the life in dying

'And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that … they cast the man into the sepulcher of Elisha. And when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood up on his feet.’ II Kings 13:21

I saw the most touching story last week. It chronicled the journey of a mother who connected with the organ donor recipient of her teenage daughter’s heart. She wanted to listen to the heartbeat, her daughter’s heartbeat, a gift of life that continues on beyond the brief 13-years of life from which it came.

It was beautiful, stirring, sad and hopeful all at the same time.

And it started me thinking about my own life. It started me thinking about the legacy that will remain when I have left this life and passed on to the next.

• Will it matter that I was here?
• Will there be those whose lives were made richer because of my presence?
• Will there be those whose lives will be made richer because of my life?
• Will there be those I meet in heaven, who I never met on earth, because of something I did while I was here?

Will the life that I have lived as a Christian continue to have an impact beyond the years that I have been allotted on this earth?

A woman, a mom, has been given an additional opportunity at life because of the gift of that young girl. A man came back to life, just from coming into contact with the bones of God’s prophet.

There is a life and a gift which keeps on giving …

My aim is to live that kind of life, to be that kind of gift.

To be so poured out and into the lives of others – that the ripples of your presence, of HIS Presence, are felt throughout ages, and not just the age you were given …

• Are the friends of my sons better off for knowing them? Have my attempts to instill godly values extended beyond my reach with them and into their relationships with others?
• Will some father, somewhere in time, turn his heart to Jesus and be the god-head of his family because of something I wrote or communicated?
• Will some single-mother find the strength to trust Jesus alone because of a word of encouragement that came from my lips?
• Will there be ministries that continue to reach around the world – introducing people to Christ – because of the monetary gifts that I gave?

Will there be ‘exceedingly abundant situations’ which go beyond anything I could have ever imagined – because the power at work in me, the Holy Spirit, continues to touch those places where I’ve poured out my life – long after I am gone?

Elisha had just such an anointing on his life – even his dead bones continued to give live after he was gone.

That young lady is still touching a world that she is no longer a part of.

Oh, to have a heartbeat that keeps on giving life to others after we have moved on!
What glory to have HIS heartbeat felt in the earth because of the spirit of God which lives in us!

'So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.’ Rom. 12:1 MSG

I Will Bless The LORD

'Now God has us where He wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all His idea, and all His work. All we do is trust Him enough to let Him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish!' Ephesians 2:7-8 MSG

'For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.' Philippians 2:13 NLT

It is a beautiful thing -

Even if we get worn from the battle,
GOD has graced us with what we need

He has given messages to His prophets,
He has given wisdom to His teachers,
He has given fire to His preachers,
He has given melodies to His psalmist,
He has given strength to the weary,
He has given grace to the humble

He provides even F.A.I.T.H to those who have committed themselves to Follow Adonai In The Heat

Praise God!

I will bless You, LORD - at all times

Sound the Alarm

“When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God, and you will be saved from your enemies.” Numbers 10:9

So yesterday I put a status on my Facebook page.

My niece had sent me a video from the convocation on her college campus and they were doing a cover of Desert Song by Hillsong.

It is a beautiful song!
It speaks of trusting God and having a heart of worship towards Him no matter what comes.

My favorite part is when they declare:
All of my life, in every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

Well, I declared that song as my anthem yesterday.

Then –

My middle son got sick; I had engine trouble, while driving back from taking my youngest son to the doctor and my fire alarm started blaring at 10PM.

Now understand that this is no normal fire/smoke detector.
It is wired into the electrical of the house – so you cannot turn it off or disconnect it.

It is also so loud that I had to shut the windows for fear of waking up ALL my neighbors.
If you don’t hear that alarm, then the fire and/or smoke have already consumed you.

The thing is – there was no fire or smoke.

So I prayed. And, after what seemed like an eternity [but was actually about five minutes], it stopped.

However, now I was wide awake. So I decided to just praise and worship God downstairs. But I couldn’t stop thinking about that alarm – and everything else that happened yesterday – and wonder whether it had something to do with what I had been singing all day.

My song, that Desert Song, was a bold declaration about my trust in God, my commitment and resolve to worship & praise Him no matter what is going on in my life and a steadfast determination that I would not be moved by my circumstances , because of who He is, and by His loving grace.

Understand that when you make that type of announcement over your life, something happens:
Two alarms sound –
And neither can be turned off

An alarm sounds in hell, alerting every devil and demon to arise from their seething pit to launch an attack. It tells them to do whatever is necessary to bring distraction, discord, discouragement and disaster. It tells the enemy to stop roaming the earth, seeking someone to devour, and provides the exact coordinates for your address.

BUT THERE IS ANOTHER ALARM WHICH SOUNDS

It is an alarm which resounds in heaven – interjecting itself into the chorus of worship which resonates in the throne room of God.

It shouts –
‘There is a believer down here!’
'There is one who has made a decision to worship in spirit and truth’
'There is a spirit who is committed to giving God glory and honor, despite what they are experiencing’
‘There is a soul which no longer considers what it is losing or what it has lost’
‘There is a flesh which has willingly been sacrificed on the altar of praise’


The LORD is her joy!
The GOD of Heaven is his comfort!

And at that time,
All of heaven’s resources are activated on your behalf

Angels are dispatched
Closed doors are opened
Heavenly provisions are released
Healing waters are stirred
Unmerited favor is poured out

And God is pleased –
He is pleased because He has been alerted to one who believes that ‘He is’,
And that He is one who rewards those who diligently seek Him

He sees their faith
He hears their faith
It sounds loud, and louder, than the alarm in my home

And it cannot be turned off
It gets the attention of everyone assembled in God’s house,
Just as sure as the alarm got everyone up in my house

Then God continues to do what He does best – BE GOD

He doesn’t fight our enemy
Jesus has already defeated him

No, God will silence him, though, because he tends to make a heap of noise. That enemy will shout as loud as my alarm, trying to instill fear and have you believe that there is a fire and you are in mortal danger. But, it is all a show on his part. It is a sensory illusion designed to get you to take your focus off of Christ and onto issues.

But God says, ‘No’
- No noise (I Sam. 2:9)
- No drama (I Cor. 14:33)
- No fear (I Jn. 4:18)
- No attacks (I Sam. 2:10)
- No destruction (Jn. 10:10)
Then He does suddenly what He had planned to do from the very beginning. By the power at work in His children, by the power of His Holy Spirit, He rescues His beloved and performs His perfect will.

Bless the LORD at all times (Ps. 34:1)
Worship Him in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:23)
Stand firm in your faith (Eph. 6:10-13)
Put on your armor and speak boldly (Eph. 6:14-20)

Sound the Alarm!!!

trust...

My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen Philippians 4:19-20

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

… brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things ... and the God of peace will be with you Philippians 4:8-9

He Himself is our peace … Ephesians 2:14

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The LORD is at hand. Philippians 4:5

… you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. I Peter 2:9-10

… he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. I Peter 2:6

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. II Peter 4:19

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

… 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. Hebrews 11:6

For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers … I Peter 3:12

Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. I Peter 5:8-9

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever… I Peter 5:10-11

Rejoice in the LORD always. Again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4

why give thanks?

Throughout the Bible, we find numerous encouragements to:
• Remember the day in which you came out (Ex. 13:3)
• Remember the LORD who empowers (Deut. 8:18)
• Remember the LORD and His trustworthiness (Ps. 20:7)
• Remember the LORD and His tender mercies (Ps. 25:6)
• Remember the LORD and His works of old (Ps. 77:11)
• Give thanks to the LORD for His goodness (I Chr. 16:34)
• Give thanks to the LORD for His holiness (Ps. 97:12)
• Give thanks to the LORD for His mercy (Ps. 136:3)
• Give thanks to the LORD for the victories (I Cor. 15:57)

Psalm 100 says, ‘Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.’

Yet, God doesn’t tell us this because He is on some type of ego trip.
He knows how wonderful He is.

He tells us this for OUR benefit.

He desires for us to take time EVERY day to acknowledge and appreciate Him –
He does this for our sake, not His.

He isn’t needy for attention.
He has angels and saints in heaven who praise Him continually, without fail, for all eternity.

He is also not interested in a simple game of ‘Simon Says’ –
He takes no pleasure in those who blindly comply –
Is it faith to be convinced that one will not be heard without using a formula approach?

The truth is this –
He has been listening to us, watching over us and addressing those things that concern us, long before we ever thought about Him.
The cross and Jesus’ sacrifice is evidence of that.

No, He tells us to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise because He knows something we don’t

When we take time to appreciate Him daily, to reflect on who He is and on all He has ALREADY done, we –without fail – come to this understanding:
He is the same God who was with us and worked for us yesterday
He is the same God who walks beside us and works in us today
He is the same God who goes before us, making every crooked place straight tomorrow

Praise and Thanksgiving – recalling WHO HE IS and what HE HAS ALREADY DONE strengthens and increases our faith.

And without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God or to receive from God.

Hallelujah!

be of one mind ...

"If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.

Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.

For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]." James 1:5-8 AMP

Be assured,

The right side of your mouth will always betray the left

Therefore, it is best to make sure they are singing the same song

Belief and doubt cannot flow from the same spring

Let him who has a mouth to speak say what the Spirit of the LORD says

Dive-Favor ...

‘For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God…’ I Thessalonians 4:16

Just posted a message [recession proof...] last week about God's faithfulness and how He has kept me these past three years - in health, in peace, in faith and in my home

Well guess what I got seconds after completing the writing of that blog?
A notice regarding my home & an ad in the local paper to sell it at auction this month

So I wrote my friend and asked her to pray
My intent was to ask her to pray for divine favor
But, in my haste, I accidentally typed 'dive-favor’

So she wrote me back, letting me know she was already praying
And then she asked, 'Just what is Dive-Favor?'
I thought to myself, it was just a typo, haha ;D

BUT, then I responded...

DIVE - an intransitive verb is defined as the following:
1. to plunge, especially headfirst; to execute a dive; submerge
2. to come or drop down precipitously; to plunge one's hand into something; to descend in a dive
3. to plunge into some matter or activity; to lunge especially in order to seize something

HENCE
- Dive Favor would be the type of God-Favor that plunges into one’s life headfirst
- Dive-Favor is a favor that submerges itself in the recipient’s life
- Dive-Favor is a favor which comes down or drops down precipitously ...thrown down suddenly and abruptly
- Dive-Favor causes God to plunge His hand into my circumstances
- Dive-Favor causes God to plunge into the matters and activities of my life
- Dive-Favor lunges at my circumstances in order to seize them

HOW POWERFUL IS THAT!!!!!!

‘He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and fortress; my God, in Him I will trust’ Psalm 91:1-2

With every breath I continue to proclaim,
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised!

GOD is about to cannonball into my situation and my prayer is that it will be so explosive that it will splash up and soak everyone connected with me!

Looking for some Dive-Favor today ...
Praying that you’ll get some too!!!

recession proof...

‘Eventually the brook dried up because of the drought. Then GOD spoke to him: "Get up and go to Zarephath … I've instructed a woman who lives there … to feed you. So he got up and went … [And] As he came to the entrance of the village he met a woman, a widow …. Elijah said to her, "Don't worry about a thing… And it turned out as he said—daily food for her and her family. The jar of meal didn't run out and the bottle of oil didn't become empty: GOD's promise fulfilled to the letter, exactly as Elijah had delivered it! I Kings 17:8-16 MSG

Many are familiar with the story of Elijah and the widow. Elijah spoke and commanded a drought in the land and the people were in great need for many years.

Yet, “A long time passed. Then GOD's word came to Elijah. The drought was now in its third year. The message: "Go and present yourself … I'm about to make it rain on the country." (I Kings 18:1 MSG)

As I near the three-year anniversary of my position elimination, coupled with the economic adversity present in the United States right now – this story has taken on an entirely new meaning to me. It has become an intimate, personal account and not just another Bible story. It is easy for me to insert myself right into the middle of this narrative and imagine what the Old Testament headlines would have read if it was my story:

SINGLE-MOTHER MYSTERIOUSLY SURVIVES THE WORST ECONOMIC TIMES EVER!
Nee D. Facts
Zarephath Examiner

Unemployment rates stay at record highs, one in every 400 families received a foreclosure notice last month and many more actually lost their homes. These are some of the most challenging times our nation has seen and many are wondering how they will make it through.

Today I will share highlights of just one story from the countless number of individuals who have been impacted by current events. Recently, I interviewed Zenobia Wise, a single-mother of three who has miraculously endured three years of unemployment during the worst economic-drought our nation has seen in some time. Here’s what she had to say:

Nee D. Facts (NF): Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. As you know, our country is experiencing one of the worst times (economically, socially and atmospherically) that it has ever experienced. Many are concerned and have questions on how to make it through these tough times.
Zenobia Wise (ZW): Yes, it has been a challenging time for many. I’ve had close friends and family who have been impacted by the events.

NF: I understand that you have also experienced your own personal trials.
ZW: Yes, it has been tough but God has been faithful! I really can’t attribute the good things that have happened to anyone or anything else.

NF: Would you be willing to share some of the details with our readers?
ZW: Of course! Afterall the Word does say that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Rev. 12:11)

NF: So what is your testimony?
ZW: Well, I had some personal challenges that I’d been experiencing for some years: death of a marriage, financial challenges and the everyday complexities of being a single-mother of three sons. However, things really took a turn starting in November 2005. I had just come off of a 40-day fast (my second that year) and immediately I was thrust into a storm which really hasn’t stopped blowing to this day.

NF: So you’ve been experiencing challenges of one sort or another for five years?
ZW: Yes. It started with extreme illness in ’05 and carried over into the next couple of years. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a thickened heart wall, a blood disorder which caused significant anemia; I had to have a skin biopsy, was diagnosed with an incurable virus and was undergoing evaluations for symptoms which appeared to point toward Lupus. This was coupled with challenges on the job that were taking place at the same time.

NF: That seems challenging enough but, wasn’t all that prior to our current economic troubles?
ZW: Yes it was but I think it is important for people to understand that it is not just what is happening in our economy today that is causing trouble for people but, there were situations leading up to it which compounds what people are currently experiencing.

For me, the most significant change came in August 2007. You see, a prophet came to our town and spoke a word to me. I was so excited because it addressed many of the troubles I had been facing and he went on to tell me that, ‘my world would look completely different by the end of the year than it did at that moment.’

NF: Wow! That does sound exciting. What happened next?
ZW: Well, everything went crazy. My work issues intensified, my health issues kept flaring up and eventually I received notice (September ’07) that my position (along with several others) was being eliminated.

NF: That must have been very difficult. What did you think of that prophet then?
ZW: Well, there was only one thing I could think … boy did he call that one right! I realized that a prophecy doesn’t always mean what you think it means. But I believe the LORD and His prophets just like the Bible tells me to in II Chronicles 20:20.

NF: Now you’ve told us what the prophet said, but what did the LORD say?
ZW: Well, the prophet spoke what the LORD had instructed him to tell me. But the LORD spoke to me directly as well. He told me I would be losing my job before the announcement ever came from the company. He advised me not to take the alternate position they were going to offer (although they told me I could keep my base salary) and He told me to trust Him – that I would see His faithfulness. He also had me to start giving away thousands of dollars.

NF: That would seem an imprudent thing for single-mom to do. We had a widow in Zarephath who had a prophet visit her, telling her that God wanted her to give an offering. But, that questionable judgment aside, I have to ask, ‘Have you seen His faithfulness?
ZW: Have I ever! He has kept me and my children sheltered (in our own home), well fed, in health and growing in faith. It has been amazing – challenging but amazing! And, as an aside, it has been my experience that God is never trying to take from you when He asks you to give - it is usually to position you to receive something greater.

NF: That is amazing. Now you say He has kept you in your home? How is that possible since you have not worked during these challenging times?
ZW: I can’t explain it really. Only His favor and grace have kept us. I have two mortgages on this house but He has kept us right here – while many have unfortunately lost their homes. My heart breaks for them and I think I am particularly sensitive because, by all natural standards, that should be me.

NF: Why do you think it hasn’t happened to you?
ZW: I can’t say. All I know is that I do not serve a natural God – I serve a supernatural God and it has been an entirely supernatural situation. However, I would be lying if I said it was not particularly troubling to me when I see people who serve the same God I serve and I see their trials unfold before me in a different way than mine have. But, God is sovereign and He has a different and unique plan for each person.

NF: So you lost your job in 2007? What other challenges have you faced besides the financial concerns?
ZW: Well, with my health issues that I had, I was very concerned about not having insurance for myself. But, I was even more concerned about not having insurance for my kids. However, just before I was told my position would be eliminated, their dad called and said that it did not make sense for me to be paying for insurance for the boys when he had coverage through the military. He asked me to put them on his insurance – which was good because we’ve had some serious situations with the kids in the past three years – a major burn, a dangerous skin issue and severe scoliosis to name a few.

NF: Well that was a lucky break … the insurance, I mean, not the illnesses.
ZW: I don’t believe in luck. I know it was the hand of God working all things together for my good just like He promised in Romans 8:28.

NF: OK, so the kids were taken care of but what about you? You said you had all those health issues – how have you paid for the medical expenses without a job – or is the government paying for your care?
ZW: Thankfully, I haven’t had to go to the doctor once (even though I was seeing a couple of specialist each month before my job ended). Thank God He has brought healing to my body and kept me in health these years that I have been without insurance.

NF: So what have you been doing for three years?
ZW: Even though I have not had a job, I have been working. I couldn’t name everything but, I did start a bible-based support group for single-moms which I facilitated for two years; wrote a book which I believe will soon be published; of course I have been looking for work (and could not recall the vast number of applications I have submitted) and I started a blog which I use to provide words of encouragement and hope to those who might find themselves in situations similar to mine.

NF: And what would the primary message of encouragement be?
ZW: There is a God who is recession proof and a faith in Him that will not disappoint.

NF: Some would say, ‘that is too simple … it can’t be that simple.’
ZW: Well, I never said it was simple. These three years have been extremely challenging. There’s no greater pain than when you have to decide which of your children will get lunch money for the day and which will have to wait until they get home to eat. There were days when we sat in the dark, and it wasn’t because of a power outage. There were days when the cupboard was empty and I didn’t know where the next meal was coming from. But then God would send someone by with a gift card or some groceries. One time, when I committed to doing a vegetable-only fast, someone actually showed up with the specific foods I needed for the fast.

NF: Sounds like a very uncertain way to live.
ZW: Life is uncertain. But one thing is sure and it is the faithfulness of God. When things get really scary … I hear this inner voice which says, ‘Trust Me!’ That voice, and my coming into agreement with that command, has given me more peace than I’ve ever had.

NF: And how are your children holding up?
ZW: It has been difficult but we are all learning and growing. And they have seen God work in miraculous ways in their lives.

NF: You said you wrote a book?
ZW: Yes, it is titled ‘When Storms Rage – 21 Principles to Keep You Anchored Through Life’s Toughest Moments’

NF: I guess you know something about that?
ZW: Well, I just did what God asked me to do in writing the book. I simply shared from Bible examples and my own personal experiences. My prayer is that it will bless many people.

NF: What final thoughts would you like to leave with our readers?
ZW: There is hope. With man, situations may seem impossible – and may in fact be impossible – but, with GOD, ALL things are possible(Mt. 19:26). God promises that He will do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ask or think, according to the power at work in us (Eph. 3:20). Well that power that is at work in the life of a Christian is the same power that raised Christ from the dead. There is hope in that. Because, if that power can raise the physically dead – it can certainly raise dying and dead finances, marriages, relationships and health concerns.

NF: Well thank you so much for meeting with us. Hopefully we can check back in with you in a few months to see how things are going.
ZW: Absolutely!

NF: We wish you the very best …
ZW: Likewise … God Bless!

when it hurts ... we all hurt

'A mother is only as happy as her saddest child'

I thought about this quote today ...
Not because one of my children was hurting - although they each are facing their own challenging situations, as am I.

I was thinking of all my brothers and sisters, spiritual brothers and sisters, who are facing some of the most tremendous trials that they have ever experienced. I was thinking about the wonder of having someone else's pain touch your heart as if it were your own chest being crushed - how God has woven us together and truly made us one body.

The Word encourages us in Romans 12:15 to, 'Rejoice with those who rejoice and, weep with those who weep.'

Does this mean that we are unable to celebrate joyous moments unless those around us are experiencing equally happy moments?

Of course it doesn't. But, it does mean that we should take the time to think about someone other than ourselves, pray for another's needs and not just our own, love our neighbors (caring about that which concerns them) even as we care for ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).

We are admonished in I Peter 5:7, to cast off concern, to take comfort in the fact that God cares for everything that concerns us and that He lovingly watching over us. Yet even Christ - who was with God in the beginning - and who knows the end of a matter - wept alongside His friends in John 11:35.

*******

Father, I pray for all my friends and for those I've not yet had the privilege to call friends. When they hurt, I hurt.

Bless them indeed, LORD. Cause Your face to shine upon every person - those who are desperately reaching out to you with tearful prayers - and those who are so weary from crying that they cannot find the words to say.

We are comforted in knowing that in those times when we find ourselves speechless, Your Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf (Rom. 8:26), Jesus prays that our faith would not fail (Lk. 22:32) and You hear us before we call, formulating Your response before we've finished petitioning You (Is. 65:24). Thank You!

In the Matchless Name of Jesus I Pray ... Amen