WHY SO MANY S's IN STRESS

WELCOME BACK! Grab your ice cold glass of sweet tea, lemonade, or your favorite coffee, (Maybe a hankie) and let's have a little chat. Once again..."Jesus Take the Wheel."

Close your eyes and say the word S-S-S-S-S-T-R-E-s-s-s-s-s. Now with eyes closed - no peeking - say the word O-F-F-F-E-N-s-s-s-s-se.  Ring any bells? Could these emotions possibly be linked to the enemy of our souls? The s-s-s-s-e-r-p-e-n-t of old?

These are two subjects that I will visit often - bottom line - I am still learning.  If you admit it, reluctantly, we have ALL become experts in this arena of life. We each have our own stories to tell.  If the truth be known, probably every malady known to man could be traced to these two deep-rooted issues. Offenses and stress, real or imagined, has the same exact physiological effect on our bodies, souls and spirits. What's more incredible they have the same affect whether you are carrying your own or someone else's.  Your body does not know the difference.

There are statistics that can determine how depression and suicide increases around the holidays.  Did you ever stop to realize... the holidays are NOT just twice a year! Holidays never go away! Therefore, in addition to just ordinary, everyday life, the opportunities for offense and stress are ever before you.

Vex - Fret- to cause to become uneasy.  Erode - to gnaw, to wear away, wear a hole/worn spot.  Agitate - set in motion -gnaw with the teeth, as a rodent - to devour.  Chafe - wear away - irritate by rubbing - friction - to warm - Gall.  Annoy - toss about - shake up - to plague - afflict. - Weigh - moving mass, wiggle.

The majority of stress is birthed out of frustration.  Frustration leads to unresolved anger. Frustration is the rotten fruit of feeling out of control, and believing the lie - God is not enough to handle the situation.

Frustrate - to prevent from accomplishing a purpose or goal - to prevent from fulfilling a desire; thwart - to cause feelings of discouragement or bafflement.  To make ineffectual or invalid or nullify. Vain - Balk - placing of barriers or hindrances.

Stress - The internal resistance of a body to such an applied force or system of forces.  A mentally or emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition occurring in response to adverse external influences and capable of affecting physical health. Examples of areas that can be affected: increased heart rate - rising blood pressure - muscle tension - irritability and depression. It also means narrowness - oppression - to draw tight!

Everyone needs a place to pour out their complaint, unfortunately, often times it's on each other.  King David's biggest giant throughout his entire life was "offense." The Word says that David was a man after God's own heart.  He was a real man being real about his shortcomings and faults.  As macho as he was - he still needed a good cry and someone to love him through his pain. God is big enough, tough enough, and loving enough to provide us a place to do just that...HIS LAP.

Psalm 55:1-2 Listen to my prayer, O God, and hide not Yourself from my supplication! Attend to me and answer me; I am restless and distraught in my complaint and must moan.

I am going to speak openly and candidly about these issues in my own life.  I have been "unfriended" more times than I can express - long before there was a button to push. My life has been a life of controversy! The faith I have fought for, the subjects that I have taught, the prayers that I have prayed, the dreams I have dreamed....etc. The coals are still hot.

Offense:  The act of causing anger, resentment, displeasure, or affront.  Something that outrages moral sensibilities. 

Never in my lifetime or walk with God have I ever experienced as intently - first-hand the effects of offense and stress, not just in our own lives, but those I hold dear.  The Bible warns that this is a dominant sign of the end-times.  Matthew 24 - it will only be those that endure the offense who will endure to the end. The Bible also warns that there will be a great falling away first. I have pondered what could cause such a thing??? Now once more, say the word.... 
S-S-S-S-S-T-R-E-s-s-s-s-s. Now say the word.... O-F-F-F-E-N-s-s-s-s-s -s-s-s-se.


Scriptures clearly warns us that more than health or finances our greatest challenges will be due to relationships.

Luke 12:52-53:  From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against. Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

The Message - Matthew 24:10  "They are going to throw you to the wolves and kill you, everyone hating you because you carry my name. And then, going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other's throat, everyone hating each other. 

There is not enough counseling or medication that can dilute the venom of these emotions. There is only one true antidote...forgiveness and the cleansing, healing blood of Jesus Christ our Savior. Ultimately, there is only one way to reverse this curse, and it is to "Bless those who persecute and spitefully use you." (Even if it is with gritted teeth and hot tears streaming down your face). The fact is...the person who wounded you is hurting even more than you are. My-daughter-in-love reminds me this is where love really begins.

If I could leave you with just one thing today - something that would make a tangible difference in your life...REMEMBER...there is a plan and purpose behind the offense and stress assignments. It is to pull you out of the will of God and force you into the position of judge and jury of circumstances you know nothing about.  There were people that said they loved Jesus. Very few loved him enough to invite him for a cup of coffee to get his side of the story or ask enough questions to determine the truth.

One of the main keys that made Jesus so powerful...He relinquished ALL his rights to prove his case -to prove He was right. "He opened not his mouth." These are some of the most powerful words in all of the Word of God! Jesus had the goods on every person he came in contact with, both friends and family. Yet he covered their junk with his love. 

You can win the fight and lose the war. My prayer is that God will grace me to do as Jesus did...lose the fight and win the war.  How do I know when I have adequately expressed what I believe the Lord was saying through me?  The conviction of this message makes me stop and get on my face....

Matthew 6:9 Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven ([e]left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have [f]given up resentment against) our debtors.

And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

14For if you forgive people their trespasses [their [g]reckless and willful sins, [h]leaving them, letting them go, and [i]giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their [j]reckless and willful sins, [k]leaving them, letting them go, and [l]giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.

This is a powerful quote... "Forgiveness is a lovely idea until you have something to forgive."  CS Lewis

How you handle offense determines your next level of promotion.  Cathy Summar Flynn

    t-t-f-n (ta-ta-for-now)

MAKE YOUR NEED KNOWN!

Oh no! Lord you have got to be kidding, but our need is a BATHROOM!! How many of you know first - hand that in order for the Lord to completely fulfill your dream it often requires a stripping of the pride first.

Due to circumstances of late, it has become necessary for my husband and I to redefine our space and our dreams. As many of you know we were merrily on our way to a dream – to be closer to our children and grandchildren in Cookeville, TN.

Not only was our desire to be there, but we believed that both of our dreams were tied up in this move. We are yet to know if this is a death to our dream to move or if it a delay. What God has worked in me through this process is still to be revealed and a writing for another day. Some days I cannot see the pen and paper for the tears.

After much, much prayer and seeking Godly counsel, we did exactly what we believed we were supposed to do; closing our business here, opening another business there, and listing our home for sale.  My pride would love to announce that things went smooth as “buttah.”  If you were to put paper and pencil to this venture it appears to be anything but a dream - instead it appears to be a great loss. 

To say our dreams have been met with resistance would be an understatement! Neither do you want to hear the details, nor  if I tried to list them, you and I both would have to go to bed!

Michael is on this side of surgery and begins chemotherapy treatments this upcoming Wednesday. Never could you have told me we could look forward to any such thing.  What we are looking forward to is facing this giant head on with the "yes and Amen to the promises of God" and going forward whatever that necessitates. 

Our "stuff" is still packed up in two places - here and Cookeville. In making the decision to close our new office it has left us both without space.  The facts remain we still need an office for Michael and a studio for me. So true to Flynn style, we have sought counsel - Godly and practical. In considering making an addition to our 100 year-old Victorian home  we have determined that is no longer an option.

The uncertainty of the future makes any of our decisions high-risk. A pastor friend of ours asked us when have we considered anything less!

experiment

Many Will Follow From Afar

It is somewhat of a frightful thing to both commit and yield to the flow of the Holy Spirit whether it is to illustrate-write-or preach. This means you must yield control!

I have seriously counted the cost prior to the start-up of this blog.  I am sure some are thinking...cost - what cost?  I knew there would be the cost of time, the cost of accountability, the temptation to dilute or compromise a hard word. There is always the cost of the fear of offense (real or imagined) or the actual offense itself. 

After much prayer, and careful consideration...I felt the Lord gave me a personal word. "On your very best day...there is someone who is NOT going to like you, agree with you, or not speak to you.  So what have you got to lose...your reputation?"  I assure you that issue has been covered as well.

As we study the life of the Apostle Paul, it is sad to learn that even after the Apostle Paul's radical conversion, the majority of the people never trusted him nor forgave him. He  could not win either way he chose. He was  numbered with the vilest of sinners up until his death. The people either carried a direct offense with Paul or still carried the offense for someone he had injured or killed. 

Paul could have drowned in his own condemnation and regret.  If anyone had every right to slither under the nearest rock and never come out it was the Apostle Paul. In his personal encounter with the living Christ, he s-o-o-o came to terms with his reputation being destroyed. It was this concept of allowing his reputation to be put to death, that Paul put his own foot on the neck of pride. THIS MADE HIM  BOTH FEARLESS AND TO BE FEARED!

The risk/cost works in both directions - not only for those who carry the Word, but those who choose to follow and listen. 

There are several types of followers to consider. The first are those who are excited and desire to be numbered regardless of the cost. 

The second group consists of  those, who for many different reasons, will choose to follow from afar.  In some cases the curious will  follow at a distance due to  peer pressure or the very real threat of the fear for  their lives or reputations. All of the men and women of God had "secret"  followers, including Jesus. 

As always, we can turn to the Word of God for our examples.

NLT  -  Luke 19:1 - 7 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.  He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.  When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name.“Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”  Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.  But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

I submit to you... that yes, the Word clearly indicates that Zacchaeus was short in stature, but I believe this passage also indicates that this man, weary of all the gossip and accusations associated with his line of business and personal life, made the brave choice to climb above the peer pressure and naysayers in his life.

Then there are the followers who keep their distance out of guilt by association. They fear betraying the person whose offense they are supposed to help perpetuate. 

The Message - Matthew 26: ^{57 -58}The gang that had seized Jesus led him before Caiaphas the Chief Priest, where the religion scholars and leaders had assembled. Peter followed at a safe distance until they got to the Chief Priest's courtyard. Then he slipped in and mingled with the servants, watching to see how things would turn out. 

Worse yet...after all of the investment of unforgiveness, what happens if you get too close to the fire of  the truth only to discover that after all this time the culprit is NOT who you have believed it to be? THE FIRE OF THE TRUTH BURNS HOTTER THAT THE HEAT OF THE OFFENSE! 

Passage Acts 28:^{3 -6}Paul pitched in and helped. He had gathered up a bundle of sticks, but when he put it on the fire, a venomous snake, roused from its torpor by the heat, struck his hand and held on. Seeing the snake hanging from Paul's hand like that, the natives jumped to the conclusion that he was a murderer getting his just deserts. Paul shook the snake off into the fire, none the worse for wear. They kept expecting him to drop dead, but when it was obvious he wasn't going to, they jumped to the conclusion that he was a god!  

Lastly, sad as it is true, there are followers who are waiting in the shadows hoping their perceived enemies will stumble, fall, and ultimately fail.

^{NLT Passage 26:14-16} Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests  and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver.  From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

There are the followers who first will curse their only hope of deliverance.

Then there are the followers who have lost their hope.......

^{NLT - Mark 15:40} Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph^[i]), and Salome. ⁴¹ They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.

Then there are the followers that allow their shame and pride distance them from their only source of healing....  

Luke 17:12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

There is the last group of followers - those that understand, regardless of the depth of their sin, humbleness, and repentance, removes ALL distance between them and their Saviour!

Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Regardless of what category we find ourselves there is one inescapable truth...  

Amplified -  James 4:8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].

^{NLT - Mark 5: 1-8} So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes.  When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from a cemetery to meet him. This man lived among the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain.  Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him.  Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.

 When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him.  With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!”  For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”

One picture is worth a 1,000 words as evidenced by this illustration by Mary Engelbreit!

t-t-f-n (ta-ta-for now!)

THE RUNAWAY WATERMELON!

Several years ago, when I first enrolled in my writing classes, our instructors suggested that we should always be on the alert for unusual people and circumstances to write about.  I never considered the majority of the fodder for my writing material would be about me!

Its summertime once more - times of reminiscing of summers past.  I never cross paths with a watermelon that I am not reminded of a story…..  Some things bear repeating!

Mistakenly I thought at 54 years of age I had been stripped of any remaining pride.  WRONG!

It was going to be necessary for me to get a few items from the grocery store.  Living in a small rural town it is often necessary to shop at the well-known mega center.  Normally that would not be a problem, but for the next six weeks I would be sporting a very bulky air cast.  My husband was unavailable to drive me on this errand, but I decided to persevere.

Upon arrival, I hobbled in and claimed my motorized cart.  The very same ones I have dodged my entire shopping career.  In a hurry, and in pain, I make my final selections from the produce department.  Just as I was leaving I spied a sign that read, “PERSONAL WATERMELONS $1.98.”  I thought I knew of every personal item known to man, but never a “PERSONAL WATERMELON”.  Thrilled with my new find I proceeded to the checkout line.

The young male cashier was manning the cash register physically, but he obviously had clocked out a long time ago!  Courtesy and promptness were not his goals for the day.  He constantly turned in every direction more interested in what was taking place around him than his customers in line.  He took my freezer bags and promptly packed them “IN” with my cold foods.  As I felt my temperature rising, he took out his cell phone and checked his messages!  At that point, it was a good thing that I was not God or the store manager.

 Finally I checked out!  Limping and fuming - I awkwardly made my way to the car with my hard earned groceries, and my best buy, the “PERSONAL WATERMELON.”  The fifteen minute drive home allowed me time to cool down.

 I backed into our driveway to make it easier for my husband to bring in the groceries.  I was going to help by carrying the bag that had my latest ladies’ magazine.  When I opened the car door my “ PERSONAL WATERMELON ” (still in the mega store’s bag) rolled down out of the seat (BOINK!).  Helplessly, I watched as it rolled into the floor (BOINK!). It then rolled out the door (BOINK!) hitting the running board of my vehicle (BOINK!), and bouncing onto the pavement (BOINK!).  I WAS STUNNED!  It appeared my “best buy” now had a mind of its own and was moving in slow motion.  I thought I would meet this melon head-on and easily stop it in its path. WRONG AGAIN!  I forgot about the unforgiving cast and could not bend my leg in order to make the catch.

Unbelievably, my “PERSONAL WATERMELON” was now rolling underneath my car!  Our driveway has a slight slope - just enough to propel my $1.98 bargain into the middle of our back yard!

By this time…my dry witted husband has now opened the front door.  He is looking at me with a cast on one leg, my black sparkly purse on one arm, and my magazine bag on the other bent double, laughing hysterically.  With tears running down my face I am trying to tell him where the rest of the groceries are, but all I can do is point.

We are respected business owners in our small community, live in a nice neighborhood on a street that runs through the heart of town.  He looks at the white grocery bag, with my “best buy” parked squarely in the center of our yard.  It appeared to have been placed there on purpose. Like s-o-o-o many times before, my husband just shakes his head.  With no expression whatsoever, he asks me, “Should I put on my false nose and glasses?”

Enough said about the “runaway watermelon” with the exception…my husband did ask one more question as we were heading to bed. “Should he install a basketball goal so it would be easier for me to dribble this bouncy melon?”

P.S.  The following week I bought PEACHES!


PLEASE NOTE:  ALL IMAGES USED IN THIS BLOG ARE CLIP ART. ALTHOUGH, THE FALSE NOSE & GLASSES STRIKES A STRONG RESEMBLANCE TO MY HUSBAND!  I DID NOT DRAW THEM,  (I WISH I HAD!)  















                    
                          

          

     t-t-f-n 

(ta-ta-for-now)

There Was A Woman With An Issue.... REALLY...ONLY ONE?

Well lo and behold here I am again! Several people, who love me enough, have had the guts to tell me the truth and basically said, "Dust the grey off sister and get with it! There's no turning back now! It's too late - you've been seen!"

As I said in the first Blog, the Bible encourages us to know those who labor among you, and as I promised, I am about to reveal more on the subject of ..."Who is this yady?" So I invite you to venture off into another episode of Cathy's Life.

There was a woman with an issue...REALLY NOW...ONLY ONE?  Have you ever known a woman who had only one issue? I would like to shake her hand.

**I understand that I am taking poetic license with this verse and this cartoon.  I did not draw the cartoon below, but I wish I had.  I just rearranged several clip art images to make my point.**

Sorry..interruption... break... this reminds me of a joke!  A young lady named Jane was in an accident, died prematurely, and went to heaven. When she realized she was in heaven and standing in front of St. Peter she started crying hysterically and pleading her case - declaring that she was too young to be there.  Jane relentlessly begged St. Peter, "Please, Please, Please give me another chance." She rashly listed the things she would do differently, and promised to make the world a better place if she were given another chance.

Sure enough, Jane was given a second chance.  Immediately, she had plastic surgery from her head to her toes. Jane had her hair cut, styled and colored differently - new make-up -new clothes.  After all, if she were going to accomplish all of these wonderful feats, she needed to look her best.

Just as Jane added the last finishing touch she walked out of the beauty parlor into the street only to be in another fatal accident.  She awoke once more in the presence of St. Peter. Hysterical she started screaming...BUT YOU PROMISED!!!...YOU SAID I could go back and accomplish all these great things for you!!!  St. Peter kept eyeing her suspiciously, he knew she looked vaguely familiar.  He leaned over, looked closer and said, "Just who are you?" Jane started screaming, "IT'S ME JANE - JANE - YOU KNOW - DO YOU REMEMBER  ME NOW?" Stunned, St. Peter hung his head and said, "Sorry, I didn't recognize you."

This little tale would be funnier if it were not so close to the truth, at least in my own life. It's only by the grace of God that we escape so many near disasters. Out of great desperation we make rash vows and promises... if only God will save our necks this time. Then we promise to clean ourselves up and save the world. We get so caught up in our own agenda and self-preservation we are barely recognizable from the desperate, humble person that first threw themselves on the Lord's mercy.

I very easily could have been numbered with these women in the 'HALL OF SHAME'.

I was the woman at the well of John 4:7-26. The Samaritan woman was always looking for A man, until she found "THE Man, JESUS!"  Jesus delivered her from the need to base her happiness or self-worth on external relationships.

I was "Mary Magdalene" of Luke 8:2. Mary ministered to Christ, although, she had been delivered of seven evil spirits and infirmities! Greek - as-theni-ah - feebleness of mind or body, malady, frailty, weakness.  Have you been disqualified by society, or your family?  Has the doctor diagnosed you a manic-depressive, emotionally unstable? Have you actually experienced or almost experienced a nervous breakdown or tried to commit suicide?  So what! Jesus still needs your ministry and NOW you are qualified!

I was the woman with the alabaster box of Luke 7:36-47.  "And behold a woman in the city who was a sinner.  Therefore, I say to you, her sins which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much."

I was Gomer of Hosea 2:13.  She decked herself with earrings and jewelry and went after her lovers.  Then she forgot me, says the Lord.  Hosea redeemed Gomer from the slave market in spite of her sin.

From my earliest remembrance, Jesus had always tugged on my heart, but I did not understand who it was. I had one major encounter with the church when I was 16 years of age.  This encounter resulted in supernatural experiences that the traditional church could not or would not take the time to explain.  Instead of being embraced and discipled, I became confused, isolated and ashamed.  Consequently, I ran as fast as I could from the very place I believed should have been my haven of rest.  It truly is a miracle that I ever served the true, living God.

Disillusioned and abandoned, I turned into the waiting arms of the perversion of the Gospel, the Occult.  All the while still loving God the best way I knew how, and believing the lies that He was leading me along this "enlightened path."  I would have never knowingly been involved in blatant satanism, but underestimated the equally destructive power of the "New Age Movement."  Honestly, they embraced me and were much more loving than any experience I had with the church.

I asked Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior in 1988. I would read the Word of God, especially, the Old Testament, and just weep. I grieved over the reality of my gross sin, and that my lifestyle had been such an abomination to my Heavenly Father. I felt I had wasted so much of my life and the spirit of regret nearly consumed me. Equally, the revelation of His redeeming love, His abundant grace, and mercy was unfathomable to me. Not only did He guide me into forgiveness of others, but myself, as well.

Oh friends, God is so merciful! Unfortunately, we rarely recognize what tapestry he is weaving with the threads of our circumstances, trials, hurts and tears.

Hosea 11:3. I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; But they did not know that I healed them.

v.4 - I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.

Once we begin to understand the reasons, and the methods by which we medicate our wounds and pains, there is hope to experience permanent change not only for you, but those you love. We have been sorely misled to believe that deliverance is a onetime event, when in fact, it is a lifetime process.  How often did the Israelites cry out for deliverance? Over and over and over - and God delivered them out of them all!

Prior to my conversion experience I was awakened by the audible voice of the Lord.  I awoke to hearing the name "Hannah". All I knew is that she was someone in the Bible.  I began my search....

To summarize the end of this particular story...through much deliverance, healing, and teaching, God has transformed me into a Hannah.  I assure you this is not a haughty - prideful statement. Although Hannah had opened her heart up to bitterness, jealousy, and was misunderstood by the church, God fertilized the dormant seed.  He watered the barren, dead places. It was only through the bitter, hard places did HANNAH TRULY LEARN TO PRAY!

I was told, by someone in church leadership, several years ago that the reason it was so easy for me to experience the things of the "spirit" was due to my prior Occultic involvement. At the time, I believe that was one of the greatest insults I had ever experienced. I can tell you of a surety, there is NO comparison to the genuine Spirit of God with the counterfeit! Few people know the true cost of the oil in my alabaster box.

As I began to grow in the things of the Lord, I was also told that I prayed with fervency, although, I had no idea as to the meaning. As you recall, Hannah prayed with such fervency, she was accused of being drunk by the Priest Eli.

James 5:16. Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray {also} for one another, that you may be healed and restored {to a spiritual tone of mind and heart}.  The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working}.


In my ignorance, I cried out to the Lord, "WHERE IN THE WORLD DO YOU GET FERVENCY?"  My Lord very gently said...."Experience my child....experience."

Passage Matthew 7:23. ^{21 -23}"Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.' 

t-t-f-n 
(ta-ta-for-now)

God's Healing Promises - Ecclesiastes 3:13…for these are gifts from God

I John 5:14    Pray in His will. "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we          ask anything according to His will, He hears us."

John 15:7    Ask the Father in Jesus' name. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in
        you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."

Ephesians 1:21    Jesus name above every name. "Far above all principality and power and
        might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age, 
        but also in that which is to come."

Mathew 18:18    Bind evil, loose healing. "Assuredly, I say to you whatever you bind on earth
        will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in  heaven."

Matthew 18:19    Two agree as touching anything. "Again, I say to you that if two of you agree
        on earth concerning anything that they ask it will be done for them by my Father in heaven."

Mark 16:17    Cast out Spirit of Infirmity. "And these signs will follow those who believe,
        in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues."

Romans 8:11    Resurrection power quicken body. "But if the spirit of Him who raised Jesus
        from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give
        life to your mortal bodies through His spirit who dwells in you,"

Isaiah 55:11    Word will not return void. "So shall My word be that goes forth from my
        mouth, it shall not return to me void, bit it shall accomplish what I please, and
        it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

Isaiah 53:15    Read God's promise of healing to satan. "But He was wounded for our
        transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our
        peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."

Matthew 8:17    "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the Prophet saying He
        Himself took our infirmities and bore our sickness."

I Peter 2:24    "Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having
        died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed."

Genesis 17:17    My covenant, My flesh, one flesh. "And I will establish my covenant between
        me and you and your descendants after you and their generations, for an
        everlasting covenant, to be god to you and your descendants after you."

Galatians 3:13    Redeemed from the curse. "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law,
        having become a curse for us, for it is written cursed is everyone who hangs on
        a tree."

Job 22:27-30    Decree a thing and it will be established. "You will make your prayer to Him,
        He will hear you, and you will pray your vows. You will also declare a thing
        and it will be established for you, so light will shine on your ways. He will save
        the humble person. He will deliver one who is not innocent, yes he will be
        delivered by the purity of your hand."

Romans 4:17    Body get in line with the Word. "I have made you a Father of many nations in
        the presence if whom He believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and
        call those things which do not exist as though they did."

Romans 8:26    Pray in tongues (perfect prayer). "Likewise the spirit also helps in our
        weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but
        the spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
        uttered."

Revelations 12:11 Defeat the enemy by the Blood of the Lamb. " and they overcame him by
        the blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their testimony, and they did not
        love their lives to the death."

John 10:10    Know who the enemy is and his work. Know the abundant Life Giver.
        "the thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have
        come that they may have life and they may have it more abundantly.

Mark 16:18    Believer lay on hands. They will take up serpents and if they drink anything
        deadly it will by no means hurt them. They will lay hands on the sick and they
        will recover."

James 5:13    Call for the Elders of the church and anoint with oil. "Is anyone among you
        suffering? Let him pray.

Isaiah 58:6    Fasting. "Is not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bonds of
        wickedness to undo the heavy burdens to let the oppressed go free and that
        you break every yoke."

Pray for healing. Repent and ask forgiveness for any sin that may stand in your way of
Intercessory prayer. Psalms 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me
and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting.

t-t-f-n (ta-ta- for now)

Hey y'all  it's me again!  If you are reading this - then you were brave enough to come back!  Thanks!

In the past few weeks life has dictated a different schedule for me and my husband. We find ourselves amidst the roller coaster ride of a variety of  doctor's visits. It has been my goal to post each week. So today I am a "titch" off schedule, but I felt an urgency to share. I know you are shocked, but this post may not be as animated, and will be brief.

It is my full intention to share at a later date some of the miracles that have been been experienced as a result of praying these scriptures. This particular compilation of healing scriptures was put together 23 years ago in a home prayer meeting conducted by my  now deceased spiritual mentor. We were praying for one of her relatives in another state when she felt impressed of the Lord to start writing. This list of God's healing promises have been distributed all over - in big places and little bitty places.

I believe a man not only reaps the bad things he has sown, but the good things as well - hence the scripture:

Passage Ecclesiastes 3:13  And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

In the past 23 years my husband I have had the great privilege to pray for healing (for now what seems like a multitude). So now by sharing these scriptures with you, we are sowing for healing once more, and I am believing for a miracle for my husband. Should you have a testimony of healing, please drop me a note!

Circumstances change, God's Word does NOT! God's Word is bigger than any theological differences or doctrines.  If you don't believe me - just ask Him!