God Provides -- Look at the Birds!

Redheaded Pileated Woodpecker
courtesy of Wikepedia

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?  Matthew 6:26

Have you ever considered how wonderful it is that the Lord has given us beautiful birds of the air as a reminder of His many blessings? Most of us take birds for granted and even get irritated when their chirping wakes us up at the bust of dawn. But they wake up singing and rejoicing! They don't worry about the cares of this world--they don't worry about provision--there are no works they are required to do in order to be blessed by the Heavenly Father. If this is true (and it is, because Jesus said so), then we shouldn't worry! Easier said than done!

The Lord knows we need constant reminders of His goodness, grace, provision, and protection, and nature provides that in many ways, one being birds. Just three weeks ago, I was somewhat worried about provision, and I had a very vivid dream which I can still recall now in all its detail. Yes, God speaks to His children in dreams--it's in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Peter, in Acts 2:17, tells us that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost was the fulfillment of prophecy from  Joel 2:28:  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of 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:

Well, in this dream, I saw a line of beautiful, colorful birds sitting in a neat row on a tree right above my back deck, looking right at me. I remember distinctly there being a large brown bird in the middle with fluffy feathers, however the rest of the birds were very colorful. I remember pointing at a bird on the end and exclaiming, "Look at that redheaded woodpecker!" Then I woke up. 

Now, that may not sound like much of a dream to you, but I sensed it was a message from the  Lord, because I immediately thought of Matthew 6:26. I sensed those birds were communicating to me, saying, "Don't worry, see how we are fed and provided for? The Heavenly Father will provide for you too!" I was comforted by that dream but didn't think too much more about it--until today!

Our backyard is a haven for all sorts of birds. I just happened to be walking through the kitchen this afternoon and looked out the window to the back deck, and there on the deck railing (where the birds were in my dream), was the largest, most gigantic redheaded woodpecker I have ever seen! It hopped all along the rail for over a minute at least, and then flew away. When I looked it up on google, I discovered it is the Redheaded Pileated (meaning crest on head) Woodpecker. 

Why is this important? Because I believe it was a reminder from the Lord that He has provided for me and will continue to provide for me exceedingly and abundantly above all I can ask or think. He didn't send just any regular redheaded woodpecker (that has no crest on its head) no, He sent me a gigantic, crested, red-crowned woodpecker--the king of woodpeckers. It is no coincidence that yesterday and today have resulted in wonderful manifestations for my husband and me in the area of provision.

Be encouraged! Your Heavenly Father knows your needs, wants, and desires (for He put them there!), and He will provide for every one of them, exceedingly, abundantly above all you can ask or think. 

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Keep Speaking to the Storms in Life!

 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.Mark 4:39 (KJV)

Recently, we had a night of monster thunder storms sweep through our area, blowing winds at over 60 mph with tornadoes interspersed as well. I was home alone when it hit and my husband was in the car with our youngest child, heading back to the house. Fortunately, the Lord had me listen to Brother Kenneth Copeland's teaching on speaking to the storms for over a week, so I was prepared and geared up to rebuke it and command peace in Jesus' name! I even had a dream several nights earlier where wild horses that looked like clouds were up in the sky, bucking and frolicking and stirring up the winds, creating all kinds of mischief. I remember looking up at them and telling them to have peace and be calm in the name of Jesus. 

As the community sirens blared, I went outside into my cul de sac and started praying, speaking to the winds and tornadoes and telling them to stay away from my property and my neighborhood. I told them to get back up into the skies where they belong and go their way! I don't know if my neighbors were watching, but who cares? Most people who know me say I'm a bit of a fanatic, but they sure benefit from the fanatic when disaster is staring them down! 

As I prayed and rebuked (I even prayed in tongues), I sensed this was a big, mean storm with destruction on its mind. I looked up at the skies and saw it coming my way-it was big and black and ugly and there was a tinge of red mixed in. I've never in my life seen red in a storm, but there it was. I stared it down like David staring down Goliath, pointing my finger and rebuking it like a mama bear protecting its young. The wind started howling, rain started coming, so I went back inside.

Long story short, there were many trees in our area that lost their lives that day and power lines that tumbled down too, but not around us! We came out unscathed-one old tree limb in the back yard and a few leaves in the front, but that was it! Our power was restored in an hour and life continued on. Later, we discovered that several neighborhoods very close to us were hit hard with many uprooted trees falling onto houses. 

As I was praying in the spirit in my living room, the Lord expressed His joy in seeing one of His sons of glory praying with authority in the name of Jesus. He loves everyone of those precious people who suffered damage, but until they come to understand the authority He has given the church in the name of Jesus AND until they learn to use that authority, they will be subject to the disasters of this world, just like nonbelievers. Sure, the Lord performs miracles and protects His people, but His best way is to follow the example of Jesus in Mark 11:23. 

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

God's Angels Are Watching Over You! - My Testimony

Psalm 91:10–11
¹⁰No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; ¹¹for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.

Joseph Prince's daily devotion for today is on Psalm 91 and how the Lord protects His children by commanding His angels to take charge over us and rescue us from calamities. Many of us have heard stories on TV about angels helping people during natural disasters, car wrecks, and the like, but many of us aren't given an opportunity to share our own stories with others. Well, I do have my own story, which is dramatic and spectacular, even though I did not see a physical angel or hear an angelic voice.

When my son was in second grade, he slammed his bicycle (going downhill at full speed) into a moving vehicle, flipped off the front of the bike, and bashed his head on the curb. I was not there when it happened, but there was one eye witness and several neighbors immediately on the scene, and they all thought he was dead. When I received the phone call and heard the sirens outside, I heard a voice in my head say, "I did not do this." I knew it was the Lord, because instantly this Scripture came to my memory: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. Ephesians 6:11-12. I knew this was the work of the enemy and that I had to trust the Lord. 

As I raced to the scene, I was completely calm and had no fear. I thought of Abraham after he took his only beloved son up to Mount Moriah, preparing to sacrifice him to the Lord. According to the Book of Hebrews, By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten [son],Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:Accounting that God [was] able to raise [him] up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. Hebrews 11:17-19. Like Abraham, I chose to believe that whatever I found - even if it was brains on the pavement  - that God could scoop those brains up, shove them inside my son's head, and make things right!

Long story short - the ambulance took us to the hospital with my son screaming (that sound was music to my ears!) and me praying to Jesus. An MRI revealed no concussion, but that he would have a nasty bruise on the left side of his face. We took him home, and after 24 hours, there was absolutely no bruise or swelling, and after 36 hours, he was on his feet (a bit wobbly), but ready to play. The accident happened on a Thursday. He could've gone to school on Monday, but I kept him home, because I wanted to stare at him all day - I had almost lost him, but the Lord had intervened!

There was no mark on his body or evidence of the accident, other than a tiny round abrasion on his right ear, smaller than a dime, and only one small spot of blood on his jacket. His clothes were not torn and his bike was still rideable. The next day, several neighbors called to tell me they had seen him out and about on his bike, riding without a helmet. Fortunately, I had obeyed the prompting of the Lord and had asked my son the day before the accident why his helmet was on the garage floor. "The strap is broken," was the response. 

And so I stayed up late Wednesday night threading the strap through the helmet and securing it to its place on his bike handle. He was wearing the helmet when the accident occurred. When I retrieved it later that afternoon, I saw a dent on the top that was large enough for two fingers to rest! We certainly would've had a different outcome had I not listen to the Lord's promptings!

The next morning, as he sat in the recliner resting, we watched a pastor on TV who taught on Psalm 91 and the protection of angels. This pastor told how he was divinely protected from a horrific car accident that should have taken his life, but he walked away without a scratch. My son and I looked at each other, and even as a youth of seven, he knew what I had come to realize: God's angels had protected him. The repaired helmet aside, he walked away a bit wobbly and tired, with only a small mark on his ear and one little spot of blood on his clothes. Everyone thought he was dead or brain damaged, but God had intervened and protected him. And what's even more wonderful is that Lord spoke to me during this time, bringing Scripture to memory, comforting me and ministering to me with their truths, giving me the faith to believe boldly and radically, and giving me the Shalom peace that all would be well.

I never shed a tear over the incident, because I knew Satan and the forces of darkness were watching me, seeing if they could get me in fear. Instead, I laughed. The enemy tried to inflict damage on us, but our faith in the Lord worked as a shield, protecting us from his deadly schemes. 

I don't know why some Christians have lost their children in similar situations and mine was delivered. All I can say is, continue to believe in God and His Word, despite the circumstances. Even if there are brains on the pavement, limbs dismembered, and even the pall of death that goes beyond the abilities of medical science, get radical about your faith in the Lord's protection and claim His promises. 

I didn't see those angels that day, but I know in my heart an angel was there and delivered my son. Perhaps he grabbed him by that place on the ear and cushioned his fall - I don't know, and I don't care. All I have to do is believe in God, have faith in His promises, declare them, and He does the work! 

Jesus, Our Manna from Heaven

And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness [there lay] a small round thing, [as] small as the hoar frost on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw [it], they said one to another, It [is] manna: for they wist not what it [was]. And Moses said unto them, This [is] the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it [was] like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it [was] like wafers [made] with honey. Exodus 16:14-15, 31.

I learned something today in my Bible study that I had never seen before in the Word of God. Of course, I am aware that Jesus is our Manna from Heaven, meaning our daily spiritual and earthly sustenance and provision, our very life, comes from Him and Him alone--which is why He tells us He is the bread that came down from Heaven. (John 6:41). However, I was not aware that when Manna was first introduced to Israel in the wilderness, it was pure white and tasted like wafers made with honey. I think of it being like miniature sweet cookies that melted in the mouth, giving all the sustenance needed for the day. No wonder medical science tells us that sweet is the first taste a baby recognizes and craves (and many of us never get over that craving!), because sweetness is a picture of Jesus.

But something happened later on in the wilderness that changed the color, texture, and taste of this Manna. In Numbers 11:4-9, the mixed multitude that had come out of Egypt with Israel began to lust over the things they had eaten while in Egypt. They grumbled and complained, saying "We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul [is] dried away: [there is] nothing at all, beside this manna, [before] our eyes." Numbers 11:5-6.

The sweet, honey-tasting Manna wasn't enough for them--the spiritual food of angels rained down from Heaven wasn't enough. They despised what God offered and desired the sustenance of the world--the rich, spicy, strong-tasting food of Egypt that the flesh craves. Immediately, we see that the description of the Manna changed. Numbers 11:7-8 says, And the manna [was] as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium. [And] the people went about, and gathered [it], and ground [it] in mills, or beat [it] in a mortar, and baked [it] in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. 

Despite their grumbling, the Lord was merciful and continued to rain down Manna every day. But now the color was no longer white, but pearl-colored, and it was hard and had to be ground, beaten, and baked to be edible. And instead of tasting of honey, it tasted bland, like fresh oil. What does this mean? Why this change?

Well, I believe this is a picture of the church allowing the desires of the world into their hearts, convincing them that the sweet, honey-taste of their Savior isn't enough for all their needs. The church has been deceived into believing they must mix the world's spicy food into their palette, which ironically makes the Savior bland and tasteless. Basically, when God's people look to the world and lust after all it offers, the power of Jesus, the sweetness of His resurrection, seems to disappear and a mixture law/grace gospel is presented to the world. It is a gospel that says Jesus isn't enough and that what He did on the cross isn't sufficient to be right with God. It is a gospel that says we are still sinners even though we are born again, new creations in Christ Jesus--that we must grind, beat, bake, work, toil to receive anything from our heavenly Father, and then what we do receive from Him is devoid of power. It says we can't expect healing, prosperity, supernatural deliverance and miracles in our lives. It tells us that all this power passed away with the first century church. 

I say, "Nonsense!" I have had to repent and remove the lusts of the world and Egypt from my life, acknowledging that Jesus and His sweetness is enough to sustain me, day by day. The power of His resurrection is sufficient for me to do all things He calls me to do. The power of His resurrection says "Yes" and "Amen" to all His promises. (2 Corinthians 1:20).

As the Old Testament reveals, eventually a new generation of Israelites entered the promised land under Joshua's leadership and ate from the fat of the land. The Lord has no problem with any of His children eating from the fat of the land He gives them, but He wants us to acknowledge and remember that we enjoy this goodness only because of Jesus, our savior, our true Manna from Heaven, and all He has done for us. It is not because of any works on our part--it is all because of Him! 

Praise God for our Manna from Heaven! In that Manna is everything we need!

Praying Against the Storms in Life

Here is a great teaching from Brother Kenneth Copeland about declaring and praying God's Word in the name and authority of Jesus Christ, especially with all these crazy storms wreaking havoc on our nation. It's a great reminder of how the Kingdom of God operates. It's all about the works of the Heavenly Father done in the name of Jesus Christ. We need to have faith in God's Word, keep our eyes on it, meditate on its Truths, and declare those Truths out of our mouth.

Enjoy this teaching!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr7Lmao51eM&feature=youtu.be&utm_campaign=KC-Partner-Letter&utm_content=20130523&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Emailvision

Rest in Me

This is a lovely poem written by my dear friend, which she received from the Lord while praying. I feel like this has come from the heart of King Solomon when he wrote Song of Songs - an intimate look at the Savior's passionate love for the church.

My Beautiful Bride,

You are the one that I love the most. I love you more than anything in the world.

I was there the day you were born. I suffered with you when you were so hurt. Things were spoken over you, and I mourned.

But when you found me, I rejoiced. My beautiful lover that was lost has been found!. I can finally take my bride home.

Your beauty overwhelms me -- creator of the universe bows to you in love. I have held you in my arms and danced with you, kissed you, been intimate with you, let you cry. I have gently placed my hand over your heart and healed it, restored it, and held it.

I have breathed my own creatures into your womb, of whom I love as much as I love you, and of whom I have great plans for.

My love, do not fret and do not fear. I am your guide, your strength, your protection, your provision. I am Lord and I am God. And you, my sweet bride, are mine. I ran to the cross for you - RAN.  My intense love for you wasn't satisfied until you were back in my embrace.

As I wrap my arms around you, do not look around, but look up to Me. I am all that you need and I am right here.

Nothing can separate us. Lean into my chest and believe that my love has done the work.

I am the everlasting God, and my work is complete.  Rest in Me.

The Giants Aren't That Scary!

And she [Rahab] said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that [were] on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard [these things], our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he [is] God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Joshua 2:9-11.

Have you ever faced down the giants in your life who are trying to stop you from fulfilling your God-given dreams and desires, whether it be for a financial blessing, job promotion, spouse or baby, or healing from emotional trauma or disease? They may roar and growl, trying to scare us into believing our Heavenly Father has forsaken us or doesn't love us or wants us to suffer lack and defeat. But then we see the promises in the Word and learn about all our Saviour Jesus Christ did on the cross so that the blessing of Abraham would come upon us and overtake us and so that we might receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Well, you are not alone when you feel the heat of those terrible roars. Know that the enemy isn't the big bad wolf that he thinks he is! He's been declawed and defanged by Jesus Himself 2000 years ago!

Just look at Joshua and the nation of Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Forty years earlier, ten of the twelve spies sent to scout out the land brought back an evil report of giants who couldn't be overcome because of their size and strength. These ten spies turned the peoples' hearts away from the truth, and unfortunately, none of that generation was allowed to enter other than Joshua and Caleb. But ironically, when it was time for the new generation to take the land, Joshua's spies learned something totally different from Rahab the harlot. They learned that the people of Jericho and the giants living there were actually terrified of Israel because they knew the Lord was with them! Isn't that something?

Have you ever considered that Satan and all his demons are terrified of you, a born again child of God, washed by the blood of Jesus, and filled with the Holy Spirit? Yes he is! Because he knows the Lord is with you and INSIDE you - and he knows you are coming to take the land God has promised you. And if you truly know that and don't shrink back in fear, exercising the authority Christ has given you in HIS NAME, you cannot be defeated, just like Joshua and all of Israel when they took the Promised Land. God had opened the door, and if the Lord opens a door, no man or demon from hell can shut it!

Praise your Heavenly Father that you are victorious! You are more than a conqueror!