The Flood Gates of Heaven

God's desire is to abundantly pour out His Spirit with dreams, visions and prophesy on all flesh (Joel 2:28) And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

While in a prayer meeting, each person was being prayed for and being built up with encouragement, in the spirit man. It was my turn and someone spoke over me, saying you are searching for something. There is a gate which has a lock on it, and you don’t see it, you keep going past it. "God is opening that gate". At that moment, in the spirit realm, I heard a very loud sound of rushing water, like a huge waterfall. It was exciting because my spirit knew I had found what I was searching for and now had the understanding. It was sweet jubilee. -Debi Webster-

The story below is what I found while searching scripture on "The Flood Gates of Heaven", which I named my experience that night. It moved me and I would like to share it with you.

Open the Flood gates of Heaven

Can History Repeat Itself? Whenever God opens the windows of heaven he has more than just material goodies in mind. Whenever the heavens are opened, God calls us to another dimension of perception and insight. This is a vital understanding of the rain released from open heavens. God’s promise in Joel 2 about the rain of the Spirit in the last days is denoted by new levels of revelation dreams, visions and prophecy. As Joel prophesied, “I will pour out my spirit on all people, your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions” (Joel 2:28).

The opening of the heavens is a cue to witness spiritual reality. John the Baptist saw the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus. Stephen, the first martyr saw the heavens open to reveal Jesus seated at the right hand of God. The apostle John saw a door standing open in heaven and he was invited to observe a panorama of God’s kingdom.

The opening of the heavens is not solely God’s responsibility; it is something that we can provoke. At a time when Israel was suffering the horrific effects of closed heavens stemming from the Lord’s disfavor, the prophet Elijah was able to build an altar and unlock the heavens over his nation. Elijah was a man of like passions subject to the same limitations and frailties as the rest of us. The apostle Peter holds him up as a model of effectual fervent prayer.

Elijah’s construction of a proper altar which provoked the rain of God’s presence is a symbolic depiction of the power of an accurate prayer lifestyle in unlocking new dimensions of insight. The promise inherent in that episode and proclaimed by the apostle Peter is that we can unlock the heavens over our nation today.

As we ask for rain in springtime, let us realize that a door now stands open in heaven. And like the apostle John we are being invited to enter new levels of insight, intimacy and access into divine mysteries. The open door in the heavens also speaks of a door of opportunity to receive a divine blueprint for living effectually and powerfully with accuracy like Elijah. And in so doing open the floodgates of heaven.

The apostle blesses God for comfort in, and deliverance out of troubles.

We are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The Lord is able to give peace to the troubled conscience, and to calm the raging passions of the soul. These blessings are given by him, as the Father of his redeemed family. It is our Savior who says, Let not your heart be troubled. All comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him.

He speaks peace to souls by granting the free remission of sins; and he comforts them by the enlivening influences of the Holy Spirit, and by the rich mercies of his grace. He is able to bind up the broken-hearted, to heal the most painful wounds, and also to give hope and joy under the heaviest sorrows. The favors God bestows on us, are not only to make us cheerful, but also that we may be useful to others.

He sends comfort enough to support such as simply trust in and serve him. If we should be brought so low as to despair even of life, yet we may then trust God, who can bring back even from death. Their hope and trust were not in vain; nor shall any be ashamed who trust in the Lord. Past experiences encourage faith and hope, and lay us under obligation to trust in God for time to come. And it is our duty, not only to help one another with prayer, but in praise and thanksgiving, and thereby to make suitable returns for benefits received. Thus both trials and mercies will end in good to ourselves and others. -Author Unknown-

-Debi Webster-

Pentecost is for Now

The Holy Spirit will take us up to other places in visions (Ezekiel 11:24) Afterwards the spirit took me up, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me.

After Church some of us stayed in worship while the congregation had left. We were all enjoying singing praises to the Lord. As I was watching I could see something on top of the musician on stage. I realized what I was viewing was the Holy Spirit Fire. It just sat above the young musicians head and then quickly grew and engulfed the young lady singing and she feel to her knees. As I watched in amazement at the movement, its like I was in a trance. The Anointing didn't stop there, but continued around the room to each of us.

I have wondered why it did not happen while the congregation was there. I do know that each person standing there was involved in another ministry of the church. I would say that we were each given an extra dose of anointing from the Holy Spirit to help us with our ministry.

The Pentacost Story

Like the rush of a mighty wind ...

Acts 2:1-20

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power."

All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: "In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

-Debi Webster-

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is bigger than just tongues. Expect the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Acts 19:1-6

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.

Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

What to expect with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

1. Expect Supernatural Wisdom
Acts 6:10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
The Holy Spirit gives you wisdom how to take care of challenges in your family and witness.

2. Expect to Receive the Release of His Perfect Love
Expect the supernatural love of God.
Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

3. Expect All the Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

4. Expect All the Gifts to be Instantly Deposited Into Us
I Corinthians 12:8 - 10 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

The Holy Spirit equips you. You can expect to meet the need of those around you. Covet the best gift that is in the situation at that moment.

5. Expect the Strength to Live a Consecrated Life
The Holy Spirit becomes that power. Read Romans 6 in its entirety. Expect a life of worship, a life of reading your bible, and a life of His intimacy. It is easier to live a Holy life.

Revelation 12:11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

6. Expect the Ability to Resist and Defeat Your Enemies
Expect the ability to resist and defeat your enemies - Satan, sin, and self. Only a Christian with the Holy Spirit's supernatural anointing can expect a brand new ability. Sin is your enemy. You can not keep sin and you together. It is like a magnet, if you put both ends together they resist each other. We receive a new ability to defeat Satan.

7. Expect to Live in Unity with the Body of Christ
After the Baptism of the Holy Spirit you can expect to live in unity with others in the body of Christ. They will know we are Christians by out LOVE.

8. Expect to Live the Rest of Your Life on Earth with POWER
Power to cast out demons, to witness, to worship in a way that we have freedom.
-Bits and Pieces of sermon from Tim Davis-

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." (Acts 1:8)

This promise of our Lord signaled the beginning of the immense change from the old covenant to the new. Prior to the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:16) on the day of Pentecost, the saints of God were empowered both selectively and infrequently.

We, however, upon whom the "better thing" has come (Hebrews 11:40), are all temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Since we have been "quickened" (made alive) by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 3:18), we surely should then "walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25). What then is the dunamis (power) that the Holy Spirit provides to us?

Obviously, the power comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit Himself (Ephesians 3:16-20). Our flesh has "no good thing" (Romans 7:18) to provide for an empowered, Spirit-filled life. Apart from the dwelling of God’s Spirit in us (Ephesians 1:14), we would be unable to live righteously (John 15:5).

But thanks be to the omnipotent and omniscient Creator that the Holy Spirit gives us gifts to use in Christ’s assembly to mature and to encourage each other (Ephesians 4:7-16). The Holy Spirit also grants us the ability to develop His "fruit" in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Then, with the encouragement and maturity we gain through our churches, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit being obvious in our daily lives, the great privilege of sharing the gospel with the lost becomes a delightful exercise of "power" (Romans 1:16) that is clear, not only in careful words of testimony, but in and through a life empowered by the Holy Spirit (1Thessalonians 1:5). -Power of the Holy Spirit by Henry Morris III, D.Min.-

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You are the Lord of Lords, the God of God's, Your greatness goes before you. We thank you for Your Son, Jesus. We thank you for Your mighty Holy Spirit. We thank You for Your Spirit Breathed Word.

Jesus, You said, dunamis power of God will come upon us when we receive the Holy Ghost, (Acts 1:8). You said in Ephesians 1:17, that we are to pray for the revelation of the greatness of your dunamis power toward us who believe. We are asking you for it now. We ask you to give us the revelation of that dunamis power. We ask you to give us the manifestation of it. We desire to receive this dunamis power "for this and this alone will meet the necessity of the human heart and this and this alone will have the power to overcome the forces of darkness." We've reached this hour and we do believe that things have shifted and things have changed and that there will be a great move of God on the earth -- a great manifestation of the power of God through the sons and daughters of God. And we are asking you for it right now. And we believe it right now. We believe that we are the sons and daughters of God and that we can receive that power and walk in it daily by looking to you as our source. We receive that power now by faith and we walk in it daily. Show us how to manifest that power on behalf of others in healings, miracles, signs, and wonders. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Holy Spirit Power

God's desire is to abundantly pour out His Spirit with dreams, visions and prophesy on all flesh (Joel 2:28) And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.

While in prayer in a Church group I was engulfed within the Flame of the Holy Spirit. A voice asked what I saw, I said "Fear". Then the voice asked, Who is fearful? I said, "Church". Then the voice asked, Fearful of What? I said, "Battle".

The "Baptism of Fire" is only mentioned in two places in the Bible:

"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew 3:11)

"John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."" (Luke 3:16)

Jer 5:22 (NIV) "Should you not fear me?" declares the Lord. "Should you not tremble in my presence?"

In Hebrew, yirah (Jon 1:16, Ps 90:11), yare (Mal 3:16) and pachad (Job 3:25a, Ps 119:120) mean reverent fear, terror, or dread, normally translated simply fear. There are other words in Hebrew for mere respect, reverence, or honor, such as kabad (Ex 20:12). In Greek fear/terror is phobo (Mat 28:4,1 Pet 2:17c), where reverence or honor is timao (1 Pet 2:17a/d).

"Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, "Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's." (2 Chronicles 20:15).

Our battle is "not against flesh and blood " (things in the natural realm), "but against ... spiritual wickedness." "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal ..." (2 Cor. 10:3-5 and Eph. 6:12)

The link below is an excerpt from "The Deliverance Manual by Gene and Earline Moody".


WHAT IS FEAR? - Fear: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger, an instance of this emotion, a state marked by this emotion, anxious concern, solicitude, PROFOUND REVERENCE AND AWE ESPECIALLY TOWARD GOD, reason for alarm, danger. Do you have profound reverence and awe towards God?

FEAR, DREAD, FRIGHT, ALARM, PANIC, TERROR, TREPIDATION mean painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger. FEAR is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage; DREAD usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety; FRIGHT implies the shock of sudden, startling fear; ALARM suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger; PANIC implies unreasoning and over-mastering fear causing hysterical activity; TERROR implies the most extreme degree of fear; TREPIDATION adds to DREAD the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

FEARFUL, APPREHENSIVE, AFRAID mean disturbed by fear. FEARFUL implies often a timorous or worrying temperament (the child is fearful of loud noises) APPREHENSIVE suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger (apprehensive that war would break out) AFRAID often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance (afraid to speak the truth). (How about that preachers, are you afraid to preach the truth? Are you more afraid of man than of God?)

HOW ABOUT FEAR MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE? - Fear is used frequently in the Word of God. Some definitions of fear are terror, sorrow, tremble, fright, REVERENCE, dread, rage, anger, timid, afraid, pain, caution and horror.
Reverential fear means fear, fearful, dread, terrible, terror, that ought to be feared, be afraid, reverence, be feared, be had in reverence, terrible acts, terrible things, fright, make afraid and put in fear. The number of times that reverence means fear is significant.

SHOULD WE RESPECT AND/OR FEAR THE LORD? - In recent years, I have told people not to fear the Lord or to be deathly afraid of Him but to have enough respect for God that they would obey His Word. Satan causes many Christians to fear lost salvation and implies that God is a harsh God that wants to hit people with a big stick as soon as they do anything wrong. Instead of respecting God, they fear God. We need to fear the judgments of God. God is holy and righteous, and will not compromise His Word. Do you fear the judgments of God?

We should respect God's Covenant, Commandments, Ways, Statutes, and Being. Ps. 74:20 - Have respect unto the covenant. 119:6 - When I have respect unto all thy commandments. 119:15 - And have respect unto thy ways. 119:117 - And I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Isa. 17:7 - And his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.

Some of the Body of Christ want to dwell on the God of Love and not the God of Judgment. God's Love is balanced with God's Judgment. Most people do not want to think about God's Judgment. We want to think about God's Love and what He will do for us. We do not want to think about what is our part of the Covenant with God and what we are supposed to do for the Lord.

This study has indicated to me that we need to have a very healthy respect and fear for God and His Holiness. We actually need to have somewhat of a fear for God so that we don't take Him and His Word lightly and casually. We should fear God in the manner indicated in the Bible. Do not take God for granted! Do you?

ARE THERE BENEFITS FROM FEARING GOD? - Is there a positive side to fearing God? Absolutely, there are many benefits that accrue to the person that fears God. That person will work at keeping God's commandments and will be blessed rather than cursed.

The list of selected scriptures used above indicate that we can have peace, be encouraged, be strong and of good courage, fear not nor be afraid, not fear other gods, houses are safe from fear, be instructed in wisdom, will be honored by God, fear no evil, receive the secret of the Lord, takes pleasure in those that fear Him, have strong confidence, drink at the fountain of life, be happy, have rest, be written in the Book of Remembrance, perfecting holiness through fear of God, and work out our salvation.

We can have rest, peace, calmness, sleep and quietness that comes from God. To obtain these benefits, we must respect and reverence God; and dread His Judgments. Do you have the peace of God that passes understanding?

FAITH, TRUST AND LOVE OF GOD - We need to be fearless: free from fear. We do not need to be fearful, apprehensive or afraid. Perfect love casts out fear, I Jo. 4:18. Perfect love of God drives away fear of man and fear of what will happen to you. For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, II Tim. 4:8. (Try singing this verse over and over again to dispel fear.) Demonic fear comes from Satan, not God. Shall He not much more clothe you, Matt. 6:30. Do not be fearful about what you shall eat or drink, or how you will be clothed. Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith, Matt. 8:26. Have faith in God and get rid of your fear.

Nervous habits stem from the emotion of fear. For the Christian, nervous habits stem from the lack of faith and trust in God and His Provisions. They stem from trusting in yourself or man rather than God.

What are you hiding from? What are you afraid of? Did your parents abuse you as a child? Does your husband or wife mistreat you? What have people done to you to cause you to fear others or things?

SHOULD WIVES FEAR THEIR HUSBANDS? - Eph. 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. In this verse, reverence (phobe) means to be terrified, afrighted, afraid. Here is a good verse for you women to ponder; are you reverencing your husband? If not, what are the consequences to your marriage and family? Earline-Erma-Patti do you fear your husbands: Gene-Glen-Kevin?

SHOULD HUSBANDS LOVE THEIR WIVES? - Col. 3:18-21 Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. These four little verses are the keys to a perfect family in God. For you husbands, this love (agapao) is the Love of Christ. Eph. 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. This verse spells it out clearly for you men; you know what Christ gave for the church - his life. Gene-Glen-Kevin do you love your wives: Earline-Erma-Patti?

I Jo. 4:18 - There is no fear in love; but perfect love cast out fear.Gen. 43:23 - Peace be to you, fear not.Deut. 1:21 - Fear not, neither be discouraged; 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them.
Isaiah 14:3 - The Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear.

How the Believer Can Take Control Over His or Her Mind, Home, Business & Country

The Blood of Jesus

Spiritual Warfare

He Handed It All Out In Gifts to the People

God wants to visit His people (Exodus 24:16-17) And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is bigger than just tongues. Expect the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Acts 19:1-6

Ephesians 4:7-13 (MSG) But that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift. The text for this is, He climbed the high mountain, He captured the enemy and seized the booty, He handed it all out in gifts to the people.

Is it not true that the One who climbed up also climbed down, down to the valley of earth? And the One who climbed down is the One who climbed back up, up to highest heaven. He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ's followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church, until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.

καταρτισμός
katartismos
kat-ar-tis-mos'

Complete furnishing (objectively): - perfecting.

A making fit, preparing, training, perfecting, making fully qualified for service. In classical language the word is used for setting a bone for surgery. The Great Physician is now making all the necessary adjustments so the church will not be “Out of Joint.”

The Greek word for equipping implies:

1. A recovered wholeness as when a broken limb is set and mends.
2. A discovered function, as when a physical member is properly operating.

The work of the ministry is the enterprise of each member of the Body of Christ and not the exclusive charge of the select leaders.

Taken together, Eph 4:11,12 reveal that the task of the gifted leader is to cultivate the individual and corporate ministries of those he or she leads.

The Gift of Speaking in Tongues - God’s Purpose

Referring to Isaiah’s words, Paul wrote, “In the law it is written, ‘With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people, and yet for all that they will not hear Me, saith the Lord.’ Wherefore”, Paul concludes, “tongues are for a sign . . . to them that believe not” (1Cor. 14:21-22). Notice Paul’s words, “tongues are for a sign”, and then ask yourself, “A sign of what?” Clearly, tongues are God’s designated sign of the way of eternal life. A singular beauty of the New Testament is that God Himself, through the Spirit, speaks when He enters our hearts. In this covenant, we are not dependent upon men to tell us when we are born again.

Speaking in tongues is a misunderstood blessing, but it is part of the reason Jesus suffered and died. How can it not be of God? Is it not clear that only those who have repented and have received the Holy Spirit baptism with the evidence of speaking in tongues have found this REST which God promised to His people?

Speaking in tongues enables God’s children to pray more effectively. Paul wrote, “Likewise the Spirit helps our infirmities. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26).

-Debi Webster-

Heavenly

God wants to visit His people (Exodus 24:16-17) And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

When we pursue the Kingdom of GOD we will see things that we have not yet seen. God will give us Heavenly Signs and Wonders to Amaze us. He wants us to look into the Heavenly Realm where He sits in all His Glory. There He can tell us the secrets of His Heart.

Jesus' ministry is surrounded with Supernatural Experiences because He did only what the Father in Heaven told Him. The work He did here on earth is for today, not only when Jesus was on earth. God is seeking for those who truly seek after Him to shower them with His Glory. Religion is trying to stop the Church from seeing that Glory and having Supernatural Experiences. Religion says if you have a Supernatural Vision it is a demon. Because religion can not control it, they can't tie it down, they can't tell it what to do.

In the Word you find things happening in the Spirit Realm to many of Authors. Ezekiel was carried into a vision of God. He was lifted into the Heavens seeing the Kingdom. He saw wheels within wheels as Heavenly Beings. (Ezekiel 1:1-28) John the Revelator, was lifted Higher to see the Kingdom. A voice lifted him a little Higher and he began to look into Heaven. He began to see GOD. There is a lot of stuff going on in Heaven.

In His Word are so many personal experiences with GOD by the prophets and seers. You just have to open the Word and pray for the revelation of GOD as you read them. The Holy Spirit will be glad to share the revelation the LORD has sent Him to give to you.

GOD is wanting us to have encounters with Him. Everybody wants these encounters but they want them to be normal. GOD is wanting Heaven to become more Real to us. For it to become a reality to us, all we need to do is take a step of faith into His Realm and come out believing what He shared with us was our glimpse of Heaven. Having a glimpse in Heaven is a promise He gives to each of His children.

-Debi Webster Perry-

Let your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised; Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery because I trusted your Word. Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever—your commandments are what I depend on. Oh, I'll guard with my life what you've revealed to me, guard it now, guard it ever; And I'll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom; Then I'll tell the world what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed. I cherish your commandments—oh, how I love them!—relishing every fragment of your counsel. Remember what you said to me, your servant—I hang on to these words for dear life! These words hold me up in bad times; yes, your promises rejuvenate me. (PSALM 119:41-50-MSG)

"THE EPISTLE OF JAMES"

Heavenly Wisdom Vs. Earthly Wisdom (3:13-18)

INTRODUCTION

1. In the Old Testament book of Proverbs, we are encouraged to seek after wisdom - Pr 3:13-18; 4:7-9

2. Likewise, in the New Testament we are exhorted to walk with wisdom - Ep 5:15-17

3. But in Jm 3:13-18, we learn that there is more than just one kind of wisdom (READ)

4. In this lesson, we will take a look at what James describes as two different kinds of wisdom: "Heavenly Wisdom Vs. Earthly Wisdom"

[In discussing these two, James does so by making several contrasts; the first being...]

I. A CONTRAST IN THEIR "ORIGIN"

A. EARTHLY WISDOM IS NOT FROM ABOVE (v.15)

1. It is EARTHLY
a. I.e., worldly
b. Wisdom that is according to the world's standards
c. But this wisdom is foolishness to God - cf. 1Co 1:20

2. It is SENSUAL
a. Appealing to the senses, the emotions, the passions
b. Wisdom according to what FEELS right (but that doesn't make it right)

3. It is DEMONIC
a. The kind of wisdom possessed by the devil and his angels
b. A wisdom that often finds its origin in the influences of Satan!

B. HEAVENLY WISDOM IS FROM ABOVE (v. 17)

1. It comes from GOD - cf. Jm 1:17

2. It comes via PRAYER - cf. Jm 1:5-8

[Knowing the origin or source of each kind of wisdom ought to encourage us to select the right one. But if that is not enough, then consider how James describes...]

II. A CONTRAST IN THEIR "NATURE"

A. EARTHLY WISDOM (v. 14,16)
1. Full of BITTER ENVY

2. Possessing SELF-SEEKING IN THE HEART

3. This wisdom extols as virtues such qualities as:
a. Power
b. Position
c. Privilege
d. Prestige

4. It was this kind of wisdom...
a. That prompted Satan and his angels to rebel against God
b. That prompted the disciples to argue over who would be the greatest in the kingdom

B. HEAVENLY WISDOM (17)

1. It is first PURE
a. Above all else, it is true to God's Will
b. Not one to compromise truth for the sake of peace

2. Then it is PEACEABLE
a. Holding firm to the truth, it makes every effort to be at peace - cf. Ro 12:18
b. For example, speaking the truth in an attitude of love - cf. Ep 4:15

3. GENTLE
a. That is, kind in one's dealings with others
b. Not harsh, even when right and dealing with those who differ - cf. 2Ti 2:24-25

4. WILLING TO YIELD
a. Not in matters of truth
b. But in matters of opinion - Ro 14:1
c. In matters of liberty - Ro 14:19-21

5. FULL OF MERCY
a. Quick to forgive the offenses of others
b. Wisely understanding one's own need of mercy - cf. Jm 2:13

6. Producing GOOD FRUITS
a. Notice verse 13, where it says we are to show by our conduct our true wisdom and understanding
b. This wisdom takes one beyond being a HEARER to being a DOER - Jm 1:22
c. Understanding that "faith without works is dead" - Jm 2:26

7. WITHOUT PARTIALITY
a. Showing no respect of persons - cf. Jm 2:1-13
b. Rather, treating all fairly, on the same basis

8. WITHOUT HYPOCRISY
a. Indicating that all of the above is not an "act", a "show"
b. But that it comes from a heart desiring to please God, not man

[Certainly the superiority of "Heavenly Wisdom" over "Earthly Wisdom" is apparent in this passage. But as additional proof, notice also...]

III. A CONTRAST IN THEIR "FRUITS"

A. EARTHLY WISDOM (16)

1. Causes CONFUSION

2. And EVERY EVIL THING

3. Makes you wonder what kind of wisdom...
a. Is behind denominational-ism
b. Is often manifested in some congregational meetings

B. HEAVENLY WISDOM (18)

1. Produces PEACE, instead of confusion
2. Bears the fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS, instead of every evil thing

CONCLUSION

1. Certainly when we compare their ORIGIN, NATURE and FRUITS, the wisdom to be preferred is "HEAVENLY WISDOM"

2. What kind of wisdom do we have?
a. Those who have "EARTHLY WISDOM" boast of theirs (14)
b. While those who have "HEAVENLY WISDOM" show theirs by their good conduct done in meekness (13)

3. What kind of wisdom do we want?
a. If EARTHLY, then no effort is necessary
1) Just do what the world tells you
2) Just do what feels right

b. But if HEAVENLY, then we must be diligent
1) To seek such wisdom from God
2) To demonstrate such wisdom by our conduct

4. What kind of wisdom do you have in regards to the gospel of Christ?
a. EARTHLY WISDOM makes no response to the gospel, or if any, only that which is convenient
b. HEAVENLY WISDOM receives the commands of the gospel joyfully and obediently - cf. Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38

Have you demonstrated "HEAVENLY WISDOM"? ~Author unknown

GOD's Desire

God's desire is to abundantly pour out His Spirit with dreams, visions and prophesy on all flesh (Joel 2:28) And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.

As long as I can remember I have had very vivid dreams. I would always think to myself, man I can have some strange dreams and leave it at that. I was very ignorant in the real-life experiences with the LORD and did not know that GOD will speak to us in dreams.

One particular dream that has stuck in my mind, was when I was about 11 or 12. I remember running away from a huge bull with long horns chasing after me. This dream was a repetitive dream that would change a little each time. I was always afraid of that bull and ran from it.

One night I woke in a sweat, because I had to climb a tree quickly to get away from it. Another night I woke up in fear because I had been running away from it and I had to jump up on top of our garage/barn, to get away from it. It just stood there waiting on me and when I tried to get down it would run over to me.

The last night I had the dream, I was helping our neighbors put up a fence. They had left and I looked up and running towards me was that same bull with those big horns. I hurdled one fence and then another. When I looked back the bull was just tearing down those fences and still running at me, I wasn't sure where to go and just stood there. I then woke up and never had the dream again.

While studying the Hebrew language, my attention went to the pictograph signs when I saw a sign of a bull. The sign for Aleph is the "Bull" and the sign for Chet is a "Fence" which means separation. So, just looking at the alphabet and interpreting that dream I would say, in my life GOD had to tear down some of the fences in my life that separated me from Him. That dream doesn't seem as scary now.

From Genesis to Revelation, God has spoken to people through dreams and visions! But from the very beginning Satan has tried to make us afraid of using our spiritual eyes, hoping to make us too paranoid to want them opened. He has counterfeited God's visions with demonic visions, in hopes that we will fear seeing into the spiritual realm and will quench the Holy Spirit when He speaks to us through dreams and visions.

In the beginning, Satan had a great fear that Adam and Eve would have spiritual eyes to see the truth, so he perverted the truth, in hopes of making them afraid to see with open spiritual eyes. (Gen 3:5) For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

In dreams GOD is sharing a part of Himself with us on a more personal level. Our creator wants to share with us, protect us, guide us, just as we as parents want to be there for our children. I now keep a pad and pen by my bed and write down the things the LORD gives me in my dreams. -Debi Webster-

Ask GOD the Meaning of the Dream He Gives You

God will give us His interpretation of a God dream (Genesis 40:5) And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.

Taking a class in, "Getting to know how the Holy Spirit Works", is a good place to learn about the gifts of GOD, and a good place to learn how to just ask GOD for direction, it helped me. Sometimes we don't seek GOD diligently enough and then wonder where He is. When I desired to focus on the Holy Spirit and get to know Him, and put Him first, I began seeing the things He wanted me to see.

Through the dreams and visions GOD was giving me, and I knew they were from Him, I decided to search the Internet. I described one of my visions and it brought a site with John Paul Jackson's teaching. I had never heard of him before and saw his teachings are for the Seer and the Prophet to help them develop in their gift. I realized that was what I was, a Seer. I bought some of his Cd's which have helped a lot, but most of all they have encouraged me to use my gift for the LORD. I would like to take some of the Stream Ministry workshops, to improve this gift GOD has given.

This dream was my first dream I had asked GOD to show me the meaning. It is one of those times when you wake up and you feel like you have literally experienced what has just happened. A dream that just won't let you forget because of the emotional impact and you still can't believe what has happened. But, it is a dream GOD soon reveals the meaning and something you have to let others know.

In this dream I saw a young girl that was crying and she was walking towards me. When I looked at her, I had a knowing what had happened, as I looked down, she had been raped. I wanted to ask her if she was alright and as my eyes looked up, she was gone. I frantically tried to make myself remember what the girls face looked like. I could not remember. I woke and literally, was shaking. I began saying a prayer of protection over the young girl this had just happened to, and because it was a young girl I thought about my granddaughter, so prayed a hedge of protection over her.

I called my daughter and told her about the dream. We prayed together binding that spirit in the name of Jesus. This dream would haunt me the next 2 weeks, and I knew God was trying to tell me something.

While doing an intense bible study, I was getting ready to answer a question in the workbook, but had to take a bathroom break. I left and came back, sat down, looked down at the scripture to answer the question. I realized what I was viewing was not the scripture I had previously read, which was 2 Corinthians 9:8 found in the New Testament.

I was now looking at the book of Song of Solomon chapter 8:8-9, which was in the Old Testament. Song of Solomon 8:8-9 says, "Our little sister has no breasts. What shall we do with our little sister when men come asking for her? She's a virgin and vulnerable, and we'll protect her. If they think she's a wall, we'll top it with barbed wire. If they think she's a door, we'll barricade it." .

My thoughts immediately went to the dream with the young girl, and I knew God was trying to tell me something, but I did not have a clue. I had been trying to forget about the dream, but GOD had other plans. So, I asked Him to help me to understand what He was trying to show me.

Later, I told my daughter what was going on and she too thought God was trying to tell me something and suggested I write down each detail. I began a diary, and also put down the days each event happened, hoping this would bring some light into the situation.

A few days later, while reading the book, "Forever Ruined for the Ordinary" by Joy Dawson, I decided to do something she suggested. In section 3 titled, "Twenty four ways GOD Speaks", page 47 and 48, it gives ways GOD communicates to His people, which was very helpful. Reading the scripture she wrote, began to build up my faith even more. Psalm 119:105, God tells us His Word will give us direction for the next thing we have to do, as well as give us understanding of what we are to be doing in the future.

Stepping out in faith, believing GOD would guide me through His Word, I applied the example Joy Dawson gave. I began speaking to God, about the whole thing. One of the things I did say to the Lord, was that I knew He was not a God of confusion, and I was confused at this moment about the dream He had given me. I prayed more and asked Him for understanding of what He wanted to do with the information He had been giving me.

Trusting that I would get an answer, after praying these words, I opened my Bible and it opened to Isaiah 32. It was an answer, God was leading me through this.

Safe Houses, Quiet Gardens (Isaiah 32 MSG)

1-8 But look! A king will rule in the right way, and his leaders will carry out justice. Each one will stand as a shelter from high winds, provide safe cover in stormy weather. Each will be cool running water in parched land, a huge granite outcrop giving shade in the desert. Anyone who looks will see, anyone who listens will hear. The impulsive will make sound decisions, the tongue-tied will speak with eloquence. No more will fools become celebrities, nor crooks be rewarded with fame. For fools are fools and that's that, thinking up new ways to do mischief. They leave a wake of wrecked lives and lies about God, turning their backs on the homeless hungry, ignoring those dying of thirst in the streets. And the crooks? Underhanded sneaks they are, inventive in sin and scandal, exploiting the poor with scams and lies, unmoved by the victimized poor. But those who are noble make noble plans, and stand for what is noble.

9-14 Take your stand, indolent women! Listen to me! Indulgent, indolent women, listen closely to what I have to say. In just a little over a year from now, you'll be shaken out of your lazy lives. The grape harvest will fail, and there'll be no fruit on the trees. Oh tremble, you indolent women. Get serious, you pampered dolls! Strip down and discard your silk finery's. Put on funeral clothes. Shed honest tears for the lost harvest, the failed vintage. Weep for my people's gardens and farms that grow nothing but thistles and thorn bushes. Cry tears, real tears, for the happy homes no longer happy, the merry city no longer merry. The royal palace is deserted, the bustling city quiet as a morgue, the emptied parks and playgrounds taken over by wild animals, delighted with their new home.

15-20 Yes, weep and grieve until the Spirit is poured down on us from above and the badlands desert grows crops and the fertile fields become forests. Justice will move into the badlands desert. Right will build a home in the fertile field. And where there's Right, there'll be Peace and the progeny of Right: quiet lives and endless trust. My people will live in a peaceful neighborhood—in safe houses, in quiet gardens. The forest of your pride will be clear-cut, the city showing off your power leveled. But you will enjoy a blessed life, planting well-watered fields and gardens, with your farm animals grazing freely.

I read and wrote in a notebook the scripture. Now typing it. I closed the Bible again and asked the Lord what I should do now? Thinking at first this was silly to ask another question and yet knowing this would work? I needed to find exactly what He was showing me. Well, I did and the Bible opened to Song of Solomon 8:8-9, again, the first scripture I had found the Bible turned to. I didn't think it would go to the same scripture from weeks ago, what were the odds. This was not a coincidence, it gave me confidence to continue seeking an answer through the Word. I am thanking the Lord and I close and open the Bible while asking God, "Who do I need to seek for help? It opened to Psalm 19.

Psalm 19 (MSG) says,
1-2 God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.

3-4 Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded, but their silence fills the earth: Unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.

4-5 God makes a huge dome for the sun—a super dome! The morning sun's a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, the day breaking sun an athlete
racing to the tape.

6 That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.

7-9 The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes. God's reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree.

10 God's Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You'll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.

11-14 There's more: God's Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar.

I closed the Bible one last time. I knew God was communicating with me. I thought who will believe this, so I asked Him what should I say to them and then opened the Bible again, this time it went to Ezekiel 24:20-24.

Ezekiel 24:20-24 says:

20-21 So I told them, "God's Word came to me, saying, 'Tell the family of Israel, This is what God, the Master, says: I will desecrate my Sanctuary, your proud impregnable fort, the delight of your life, your heart's desire. The children you left behind will be killed.

22-24 "'Then you'll do exactly as I've done. You'll perform none of the usual funeral rituals. You'll get dressed as usual and go about your work. No tears. But your sins will eat away at you from within and you'll groan among yourselves. Ezekiel will be your example. The way he did it is the way you'll do it.

"'When this happens you'll recognize that I am God, the Master.'"

I shared this with my instructors and close friends and family. One instructor said that GOD had given her the same dream, but she had not pursued it through the Word, like I had done. Having read the book by Joy Dawson, showed me how to step out in faith, believing I would receive an answer from our GOD Almighty.

As I reflect back on this revelation GOD shared with me, I like to pose the question "What and who do you think the Lord is speaking to?" Many people say it is a Word for the Church, the church has been raped. Each person had a different response.

I would have to agree, GOD was speaking to the Bride of Christ. Are we as the Bride of Christ diligent with teaching the younger generation the right path and continue interceding for them in prayer when they have slid back into sin because Satan has blinded their eyes to the truth.

I see in the scripture GOD telling us that we should keep our eyes upon Him and when our time comes through situations in life, He will provide for us Safe Houses and quiet gardens. Also, we as Christians should help others in their time of need. There is so much that GOD has revealed in these scriptures, and reveals something new each time I read them.

I would like to share this with you. As I was typing this for the first time, in 2007, it was amazing, typing the diary of GOD's response did not take long. GOD answered each question the moment it was asked.

Also, there is something interesting with the original copy and the way it had turned out after printed. If you stand back from the writing, on the pages with scripture you can see the typed letters form different figures when centered. Some were candlesticks, then a cross and then a incense burner, with smoke coming out of it. GOD is Good and is forever showing us that He desires to commune with us. To GOD I give all the Glory! -Debi Webster-

GOD Speaks my Name

God wants us to choose to lift up our eyes and allow the Spirit of the Lord to come upon us (Numbers 24:2-3) And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. 3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said.

Having the weekend off, I was busy cleaning house and was in my bedroom, when I heard someone say, Debi. I looked up and there was a moving banner with letters I had never seen before. These were not your normal letters. I will try to describe them the best I know how. Each letter was the color of the rainbow. It was like someone had cookie-cut letters out of a rainbow and placed it on a moving billboard. It was beautiful. It moved in the opposite direction, I read from right to left.

I called my daughter and told her what had just happened, and she immediately said, the Rainbow is a Promise. I had not thought of that and it made it more beautiful. GOD speaks to each of His children in a very personal way.

The Rainbow is a Picture of Jesus

The colors from the bottom to the top are:

Purple - Royalty - King (Ill. 1 Tim. 6:15)
Blue - Heaven - He came from Heaven (Ill. John 3:13)
Green - New Life - He gives life (John 14:6)
Yellow - Sun Light - He is the light of the world (John 8:12)
Orange - Warning - Repent!, "Ye must be born again." (John 3:3, 7; PS. 9:17)
Red - Blood - The only way to God! (1 Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 1:5)

When I am under the bow, I am shielded by the Blood - High Priest - Heb. 9:7, 12

All the colors of the spectrum, even color the eye cannot see, are contained in the rainbow; and Jesus colors all of life with His great glory!

When I look up, I must first see Him as the King of Glory!

When He looks down, He must see the Blood of the Lord Jesus! Praise God, He never sees me as I am! (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Isa. 1:18!)

There is a secondary rainbow! In it, the colors are reversed.

When I See the red, I am reminded that the only way to get to Him is through the Blood of Jesus! When He looks down, He looks at men through the eyes of the King of Kings! He is Holy Righteous God. Do not be deceived, God will Judge all those outside of His Son Jesus - 1 John 5:12!

I AM YOUR HUSBANDMAN

God wants to give us favor and new direction in visions of the night (Genesis 46:2) And God spoke unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. 

Early in the morning, I awoke to a vision or a dream, not quite awake, but yet seeing Jesus towards the foot of my bed. The thing that had my attention was His beautiful Heart, which was blazing, and was radiating light onto me. While looking at the Heart, a voice said, "I Am Your Husbandman". 

Talk about feeling joy after that was over, I had an abundance of it. As I was getting out of bed, I repeated the words, "I Am Your Husbandman", and then thought, what is a Husbandman? 

After the vision and getting ready to do some Bible study, the Sunday School Director called me. She told me that she had been praying for someone to fill an empty teacher position, and God gave her my name. She then asked if I would be willing to accept the position, without hesitation I told her I would be glad to. She came back with a question, "You answered with a yes without hesitation, are you sure?" And with another breath, excitedly, she came back with another question, "Did God speak to you too?" I then told her the vision and that when she was explaining the situation, I knew I had been called to do something for Him, and I did take the position that needed filled and it is an amazing adventure. I did asked her what a husbandman was and she said she would let me research that.

Being excited after the call, I searched the Word for the meaning of Husbandman, the scripture was John 15:1-16. Wanting to know more I googled for the dictionary meaning on the computer. Instead it brought up a sermon from Andrew Murray, on his study of the "True Vine". I would like to share it with you, it is just beautiful. 

Title: True Vine: Meditations for a Month on John 15:1-16 Author: Murray, Andrew (1828-1917) My Father is the Husbandman—John 15.1 A vine must have a husbandman to plant and watch over it, to receive and rejoice in its fruit. Jesus says: “My Father is the Husbandman.” He was “the vine of God’s planting.” All He was and did, He owed to the Father; in all He only sought the Father’s will and glory. He had become man to show us what a creature ought to be to its Creator. He took our place, and the spirit of His life before the Father was ever what He seeks to make ours: “Of him, and through him, and to him are all things.” He became the true Vine, that we might be true branches. Both in regard to Christ and ourselves the words teach us the two lessons of absolute dependence and perfect confidence. 

My Father is the Husbandman—Christ ever lived in the spirit of what He once said: “The Son can do nothing of himself.” As dependent as a vine is on a husbandman for the place where it is to grow, for its fencing in and watering and pruning. Christ felt Himself entirely dependent on the Father every day for the wisdom and the strength to do the Father’s will. As He said in the previous chapter (14:10): “The words that I say unto you, I speak not from Myself; but the Father abiding in Me doeth his works.” This absolute dependence had as its blessed counterpart the most blessed confidence that He had nothing to fear: the Father could not disappoint Him. With such a Husbandman as His Father, He could enter death and the grave. He could trust God to raise Him up. All that Christ is and has, He has, not in Himself, but from the Father.

My Father is the Husbandman—That is as blessedly true for us as for Christ. Christ is about to teach His disciples about their being branches. Before He ever uses the word, or speaks at all of abiding in Him or bearing fruit, He turns their eyes heavenward to the Father watching over them, and working all in them.

At the very root of all Christian life lies the thought that God is to do all, that our work is to give and leave ourselves in His hands, in the confession of utter helplessness and dependence, in the assured confidence that He gives all we need. The great lack of the Christian life is that, even where we trust Christ, we leave God out of the count. Christ came to bring us to God. Christ lived the life of a man exactly as we have to live it. Christ the Vine points to God the Husbandman. As He trusted God, let us trust God, that everything we ought to be and have, as those who belong to the Vine, will be given us from above. 

Isaiah said: “A vineyard of red wine; I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.” Ere we begin to think of fruit or branches, let us have our heart filled with the faith: as glorious as the Vine, is the Husbandman. As high and holy as is our calling, so mighty and loving is the God who will work it all. As surely as the Husbandman made the Vine what it was to be, will He make each branch what it is to be. Our Father is our Husbandman, the Surety for our growth and fruit.

Unspeakable JOY!

God wants to give us favor and new direction in visions of the night (Genesis 46:2) And God spoke unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.

Psalm 30:5
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.

JOY, Rinnah (ree-nah)
A shout of rejoicing; shouting; loud cheering in triumph; singing. Rinnah describes the jubilation of the righteous when the wicked are eliminated. Zeph. 3:17 literally says that God will dance over His beloved people with singing or a shout of joy. Rinnah may best be illustrated by the testimony of the redeemed, returning to Zion from captivity. Rinnah is a word for both singing and joy. (NSFL)

This morning I woke up to the words "Unspeakable Joy". What a way to wake up! It was not just "Joy", but "Unspeakable Joy". When God speaks, not only do you hear the word spoken, but it radiates through your body. It literally puts JOY into your whole being!

I just laid there, soaking up the "Unspeakable Joy" and began thanking Him for it. Then I prayed that my children would feel the "Unspeakable Joy" the Lord was giving to me and that they would know the good things the Lord gives His beloved.

Then I thought, I need to share this "Unspeakable Joy" with others. I pray that LORD, YHVH GOD, will give you all "Unspeakable Joy". Our GOD has enough JOY for everyone. Amen

Isaiah 12:3,4 (MSG)
3-4 Joyfully you'll pull up buckets of water
from the wells of salvation.
And as you do it, you'll say,
"Give thanks to God.
Call out his name.
Ask him anything!
Shout to the nations, tell them what he's done,
spread the news of his great reputation!

Praise here means to "Lift up You Hands" in adoration to the LORD. A beautiful expression suitable for JOYOUS Worship. -Debi Webster-

Bitten By A Spirit of Witchcraft

God wants us to lift our eyes up and to interact with His warrior angels (Joshua 5:13) And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

All of the dreams the LORD gives us are not pleasant to have and we just don't understand them. That is why we should always pray that the Holy Spirit will give us all understanding on what GOD is telling us. Also the Word says to seek the power of the Holy who gives us all Discernment of Spirits, Word of Knowledge and Word of Wisdom, that we test the spirits. "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of GOD..." (I John 4:1)

Through the night I woke to hearing myself crying out in pain, "I am a Child of GOD." The pain was going from the right side of my neck down to my right toe quickly. I could not move. As I spoke these words again the pain stopped. Laying there in shock of what had just happened, I remembered feeling the sensation of something biting me on the neck. After that bite, my spirit immediately went into a battle mode, and claimed I was a "Child of GOD".

I quickly went to the mirror to see if I had a bite on my neck. As I searched for anything that showed evidence of a bite, there was nothing to be found. I knew something had bitten me, and it felt like something big. As I climbed back in bed I said a thank you to the Lord for the Holy Spirit who gave me the words to say, and prayed for a hedge of protection around me and then my family. Even though I was shaken up, I did go back to sleep.

As I woke the next morning, I moved to one side and I was in a lot pain. The pain was not like the pain when I was bit that night, that bite was like something injected me. Now it was a pain like my body had been wounded and very sore when I moved. In fact, it hurt all day long, I will never forget the feeling. I went through the day claiming, "By His Stripes I am Healed".

Later, that evening my daughter called me and in the conversation she asked me if I had seen the new vampire movie, "Twilight". I said, no and hadn't heard about it. She told me they had gone to see it the night before and told me my granddaughter just loved it. My thoughts went to the experience I had the night before. GOD was showing me something evil was coming into our family which was going to make an impact to my family.

GOD through His Holy Spirit has shown me many supernatural things in the Spirit. I have been told that when you have a supernatural experience like this, it is something the Lord is forewarning you about and He wants you to diligently pray against it. Also, pray that the Holy Spirit will give you wisdom and revelation on what you did just experience.

The Word says, in Daniel 10:10-18, And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. (MSG)

YHVH GOD Changing Lives

We are to have pen and paper ready to write our dreams and visions (Habakkuk 2:2) And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

September 16, 2010 - In this dream I'm participating and it is snowing. I'm driving in a car and park in the back of the house this time (east), knowing something would happen if I parked in front. Also, I know I am in a rough neighborhood.

The dream switches and now I'm inside the house looking out the window (west), behind a sheer curtain, but, I open it at the corner to view two cars colliding. I say, "I knew that would happen. The Lord always tells me what is going to happen before it happens." Someone is with me, but not sure who.

Then the dream switches and I am observing now. It is still snowing. A man driving from the north looses control of his motorcycle (he is dressed in biker clothes). The bike travels to a house with a washing machine on the porch. As he is traveling, he looses his clothes, they fly trough the air and then he collides into the washing machine. The lid is open and he falls in and gets washed.

The dream switches again, I am now observing a family coming out of the house onto the porch. This is the same house that had the washing machine on the porch. They are slobs and very mean to each other. As I look at each person they change. They all now have a bright glow upon them and have literally changed for the better. Each person is now loving and kind to each other. Then I wake up.

I kid you not, when I woke up I rebuked this dream, and I told myself I was not going to record a dream like that. I keep a notebook by my bedside to record my dreams and no way was I going to record it.

As I was walking to the bathroom I was laughing, it was a hilarious dream. Walking back to bed I realized this dream had meaning, the Holy Spirit just gave me the revelation on this dream and I began writing it down onto paper. As I wrote, the meaning unfolded and it ended up being a beautiful salvation story.

It was a story of a man who at one point in his life was a biker, he had true repentance and his life was miraculously changed. His life changing miracle becomes like a drop in a pond going to his whole family changing their lives. They each will shine for the Lord as a testimony of how only GOD can take something in His hands and mold it into something beautiful.

With this dream GOD gave me a deeper understanding of His interpretation of a dream and the fleshly interpretation. Thank You, LORD.

The Lion and the Lamb

God will give us boldness and confidence to speak (Acts 18:9) Then spoke the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace.

In Revelation 5, John himself is confronted with two very different images of Jesus back to back. The vision God gives him, puts right next to each other, two views of Jesus: Jesus as the Lion of Judah; Jesus as the slain yet living Lamb.

The Setting

Recall that in Revelation 4, John sees a vision of throne room of God. In this room, God is right at the center. Around Him, praising Him, are four living creatures, representing everything that has breath. Around them are 24 more thrones, with 24 elders seated on them. These elders seem to represent all the redeemed of all time. They acknowledge that everything they have, all their rewards, all their accomplishments come from God. So they praise Him as the source of all, the creator, the One who freely chose to create. God is supreme, God is central.

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Rev. 5:2-4

The Lion

And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals." Revelation 5:5

There is one who is worthy! There is one member of the human race who has not sinned: The Lion of the tribe of Judah!

Why is Jesus called a lion? Lions are powerful and dangerous. Lions are majestic - even in Jesus’ day, the lion was a symbol of royalty.

This is a specific reference to the prophecy that Jacob gave about the descendants of Judah in Genesis 49:

⁹ Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? ¹⁰ The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Genesis 49:9-10

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah” – and thus his kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom. “To him shall be the obedience of the peoples” – and thus every tribe and tongue and people and language will serve Him. Since Jesus is a descendant of Judah, all this is fulfilled in the images of Revelation 5.

The angel also refers to Jesus as the “Root of David”. This term comes from Isaiah 11 (although there He is called the “Root of Jesse”, David’s father):

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. ² And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. ³ And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, ⁴ but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. ⁵ Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. . . . the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. ¹⁰ In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples- of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. Isaiah 11:1-5, 9b-10

This passage pictures a perfect king, a king who will bring justice to the poor and the weak, a king who will punish the wicked by killing them with the breath of his lips, and striking the earth with the rod of his mouth.

So John expects to see a mighty, powerful, majestic Lion. He expects to see one who is able to overcome all opposition! This is the person he expects to take the scroll.  But that is not what he sees at all:

The Lamb

John hears a description of the Lion – then looks, and sees something completely different. This happens several times in Revelation. The contrast sheds light on the character of what is heard and has seen.

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Revelation 5:6

The Lamb must be spotless. Otherwise, the Lamb would have to die for His own sins. But since Jesus was sinless, He was the perfect sacrifice. As the book of Hebrews says:

in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

He did not have to die for His sins. So He was able to take on the sins of all those who believe in Him.

The Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah, is God Himself! He is worthy of worship! He is the second person in the Trinity!

Lion and Lamb

Jesus is the Lion and the Lamb. He is the King, coming to wreak vengeance on His enemies; He is the gentle lamb, dying for His people. As Isaiah writes:

Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:10-11)

He comes to rule, He comes to pay back His enemies; He comes to gently carry His lambs.

See Him in His entirety! See Him in ALL His glory! Don’t try to tame Him, to limit Him, to box Him in!

• Love Him as the Lamb, dying for your sin!
• Love Him as the Lion, with all authority, might, and power!
• Love Him as the bridegroom, coming for His church!
• Love Him as the conquering, vengeful King with the bloody robe!

Love the complete Christ – and rejoice that He is king.

Bits and Pieces of a sermon by Coty Pinckney.

Judah (in Hebrew: Yehuda) is the original name of the Tribe of Judah - traditionally symbolized by a lion. In Genesis, the patriarch Jacob ("Israel") refers to his son Judah as a Gur Aryeh גּוּר אַרְיֵה יְהוּדָה , a "Young Lion" (Genesis 49:9) when blessing him.^[1] In Jewish naming tradition the Hebrew name and the substitute name are often combined as a pair, as in this case.