeminent in our lives. The year of 5768/2008 will be the year that we are driven to accomplish our desires. This will be a year that supernatural power has access to mankind. We must stay under the influence of the Holy Spirit or else other spirits will drive us to agree with the plans of darkness in the earth.

The violent are taking the Kingdom of Heaven by force. There are certain changes in the earth that have occurred in the last seven years and have created motion that cannot be stopped. The kingdom of darkness must give way to the Kingdom of God that is advancing with new strength. The supernatural power of God being released on His people is creating much motion and change in the earth.

We are under the impulsion or driving force of a King who wants to see change in the world today. We must gain momentum now! As we learn to move in our proper spheres of authority in the earth realm, we will harness God's power and then release that power. The year ahead will be a transforming year for God's people. Once we are transformed, we will see cities, regions and nations changed. Harvest fields that are ripe will be entered with great enthusiasm. Do not let carnal impulses guide you!

God will visit you in time. Be expectant to watch for His coming visitation in your life. We are a people on the move. God has a Kingdom that is within us. The Kingdom of God is advancing. We are moving from fellowship into war. We are moving from praise to jubilation as we see a manifestation of His promises in our life cycle. This is a year of transcending and taking back what has been held in captivity. However, remember Pam's word, "Simplify," to go back and forth with ease until the new is established.

To summarize, this will be the year to "Go through the eye of needle!" Remove all and get through your narrow place and into the new!

Chuck D. Pierce Glory of Zion Ministries
As posted on the Elijah list http://www.elijahlist.com/ info@elijahlist.net

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Cup of Hope - Amazing Faith

Cup of Hope - Amazing Faith
By Hope Wilbanks

On Monday night, April 9th, around 11 pm, I was awakened by the sound of someone yelling and crying and beating on the door. Alarmed, I woke up Robert then ran to the door to find my little sister Faith standing there in her pajamas crying, “The house is on fire!”

My stomach sank to my toes.

“Where are the kids?” I asked Faith.

“They’re in the car,” she replied. “James in still in the house!” I ran back inside and told Robert to hurry, that Faith’s house was on fire.

Faith’s four-year-old son, Dylan got out of the car and came towards where we stood in the driveway. His entire body shook as he tried to tell me that his house was on fire. I ran inside and grabbed a blanket to wrap around him, then brought him and Faith’s baby, Katie into the house.

I went back outside to where Faith stood sobbing in the driveway. We watched as the billowing smoke erupted into flames.

I wrapped my arms around Faith and did the only thing I knew to do—pray. As I prayed, so did Faith.

“Thank You Jesus, because I know You know what’s best,” she prayed. There Faith stood, no shoes on her feet, only pajamas on, watching her house go up in flames, and thanking God.

A little bit later Faith wanted to go make sure James was okay, so we got in her car and I drove us across the road to her house. Two fire trucks, an ambulance and countless cars lined the small road. We located James and the EMT checked all four family members vitals to ensure that none of them had suffered from smoke inhalation.

Standing in the drive, watching the firemen put out the last bit of flames, I heard Faith say to someone, “The devil is so stupid. He has tried every way possible to get to me. You’d think he’d have learned his lesson by now that I will NEVER turn my back on God.”

I felt an awesome power of God that night. I watched my little sister lose absolutely everything she had in that fire, yet her faith in God held her steady and strong through it all. She never once wavered, or asked God ‘why?’ She simply stood. It was almost as if I could see invisible roots, wrapped around the foot of the Cross, that held Faith up that night.

I desire faith like that. I want my faith to be so rooted and grounded in Christ that nothing on this earth can ever shake my foundation or faith in God. I want to be so close to God that I trust in His will, whatever that may be.

It’s so easy to get mad at God when things don’t go our way. It’s easy to throw up our hands and walk away when the going gets rough. But God promises us in His word that He will never leave us, nor forsake us. So no matter what trials we face, or what problems we have to work through, we have the assurance that God is right there beside us, carrying us, holding our hand through it all.

Cup of Hope is an uplifting devotional e-zine, devoted to today's Christian women and men. Cup of Hope brings encouragement to you through inspirational articles and ideas. A fresh edition of Cup of Hope is published monthly. Visit us online at http://www.cupofhopemag.com

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Speak To Your Mountain And Tell It Where To Go

I hope you'll be encouraged to persevere by this word through Bill Yount.

"Keep MY WORDS in Your Mouth, and Tell Your Mountain Where to Go!"

"Heaven and hell are being activated in this hour by certain words being spoken on the earth...Be Careful What You Think and Say!"

Your Mountain Was Probably Made Out of a Molehill

In a vision, I saw a range of gigantic, rocky mountains looming tall before God's people. Our words of fear and thoughts of doubt caused some of these mountains to seemingly grow out of molehills. Hell was pushing them upward against us - through even our thoughts that had formed into negative words. These mountains towering before us now represented impossible situations and insurmountable circumstances that we, the Body of Christ, had come up against in our walk with the Lord.

These Mountains Stood Immovable in Our Path, as though Defying Us to Go any Further

Many in the Body of Christ were standing on the Word of God, believing and speaking to the mountains to be removed, persevering for a season until their lack of patience convinced them to lose hope and give up.

These mountains seemed to remain steadfast and unchangeable; indifferent to our believing for a miracle and our faith in God's Word. Then, as though through a telescopic vision, I saw in the Spirit a closeup shot of these mountains - I saw hairline cracks coming upon these huge mountains.

I then heard the voice of the Lord speak as these cracks appeared...

"IS NOT MY WORD LIKE A HAMMER THAT BREAKS THE ROCK IN PIECES?" Jeremiah 23:29

A remnant of the Body of Christ, standing on the Word of God and speaking to these mountains persevered in their faith with patience, even though they saw nothing change in the natural. But each time they spoke God's Word with authority, I saw a hammer striking each mountain that was spoken to. Following the cracks, I began to see small pieces of rock falling here and there from off of these mountains...perhaps still not visible to the naked eye of the believer below. Line upon line, the cracks increased...here a little, there a little...while small pieces of broken off rock were falling. Slowly but surely, these mountains weakened as this hammer gained momentum - pounding these mountains of solid rock relentlessly, as though God's own vengeance was in each fatal blow!

God's voice then spoke so LOUD and clear, shaking the very foundation of these mountains:

"IF YOU CAN BREAK A ROCK IN PIECES, YOU CAN MOVE A MOUNTAIN! THESE MOUNTAINS SHALL BE REMOVED BY MY SPIRIT," says the Lord, and "IT IS MY 'WORDS' THAT ARE SPIRIT AND LIFE! KEEP MY WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH, AND TELL YOUR MOUNTAIN WHERE TO GO!"

Bill Yount - Blowing the Shofar Ministries
Email: theshofarhasblown@juno.com
as posted on www.elijahlist.com

Understanding Your Dreams – Seven Foundational Principles To Help You Unlock The Meaning Of Your Dreams.

Throughout the ages God has spoken to people through their dreams and He still speaks through dreams today. He uses dreams for many things. Dreams

• counsel
• heal
• direct
• instruct
• reveal
• inspire
• make you aware of God's plans and intentions...

Why does God use dreams rather than speak to you directly?

Dreams bypass you conscious mind. God often speaks through dreams as a way of getting past your natural defences and resistance.

Here are seven things to bear in mind when trying to understand what God is saying through your dreams.

1. Your dream is likely to be about you and for you, 95% of the dreams you dream are about you.


2. Most dreams are symbolic. Remember to look at your dreams symbolically. Dreams are rarely literal. The meaning of the symbol may be personal to you. Ask yourself, "What does this symbol mean to me?" When interpreting dreams, look for metaphors and similes.


3. Your dreams are often about concerns that you are facing now. Ask, "What issues were concerning me when I had the dream?" When you know what you were thinking about before you had the dream, it's easier to understand the dream.


4. Depend on the Holy Spirit to help you to interpret the dream. Ask Him to help you to understand what the symbols mean.


5. When you arrive at the correct interpretation you'll know. If your conclusions don't "feel quite right" you've probably not got it yet.


6. Dreams will help you see things that you've been blind to but dreams are not given to condemn you. Ask yourself, "What's the purpose of this dream? Why did God give me this dream and cause me to remember it?"


7. Never make a major decision based only on a dream. Look for confirmation through the many different ways that God speaks to you. Peace in your heart, the counsel of others, God's Word, His still small voice, prophecy...

Learn to think outside the box. God often uses unexpected ways to speak to you. Look for plays on words and learn to think laterally.

The easiest way to interpret a dream is to identify the main symbols first. Start with the first symbol and try to interpret it. Do the same with the next symbol. Continually ask yourself "What does this symbol mean to me?"

Once you know what the symbols mean, replay the dream seeking revelation until you sense that you know what God is saying to you.

If you don't already, I recommend that you start recording your dreams and set time aside to seek God for their meaning.

For more on understanding your dreams, I invite you to visit

God still speaks through dreams

Understanding your dreams

If you visit my Christian life coaching website you'll find lots of free resources to help you in tour walk with God. And if you subscribe to my newsletter - The 5 Minute Life Coach - I'll send you a valuable free guide - Be Your Own Life Coach Now. This step by step guide will help you to start changing your life straight away.

How To Be At Peace - Rule In The Midst Of Your Enemies!

True peace does not come from extreme indifference, nor does it originate from becoming so "spiritual" that you fail to notice the world around you. Peace is the fruit of being confident in God's love; it is born of the revelation that, regardless of the battle, "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). You are not self-assured, you are God-assured.

The God Of Peace Will Crush Satan

To wage effective spiritual warfare, we must understand and use spiritual authority. Spiritual authority, however, is not forcing your will upon another person. When you have spiritual authority, you have established God's peace in an area that once was full of conflict and oppression. Therefore, to truly be able to move in authority, we must first have peace.

The apostle Paul taught, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (Rom. 16:20). When we maintain peace during warfare, it is a crushing deathblow to satanic oppression and fear. Our victory never comes from our emotions or our intellect. Our victory comes by refusing to judge by what our eyes see or our ears hear and by trusting that what God has promised will come to pass.

We will never know Christ's victory in its fullness until we stop reacting humanly to our circumstances. When you truly have authority over something you can look at that thing without worry, fear or intimidation. Your peace is the proof of your victory. Jesus' authority over the violent storm (see Matthew 8:23-27) was the exercise and expansion of His peace over the elements. He did not fight against the storm, nor did He fear it. He faced its fury and subdued it with His authority in perfect peace. In Pilate's court, in a world stirred to an emotional frenzy by the powers of hell, a holy tranquility surrounded Christ---peace that was born out of His resolve to do God's will no matter what the cost. His Spirit emanated a calm that perfectly represented the peace at God's throne. In a matter of moments it was no longer Jesus who was on trial, but Satan, Pilate and the religious establishment in Israel.

Satan's arsenal consists of such things as fear, worry, doubt and self-pity. Every one of these weapons robs us of peace and leaves us troubled inside. Do you want to discern where the enemy is coming against you? In the network of your relationships, wherever you do not have peace, you have war. Conversely, wherever you have peace, you have victory. When Satan hurls his darts against you, the more peace you have during adversity, the more truly you are walking in Christ's victory.

Paul tells us to be "in no way alarmed by your opponents---which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you" (Phil. 1:28). Your peace, your immovable stand upon the Word of God is a sign that you are positioned correctly in focused submission to the will of God. The very fact that you are "in no way alarmed" by your adversary is a sign that you have authority over him.

Peacemakers Are Sons Of God

Peace is spirit power. Peace is an attribute of the Holy Spirit, and when you are walking in peace, you are walking in power. A peacemaker is not merely someone who protests against war; he is one who is inwardly so yielded to Christ in spirit and purpose that he can be called a son of God (see Matthew 5:9). Where he goes, God goes and where God goes, he goes. He is fearless, calm and bold. Peace emanates from him the way light and heat radiate from fire.

In the battles of life, your peace is actually a weapon. Indeed, your confidence declares that you are not falling for the lies of the devil. You see, the first step toward having spiritual authority over the adversary is having peace in spite of our circumstances. When Jesus confronted the devil, He did not confront Satan with His emotions or in fear. Knowing that the devil was a liar, He simply refused to be influenced by any other voice than God's. His peace overwhelmed Satan. His authority then shattered the lie, which sent demons fleeing.

Rest Before Rule

In the 23rd Psalm, David declared, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me" (v. 4). There is a place of walking with God where you simply "fear no evil." During his lifetime, David faced many enemies including a lion, a bear and a giant. In this psalm he stood in the "shadow of death" itself, yet he feared no evil. David's trust was in the Lord. He said, "You are with me." Because God is with you, every adversity you face will unfold in victory as you maintain your faith in God. David continued, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" (v. 5). The battle you are in will soon become a meal to you, an experience that will nourish and build you up spiritually.

Only God's peace will quell your fleshly reactions in battle. The source of God's peace is God Himself. Indeed, "before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal" (Rev. 4:6). The glass sea is a symbol: there are no ripples, no waves, no anxieties troubling God. The Lord is never worried, never in a hurry nor without an answer. The sea around Him is perfectly still and totally calm. All our victories flow out from being seated here with Him.

God is our Father. The heavenly Jerusalem is our mother, the birthplace of our new nature (see Galatians 4:26). And you, you are a beloved child of God, part of the Father's family and a member of His household (see Ephesians 2:19). You must know by revelation that you are not struggling to get into heaven; rather, you were born there in spiritual rebirth (see John 3:1-8 AMP). Let your heart be settled and positioned correctly in your relationship with the Almighty.

To those who have been born again from above, He says, "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet" (Ps. 110:1). Before you go into warfare, recognize that it is not you that the devil is afraid of; it is Christ in you! We have been raised up and seated with Christ in heavenly places (see Ephesians 2:6). This is why the Holy Spirit continues to speak to us that worship of God is our first response in battle. Position yourself in the presence of God. Sit, at rest, in the knowledge that Christ has already made your enemies the footstool for your feet. From a position of rest, the Word of the Lord continues, "The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, ‘Rule in the midst of Your enemies' " (Ps. 110:2).

Rest precedes rule. Peace precedes power. Do not seek to rule over the devil until you are submitting to God's rule over you. The focal point of all victory comes from seeking God until you find Him, and having found Him, allowing His presence to fill your spirit with His peace. From full assurance at His right hand, as you rest in His victory, so will you rule in the midst of your enemies.

Copyright Francis Fangipane - used with permission
www.frangipane.org

What Is Your Nevertheless?

Here is an excerpt from Max Lucado's latest newsletter. Be encouraged and press on to be an overcomer.

Nevertheless…by Max Lucado

And the king and his men… spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you,” …Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).- 2 Sam. 5:6–7

Did you see it? Most hurry past it. Let’s not. Pull out a pen and underline this twelve-letter masterpiece.

Nevertheless.

“Nevertheless David took the stronghold…”

Wouldn’t you love God to write a nevertheless in your biography? Born to alcoholics, nevertheless she led a sober life. Never went to college, nevertheless he mastered a trade. Didn’t read the Bible until retirement age, nevertheless he came to a deep and abiding faith.

We all need a nevertheless. And God has plenty to go around. Strongholds mean nothing to him. Remember Paul’s words? “We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:4 NLT).

You and I fight with toothpicks; God comes with battering rams and cannons. What he did for David, he can do for us. The question is, will we do what David did? The king models much here.

Two types of thoughts continually vie for your attention. One proclaims God’s strengths; the other lists your failures. One longs to build you up; the other seeks to tear you down. And here’s the great news: you select the voice you hear. Why listen to the mockers? Why heed their voices? Why give ear to pea-brains and scoffers when you can, with the same ear, listen to the voice of God?

Do what David did.Turn a deaf ear to the old voices.Open a wide eye to the new choices. Who knows, you may be a prayer away from a nevertheless. God loves to give them. Peter stuck his foot in his mouth.Joseph was imprisoned in Egypt. The Samaritan woman had been married five times.Jesus was dead in the grave …

Nevertheless, Peter preached, Joseph ruled, the woman shared, Jesus rose ??? and you?
You fill in the blank. Your nevertheless awaits you.

From Facing Your GiantsCopyright (W Publishing Group, 2006) Max Lucado

You can sign up for Max lucado's newsletter using this link
http://www.crosswalk.com/newsletters/

Change is in The Air - Are You Ready To Embrace It

Are you ready for change?
Will you recognise the opportunities when they come?
Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone and take some risks?

This word from Kathie Walters is for Jazz and Janson and for everyone being called into a new season.

WAKE UP--THE ANGEL OF CHANGE IS HERE!
DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY GOD WANTS TO GIVE YOU

I had a vision for a good friend just a couple of days ago. This morning when I woke early, I saw it again and then realized that what the Lord had for my friend is also available to you.

In the vision, I saw my friend squatting on the beach in the sand. He was turning over in his hands an old, English threepenny piece. The old threepenny piece was disregarded a long time ago and is no longer relevant for use, even though it's an interesting-looking coin.

As he was playing with the coin, a lovely sailing ship passed by--it had huge white sails and a good wind carrying it.

Just last weekend in Colebrook, NH, I saw the Angel of Change. I have only ever seen him 5 or 6 times in the last 10 years. He comes to anoint people just before changes happen. Do you know that you actually need an anointing for change? Well, the Angel of Change is here, so you can receive the anointing for change and also "catch the wind" or "jump on board."

Several years ago, the Angel of Change appeared in my living room while I was watching a movie (my friend Bunty, from England, was doing some ironing). I saw the angel out of the corner of my eye, and then he suddenly was standing behind me as I sat on the sofa.

He was the biggest angel I had ever seen at the time.

He had in his hands a small silver jug full of oil. He poured the oil over my head. It seemed to turn into a river, and I felt it go down my chest, arms, shoulders, and head, and I slipped out of the sofa onto the floor.

"What are you doing?" Bunty asked.

"Can't you see that angel?"

"No," Bunty replied, "But I can smell oil."

I scooted over and said, "Sit there," pointing to the place on the sofa I just vacated.

Bunty sat there, and the angel poured oil over her head. Next thing I knew, she was sitting on the floor.

There were a couple of people in our office on the floor below, and Bunty went to fetch them. Sure enough, when they sat on the sofa, they ended up on the floor. Well, word got around, and for 3 1/2 weeks, people in my area called my house, asking, "Can we come and sit on the sofa?"

"Help yourself," I would respond.

Suddenly, the angel went away. "What was that all about?" you may ask. I am not sure--I didn't invite the angel, and I didn't ask him to do anything. I did, however, notice one thing: during the following weeks, most of the people who had sat on my sofa received a major, direction-changing word for their lives. That was the first time the Angel of Change appeared to me.

The problem with being around prophetic people is that they are always trying to get you to move on--out of your comfort zone. It can get cozy there, can't it? Have you ever been "out on a limb" as the saying goes? Actually, it's not hard to go out on a limb, because you can crawl back to the tree. When you get out there on the limb, and then you hear the sound of the saw behind you, that's when you have to believe that underneath are the Everlasting Arms!

God doesn't push, but He does give invitations and make opportunities. Don't let them pass you by. Don't fiddle around, playing with old things that are really redundant right now in your life, like the threepenny piece--old things that are no longer valuable currency in the Kingdom.

Yes, maybe you'll have to stretch your faith and maybe leave some things (or people) behind.

Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). You live today by the word you receive today. You can't live on yesterday's manna.

Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Sometimes we dig in our heels because we have preconceived mindsets.

DON'T MISS THE SHIP...Don't Let It Pass On By

A friend who came on a trip to Ireland a New Year's ago was desperate--he knew he should come but had no money. At the last minute, he borrowed his brother's credit card. Well that doesn't sound very spiritual, but you can't put God in a box either. When he got back, his brother was waiting, amazed. An uncle had decided to pay off everyone's credit cards in the family!

Am I advocating putting everything on a credit card? Of course not. But on the other hand, you need to listen. Maybe you have some mindsets, and God wants to break the concrete over your mind.

Don't miss the ship; don't let it pass on by. Windows open and close. Doors open and shut. Sometimes it can be a long time before that window opens again.

Welcome the Angel of change. Sure, he might make you a bit uncomfortable, but what do you want? Do you want to stay where you are and go in circles, doing "good" things, and miss the GOD thing?

I was in a meeting one time, and I had a vision of a door. The Lord told me that there were people there who were asking God to open a door. I saw a few people actually leaning against the door, some were busy a little further away, but they were keeping an eye on the door. Others were busy doing good stuff, but they were oblivious of the door.

Suddenly, this door opened, and the people leaning on it fell through it; the others a little further away made a dash for it. The very busy ones didn't even know it had opened!

That week, my daughter, Lisa, who wanted to go work on Capitol Hill, had an invite, but she only had one day to decide and take the opportunity. Fortunately, she was leaning against the door, and she fell through it when it opened.

Another young girl in that meeting was waiting for an opportunity to go to England. She only had a certain amount of money, not enough for a ticket. On Tuesday, the Lord told her to call British Airways. Guess what? They had a 24-hour ticket sale. That door opened and closed in a day, but she fell through it.

CHANGES ARE GOOD FOR YOUR HEART--Good for Your Soul, Good for Your Spirit.

That ship I saw, "The Opportunity," looked very inviting, but it was going quite fast because it had a purpose and destiny. Jump on board. Do something I sometimes do in my meetings: Get all your loose change and strew it on the floor, then get a praise CD going and dance on change. That way you are saying, "I'm ready and willing, and God is able."

There are two things you can do with change: 1) Embrace change and have an adventure, or 2) resist change, and you know, that can be painful.

God is planning for you--even while you sleep.

Kathie Walters
Good News Ministries
Email: kathiewalters@mindspring.com

Only Intimacy With God Makes You A Better Person

Are you struggling to live life the way you think you should?

Could it be that you've got things upside down?

Could it be that it's time to let go and let God?

Read this inspired teaching from John Paul Jackson and allow it to draw you to intimacy with the Father.

From the Beginning

Many, many years ago in a garden far, far away, there lived a man named Adam and his wife, Eve. They were both very happy and loved each other very much.

But then one day, an evil snake told them that they could become better, stronger, and wiser people if they simply set their minds to doing so. They could even become like God. They listened to the snake and chose fruit from the wrong tree--a decision that caused a separation between them and God.

A lot of time passed, civilizations came and went, and now, thousands of years later, every culture (with the exception of the Judeo-Christian culture) believes that God has failed. You see, time has a way of twisting things in the human mind--this is true even today.

The "Good Person" Category

The secular arena will tell you that if you want to become better and stronger, you need to embrace "the good" that is within you. As Christians, most of us realize that this isn't true, BUT we don't live like it isn't true. Despite its pagan roots, this mindset soaked very securely into the Church, with only a slight twist: If you want to become a better person, you need to trust God--and then work really hard to get yourself into the "good person" category.

Therein lies the rub. The idea that you can do anything to help yourself, does not come from God. It's fruit from the wrong tree. You were created in His hands; He held you and formed you with His fingertips. If your very creation did not require your assistance, what else would? The theory of evolution was born from the belief that we do not need God; that we as humans can fill God's role if we just have the time.

If we truly can perfect ourselves, then the last thing we need is a savior. After all, who wants to be the servant if they can be the master? That's what satan suggested to Adam and Eve, and it's the same battle we fight with every choice we make today.

Accordingly, we think God wants us to try very hard to be everything He's called us to be, and that simply is not true. Yes, we do need to make the conscious decision for His will and not ours to be done in our life, but that's about it. We can't, by our own strength, carry ourselves down the path of His will. This mindset is very hard to break, because we've been taught this since "The Fall."

For example, our parents reward us if we're good and behave ourselves. Nothing's wrong with that practice, but it naturally produces within us the belief that we need to be good for God, and if we have issues we're working through, God must be upset and disappointed with us, which just isn't true. Why did the issue come up in the first place? Because He's dealing with it in us!

As difficult as breaking this mindset is, it can happen with this simple realization: You cannot get rid of your issues by yourself. You cannot save yourself. You are not and cannot be a good person by yourself. You do not have your life under control. You are not in charge of your fate. You...you...you...are not the final answer.

Only Intimacy with God will Make You a Better Person

Only one thing will truly make you a better person--and consequently "enlighten" you, as people like to talk about--and it's called "intimacy with God." Getting past our issues happens automatically as we grow closer and closer to Him, but it is not the process itself. Once we realize who God is and who we are in relationship to Him, all of Heaven will open to us, and we will walk in our true calling and destiny. Oh, and we'll become better people, too. That's the proper order, not the other way around.

John Paul Jackson

Streams Ministries International

http://www.streamsministries.com/

Dream Killers - Don't Accept False Labels - Do Whatever God Puts Into Your Heart

This is part 5 in a series on dream killers written by Jill Austin. I hope it plays a role in releasing you to fulfil your God given destiny.

You'll find more articles by Jill at www.masterpotter.com

Counterfeit labels give the appearance of the real thing, but they are cheap imitations. In the case of dream killers, this means losing sight of the fact that you are an original, custom-designed by God, and accepting the false assessment that you were made in a sweatshop.

Labels have to do with unwritten rules. It happens like this. You have a calling from God, but you never seem to be put into a place to let it grow. Perhaps you are divorced and your church frowns on divorce. Or you are married, but your spouse is not saved. Or you are single, and your church is not comfortable putting single people in positions of leadership-particularly a single woman. Or perhaps you feel on the outskirts because you are in a racial minority or are elderly or your son is homosexual.

Whatever the reason for the labels that are put on us, we see others positioned ahead of us-the young couples, the financially well-off, the popular-and our hearts faint. We compare ourselves with others and jealousy shuts us down. We think, I'll never be able to fulfill my dream. I'm disqualified by the system.

The Lord goes beyond labels when He gives out marching orders. We could name many people in Scripture who defied convention, some of them pairing with other candidates who were just as unlikely. Simeon was an old priest and Anna was an old widow and prophetess, but the two of them were brought together in an assignment to announce the arrival of the Messiah.

Esther, an orphaned Jewish girl, teamed up with Mordecai, her cousin, and delivered the Jewish nation from destruction. Deborah was a judge and prophetess during a time when Israel was being harshly oppressed. She teamed with Barak, a great military commander, and, with the courageous efforts of a housewife named Jael, their enemy was destroyed.

All of these characters ignored conventional labels that could have disqualified them to achieve great things: age, marital status, race, sex, job descriptions. Because they were not afraid to dream, God could give them creative and dangerous assignments.

Copyright - Jill Austin

I hope this article has encouraged you to rid yourself of everything that gets in the way, and to run with determination the race that lies before you. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

Pride, Arrogance and Thinking I'm Right and Everyone Else Is Wrong

Thanks to Mike Byrne who posted this on facebook:

I discovered this prayer somewhere in cyberspace recently, and found it very appropriate to me. Some of you may appreciate it too:

Dear God,

Save me from the pride of having things figured out. The arrogance of thinking I’m doing things the right way. That everyone else is wrong and I’m the only one who sees what went wrong. As if I know how to do things correctly; that somehow, I’m smart or insightful enough to be able to ride in on a high horse of judgment. Save me from my vision of religion and spirituality blinding me from loving others.

Save me from the spirit of bitterness against the church. My frustrations at our inability to be the kind of loving community You called us to be. The shoddy treatment I may have experienced at the hands of people who shopuld know better. The let-downs and disappointments - it’s easy to focus on the Church’s shortcomings. Just as it’s easy to forget that the Church is us and You don’t focus on our short-comings. Let me remember all of the wrongs the Church has committed in Your Name, let every experience sear my heart so that they won’t be repeated on my watch. Help me to remember that the Church is Your bride, however numerous her faults, and how you’ve chosen to bring about Your kingdom.

Save me from the spirit of hearing sermons “so and so” should be hearing or reading books “so and so” should read, but help me to realize that I’m the one who should be hearing and reading. Help me to do my part to inflict less damage into the world. Remind me that I am here to love “those people”, too. Remind me that too often I’ve been a part of the problem.Save me from my own hubris of the rightness of my spiritual journey. Help me as I work out my journey. Reveal Your Word to me in a fresh way so that I may know you better. Let my questions draw me closer to the reality of You. Let my life reflect Your love and healing. Let my actions help bring reconciliation.

Have mercy on me Lord and draw me ever closer to You .

Teach Me How To Pray - Jason Upton

The Lord's prayer as you've never heard it before...

Close your eyes and allow the Holy Spirit to stir your spirit as you listen to Jason Upton reach out and ask the Father to teach us how to pray.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7UowN4raUs

Walk In Your God Given Authority

WHEN YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY AND YOU WALK IN IT, THE ENEMY WILL KNOW IT TOO

For the body of Christ to be victorious, we must have an understanding of the rulership God has given to us.

In Genesis 1:26, God created man in His image and said let them rule over all the earth.

In Psalm 115:16, God says the earth He has given to man.

We are given the earth to rule over God's creation. This mandate has never been rescinded by God. God's position on rulership has never changed. Man's position changed when Adam fell. But the second Adam, Jesus, redeemed man from the curse (Galatians 3:13) and reinstated man back into rulership. We see this in Matthew 28:18 where Jesus said, "All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth."

Jesus held all power in His hands and then reinstated this power for rulership back to His body. This is seen in Ephesians 1:22-23, "And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the Church which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."

"We have been raised with Jesus and seated with Him in Heavenly places," it says in Ephesians 2:6. In Luke 10:19, we are given power or authority. In Romans 9:17, Jesus tells us that we are raised up with Him to demonstrate His power through us in rulership in order to proclaim His name throughout the whole earth.

The reason God gives us authority is that we would rule and reign on the earth. Notice that, in Ephesians 1, all things are in subjection under the feet of Jesus. Since we are now the body of Christ, all things are in subjection under our feet. This is absolute authority that we have on the earth. We're not subject to the enemy, he's subject to us. It's this truth that we need to know, because it will set us free (John 8:32).

This truth will put us in a proper position that will change our condition. When your position is unchangeable, your condition has to change. When you know the truth--that you have absolute authority and you walk in it--the enemy will know it also.

The enemy will always measure you by how you see yourself. If you went down to a street intersection and started directing traffic with the clothes on that you're now wearing, what do you think would happen to you? You might get run over. But if you were hired by the police department and given a uniform to direct traffic, you could step into that intersection and hold up your hand and traffic would stop. It would stop because you would be recognized as having designated authority.

When you are under authority, you have all authority. God gives you His armor of authority. When you wear it with confidence, without doubt, the enemy can no longer move you. You're not subject to this realm, because you have rulership over it. We must renew our minds to this truth, or we will be conformed to the world's order of things rather than God's order (Romans 12:2). The ability for the believer to walk in authority is determined by the measure of authority we give God in our own lives.

You cannot exhibit a demonstration of God's power if you do not believe you have authority. Without authority you cannot have rulership. The way to overcome the enemy is to be overcome by God. You can't have a fulltime experience with a part-time God.

Blessings!

Cal Pierce, Director Healing Rooms MinistriesEmail: healing@healingrooms.com

as posted on the Elijah List

http://www.elijahlist.com/

Dream Impossible Dreams With God

Read this article written by Jill Austin and come alive to God's purposes for your life.
Dare to dream impossible dreams and see where it takes you!

"DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS WITH GOD!"

Has your life turned out totally different from the way you dreamed it would be? Have you grown weary because of shattered hopes, delayed answers, and painful regrets? Perhaps you have gone through the routines of life and walked with God for a long time, but now you seem to have lost vision for your life. Once when you were young and vibrant in God you had a cause to die for, but instead of dying for a cause, now you find yourself dying.

Can you remember a time in your life when you were doing something that really made you excited to get out of bed each day? When you felt fully alive? Those were times that you knew you were walking in your gifting and destiny, and you felt the pleasure of God. You were invigorated and excited about your life. But then reality hits and you say to yourself, I am tired of hearing about the word destiny because that is not what is happening in my life. You begin to wonder if your life has any eternal value or meaning.

But what if destiny was defined differently? What if it was not anything we thought it was?

Destiny in Motion

Think with me for a moment. Destiny is a progression of cycles and seasons. It happens over time, spanning the decades of your life. Destiny is like a giant tapestry--maybe twelve miles high, twelve miles wide and twelve miles deep. It is multileveled and, even more, it is organic and ever changing. Your destiny is a fascinating and complex weaving that came from the very heart of Jesus.

It is true. It may be too amazing for the heart or mind even to grasp, but you started in the imagination of God. He has already dreamed about you. Your destiny is the divine journey that you are living right now. It may look different from what you imagined, but God, the masterful dream weaver, does not make mistakes with anyone's life and destiny.

For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother's womb. I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery]. Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalm 139:13-16, amplified)

My desire is to awaken your heart to new adventures so that you are fully alive in God. I believe that you will receive fresh revelation about the process of dancing with your destiny. It involves transforming your mind so you see your life through the heart of God instead of through your circumstances.

Wild Like the Sea

There is a certain wildness about dreaming impossible dreams, but God wants to fulfill the desires of your heart. He wants you to imagine the unimaginable, and then He will take you even further. You cannot go backward--you know too much. Where would you go anyway? There is a longing in you that can be satisfied only by God Himself. This knowledge is what keeps you sharp and on the cutting edge spiritually.

I live on the West Coast, and when I think of wildness, I often think of the sea. It can change in a second from gently lapping waves to dangerous riptides, or from raging storms to peaceful settings for the sun to slip into at night.

Have you ever ridden a wave runner? For those who are landlocked, this is a "motorcycle" that you ride on water. Whenever I can, I rent one and take it outside the harbor into the wild seas--up over big waves and down into deep swells. At times it is scary to be so adventuresome, but it is also exhilarating.

There is yet another way of looking at destiny! Surfing the big waves can be frightening. It often means leaving our comfort zones. You might have been wooed out into the surf in the past only to come back with bruised bones, cracked ribs, a concussion, and strained muscles. Disillusioned, you have settled for sitting on the beach and watching others ride the waves.

But if we sit and wait for that big dream called "destiny" simply to show up like a tidal wave one day, we are likely to be even more disappointed. Destiny is not something in the future, something that we will attain at the end of life. If we wait forever to seek our dreams, we will never find them.

Will you start to dream again? Will you join me? We can do this together. Perhaps it is time for you to snorkel, to hop on a jet ski or even to catch a big wave on a surfboard.

Surfers know about adventure. They travel the world following their dream of flowing in harmony with something more powerful than they are. They are in love with the thrill of being challenged. They go into the surf knowing that the pounding pressure of the mountainous waves could kill them. Big wave surfers understand living in the moment.

Why do people do things like that? Because when you have something big enough to die for, you become fully alive. It is in the heart of every person to have a cause, a desire for radical adventures that challenge the very core of our being. There needs to be a cry in us that says, "I want to have a cause! I want to have an awakening that is big enough to dream about, fall in love with and die for."

If you are part of the Body of Christ, you have a cause: The Lord's heart aches for the lost. And the amazing thing is that your own personal dreams, your journey, can be interwoven with God's great battle plans being "strategized" right now in the heavenlies. The battle may take place on different fronts--in the nations, in your relationships, even in your thoughts. But that is part of the thrill.

The Bible tells us that Jesus spoke to someone who was, in every respect, dead to his dreams. Delayed answers and shattered hopes had left him with no seeming possibility of fulfilling his destiny. Are you in that situation? Then listen to Jesus' words: "Lazarus, come forth!"
The Lord is calling you to come forth, take off the grave clothes, and put on your surfing shorts.

Join me. It is time for the adventures to begin.

Jill Austin Master Potter Ministries
Email: info@masterpotter.com
As posted on www.elijahlist.com

Forgiven

Turn on you speakers, watch, listen and remember that if you have confessed your sins you are forgiven.

http://www.interviewwithgod.com/forgiven/highband.htm

When God forgives He forgives completely.

Where Is Your Hope?

Do you keep putting things off?

Do you delay taking time to spend with God?

Do you put off doing things even though you know God has told you to do them?

I wonder if you have as much time as you think you do.

It's time to wake up.

Your enemy isn't sleeping or taking time. He is using every opportunity to kill, steal and destroy.

It's time to get into God's presence, no more delay. Study and learn God's ways.

Father God wants to prepare you to be a shining light in the increasing darkness of the world's foolishness.

Where is your hope?

If your hope is in the things of this world rather than with God, you're headed for trouble.

Don't allow yourself to be lulled into apathy. Spend time in God's presence. He loves you. He desires the best for you. In Him you have a hope and a future.

God is looking for people to pour His anointing through. He's looking for people who can be trusted to work miracles, signs and wonders. He can only do that through prepared vessels.

Desire holiness, purify your motives and purify your heart. Walk in love, put your hope in God. Then, wait and see what He will do through someone like you whose heart is turned to Him.

The Power of a Thankful Heart

God's word encourages us to be thankful in all circumstances. What are you thankful for?

A THANKFUL HEART - PART 1

By Francis Frangipane

The very quality of your life, whether you love it or hate it, is based upon how thankful you are toward God. Our attitude determines whether life is to us a place of blessedness or wretchedness and misery. Indeed, looking at the same rose bush, some people complain that the roses have thorns while others rejoice that some thorns have roses! It all depends on your perspective.

This is the only life you will have before you enter eternity. If you want to find joy, you must first find thankfulness. Indeed, the one who is thankful for even a little enjoys much. But the unappreciative soul is always miserable, always complaining. He lives outside the stronghold of God.

Perhaps the worst enemy we have is not the devil but our own tongue. James tells us, "the tongue is set among our members as that which . . . sets on fire the course of our life" (James 3:6). He goes on to say this fire is ignited by hell.

Consider: With our own words we can enter the spirit of heaven or the agonies of hell! It is hell, with its punishments, torments and misery, that controls the life of the grumbler and complainer! Paul expands this thought in 1 Corinthians 10:10, where he reminds us of the Jews who "grumble[d] and were destroyed by the destroyer."

The fact is, every time we open up to grumbling and complaining, the quality of our life is reduced proportionally--a destroyer is bringing our life to ruin!

People often ask me, "What is the ruling demon over our church or city?" They expect me to answer with the ancient Aramaic or Phoenician name of a fallen angel. What I usually tell them is a lot more practical: One of the most pervasive evil influences over our nation is ingratitude!

Do not minimize the strength and cunning of this enemy! Paul said that the Jews who grumbled and complained during their difficult circumstances were "destroyed by the destroyer." Who was this destroyer?

If you insist on discerning an ancient world ruler, one of the most powerful spirits mentioned in the Bible is Abaddon, whose Greek name is Apollyon. It means "destroyer" (Rev. 9:11). Paul said the Jews were destroyed by this spirit. In other words, when we are complaining or unthankful, we open the door to the destroyer, Abaddon, the demon-king over the abyss of hell!

IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Multitudes in our nation have become specialists in the "science of misery." They are experts--moral accountants--who can, in a moment, tally all the wrongs society has ever done to them or their group. I have never talked with one of these people who was happy, blessed or content about anything. They expect an imperfect world to treat them perfectly.

Truly, there are people in this wounded country of ours who need special attention. However, most of us simply need to repent of ingratitude, for it is ingratitude itself which is keeping wounds alive! We simply need to forgive the wrongs of the past and become thankful for what we have in the present.

The moment we become grateful, we actually begin to ascend spiritually into the presence of God. The psalmist wrote,

Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. Enter
His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him;
bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His
faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:2, 4-5

It does not matter what your circumstances are, the instant you begin to thank God, even though your situation has not changed, you begin to change. The key which unlocks the gates of heaven is a thankful heart; entrance into the courts of God comes as you simply begin to praise the Lord.

Blessed Lord, forgive me for being a complainer. Help me to offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving in all things. Lord, I come this day to covenant with You. By Your grace, I will be thankful regardless of what my life seems to be. Oh God, remember Your covenant pledge and gather me near to Your heart. In Jesus' name. Amen.

www.frangipane.org

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.