The Four Winds,

Musical Notes from Heaven

Chapter 2

By: Alan Smith

As I looked around, I saw more notes coming from the heavens.  I could see them, though very small, coming in droves.  Hundreds, thousands, millions, billions; it began to look like multiple trillions of notes emerging from the heavens.  Their colors were almost blinding as their lights shown against the black background of the heavens.  The blues were so blue and the reds were intensifying as the notes approached the earth.  All of the multiple colors of the notes were unbelievably brilliant as they raced to their final destinations.  All of a sudden, as I gazed into the heavens, I saw a great hoard of “angels”, dressed as if ready for battle.  They projected a vibration of life from their countenance that resonated in my spirit.  I felt such peace and love as I gazed upon this vast army in the heavens.  What a feeling; what a sight to behold!

I then began to notice all around the angels, silhouettes of other spiritual beings.  The “silhouettes” were also creating sounds; but they had no notes coming from them, only a vibration and the smell of something bitter.  These smells could not travel very fast at all, but instead, caught the spiritual draft that was created by the “wings of fire” as they traveled toward the earth.  All of the sounds from the “silhouettes” were dissonant and out of harmony.  Their vibrations were chaotic and out of rhythm.  They ran into each other and bounced around, seeming to have no direction at all.  They could barely organize themselves; only enough to create this awful smell of dissonant disunity.  I noticed the “silhouettes” had an intoxicating effect on my spiritual eyes as I continued to focus on them.  For some unidentified reason, I was drawn to them even though the smell was almost unbearable.   Their independence touched something deep within.  They sent me a vibration that caused me to feel puffed up, but also very empty.  The more I focused on them, the more of them I could see and smell.  The image of the angels was beginning to fade as the “silhouettes” captured my attention.  I knew I was being sucked into a darkness where there were no notes being created.  I began to cry out to the heavens with a loud voice, “Fill me; fill me once again with the notes from heaven.  Please fill me oh God, with Your sound, so I may see Your heavenly host and feel Your presence.”

I heard “the voice” from behind me once again as He said, “Open your mouth and let the wings of fire come.  Open wide my friend; open wide and breathe deeply once again.  Hurry, hurry for there isn’t much time.”  I opened my mouth and began to take a deep breath.  I inhaled until I thought I was going to burst.  Once I started the breathing process, the wind then took over the project of my “being filled”.  “More wind, more wind,” I could hear the voice say.  “Fill him; fill him once again.”  I could not see them, but could sense the notes entering my mouth by the droves.

All of a sudden, I began to float again.  “There they are,” I said with much joy.  First I saw the notes and then I saw the angels.  I saw them materializing again right before my eyes.  The angels and notes were there all the time, I only needed eyes to see and ears to hear.  As I focused on the vast army, it began to capture my attention.  The sounds drew me closer and closer to the angels, for I knew that was the place from where these sounds were coming.  As I drew closer, the notes were coming from everywhere: from the north, south, east, and west, notes and more notes were headed toward the earth.  I could not believe what I was seeing, so many notes and so many colors.  There was a reflection of light that began to shine from the angels.  The angels had armor of gold and silver with designs of passed victories stamped within them.  In their right hand they had a sword and in the left hand a shield.  The shield was the most unusual thing I had ever seen.  Stamped within these shields were musical instruments such as the harp, cymbals, bow instruments, and the flute.  I then saw the vast army of angels raising their swords.  I also saw musical instruments etched on the blade and handle of this mighty weapon of warfare.

As their swords were raised, I saw treble clef notes emerge from their tips in bursts of light.  These notes were red and blue in color: just red and blue.  They alternated: first the red and then two blue.  Over and over they emerged.  The red ones grew the “wings of fire”.  As these wings grew, they went faster and faster.  I then noticed that the red ones caught the blue ones by the hand.  A red one was in the middle of two blue ones as they made their way toward earth.  The sounds they made pierced my ears.  They pierced through the heavens, dividing the spiritual winds.  They divided the winds of darkness from the winds of light, and the colors of the notes of the treble clef intensified as the winds of light penetrated each one of them.

I then heard a voice from behind me say, “This is the second wind and it is greater than the first.”  Suddenly, the angels lowered their swords and looked at their shields.  They took their swords and began to hit their shields like striking a cymbal.  As their shields were struck, bass clef notes emerged from the realm around the shield.  Their sounds were lower than the notes of the sword, but they were released by the sword just the same. These notes created a cadence in the heavens, which was a vibration, and this cadence completed the banner of the “symphony of praise”.  These banners were placed on top of some of the notes as they passed by the angels; and they waved in the winds as the notes practiced their flying lessons.  At first I saw a single note with a banner attached, and then there were two and even three notes attaching themselves to one banner.  “Practice, practice”, I heard the angels say to the notes.  “You have only a few minutes until you begin your journey to the earth.”  As the notes practiced, they became brighter and brighter, reflecting this glorious multicolored light of life.  Then I heard a tinkling cymbal in the background begin to ring out over all the other sounds.  It was a simple sound, but one with much authority.  The voice from behind then said, “The announcement is about to be made.”  “What announcement?” I wondered.  “The trumpets are here! The trumpets are here,” I heard the angels say.  “Hurry, hurry everyone, for the notes of the “symphony of praise” are being commissioned.”

The Four Winds

Chapter 1

By: Alan Smith

Ezekiel 37:1-10: The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.  He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry.  He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign Lord, you alone know."  Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!  This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.  I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life.  Then you will know that I am the Lord.'"  So I prophesied as I was commanded.  And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.  I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.  Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.'"  So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet — a vast army. (NIV)

Do you need a breath of fresh air?  Do you feel slain and beaten down?  Were you once part of the active army of God, but are now feeling like you have lost your zeal for the spiritual battles?  I believe the dry bones are being called forth from all over the face of the earth for the final spiritual battle of the ages.  Spiritually, you may feel like you are just skin and bones; but get ready, for life is coming once again.  Set your face to the heavens for the Four Winds of God are beginning to blow upon the earth.  Let me share with you a prophetic experience I had.

I first sensed a faint sound in the spirit, of wind blowing gently in the trees.  The sensing was faint, but the wind that accompanied it was refreshing as it blew upon my face.  It felt as though “life” was being blown into my mouth.  It was gentle, but it was so refreshing.  Like a drink of cold water on a hot and dry day; not as a liquid but as wind from heaven.  As I looked around, I could see the earth from a heavenly view.  It was beautiful with all its colors brightly shining in the vastness of the heavens.  It was so blue with spots of white clouds decorating its face; moving across it as if to say, “I am living, just watch and listen.”  There was dead silence, but I could sense the sound of wind.  I could not hear it, but I could sense it coming.  I had a knowing deep down within me.  The anticipation of its coming was overwhelming to me.  I looked at the earth and then projected my face toward the open heavens.  I looked at the earth, and then back to the heavens.  I could feel something down inside of me begin to stir.  I felt like crying and laughing all at once.  Every emotion was stirring in me at the same time.  I looked at the earth and began to cry and pray and could once again sense the wind coming.  I turned and looked at the heavens, and with the presence of the wind, I could feel heat on my face.  All of a sudden the light began to appear.  This light was not from the sun, but from the heavens.  It became brighter and brighter as I gazed toward the heavens.  I then turned to the earth.  As I did, I noticed I had no tears, but instead, a knowing: a knowing that God was going to blow life back into the dry bones of His vast army.  No more tears of sadness, but instead, joy began to fill my face.  My praying then changed from a petition to a calling: a calling out to the dry bones.  Before I spoke to the earth, I took in a deep breath of air.  This breath of air was the deepest breath I had ever taken.  I inhaled for the longest time.  It seemed like I would never stop inhaling.  As I inhaled, I felt the wind begin to blow upon my face.  The more I inhaled, the stronger the winds blew.  As my lungs filled with this wind from heaven, they began to burn as though a fire had entered within.

The wind blew so strongly that I felt I must open my mouth to let more of it into my being.  As I did, I felt myself begin to float.  I was floating around the earth.  I could see the continents with their mountains and rivers.  They were so beautiful.  I heard sounds coming from the continents as though they were calling out for life.  There were groanings and callings.  I then sang to the continents as I passed by them.  Notes of music came out of my mouth.  I saw them before I heard them.  I saw the notes flying from my mouth.  They had wings of fire upon them as they traveled on the journey to the earth.  I kept singing, and the more I sang, the more notes came from my mouth.  The notes were very small at first, but then grew as they headed toward the earth.  As they entered the atmosphere, the wings of flames of fire grew hotter and hotter.  The notes then began to take each other by the hand as they soared through the air.  I would see some in groups of twos and others in threes.  They hit the earth and I saw an explosion upon the face of the earth.  I noticed that every continent took a hit at exactly the same time.  Not one was more special than another.  The notes divided themselves equally around the earth and began to hit the earth in a rhythm.  As they hit the earth and exploded, a sound was created that began to shake all that could be shaken.  I saw people upon the earth running to find the notes.  I heard a voice behind me say, “Open your mouths and let the notes go deep within.”  Some of the notes hit the ground and exploded and others went within the mouths of people.  Some people were standing around looking up to the heavens with their mouths open, like new born birds within their nest just waiting for the next meal.  The notes that hit the ground went only inches beneath the soil and sprouted into beautiful flowers.  These flowers brought beauty to the earth and a fragrance that was heavenly.  There were red ones, yellow ones, and even black and white ones; some with two colors and some with three mixed within them.  I saw every color that could be imagined.  I knew the flowers were the people upon each continent and that God had planted all of them.

The notes that entered the mouths of the people went deep within them and sprouted.  As they sprouted, they rushed to find an opening in which to exit and be heard.  These notes were not seen as the flowers, but were heard only by those that had ears to hear.  As the people opened their mouths, the notes emerged with the sounds of heaven.  As they emerged, the wings of fire were upon them once again.  Some of the notes with wings of fire flew and looked for another mouth that was open.  They entered them, went deep within, and sprouted once again.  Other notes with wings of fire flew back into the heavens as if they were going home.  I then heard a voice behind me say: “These that have their mouths open are being nourished and are my vast army.  They are to prophesy to the earth and say; 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.'”  They will prophesy to the earth and I will blow with my four winds.  From the north, south, east and west will the wind of heaven blow upon the face of the earth and my people will be revived.  So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet — a vast army.

GREETINGS FROM KENYA EAST AFRICA. REV, RON ROSS IS WELL AND WE ARE BEING BLESSED WITH HIM HERE.

From APOSTLE, RASHID O… to You
Sent Jun 28

By: Alan Smith

 Attitude of One Who Reigns

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• Rom. 5:16-17: For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. (NIV)

To reign in life: what a perception!  Can you truly rule and reign over your circumstances of life?  When you look at this verse, you see that either “death” will reign or “life” will reign.  I think I would prefer life, how about you?  So how can you apprehend more life?  The scripture above shows us that more life is received by grace through believing in the life of Jesus.  His life was created by His “attitude” and His “attitude” was created by how He thought.  His “attitude” was of one who would rule over life and death: an “attitude” of a king.  A king of a heavenly country, but a king just the same.  You can see that Jesus’ “attitude” was one of ruling over heaven, earth, and His life.  He refused to think in ways that were contrary to reigning in life.  He chose to think in a creative way, a way of design.  He knew his thoughts were creative and that they set in motion the creative power of the Kingdom of heaven.  His “attitude” alone did not create; however, His “attitude” plus His “action” did.  He knew that His thoughts were to equal an action that would change the reality of the world.  He knew a secret of the spiritual world which was this: “thoughts” that equal “action” will equal changed “realities”.  This can be good realities or bad realities, and make no mistake about it: your “attitude” is your choice.  Your “attitude” will draw like “attitudes” unto you.  If you have a bad “attitude” about church or government or anything, it will draw a like, bad “attitude” unto you.  Fellowship will take place because there is a common denominator: a bad “attitude”.

On the opposite end of the spectrum on “attitude”, I am not just talking about having a good “attitude” either.  I am talking about an “attitude” of one who reigns in life.  This is more than just a good “attitude”.  This is an “attitude” of someone who knows who they are in Christ.  This is an “attitude” of life that knows more of it is on the way.  This “attitude” will compel mountains of life to be moved in your favor.  One who reigns in life understands this spiritual phenomenon.  It is an “attitude” of faith in the Kingdom of God.  You cannot create substance, but you can draw unto yourself things that are healthy and good, which in turn will change your realities into favorable ones.  You need to understand that the “attitude” of the Kingdom of God is for you to have life and to have it more abundantly.  Again, “attitude” is a choice and you must make this choice every minute of every day.

Let’s apply this concept to our own personal lives.  Before you can “reign” in life, you must prepare for what reigning will produce: an abundant life.  You must become comfortable with joy, success, and an abundance of substance in order to give to others.  You must have a mental image of yourself as one who is reigning with God, waiting to bless the earth with the substance of the Kingdom of God.  Your attitude of yourself must improve until you see yourself as one who can rule and reign.  This is not a competitive attitude, but rather, a creative one.  You are not to project your “attitude” upon others, but upon yourself.  Others will then follow your example of abundant life.  Jesus does not rule and reign with an “iron fist”; instead, he reigns in such a way that it draws you unto Him.  So it is to be with each of us.  You are to rule and reign in such a way that others will want to follow you on this “yellow brick road” unto the Kingdom of God.  It will draw others.  You cannot help it; they will just come.  When they come, they will bring blessings with them for you and for others.  In God’s economy everyone is blessed.

Do you really desire “more life”?  Well, remember, your purpose is to reign in life.  It is the testimony of the children of God.  You will reign with Him.  When you see this as your “purpose” and then add “faith” to it, you will start seeing the Kingdom of God being unveiled right before your very eyes.  You will see things that have not appeared, start appearing in the most unusual ways and places.  It is this vision of yourself that sets in motion all the creative forces of the Kingdom of God, and they are directed right at you.  God is the One who sets in motion the creative process; but it is up to you and me to understand our purpose of reigning in this process and of maintaining our faith and thankfulness.  When the blessings come, you will know where you are to distribute these blessings of the Kingdom of God.  These blessings will be substance that can be distributed: such as food, your time, jobs, money, a kind word, helping others, etc.  The substances of the blessings take on any form that might be needed by man.  God wants to bless the earth, and He wants to do it through you as you understand your purpose of reigning with Him.  This, in turn, will produce “more life” in you.  It is essential that you understand this secret of the Kingdom.  As you give unto another what is needed and not wanted, you then receive what you desire.

Do not wait any longer to take action on reigning in life.  It is imperative that you start right now.  Do not look at your failure to reign with God in your past.  This is not the attitude of one who reigns.  Jesus said, “Let the dead bury the dead. Come follow me”.  Just because your life is not reflecting an attitude of “one who reigns”, this is no excuse.  Do not postpone any longer the substance of Heaven in your life today.  Do not look at the failures of the past, but look unto a future that is full of life which you will experience in its fullness.  If you look at the past, your mind will be divided between past and future.  You cannot have a divided mind because it will produce an ineffective future and one that will not stand.

• Matt. 12:25: And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: (KJV)

Don’t just sit there and do nothing.  Do not feel discouraged that you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Let your creative impulses turn into an internal action that will change your “attitude” today, which will then change your realities.  Get ready to reign and receive.  Let’s leave a competitive attitude and move into a creative one.  Believe by “faith” in the “purpose” for which you have been created.  Act now and wait no longer.

Blessings,

Alan

“The Passion of Christ”

By: Alan Smith

• Acts 1:2-3—Until the day in which he (Christ) was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: (KJV)

Did you ever see the movie entitled “The Passion of Christ”?  It was absolutely the most powerful and emotionally charged portrayal of the death of Christ that has ever been produced.  God’s love shown through the death of His Son, Jesus, has impacted the world for over 2,000 years.  Why has the death of Christ been called His passion?  The word “passion” seems out of place when thinking about this event.  Could it be that we need to understand more about this emotional feeling called “passion”?  According to the dictionary, the definition for the word “passion”, in the context of Christ’s death, is as follows: “The sufferings of Christ in the period following the Last Supper and including the Crucifixion.”  From this definition we can understand that the time of the passion of Christ was a time of suffering for Christ.  Let’s take a closer look at Christ, our example.

The scriptures give us a reflection of the heart of Christ.

• John 15:13-14—Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. (NIV)

According to Christ, the greatest experience of love or passion is when a person lays down his/her life for a friend.  I do not understand this concept, but I am persuaded that it is true.  God’s love for us was and is so great that He laid down life itself for those He loved.  This dying produced life for others if they would only believe and receive this unbelievable love.  Therefore, suffering produced life.  How can I know if this type of love is within me?  Am I so selfish that I cannot even experience this incredible emotion?  What a struggle it must have been for Christ to yield to this love.  We know that He even asked God if it were possible, to remove this suffering from Him.

Before this type of love can be experienced, there must be a yielding: a yielding to something greater than ourselves.  This yielding is our love for our friends.  Christ’s love for us was so great that it produced a “passion” within Him; an emotion and desire so great that He laid down His life.  His burning desire or passion was for others to receive life, and to receive it more abundantly. 

This passion, when handled incorrectly, can equal death instead of life.  It can turn into a sad experience, instead of unbelievable peace.  How do I know this, you might ask?  I know because this is what happens to me. I have a great passion to see others healed and made whole; to see others happy and not sad; to see others in victory and not in defeat.  But when I start thinking about myself first, instead of others it feeds sadness instead of comfort and life.  The very thing from which I want to see others free, overtakes me.  I start spiraling down the emotional flight of life.  When I am falling, it is amazing how smart I think I am.  I am the smartest person I know.  I have conversations within my head going over all the evidence of how and why I am sad and why I deserve to be. This then starts a pain within my heart that no one can touch. Only God can bring revelation to me and give me understanding to take my hand and lead me out of this jungle of death. Perhaps this happens to you also.  You have a great passion for others, but you end up just like one of those that you are trying to help.  Christ had victory in experiencing “passion”.  He did not fall into this state of sadness and defeat.  He gave us the path to follow in this love experience.  Do you have a “passion” within you?  You know a burning desire for others to be healthy and whole?  Have you ever wondered what it really meant for Christ to be in you?  Could this “passion” that is in us be originating from another?  Could it be coming from the love of Christ that lives in our hearts?  Heaven has a hope and that hope is this:

• Col. 1:27—To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (KJV)

Heaven is hoping that we will let the glory of God come to this earth through Christ that lives in our hearts.  Let His “passion” live and flow through you this day.

Common Union in Christ

In a dream Bob had he was shown that 45% of church leadership were JUST and living a righteous life. However they were not accomplishing much because these leaders were not coming together in a common union or in agreement with one another.

You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light [of God's favor] shall shine upon your ways. (Job 22:28)

As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle. (Ezekiel 1:10)

And they went every one straight forward; wherever the spirit would go, they went, and they turned not when they went. (Ez. 1:12)

Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations as Your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth as Your possession. (Psalm 2:8)

It is like the precious ointment poured on the head, that ran down on the beard, even the beard of Aaron [the first high priest], that came down upon the collar and skirts of his garments [consecrating the whole body]. (Psalms 133:2)

Perception: Creating Your Reality

• Matt. 12:22-24: Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.  And all the multitudes were amazed and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"   Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons."

Perception: what a “word”!  How can this “word” be worthy of writing about, you might ask?  Well, I believe this “word” is the most powerful “word” in anyone’s life.  I am asking you to stay with me for a few minutes, as we explore the depth of this “word”.  Let’s first look at its meaning from the dictionary.  Perception: observation and interpretation based chiefly on memory.  Perception is the result of perceiving or seeing.  It is how things look to us.  Sometimes perception even brings with it a mental image.  Our perception determines the reality we live in; just like the Pharisee’s perception did for them in the verse above.  Their perception was that Jesus was casting out demons in the name of the devil.  Do you think their perception of the event and the person was correct?  I think not.  Not only was their perception off, it was completely the opposite of the “truth”.  They had created their own personal reality based on their perception.  Have you ever done this?  You know, create your own reality based on your perception?  You might say, “Well Alan, you just don’t understand my circumstances in life.”  I know I don’t, but I do understand how we get “stuck” in life.  I understand that the reason for our feeling “stuck” is because our perceptions are holding us where we are.  The Pharisees were “stuck”, and they were “stuck” because they refused to be teachable.  They refused to allow their perceptions to be challenged and changed.  Are you and I like the Pharisees, or do we want to be challenged and changed?  Let’s take a closer look at how our perceptions are created and guarded.

Perceptions are the eyes of the soul.  The body has physical eyes which see physical things.  Our soul has eyes also, and these eyes are our perceptions.  This is how we view the world and all of those in it.  How we see things will determine how we react and respond to situations and circumstances.  Let’s look again at the definition of the word perception.  Perception: observation and interpretation based chiefly on memory.  Memory is to perception what sunglasses are to the eyes.  Memory, like sunglasses, filters what is allowed to come in to be seen.  Perceptions are created by our observations passing through our memory filters.  These memory filters are created by our past experiences.  Therefore, our seeing or our perceptions of life today must pass through our filters or past experiences to create the reality we are living in today.  If you understand what I just wrote, you now understand the title of this Thought of the Day, “Perception: Creating Your Reality”.

The perceptions of the Pharisees created not only their realities, but the reality of the fate of Christ.  The Pharisees were “stuck”.  They were “stuck” in their religious perceptions, which in turn equaled death and not life.  Is anyone feeling “stuck” in a dead life, and not a life that is always coming into more excitement and into more abundant life?  Well, perhaps we need to allow our perceptions to be “born again”.  You may be wondering how this can happen.  Let’s look at another passage of scripture that is based on a healthy perception: a perception based on a deliberate influence of hope of the future and not the past.

• Matt. 9:20-22: Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.

This woman was not willing to let her past history dictate her future.  Her perception of Jesus was different from that of the Pharisees.  Her perception of Him created a reality of faith; which in turn created an influence of hope.  Her perception was being influenced by the hope of a brighter future; because her perception of Jesus was that He loved her and cared for her.  She received from Him exactly what she sought after.  Her perception created a new reality for her life.  I realize that what I am saying here might be a stretch for you, but I am asking you to consider it.  Your life will not change until you change your perceptions about you and about your life.  If your perceptions stay the same, then your life will keep repeating itself over and over.  Your past history will dictate your future life.  So what have you got to lose?  Let’s change our perceptions so that the future we are about to walk in will create a positive history for us to look back on.  A healthy perception is a perception of life based on a filter of “faith” for the future and not a filter of “memory”.

• Heb. 11:1-2: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Do you see the perception of faith?  This is a perception based on hope and not on history repeating itself.  My prayer for you and I will be that we will let our “perceptions” be born again.  How do we know if it happens?  We will know because our lives will be full of faith: faith that all things are possible to those that believe.

• Mark 9:23: Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Blessings,

Alan

Alan Smith
I Press Toward the Mark
Teaching Video

(Swinging From Vine to Vine)

• Phil. 3:13-14: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (KJV)

Do you remember the famous story of Tarzan of the jungle?  What a fearless character he was.  He seemed to have a sixth sense when he was in his element of the jungle.  He called the animals and they listened.  He lived with danger all around him and still kept himself out of harms way.  He moved through the trees with the greatest of ease; grabbing one vine and then the next, creating the image of flying through the jungle.  What fun and excitement his flying created for those who watched him on the big screen.  His eyes looked for the next vine to catch in his right hand, as he let go of the previous one in his left.  Right-then-left, as he flew through this jungle of danger with no fear.  It was very noticeable how important it was for him to grab the next vine; and it was equally as noticeable how important it was for him to let go of the last vine, so that he could move gracefully through this difficult environment.

So was the life of Tarzan of the jungle.  I just can’t escape the analogy of Tarzan swinging through the jungle, as compared to our day-to-day lives.  Have you ever been stuck holding a vine; afraid to let go for fear of missing the next one?  Maybe you find yourself in this place right now.  You know, your life isn’t going anywhere; but instead, is looking at the same scenery each and every day.  What keeps you from moving forward?  What has stopped your forward motion in life?  Could it be that you have not let go of the previous vine, so that you can grab onto the next one?  Are you hanging on to an old vine that is not producing any fruit in your life; refusing to move forward and grab the opportunity that is right in front of you?  Could fear be the enemy of the next opportunity?

As a farmer, I am interested in things that grow and progress in life.  It is so beautiful to watch the transformation that a progressive life can bring, as it moves forward through this dangerous jungle of life.  Life is very unpredictable, and at times, is not very user friendly.  It seems to knock you down without picking you up with encouragement and acceptance.  How are you to make it?  How are you to succeed and progress in this life full of spiritual alligators?  How can you possibly move forward?  Let me make the following suggestion: “LET GO!”  Oh, I can hear you now: “I can’t; for if I do I will surely fall to the ground.”  Falling in life comes only from hanging on to the vine of the past.  If you hang on like this, then your present is actually your past.  You have the feeling of “just trying to hang on”, instead of moving forward and feeling the wind of life in your face.

Flying through the jungle, as well as flying through life, comes from letting go of the vine of the past and grabbing hold of the next one with all of your might.  You are to hang on; but only long enough to wait for the next one to appear.  There are times when you try to fly backward, as you grab hold of the old vines of the past.  You think you are noble in the remembrance of these past vines; and you think they will take you forward into your destiny.  You don’t understand, though, that they have already served their purpose in moving you to where you are now.  They have brought you to where you are, but they won’t take you to where you are going.

Let’s take hold of the wisdom given by the Apostle Paul: “but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.”  Here is the answer.  Can you see it?  This scripture says you must “reach forth”.  The next vine of life will appear as you reach forth.  Just try it.  Try it by faith.  Not faith in yourself, but faith that God will give you eyes to see the next vine of life on which to grab hold.  Press into this truth, for it will lead you to the true prize of life.  Your life is just waiting for you to press this spiritual button: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  You must leave before you can go; so “LET GO” and watch the hand of the Lord take you through this “jungle” journey of life.

Blessings,

Alan

God, the Man, and the Mountain

10/14/2010

Matthew 17:20 “…you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible.”

I had a vision: A VISION of someone BLINDED—not blinded by physical sight, but blinded by circumstances.

There was a man walking through life on a clearly defined pathway. The sky was blue, the air was clean, and he felt like the path was clear.  For weeks as he walked, he could see a huge mountain in the distance that he knew would eventually stand in the middle of his pathway: a mountain that he knew would cause problems for his journey.  So, he started praying that God would move the mountain.

He walked and he walked and with each step, he could see the mountain in the distance getting closer and closer.  As the man was thinking of the mountain in front of him, it caused him to worry about this huge obstacle.

After a long, tiresome day of walking, he reached the valley at the bottom of the mountain and stared up at the huge problem in front of him.  While standing there considering what he needed to do and praying to God to please move this mountain, a deep fog started to form in the valley.  The fog was so thick that it engulfed his entire surroundings and he could not see a thing.  While not being able to see anything, the man stood for days just praying and praying, “God please move the mountain.”  Then he added, “And please remove the fog that is keeping me from moving or seeing anything!”

Days went by and the fog remained.  The man became very frustrated and angry and cried out to God saying, “I prayed and prayed that you would move this mountain, and instead, I wound up in this thick fog and I can’t even see anything!”

God then said to the man, “I’ve answered your prayer.  I answered your prayer days ago. Your mountain has been removed from your sight so it no longer influences your insights.  Walk ahead, you have no more worries.”  The man replied, “Walk ahead?  I can’t see anything for this fog.  I can’t even see the mountain.”  God answered, “The fog is yours.  It is your faith.  You asked me to move the mountain and I did.  I will not choose for you and make you walk.  You alone must choose to step out in your faith and walk.  Even if you cannot see it now, KNOW that I have removed your mountain from your vision.  Trust me and walk in the fog and walk in confidence knowing that I have answered your prayer.  As you walk in the fog, you will walk through your mountain.  It will no longer be a hindrance to your path.”

So, I encourage you.  That mountain of a problem that you have been praying for God to remove from your life has been taken care of by Him.  You must choose to step out in faith, even if you can’t see.  Walk through the fog, and thus, walk through the mountain.

Amber S. Wallace

Truth Awaits

By: Alan Smith

• John 16:13: But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

Have you ever really wanted to know the truth?  Perhaps the real question for all of us is can we really handle the truth when we hear it?  The truth is we are scared of truth because truth speaks change to our lives, and we don’t always embrace change.  We ignore, or sometimes even deny truth because of our fear of change or confrontation.  Why do we stay in denial and run from the truth when the truth can set us free?  Could it be that truth ignored is truth lost?  There are so many questions that we must answer within ourselves in order to move forward with truth in our lives.  In John 8:32 Jesus encouraged us to take hold of the truth when He said: Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  Perhaps we are waiting for the truth to set us free; but the truth is, that truth must be captured and experienced before freedom comes into our lives.  Truth is a word that requires action.  Why search for truth in the Bible and in various other places, if it only serves to flatter our ears?  We must put truth into action and embrace change.  Do you feel stuck in your life?  Do you feel there is no where to turn?  Do you feel that you are held captive by your circumstances?  All three of these questions represent false truth in our lives.  Why do we appropriate our faith in these false truths?  It is amazing to me how we have more faith for the non-truths than we do for truth.  It is imperative that we embrace real truth, and it is only then that we will walk in real freedom.  The more truth we walk in, the more freedom we will experience in life.  If we say no to truth or ignore truth, then truth is lost in that moment of time, and thus the freedom that came with it.  True freedom comes from life.  And true life comes from the truth that comes from the Spirit of the Lord.

In the verse above we see that the Holy Spirit comes to us with the purpose of guiding us into all truth.  Truth must be very important if this is the mission for which the Holy Spirit was sent.  Do you see?  He was sent as the Spirit of Truth; our comforter.  As the Holy Spirit guides us into truth, He will also comfort us during the changes brought about by truth and during the confrontation with truth.  I am encouraged to know that it is possible to live in innumerable truths each day of my life, since the Holy Spirit is guiding me in this fantastic journey.  Consider this: when we are living in truth, it is then that we can live in true reality; and only then, that we can move forward in life.  New truth awaits anyone who has a teachable spirit.

Let’s explore another possibility.  Could revelations of truth be plotted on the map of life’s journey to lead us to our created destination?  With the same token, could living a life in non truth equal a created destination of unhappiness, sadness, and much confusion?  Truth vs. non-truth: it is our choice, and in choosing, we are choosing the light or the darkness; life or death.  So now you might ask, how can I know that someone is speaking truth to me?  Let’s look at the following scripture to gain more understanding.

• Eph. 4:15: Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

First of all, I can see that whoever has truth to give to another must give it from a heart of love.  This indicates to us that truth must be immersed or coated in this love before it can be swallowed.  If truth were a spiritual vitamin pill, it would have to have a buffered coating of love to be received into the heart of man.  Likewise, as we walk in truth with this coating of love, we will grow more into the likeness of Christ, as He is the example of living in truth coated in love.  How can we know this love coating is genuine?  Let’s read the next verse.

• 1 Corinthians 13:5-7: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.

This love is a love that is very happy and full of joy.  It rejoices in this new truth that is being given.  This love is a love that protects the one who is receiving the new revelation of truth.  This love is a love that trusts in the truth that is being given.  This love is a love that never loses hope in the truth and what it accomplishes.  This love is a love that has a resolve and does not waiver.  This love is a love that perseveres and will not give up under the most unbelievable odds.  Furthermore, this lovely truth will sometimes cause you to be viewed as an enemy instead of a friend.  We can see this in the following verse.

• Gal. 4:16: Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

Truth in love, when it is received by the recipient, causes things to change.  This change to our lives is not always received gladly, and it may even cause us to feel uncomfortable.  Truth is like a knife unto a surgeon: it will cut and bruise, but healing can then begin.  It is the truth that brings us out of darkness into light.  Light is what we need to see in this dark world.  More light is needed now than ever before.

• Eph. 5:8-10: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

We see in the verse above that we were once in darkness. This darkness is a life of living in false truths and of living in denial of real truths.  As the Holy Spirit guides us into real truths of reality, we start walking in light.  This new found light brings us into a new world of life and joy.  We are encouraged to be children of this light, as it will bring forth a fruit of goodness, righteousness, and more truth.  Be blessed this day as we call upon the Holy Spirit to guide us into more truth each and every day.  And, may He comfort us as we face the changes that real truth will bring into our lives.

Blessings,

Alan

Don’t Worry

By: Alan Smith

• Phil 4:6-7: Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers.  If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. (TLB)

Do you worry; or have you ever worried?  Of course you have, and maybe you still do.  At some point in life, and in certain situations in life, we have all worried.  But how can something that feels so noble cause us to have so much fear and emotional pain?  In my mind it seems that worrying proves how much I care about someone or something.  But does it really; is there any truth in this thought?  Let’s take a look at the scripture above and see what it says about worry.  First of all, it admonishes us not to “worry” about anything.  Come on now!  Who can really do this one?  In day-to-day life, worry seems to be an automatic emotional response for caring.  For some reason I must believe this to be true, as I can see it in my actions; and I feel that I really do care when I worry.  However, could it be that I am not really worried about someone or something else; but instead, could I be worried about myself and how situations could affect me?  Could this be a selfish act in disguise?  Could the act of selfish worry really create an entrance into my soul where fear would flourish?

Let’s look at the Webster’s Dictionary definition for worrying:

• Inflected Form(s): wor·ried; wor·ry·ing
• 1 dialect British : CHOKE, STRANGLE
• 2 a : to harass by tearing, biting, or snapping especially at the throat b : to shake or pull at with the teeth <a terrier worrying a rat> c : to touch or disturb something repeatedly
• 3 a : to assail with rough or aggressive attack or treatment : TORMENT b : to subject to persistent or nagging attention or effort
• 4 : to afflict with mental distress or agitation : make anxious

Can you believe this definition?  I thought for me to “worry” was a noble act; that it was proof of how much I cared.  This thought does not appear to be accurate, based on the definition noted above.  Let’s go a step further.  Have you ever had an experience of feeling like someone was strangling you or of feeling like you were choking for no apparent reason?  Have you ever had a panic attack or felt that you just could not get enough air?  I would like to suggest to you that this could be the fruit of the selfish act of worrying.  Who is doing this to me, you might ask?  I believe it is directly related to the act of worrying; in other words, we are doing it to ourselves.  Our stinking thoughts are strangling the very life out of us.  We then experience a feeling in the natural world that someone has their hands around our throats.  I have had people ask me to pray for them because of this problem of feeling like someone or something was strangling them.  When I shared with them that their problem was the act of worrying, they were in disbelief.  I said to them, “You must trust in God and not in your worrying.  Stop your worrying, for you are in the act of agreement with a false assumption”.  A false assumption is not a reality, and it comes from a false perception.  A false perception is a perception that is not true.  Thus, worrying comes from a thought that is not even true.  We must remember that it is important that we own our own thoughts and perceptions.  We are responsible for what we think and for what we do.  We are not responsible for others, but we are responsible for ourselves.

I believe to worry means we are tormented.  Like Webster says, it is a persistent, nagging of attention we give unto ourselves.  This tormenting is based on a lie that comes from a false perception.  The scriptures say that when we feel tormented it is an unclean spirit.  Do we really want to fellowship with unclean spirits?

• Luke 6:18-as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. (NKJV)

Webster also says:

• 4 : to afflict with mental distress or agitation : make anxious

Could this be true spiritual warfare?  It appears that the dark side of the spiritual world would like to afflict upon us a mental distress and agitation.  How does this happen?  The only way the dark side can cause us mental distress and agitation is for us to be in a working relationship with it in how we think.  We have entered into an agreement between darkness and ourselves.  We have been deceived by our selfishness, because we thought we were being noble.  The truth is that our trust for all of life’s circumstances was in ourselves and not in God.  How can we truly get free?  We must simply repent: repent of being selfish; repent of the thought that to worry is noble; repent of not trusting God with all of life’s circumstances; repent of being in agreement with the powers of darkness.  True freedom comes when we agree with the truth.  The scriptures say that we shall know the truth and the truth shall set us free.  Let’s now take hold of the truth and walk in the freedom that it offers.

Blessings,

Alan

One Touch

By: Alan Smith

• Matt 9:20-22: Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.  She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."  Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment. (NIV)

Have you ever felt like this woman?  You know; if you could just receive one little touch from God?  If God would only touch your pain or your disappointment or your sickness, you would be healed.  I have noticed that most people, if not all, have felt this need before.  This woman had a need and she knew if she could just touch the hem of His garment, she would be healed.  He didn’t speak to her, so why did she have any reason to believe that touching His garment would change her situation?  There had to be something in Jesus that was drawing this woman to Him.  This is so amazing to me: something very special was drawing her to Jesus.  Could it be that His love was exceeding His message?  Could it be that without even speaking, the love of God so filled Jesus and so penetrated His garment that it permeated throughout the crowd to this woman?  His love enveloped the crowd and reached out and touched her.  She pressed through the crowd and knew that not only touching Him would change her; but if she could just encounter His love, she would be healed.

Sometimes we think if we could just hear the correct words or if we could just say the right prayer that our pain and disappointment or our fear and shame would be gone.  This woman may have felt this way too at one time; but it appears, at this point in the scripture, that she was very desperate in her situation.  She knew that she needed more than a good sermon; she needed a touch from heaven.  She knew that just one touch from Jesus would be her answer.  She stepped out in faith, not knowing what He would do, but totally expecting a touch from Him to make her whole.

Do your circumstances seem hopeless?  Do you need a touch from God today?  What if you step out by faith right now, just like this woman, and try touching the hem of His garment?  You know; not just talk about it, but actually do it.  He won’t disappoint you.  He is pleading with you to step out by faith in your circumstances and touch the hem of His garment.  He longs for you to trust Him this deeply.  Even more, can you see that He also longs to press through your madness to reach out and touch your garment with His love and make you whole?  Just reach out and touch Him, and in so doing, let Him touch you!  Let’s try it now and go to this youtube website, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP71mZZ0hbk&feature=related  just ask Jesus to touch you.  He is waiting on you to press through the crowd with your desperate need.  Go ahead; press through and reach out right now and touch his cloak in prayer.  Come on—reach out and touch Him!  But remember, this is a daily reaching out.  You must daily reach out by faith and touch the hem of His garment to receive His “One Touch” for today.

Thank you and blessings in the name of our Lord.

Alan

God Is With You Wherever You Go

By: Alan Smith

• Josh 1:9: Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (TLB)

What an incredible statement this is!  Be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt.  This is the statement God spoke to Joshua after the death of Moses.  God was calling Joshua to be bold and strong and to enter the promises of God.  Evidently, Joshua was walking in fear and doubt: fear of all the problems that were before him; fear and doubt of the battles that were ahead of him.  Have you ever had fear, and then so much doubt that you could not make a simple decision?  I think all of us have had this problem from time to time.  Fear is the beginning of doubt, and doubt is the beginning of confusion.  How can we conquer fear and doubt, you might ask?  Let’s take a look at the scriptures to find this important key.

In the scripture above, God tells Joshua to “be” so he can “do”.  We first must “be what we are to be” before we can “do what we need to do”.  We see that Joshua was to be bold and strong, and then he could banish fear and doubt.  Have you ever had your hopes and dreams banished by fear and doubt?  Of course you have, and so have I.  Often, I wonder what has happened to my hopes, my dreams, and my joy.  I believe they have been banished:  they have been destroyed by two enemies called “fear” and “doubt”.  These enemies leave me in a state of confusion, which ultimately leads me into depression.  I now find myself in this deep, dark hole of the soul.  So, how can I crawl out of this hole?  Can you see it?  All of us must see that the weapon used against our hopes and dreams is the same weapon that we must use against our fears and doubts.  It is the weapon called “to banish”.

Let’s look at the definition of this weapon of the spiritual world.  Webster’s dictionary says this: To banish someone or something is to require them, by authority, to leave a country.  This truth is unbelievable!  We must take back this weapon of authority that is being used against our souls.  Satan takes the very authority given to us through Jesus Christ and uses this weapon of banishment against us.  When we agree with the spirit of “fear” and “doubt”, we empower them.  To be in agreement with fear and doubt is to speak death to our hopes and dreams.  Instead of our hopes and dreams being “banished” from the country of our lives, we must banish fear and doubt from our borders.  How do we take back this weapon?  We must be bold and strong.  God is giving us revelation, and then permission, to do this.  We are to walk in our authority to banish “fear” and “doubt” and say, “Be gone ‘fear’ and ‘doubt’ by the authority that has been given to me in the name of Jesus Christ.”  Then, let’s use this same authority and say, “Hopes and dreams, be alive in my life.  I refuse to be robbed of them.  Fill the borders of my life from coast to coast: from the top of my head to the bottom of my soul.”

After Joshua banished fear and doubt, he was reminded of something.  Let’s read the scripture again.

• Josh 1:9: Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (TLB)

Joshua was reminded that the Lord God was going to be with him wherever he went.  Yes, Joshua was going into the land that God had promised, but he did not have to go before God was with him.  As Christians we tend to believe we must go here or go there so we can be in the presence of God.  We think if we could only have a certain job or if we could be seen and discovered by certain people or if we could just go to the Holy Land, we could then experience His presence.  God was telling Joshua that He was with him already; that the promise was more than a destination—it was a relationship!  God was telling Joshua that he was “to be” in relationship with Him, and then he could do what he needed “to do” and take the land of promise.  Let me remind you that God is with you wherever you go.  Just be careful where you take Him today.  Be bold and strong and do not let fear and doubt control your life.  God will be with you; just trust Him for His boldness and strength to be upon you.  Do not let go of your hopes and dreams, for God will accomplish His will in His time.

Blessings,

Alan

Walking in Favor

By: Alan Smith

• Ps 44:3
  They did not conquer by their own strength and skill, but by your mighty power and because you smiled upon them and favored them. (TLB)

Can we really have the favor of God upon our lives? Can we walk in divine favor from heaven? I believe we can. King David was just a man, a man like you and me. Some days he seemed to be a saint and other days a sinner.  Have you ever felt like this? David had times of despair and times of victory. As David walked in the path of God his strength increased. For it is on this path that a true and healthy life can be experienced. When David chose not to walk in God’s path but his own, his life would be full of pain and destruction. How can we walk in a continual state of the “favor of God”? Life is full of challenges and crisis. Some days we are convinced that we are in a war zone of the mind. How can we conquer these challenges of each day? How can we be victorious and not beaten down by these circumstances and thoughts? First of all we must remember that we have been given the road map and battle plan for our lives. The road map is the Bible and it contains all we need for our daily battles. It will direct our path. Let us consider the following verses.

• Ps 25:4-5 Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk.  Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in you.

David knows where to go when he feels lost and defeated. He asks the Lord to show him the path that he should walk. He is confident that the Lord will point out the right road. First of all we must be aware of the danger that surrounds us when we leave the path of God. We discover that the favor of God shines upon His path. We enjoy this favor so much we often forget it is a gift and benefit from God. When we walk the pathway created by God we receive a divine strength. The strength comes from the rays of son shine which shines upon the path we are walking and warms our souls. This warmth we now feel within us reminds us of the verse that says, Col 1:27 Christ in you, the hope of glory. When this warmth of peace and contentment leaves us we discover we have left the pathway of God from where the Son always shines. Also we see in Ps. 25:4-5 that the Lord will teach us as we walk upon His path. He teaches us about the landscape of this path of life we are walking through. How this path of life is so beautiful and refreshing to the soul. He shows us the beauty of this life that can only be seen through the eyes of one that is on this pathway of heaven. He teaches us about the truth of peace and joy, the truth of life. When we stray from this heavenly path we encounter destruction and even a feeling of death. Let us read once again the verse for today.

• Ps 44:3
  They did not conquer by their own strength and skill, but by your mighty power and because you smiled upon them and favored them. (TLB)

We now understand we can conquer our challenges and fears through the strength and skill given to us by God. It is Christ in us that give us this strength and skill to overcome. The skills to slay these dragons of life are taught to us through the Word and by the still small voice of the Spirit. Let me remind you of this strength that is within you when you accepted Christ into your heart and life. God smiled upon you and has now given you favor because he loves you and wants you to be victorious and have peace and contentment in life.  The rays of His son are the smile upon your heart from our heavenly father. I encourage you to stay on the pathway of heaven so the rays of His son shine may warm your heart and soul.

Blessings

Alan

God’s Test of Faith and Obedience

By: Alan Smith

• Gen 22:14: So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." (NIV)

Have you ever felt like God has always been giving you tests throughout your life?  You know, you say to yourself “Well, God, did I pass this one today?”  It is amazing to me how much of our lives is spent in testing.  When I was in school, I always dreaded the tests.  Tests seemed to be a method in which a teacher could bring pain to her students.  I remember how I would study right before the test to cram as much data as possible into my small little brain.  When test time came, I would be nervous because I knew that my learning had not been etched upon my brain; instead, it was only memorized for a short period of time.  As I took the test, I would proceed to unload what I knew for only a short time.  My grades would make the acceptable marks, but sometimes the learning had no lasting impact upon my life.  Could this also be true when I am being tested by God?  Do I give him the correct answers, only to find myself taking the test over again and again?  Did I really pass the test with just the correct answers?  Could it be that God is looking for more?  Let’s look for this answer by reading about an episode in Abraham’s life from the Bible.

• Gen 22:1-2: Later on, God tested Abraham's [faith and obedience]. "Abraham!" God called."Yes, Lord?" he replied. "Take with you your only son-yes, Isaac whom you love so much-and go to the land of Moriah and sacrifice him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I'll point out to you!" (TLB)

Have you ever had this test from God: one where He asks you to trust Him with someone or something that you love very much?  One day Abraham found himself confronted with this request from God.  The Lord asked Abraham to kill his son, because He was testing Abraham to see if he really loved Him more than his son.  Abraham was being tested to see if his obedience to his God was greater than his love for his own son.  I can just hear what was going on in Abraham’s mind.  “Lord this is not fair.  You made me a promise and now you are asking me to let it die.  You are not really a good God.  Your requirements are just too painful.”  Have you ever said this to God?  Maybe you haven’t said it, but perhaps you have felt it.  God’s Word gives us the illustration of how much we can really trust God. Let’s read on a little further.

• Gen 22:3-6: The next morning Abraham got up early, chopped wood for a fire upon the altar, saddled his donkey, and took with him his son Isaac and two young men who were his servants, and started off to the place where God had told him to go. On the third day of the journey Abraham saw the place in the distance.  "Stay here with the donkey," Abraham told the young men, "and the lad and I will travel yonder and worship, and then come right back." Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering upon Isaac's shoulders, while he himself carried the knife and the flint for striking a fire. So the two of them went on together. (TLB)

It appears to me when God is asking me to sacrifice what I love unto Him, that I always have to go on a journey to make the sacrifice: just like Abraham.  The journey gave Abraham time to think and process the sacrifice that he had to make.  The journey to the altar of God seems to take time; but we see that Abraham was still walking toward this destination called by God.  Now, let’s look at the correct response of the loved one, Isaac, who was to be given.

• Gen 22:7-10: "Father," Isaac asked, "we have the wood and the flint to make the fire, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?" "God will see to it, my son," Abraham replied. And they went on. When they arrived at the place where God had told Abraham to go, he built an altar and placed the wood in order, ready for the fire, and then tied Isaac and laid him on the altar over the wood. And Abraham took the knife and lifted it up to plunge it into his son, to slay him. (TLB)

We see that Isaac’s obedience to his earthly father to climb upon the altar was as important as Abraham’s obedience unto his heavenly Father.  If Isaac had not cooperated, Abraham would have failed.  So we see that Abraham’s test results were determined by the obedience of the one that was being sacrificed.  Here is a look at the reward of the obedience of Abraham and Isaac.

• Gen 22:11-14: At that moment the Angel of God shouted to him from heaven, "Abraham!  Abraham!" "Yes, Lord!" he answered.  "Lay down the knife; don't hurt the lad in any way," the Angel said, "for I know that God is first in your life-you have not withheld even your beloved son from me."  Then Abraham noticed a ram caught by its horns in a bush. So he took the ram and sacrificed it, instead of his son, as a burnt offering on the altar. Abraham named the place "Jehovah provides"-and it still goes by that name to this day. (TLB)

What a loving God we serve.  When we give God everything, we can see that even for that which we love the most, His reward is far more than anything we could imagine.  Abraham passed God’s test.  God also passed His own test.  He gave His only Son upon the cross so our Isaac’s could live.  Someone has to pay the bill and God has paid for all of our desires.  He just wants us to give them to Him so He can provide in His time and in His way.

Blessings to you this day,

Alan

I spoke Sunday at New Life Church on the prophetic topic "A Ray of Hope". You are invited to watch the webcast at http://www.newlifenc.com/  . Just click on "Live Webcast" and look under the archives. There is a spirit of fear that is being released upon the earth and I will attempt to bring some light in regards to this topic. Be blessed everyone and thanks for being a part of The Kingdom Prophetic Society.

blessings

Alan Smith

Dear Brother Alan,

The Lord's reign is coming over Haiti very fast. At Eben-Ezer in
Gonaïves, there is such a pwerful anoiting since we came from our trip
to Moravian Falls when we visited your church. This anoiting is
spreading over everything that we touch to the point where the local
government authorities are entrusting us with state lagacies such the
management of the construction of an international airport in
Gonaïves. This airport is being built on land that belongs to
Eben-Ezer. Therefore this will be a joint venture.

We have signed a contract with the Mayor's office for us to supply
merchandise to merchants in six (6) public markets and to conduct a
microfinance project for the recapitalization of the families.

I am invited by the two congressmen of our region to be their
consultants and undertake projects of all sizes and in every area of
the social and economic life of our people.

We are developing programs in Health care, Education, Import/Export,
Agriculture and Banking. We multiply our praying, fasting and night
watch times. We are happy to be vessels and channels be used by the
Lord to invade Haïti. Influential leaders from the Capital City are
joining our team. We are kept excited by the Holy Spirit.

Now, there will be great harvests following this aboundant time of
sowing.
Please, help us share the good news and the challenges with others.

More later,


Michel Morisset

Dear Brother Alan,

I am happy to report that the government authorities are relying a lot
on Eben-Ezer Mission for the reconstruction and the development of
Haiti. For over 42 years, Eben-Ezer has developped income generating
programs that help finance the humanitarian projects. We favour
self-sufficiency instead of hand-outs.

For years, we received no regular outside support from individuals or
organizations. We depended on revenues generated by activities that
met the needs of the people as well as being a source of financial
support. That model is now coveted by the local and national
authorities who are inviting us to give lectures in public gatherings,
consulting with us in making major decisions and entrusting us with
projects that will have an impact on the general public.

The city of Gonaïves has suffered from two major floods, one in 2004
and one in 2008 followed by the devastating earthquake in
Port-au-Prince. That earthquake caused a large number of people to
migrate from Port-au-Prince to the other cities, mainly Gonaives. All
that has led us to add an orphanage and a large vocational training
program to our list of institutions.

We have acquired well over 1000 acres of farming land that used to
feed all our people and part of the city of Gonaives, St Marc and
Port-au-Prince. Unfortunately, our land was under water for a long
time and is just now recovering.

 Thanks to a church near Charlote and an individual in Asheville, NC,
a large portion of the property is now fenced in, we have been able to
bring irrigation water to where it is needed for the crops and we are
preparing the ditches in order to expand irrigation over more and more
land. In another month or two we should be back on our feet.

In the meantime, there is a severe hunger crisis all over Haiti. In
Gonaïves, people are running to us and we are in no position to help.
The sad thing is to see the children of our own orphanage going
hungry. The families around us are struggling to meet their basic
needs. We are praying for more start-up fund.

Anything invested in Eben-Ezer is invested in Haiti in general.



Michel Morisset
President of Eben-Ezer Mission