Thank You God for Your Anointing, But I Want Your Glory!

"And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory" (Exudos 33:18).  Now this is a bold request Moses asked of God.  The Word of God tells us, "But, He said, you cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live" (Exudos 33:20).  When you are asking for the glory of God, you better be ready to die to your flesh, because it can not live in the presence of God.

I hear so many people misusing terminology to artificially raise the expectations of people.  They want to entertain man, instead of pleasing God.  I often hear so many people say, "The glory of God is here", but I must question the validity of that comment.  We may promise God's glory, but often at best we give a limited measure of God's anointing.  God's anointing was never meant to satisfy the hunger of our souls.  The anointing and the gifts empowered by it are simply tools to assist, enable, encourage, and point us back to the Source.  Only God can satisfy the hunger He placed within us.  His hand supplies our needs, but it is His face that satisfy our deepest longing. 

As we look into His face, we are brought into union with our destiny, and we enjoy the favor of His loving gaze and the intimate kiss of His touch.  There is a huge difference between encountering the anointing of God and encountering His glory.  I thank God for His anointing, it gives me the power to move in the gifts of the Spirit to minister to others, but I want His manifested presence.  The anointing of God in all its various forms has a valid purpose in His plans and and purposes.  The problem is that we have become too addicited to the way the anointing makes us feel.  Becaues it feels good when the anointing of God falls on us.  We've turned our eyes and hearts away from the glory of God's face to get more of the anointing in His hands.  Again, the anointing empowers our flesh, and it makes us feel good.  Enough of feeling good, let's cry out for His glory!

"More of You Lord!  Thank You for Your gifts.  Thank You for Your anointing.  Come Holy Spirit!  Lord, send Your glory now!"  Yes this is a bold request, so get lined up.  I'm crying out daily for His manifested glory.  I'm repenting and choosing to forgive.  I'm asking God to search me and remove whatever is not of  Him.  I don't want anything blocking me from receving the gift of God's manifested presence.  Are you ready?  Are you crying out for God's glory!

Be blessed!

I Joy in God's Faithfulness

True joy comes from the presence of God.  In some of my darkest times, when I was depressed and very unhappy, I learned how to have the joy of the Lord.  I can remember when my grandmother would tell me, "Pamela, you can have the joy of the Lord even in unhappy times".  I would think to myself, "now, that makes no sense to me.  I'm hurting and  unhappy, there's just no joy in that!"  And over the course of the last nine years, God has taken me on this awesome journey, that caused me to grow in Him, and understand that true joy comes from Him alone.

Let me start out by telling you that I have a nine year old, very medically fragile son named Cory.  I was told that he wouldn't live to be a year old.  "Praise God, the Great Physician", who has the finally say.  Cory was born with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, chronic lung disease, fluid on his brain, blindness and a whole lot of other issues that are too overwhelming to list.  When I was  pregnant with Cory, he suffered brain bleeds in the womb.  God has a plan for Cory's life, and I believe in the impossible, because my God specializes in the impossible "For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37). 

I was encouraged by doctors to terminate the pregnancy, because they didn't think he would live, and if he did, it would be a great burden.  Well, life as I knew was over, but what doctors called a great burden, happen to be a great blessing!  Having Cory saved my life, it began breaking selfishness, and pride.  I was learning the true meaning of "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:" (1 Peter 5:6).  Since the day Cory was born, each year we have spent two to six weeks in the hospital at least four times a year.  Too make a long story short, I had to quite my full time public relations job and put my PhD program on hold.

In the course of the last five years, I've since married and now have a four year old son, Cameron.  Let me just say that being married to a pastor is no cake walk.  I even contemplated divorce.  But every time I got into the presence of the Lord, I  heard; "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10), or "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage:  (Psalm 27:14).  So in all the struggles with caring for a very sick child, learning balance with a very vibrant and healthy child, and warring for my marriage, God was dealing with Me!  Breaking me, healing me, and teaching me joy in Him despite my circumstances.  Teaching me that it's all in His timing and not mine, and blessing me with balance to prepare to finish my doctoral program.

So even in all the hell, I could have joy.   "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore"  (Psalm 16:8-11).  This is one of my testimonies.  I chose to be obedient and wait on the Lord.  At this very point in my life, God is restoring my marriage, and bringing healing into our home.  I believe God is bringing healing and wholeness to my son Cory.  We have been back and forth to the orthopedic doctor, looking at his spinal cord, and at one point we where facing three very serious surgeries that the doctor said he wouldn't survive.  Well, my God is the God of miracles and healings.  Cory's last x-ray showed that his spin was straight!  God performed surgery!  And I believe that this is only the beginning.  I believe that God is healing Cory and raising him up to bring some doctors and a whole lot of other people to the feet of Jesus!

I don't mean to be so long winded today, but joy is a characteristic of God's love from His Holy Spirit.  I have learned and continue to grow in the Spirit, and walk by faith, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law"  (Galatians 5:22-23).  And even now, at times when nothing makes sense to me, I trust God, and stand on His Word.  In the midst of storms, I speak life, I worship to charge the atmosphere and take authority over the enemy of my soul.  Because of Whose I am, I have that authority.  Jesus is all the world to me, my strength, my source, my everything.  "...the joy of the Lord is my strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).

When I started blogging, I told several of my friends, but I wasn't getting any responses.  I prayed, "Lord, I want to be a blessing to others.  If no one is going to read my blog, what's the point?"  And the week before I decided to stop blogging, I started receiving comments from readers.  God sends you encouragement when you need it!  I am so blessed and thankful for all of you who have responded to my blogs.  I pray that you are blessed, encouraged and empowered by the Word of God.  I want to thank each of you for encouraging me, and showing your love.  God bless each of you for we are all part of God's family.  And for those who don't know Jesus, today is your day!  He is real and He died for all sinners. 

So I leave you with this; "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost"  (Romans 15:13).  I joy in God's faithfulness.  I know that regardless of what is going on in my life, as long as I walk in obedience, and keep my face before the Lord, everything will be alright.  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Be blessed!

Watch Your Mouth

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21).  Those who love to talk, shall reap the consequences.  There are just some times in life where you just need to shut up and listen.  Be quite and be still, observe the surrounds around you.  Learn to discern who and what is in motion.

Some one who is always talking, love the center of attention, love to know and share information; you must be very careful of this person.  The Word of God says, "From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence" (Proverbs 13:2).  I am always mindful of those I see who love to talk.  No good thing comes from a "motor mouth" who likes to spueling garbage.  " When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise" (Proverbs 10:19).

I have learned to ask God to "bridle my tongue daily".  I don't want to speak word curses out of my mouth.  I only want to speak things that will edify and build up, not tier down.  I want to speak blessings.  "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity" (Proverbs 21:23).  There is power in the tongue.  What we say has the ability to create situations, emotions, and thoughts in others. A kind word helps people, negative words hurt, sometimes for a very long time.

Even when I speak about myself, I've learned to stop saying "I can't" or "Why did I do that, I'm crazy".
The words that we use and the conversations we have with our self and others create things within. They can create positive things or negative things. It is our choice. The tongue has the power of life and death. This is why it is so important to be diligent in using the power of the tongue to create a positive force in our lives and in the lives of others.

I am called to be God's mouthpiece, so it is vital that I watch my words, and speak only when the Holy Spirit releases me.  I make it a priority to lay before the Lord daily, sometimes several times a day; to receive more of God and less of me.  I don't want to allow my emotions to get in the way of being about my Father's business, so I press in, and when I am offended I immediately surrender it to God, so I don't move outside His will, allowing my mouth to get my into trouble. 

It is very heard sometime to let go of offense, especially when people say hurtful things to you, and your first reaction is to sound off back at them.  But think about it.  It's not worth the time and energy to retaliate, because what good does it do in the end.  Because I now know who I am, and Whose I am, I choose to respond differently to offensive words and actions toward me.  "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).  I have a great power living on the inside of me, and I don't want to grieve the Holy Spirit, so I am more conscience now of my words, and how I speak and respond to others, even in an offensive situation.  And it is hard, but I love My God more than getting back at others.  The bottom line is; I belong to God, He is for me, and He will take care of me, and work all things out for my good as long as I stay lined up with Him.

Learn to watch your mouth and be mindful of the words you speak.  Do they tier down, or do they edify and build up?

Be blessed!

What a Mighty God I Serve

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth"  Psalm 46:10.  My nine year old son Cory suffers with multiple disabilities.  He is in a wheelchair, and is unable to set, stand or move on his own.  I've been told by the many doctors who care for him that he will never walk, talk or see.  BUT GOD!  You see, when Cory was born, I was told that he was a vegetable; but if you see him for your self, will would attest that "the devil is a liar"!

For the past six months, we've been watching Cory's spin progressively curve to dangerous degrees.  So the orthopedic and the neurosurgeon was looking at spinal cord and tether cord surgery.  These surgeries are very dangerous to an already medically fragile child.  So, the more talk of the surgeries, the more I cried out to my miracle performing God.  "For with God, nothing is impossible" Luke 1:37.

So last week, we went to our follow up appointment with the orthopedic doctor.  When she put the x-ray of his spin on the board, she looked as me and asked "What have you been doing, his spin is straight!"  Well, needless to say, I responded, "PRAYING!"  You see, I serve a mighty God, one who specializes in the impossible.  One who has been performing miracles, signs and wonders down though the centuries.  And I believe and stand on the promises in God's Word; "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed" Isaiah 53:5.

So I encourage you today reading this, put your trust in the one, true and living God.  He is the Lord of lords and King of kings!

Be blessed!

I've Learned to Worship

As I set in a Sunday service, I closed my eyes and listened to the call to
worship.  Then it hit me; we know more about praise then we know about worship. 
Thanksgiving gets us in the gates, praise gets us in the courts, but worship
takes us into His presence.  We often get stalled in the courtyard and never
make it to the throne room.

 
God is looking for authentic worship!  Worship that not only comes from the
lips, but also from the heart.  He is raising up a worshipping bride who
desires to be lost in the love of His presence.  This worship is bringing life
back into the body of Christ.  It is restoring joy to God's people, and
restoring our love to the Father.  It is bringing liberty and deliverance to
the people of God.

We can't expect to enter in, on our emotions, or how we feel.  The word of God
tells us in John 4:23-24 “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true
worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father
seeketh such to worship him.  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must
worship him in spirit and in truth”.

So before you can worship in the way that God desires, you must develop a
personal relationship with Jesus, cultivated in prayer and fellowship.  "I am the
way the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John
14:6).

It is a privilege to worship God.  We would be miserable and lifeless without
this privilege.  Worship will lift you spirit, charge a chaotic atmosphere,
and break the spirit of heaviness.

When my special needs son Cory was born, I learned to worship.  It became my lifestyle.

I found out worship wasn’t just showing up for Wednesday and Sunday services.  Cory was born a very medically fragile boy, spending a lot of time in the hospital.  Here I was this new mom, feeling overwhelmed, and life as I new was over.  I new I needed help!  

I began to understand the importance of spending quite time with God, soaking in His very presence.  Yes I was a believer, and I prayed regularly.  But the more time I soaked in the presence of God, I realized I was praying some very selfish prayers.   

You see, worship is a condition of the heart, to walk in holiness and love.  As God began to show me myself, I was able to repent and come into a deeper relationship with Him.  This relationship helped me deal with all the bad reports I was getting from doctor’s concerning my son.  I was told he wouldn’t live to be a year old.  That sent me into a radical worship.  My son is now nine years old.

It is my worship to an Almighty God that lifts me from the pit of humanity’s problems to a higher and purer perspective.  My worship causes me to truly understand “with God all things are possible” (Luke 18:27), because I’m trusting in God for every thing, because He is faithful.  You see, I have learned to worship my way through difficult times.  Worship is powerful, it will charge and change a chaotic atmosphere, and break the spirit of heaviness.

What does your life look like?  Can people look at you and know you’ve been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).  Can Jesus been seen in you?  It is the love of God that should ignite authentic worship in you!  "For God so love the world that He gave His

only begotten Son...(John 3:16).  That is extreme love!  Jesus tells us to love the
Lord with all thy heart, soul and mind (Mark 12:30.  This type of love requires
you to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthews 6:33), and obey the Holy Spirit
as He leads you.

In caring for my special needs son, I must listen to the Holy Spirit!  When my son’s head begin to swell at three months old, I closed my eyes and prayed, “Lord, help me!  Is something wrong with my baby?  And I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Go to the hospital”.  And when I got to the hospital, one of the doctors’s asked me, “How did you know to bring him here?”  When I told the doctor I prayed about it, they wanted me to talk with a counselor.  I didn’t need a counselor; I had already spoken to the Wonderful Counselor!

I challenge you today in your love walk and in your worship to an Almighty God. 
Allow Jesus to be seen in you.  Be mindful of your actions and reactions to
others.  Have you learned to deal so close with God that you know Omnipotence is
working in you?

Be blessed!

Discern the Seasons of The Lord

There are times in our lives when we need to hold on and there are times when we need to let things go.  Times and seasons for unloading.  In 1 Samuel 31:2; Jonathan was torn between his loyalty  to his spiritual brother David he made a spiritual covenant with, and his biological father, King Saul, which he had a physical covenant with.

When Jonathan followed the flesh instead of the spirit, early death came to him.  He could not discern what to hold and what to unload.  This is a good lesson to learn from.  You must realize that before there can be a filling, there must be an emptying.  How can God fill you, when you're already running over with "self".  God can not give you solutions when you are clinging to your problems and refuse to unload them.  "Ooch!  Lord I hear You load and clear!" 

I've been boiling and stewing over something for about three days, and God spoke to my spirit convicting me of the situation.  There are times I have to unload the assignments I cannot accomplish by myself.  There will be burdens that I must release to future generations.  Over in 1 Kings 19:15-16, God told the prophet Elijah to do three things, but he only accomplished one.  God passed the remaining assignments to Elisha, and he felt the burden of three generations during his ministry. 

So in my frustration, I had to realize and except that things are timely or timeless.  God speaks both into our hearts.  My my job is to know what to unload, what to fulfill, and what to pass on.  There will be times in our lives when we must unload, stop trying to go ahead of God and make things happen, we get outside His will when we do that.  We must learn to simply get with God, rest in Him, worship Jesus, and walk in the Spirit.  Cultivate an intimate love relationship with Him.  Serve Him. 

In order for God to ignite and infuse last day power, we must first learn to unload some things in our lives.  God may be waiting for you to get rid of some things to make room for Him, and more of Him!  He asking, "Do you love Me more than any problem or position in your life?  Are you focusing on Me more than the distractions in your life?  Am I greater than every failure and disappointment you have experienced?  Come rest in Me.  Come learn to discern My season for you. 

It's time to lay aside every weight, distractions, and lay aside the sins that so easily entangle you, and choose God (see Hebrews 12:1).  It's time to take your mind and your mouth off of "you", "your" problems, and shift your focus to the Most High God.  This is the first step to igniting the power of God in your life.

Be blessed!

The More I Die, The Closer God Gets

We like things to come quickly, easily, and cheaply.  God knows that such things never produce godly character in us.  Jesus says: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26).

Intimacy with God requires brokeness, because purity comes from brokeness.  He will reveal more of Himself to you if you are willing to die to yourself.  When the apostle Paul wrote, "I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily" (1 Corinthians 15:31), he was saying; "I enter into the presence of God every day".  God is calling!  He is calling people who want serious revival into a place of transparent purity.

Please understand, that He wants to draw near, and when you come near, He will have to deal with you.  Meaning, you must die.  God told Moses, "No man has seen My face and lived."  Flesh can not live in the glory of the Most High God.  When the glory of God comes, the flesh doesn't feel comfortable.  It becomes weakened by His presence.  Something dies within us every time we are confronted by God's glory.  Just as the prophet Isaiah received the hot coals on his lips, we receive the hot bread of His presence and are forever changed. When more of our flesh dies,  more of our spirit lives.

I want more of God!  I want to move from the place of anointing into His manifested glory.  So I choose to obey God's call for brokeness, death and purity.  To walk in holiness, love and peace.  I want to be more like Jesus.  What about you?

Be blessed!