minister5writes

‘…..we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life’ 2 Corinthians 2:14

It has been a week of birthday celebrations as i mark the 21st year of my second daughter and in Christ and for that I give God praise. My daughter received a host of presents including an expensive bottle of Chanel perfume. When we unwrapped this particular gift we laughed and shared how one particular teacher of hers, a perfume connesieur from Paris would be particularly impressed . This teacher would often comment on the perfume my daughter sometimes wore (not intentionally i am sure but a trite disparaging when she would comment on that not being real perfume – or one she knew…! Notwithstanding, we love her to bits. As a piano teacher there is no one better. My daughter has excelled under the tutelage and this teacher doesn’t miss a bad note – be that in the olfactory or auditory sense.

As I sat in my quiet time this morning (oh how I need them right now) and waiting for the word of the Lord; this word came to me.

Paul wrote ‘…..we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life’ 2 Corinthians 2:14

It is a word for the occupation of everyone as the Apostle Paul again puts it : called to be saints. We are all told to go…

As evangelists, heralding and heckling our craft in the market place, on street corners or even in our writings , we give off a certain scent; we are either the scent of life to those who would chose life, or the scent of death, to those who are perishing and desire to stay that way.

The children of God should have a different smell and scent about them in the things they say and do. It should ooze from our very pores. We are not talking peddling perfume per se, but there is a deeper revelation that Father brings from his word. We are not contrasting perfumes houses or those scents brought from the local Wilko , Asda or a Sainsburys … which (on a continuum) would be a metaphor for cheap grace peddled by a mans name, ministry label, packaging, branding for pecuniary reasons leading many to the pit of hell.

No..!!!

Called to be saints, should know the difference between the pure and profane. We should peddle purity in all we say and do. We are talking the scent, SME all, manifestation of the genuine spirit of grace , truth and holiness oozing from our very pores – made possible…. by our spending time and rubbing shoulders with the one and only living God. The God who has broken down the wall of partition allowing us to see to know the difference and says Come. The God who breaks down all the opposing auras and aromas through our obedience and sacrifice, through our daily and thorough washing and cleansing in the blood of Jesus Christ , his son.

PRAYER

Father, we thank you for your word and that you continue to want to speak to us in ways we can easily understand. Forgive us when we have been wanton and gone away from you doing things and saying things that brings a stench, a displeasing aroma to your nose. Lord , we want all our glorying to be of you – you purchased us with a great price – the shed blood of your son, Jesus Christ . Lord your word tells us that he made himself of no reputation, but took the form of a servant and went the way of the cross for us. Lord, As we walk about proclaiming to be your representatives in this late and dark hour, let the scent and savor that comes from us brings life to those who desire life. Take away our designer labels, wrappings and labels and the things that have no eternal value. Let nothing of us get in the way of anyone coming through to the true and living God. Lord help us to go and to peddle but to peddle your way, your truth and your life.

Evangelist Linda J UK

25/10/2020

It’s been a tough old week and I have been in much pain having to take a emergency visit to my dentist. It is 3 days since procedure and i am still a bit sore and a bit worst for wear from the chemical cosh of paracetamols but I am getting better.

As the dentist showed me the tooth on the X-ray (the stark white shape against the blackness)a word began to form in my spirit and here is it broken down today.

The infection in the root canal had been caused by debris getting in through a hole and the infection had spread causing numbness to the bottom jaw and bottom lip.

I could either wait a week with antibiotics and then undergo invasive exploration (at cost) or I could bring the suffering to an end today by having the tooth out. I chose the latter and now in a process of recovery.

The foundation of any church, institution, edifice or concept is so important . If there is rubble or stubble in the foundation – things which are not of God , then there will be disease and eventually the whole building will come down. We see in this year 2020 all that can be shaken is being shaken and we can see clearly those who are able to stand and those who are falling away.

Not only does the Bible talk about a great falling away before the great and terrible day of the Lord , it also warns us about how we build Fathers house.. Jesus Christ is our sure foundation and in a time of shaking and overturning all of us as individuals or indeed leaders, need to examine what is at the root – the root cause ie what may be causing ineptitude, disease or decay.

We need to examine whether our teaching and preaching has been in man’s wisdom. We all love a good sermon, but there is a reason for which Father died. Have we preached ourselves, our ministries our own branding and manifestos?. In so doing have we been negligent and trampled the very flock of God. The Day will declare it. Have we been seeking the applaud and plaudits of men at the expense of the cross of Jesus and him crucified? Again, the Day will declare it.

The Bible tells us to not boast in men, to avoid man’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:13) and to be careful how we build ( 1 Corinthians 3:12; Galatians 2:18) – for no other foundation can any man lay than that laid down by our Savior, Jesus Christ.

We are all part of the building, fitted together building up a spiritual house and each one of us (called to be saints) brings something to the table. There is a collective house and an individual house. The question is : What are we putting on the fire and what have we brought to the table? For , the Day will declare it

Do we short change the Lord, building with wood, straw and hay? 1 Corinthians 3:10. I know I am guilty. But Father, has given us a measure of grace in this dark season to make amends to allow the spotlight of his word to shine on those dark crevices and places, like the dentist did with me this very week. On examination, it was so plain to see what the problem was and how it had been caused. The whole head had become numb and sick because of decay right down at the root.

It is time for deep excavation to get the diseased and decaying parts out from our homes, hearts and lives and sometimes that is oh so painful.

The day will indeed declare how each and everyone of us have built, what we have put in, whether we be rewarded or indeed suffer loss.

Let’s take the time and review and reflect the steps we now must take for preservation.

Evangelist Linda J UK

23/10/2020

Praise ye the lord Jesus Christ

Greetings to you in the matchless name of Jesus our soon coming King. It was with joy that I read the report of the pardon given to a number of prisoners who had showed through their behavior the wonderful working power of God. It was good to

hear and to play just a little part of it by way of writing and encouragement. I love to write. May the Lord give me grace, resources and continued ability to do so.

This morning, I am writing at my dining table and meditating on Romans 3 and 4 and so many insights are coming to me which links with this good report.

Romans 3:21 speaks about a righteous apart from the law being revealed. Elsewhere the Bible speaks about the just living by faith. We don’t abolish the law but we keep the law through faith in Jesus Christ . How can i break it down for the babe or lay person? We don’t become reckless as believers because we have been given grace we continue to hold fast to our Lord and the liberty he has given us to do good – the commandments being just and holy and pure.

I am running away with myself… let me slow down and give some examples of love triumphing over the law. Jesus revealed a righteous apart from the when

(i) he healed the woman with the issue of blood -ordinarily she should have been stoned taking her sickness, her blood disease out on the street – mans law would have said ‘away with her’ and ‘how dare you’. But Jesus said , your faith has made you whole .

(ii) Jesus revealed a righteousness apart from the law when he acknowledged the faith concept of ‘yet the dogs eat the crumbs from the Masters table’

and finally and most dramatically

(iii) Jesus revealed a righteousness apart the the law when he accepted the thief on the cross in that thief’s last moments.

I started to write this letter for prisoners but it has resonance to all those also in physical or emotional prison or turmoil who have accepted the lie and made the grace of God of non effect. The grace of God has been extended to all and I know the Lord saves by his shed blood, to the uttermost.

By the deeds of the law, ie doing good can no man or woman be justified, for all have sinned and all are shaped in iniquity.

NB this is free flow – May edit later and add scriptures

Evangelist Linda J UK

17/10/2020 very early in the morning

‘Woe unto you that are full for ye shall hunger. Woe us you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep.

Luke 6:25

Whilst we are this side of eternity, the kingdom is not all eating and drinking or having fun. Some of us will suffer hardship and as good soldiers of the cross. The new testaments (Acts in particular) is replete with the sufferings of those who followed Jesus from John to many of the disciples in New Testament days.

The suffering continues for some of our brothers and sisters across the world who have lost their lives or are at this present time in physical chains.

Of course there are good days and we say through experience that ‘the joy of the Lord is our strength’ but there are dark days when all around our soul gives sway and when we are rejected because of the call of God on our lives. These are days when some of us hear ‘did God really say?’ or ‘in whose authority are you doing this or that?’ He sees, he hears and he knows it all.

The Bible warns us to be careful when men think highly of us – by extension : be careful when you are being patted on the back, or just fitting in with the status quo.

We are called to be different, to be peculiar, to be separate and to come out from amongst them.

It is a sad reality but the Bible say it and cannot lie : Not everyone who says Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom. It is not the suffering that guarantees our entrance, but the state of the heart and whether we have striven lawfully.

We thank God for his grace and ask him to show us the things that would separate us from him. We know that nothing can separate us from his love. For sure, the choices we make in this life can separate us from an eternal dwelling place with Him but whilst it is day, we have opportunity to change.

We continue to pray for our brothers and sisters under persecution and ask God to send angels of mercy to minister to their every need.

Prayer

Father we thank you for the grace on our lives. The grace that enables us to stand despite the many afflictions and trials. The continued joy of knowing you, working for you and having you in our lives, gives us strength.

Lord when we are buffeted and persecuted for righteousness sake, help us to strive lawfully. Let us not give the enemy a foothold, nor bring disrepute to your name. Help us to wear the armor that you gave (helmet, sword, belt, breastplate, shield and shoes )and to wear it well.

Help us to see our victory with the eyes of the spirit and know that because you overcame, we will overcome. We declare that we are overcomers in your Name.

We remember our brothers and sisters in peril this day, those who are at the frontline and the sharp end of the battle. For them, we ask for increased grace to withstand and to stand. Help us to have your heart of compassion, to mourn with those that mourn. It is not all happy clappy; help us to read the sign of the times.

Help us to humble ourselves in your sight, so that in due season you will have mercy on us and lift us up.

Your daughter

Linda J UK

12/10/2020

LINDA J UK 2020

2 Corinthians 11: 25-29

Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

I am up late reading, contemplating and praying. I have just been blessed by reading Steve Uppall’s book, Burning Ones and would highly recommend. Those of you who know me, know I like to write. I have been writing like this since the age of 7 years and it has been a comfort to my soul.

Tonight I am reviewing the hour and time we are in, but most importantly to ensure ‘that as long as it remains with me , I am at peace with all men’. It was King David who said ‘Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine vain things … ‘

Over the last little while I can see the call of the world vying for my attention for a response and it has become overwhelming. Some of the approaches have been veiled attacks, but I have seen and withstood them and by his grace am still standing. Didn’t the Lord say, ‘many are the afflictions of the righteous, but that He delivers us from them all’? Well it is true as the opening piece written by the Apostle Paul and from the book of Corinthians also testifies.

It is 14 mins past midnight…. Time is running out. The closing word of the Burning Ones is Psalms 91. As I read it from the New Living Translation, a personal prayer is flung out of my heart and mind. It is my version and as follows but you can make it your own too:

PSALMS 91 – LINDA’S VERSION

If I live (and constantly), in the shelter of the most High, I will find sweet rest under His shadow and wings. He alone is my refuge and place of safety. He alone is God and in Him I trust. He will rescue me from every scheme and trap of the enemy and from the fatal plague. He will shield me with his wings and shelter me with his feathers. His faithful promises has, and will ever be, my armour and protection.

I will not fear the terrors of the night nor fear the dangers of the day. I will not dread the plague that stalks with teeth…. in darkness, nor the disaster that waits for others that are outside and that strikes at midday.

A thousand shall fall at my side and ten thousand, thousand at my right hand, but the evil – their evil, their plots, schemes and cunning, will not touch me. Only with my eyes will I see the punishment of the wicked and against those that seek to sully or harm the Lord and his anointed.

I will continue to make the Lord a place of refuge and the Most High God, Jehovah, my shelter. No evil will have preeminence over me, no plague will come near by beautiful little bungalow….I know this because his word says: that he has given orders to his holy angels to protect me and mine, wherever I go. They will hold me up with their hands and keep me from falling or bucking my foot, even my little toe ……against a stone. I will be strong and will trample and crush down lions and serpents under my feet. He has given me the necks of my enemies.

My God will always rescue me, because He loves me and He knows my Name. He called me beautiful, joyful, spirit.

He will protect those who call on Him and trust in Him.

Whenever I have called, He has answered. He has been with me in times of trouble; He has given me his salvation.

His plans for me and mine are longevity, a future and a hope and many many blessings.

Linda J UK

7/10/2020

Re Joyce – It’s a good report – 1/10/2020

What a glorious couple of hours we had in the Derby town centre yesterday. Thank you Heavenly Father for ordering my steps.

I woke yesterday morning with a rumble in my tummy and it looked like rain, but I was mindful to go as directed ‘to seek and save that which is lost’.

My plan was to settle in a new spot and without my PA system. I would take simply what was in my hands and heart. As I marched down from St Marys to the centre of town , the Lord gave me his word and his direction. It was to sing and to surrender……Simply put.

I had planned to meet with two other sisters who I have prayed and ministered with before, but it was a while before I saw them.

I had no fear or trepidation rather a sense of responsibility to do of his good pleasure. I felt his presence.

As I waited, I stood in the shop window and found a prayer developing, so I prayed (as led) and as the people walked on by.

It was a somber moment in my spirit as I saw the people milling to and fro – some clearly oblivious of the times we ‘as the sons of Issachar’ have come to realize.

I remember a good 6 months before Covid whilst returning from church driving past the Intu centre and looking up , the Lord had given me a vision and the word about the Valley of Decision (see Joel 3:14). I did not share it. But I had picked up in my spirit that a day of darkness was approaching and that this merchandising and buying and selling would soon be curtailed. I had felt the eeriness of the word and have since recalled that foretelling and foreboding in this Covid period. I sensed it today in the town centre, but also a glimmer of hope , that a wind is blowing and that Father is in control.

One author put it like this ‘between a challenge and response, is a space – it is the valley of decision’ and all of us have to choose – both those of us inside and outside, must decide what we do in this space.

Yesterday , we sang. We praised. I hadn’t even shared the Lord’s instruction with the rest of the team , but we were on the same page. We lifted up our Lord Jesus Christ and we saw and felt the changes in the atmosphere particularly when we worshipped.

There were three hands on deck and of course our blessed Holy Spirit. Where we could, we ministered to the hungry and also the lame and broken hearted. We laid hands on the sick and we prayed fo their recovery. The most important being the recovery of their minds, soul and spirit. We gave out tracts and leaflets and advised about online church and ministry. Like Schindler, we could have done so much more.

I spent a good part of my time ministering to a young man sitting on a bench who had been sleeping in the car park for a while due to (he said) the many closures of facilities brought on my Covid. He spent a lot of time positing his plight on our Lord and I tried (with love) to show him the spiritual reality and who is actually in control of death, disease and disaster. I ministered about a sovereign God but one of principle. I spoke about Satan having a time-slot which was quickly coming to an end. I talked about the lateness of the hour, the signs of the times and the fact the son of man is soon to reappear. I told him the two destinations at the end of time and what he needed to do if he wanted to inherit eternal life.

When I sensed it was no use carrying on with the spiritual food, I sensed he hadn’t eaten so asked him if he wanted something . He said yes. The queues in the shops were very long (again because of Covid) but I waited with one eye on the team who sensed anyway what I was about and had provided me with cash.

I recall as I write that Jesus, fed the people then he taught them and healed them. There is a lesson for us all here especially in this winter season. People need food and shelter. It is not always the ‘big preach’ (as I often say) but the little things we do to and for that person along the way. I felt blessed to be able to give just this basic provision to this troubled soul. It was good to be working as a team be in sync on so many levels – each carrying out a role.

We ended with fellowship and much sharing – comparing spiritual with spiritual, in a local cafe and birthing new ideas for ministry. It is perhaps the first time since Covid that I have had an in-person fellowship and belly laughter and it felt so good.

In recall of the many troubled faces I saw and the young lady with one leg, I remember the saying ‘there but for the grace of God go we’. If it was not for the Lord who was on our side……

I want to say this : I am called as an evangelist. He called me and told me my office. Not a man or any woman. My desire is to simply step into it. It is God who calls and he qualifies the call – we don’t have to work it up. Whatever we have been destined to do we will do it (and well) if we are obedient. The Bible says if we are willing and obedient, we will eat the good of the land. We don’t have to struggle or strive for greatness. No one can stay Fathers hands if he intends to bless . There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

We remember that ‘whosoever wants to become great among us must first be a servant and whosoever wants to be first, must be slave of all. Lord help us to be humble . We live to serve and to give our all, our time and our talents, as a ransom, to bring many souls back to Father when and where we can.

As individuals, people and nations jostle for juxtaposition and prominence, we simply go in the Name of the Lord with what is in our hands. We go in confidence knowing that we are the called and chosen of God , that his Kingdom has come, his will is being done on earth as it is in heaven.

We thank God for our Savior who made himself of no reputation, but took the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:7) May we continue to seek to save and serve the lost. May we become more and more like him, so we can touch the lives of others.

Yours in His Name
Evangelist Linda J
1/10/2020

Re Joyce – It’s a good report – 1/10/2020

What a glorious couple of hours we had in the Derby town centre yesterday. Thank you Heavenly Father for ordering my steps.

I woke yesterday morning with a rumble in my tummy and it looked like rain, but I was mindful to go as directed ‘to seek and save that which is lost’.

My plan was to settle in a new spot and without my PA system. I would take simply what was in my hands and heart. As I marched down from St Marys to the centre of town , the Lord gave me his word and his direction. It was to sing and to surrender……Simply put.

I had planned to meet with two other sisters who I have prayed and ministered with before, but it was a while before I saw them.

I had no fear or trepidation rather a sense of responsibility to do of his good pleasure. I felt his presence.

As I waited, I stood in the shop window and found a prayer developing, so I prayed (as led) and as the people walked on by.

It was a somber moment in my spirit as I saw a the people milling to and fro – some clearly oblivious of the times we ‘as the sons of Issachar’ have come to realize.

I remember a good 6 months before Covid whilst returning from church driving past the Intu centre and looking up, the Lord had given me a vision and the word about the Valley of Decision (see Joel 3:14). I did not share it. But I had picked up in my spirit that a day of darkness was approaching and that this merchandising and buying and selling would soon be curtailed. I had felt the eeriness of the word then and have since recalled that foretelling and foreboding in this Covid period. I sensed it today in the Derby town centre, but also a glimmer of hope , that a wind is blowing and that Father is in control.

One author put it like this ‘between a challenge and response, is a space – it is the valley of decision’ . All of us have to choose – both inside and outside of Christ, what we do in this space.

Yesterday, we sang. We praised. I hadn’t even shared the Lord’s instruction with the rest of the team , but we were on the same page. We lifted up our Lord Jesus Christ and we saw and felt the changes in the atmosphere, particularly when we worshipped. When you are standing between life and death , no one really cares about whether you have a good voice, your theology, whether you can put a sermon together… most people are seeking truth, genuineness, love and a heart.

There were three hands on deck yesterday and of course our blessed Holy Spirit. Where we could, we ministered to the hungry and also the lame and broken hearted. We laid hands on the sick and we prayed fo their recovery. The most important being the recovery of their minds, soul and spirit. We gave out tracts and leaflets and advised about online church and ministry. Like Schindler, we could have done so much more.

I spent a good part of my time ministering to a young man sitting on a bench who had been sleeping in the car park for a while due to (he said) the many closures of facilities brought on my Covid. He spent a lot of time positing his plight on our Lord and I tried (with love) to show him the spiritual reality and who is actually in control of death, disease and disaster. I ministered about a sovereign God but one of principle. I spoke about Satan having a time-slot which was quickly coming to an end. I talked about the lateness of the hour, the signs of the times and the fact the son of man is soon to reappear. I told him the two destinations at the end of time and what he needed to do if he wanted to inherit eternal life.

When I sensed it was no use carrying on with the spiritual food, I asked him if he wanted something to eat. He said yes. It was clear he was hungry. The queues in the shops were very long (again because of Covid) but I waited with one eye on the team who sensed anyway what I was about and had provided me with cash.

I recall as I write that Jesus, fed the people then he taught them and healed them. there is a lesson for us here all especially in this winter season. People need food and shelter. It is not always the ‘big preach’ (as I often say) but the little things we do to and for that person along the way. I felt blessed to be able to give just this basic provision to this troubled soul. It was good to be working as a team be in sync on so many levels – each carrying out his role.

We ended with fellowship and much sharing – comparing spiritual with spiritual , in a local cafe and birthing new ideas for ministry. It is perhaps the first time since Covid that i have had an in person fellowship and belly laughter and it felt so good.

In recall of the many troubled faces I saw and the young lady with one leg, I remember the saying ‘there but for the grace of God go we’. If it was not for the Lord who was on our side……

I want to say this. I am called as an evangelist. He called me and told me my office. My desire is to simply step into it. As we sit on ponder how or what? Remember , it is God who calls and He alone qualifies the call – we don’t have to work it up. Whatever we have been destined to do we will do it…..if we are obedient. The Bible says if we are willing and obedient, we will eat the good of the land. We don’t have to struggle or strive for greatness or a role. There is also no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus and there is so much for all of us to do.

We remember that ‘whosoever want to become great among us must first be a servant and whosoever wants to be first must be slave of all. We live to serve and to give our all, our time and our talents, as a ransom, to bring many souls back to Father when and where we can. As individuals, people and nations jostle for juxtaposition and prominence, we simply go in the Name of the Lord with what is in our hands. We go in confidence knowing that we are the called and chosen of God , that his Kingdom has come, his will is being done on earth as it is in heaven.

We thank God for our Savior who made himself of no reputation but took the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:7) May we continue to seek to save and serve the lost. May we/I become more and more like him, so we can touch the lives of others.

Yours in His Name
Evangelist Linda J
1/10/2020

It is the 23rd September 2020. Last night the British prime minister gave an urgent briefing regarding the pandemic and the necessary measures that are again having to be taken. He gave the ratio decidendi (the reason behind the decision) and used the above term. As he said the words ‘a stitch in time …saves nine’. I felt the unction of the Holy Spirit and a word began to form. This is it :-

I am not sure how many people who are not originally from the UK would have fully understood the phrase but I remember it from my childhood. It simply means if you have a hole in a sock, if you quickly mend it , it will save the whole thing unraveling.

Well as a evangelist (called of God) I always see the soul element in much of what I say and do. I saw that Jesus was the stitch in time (so to speak and reverently) whose purpose was to save the whole human race. The Bible confirms and records it at John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life”.

As He is , so are we in this world.

There is much work to do to save the one, the nine, the ninety and nine. Action is required now, before the whole garment unravels and before the bottom falls out.

Let me draw things together and as follows:

I had the wonderful opportunity of leading a childhood friend to the Lord last night over the telephone . It was after Boris’ message. I didn’t link the two, I was just doing what I know I was called to do, the Holy Spirit did what he does, and she said Yes. All Glory goes to God.

As I shared my joy with others, the Lord showed me that she has a number of unsaved family members, loved ones that will come in because of the decision she has made. This is a living example of ‘A stitch in time, save nine’.

Let us continue to sow (pun intended), continue to be the bridge, the thread that pulls others back to Him, our Lord and Saviour Jesús Christ. May we be workers together with Him to save lost souls and seek to restore a world, we see so quickly beginning to unravel.

May our Father bless you for your endeavors

Ev Linda J UK

23/9/2020

Thanking God for the ministry of the prophets and the teachings to date. The Lord has been shining his revelation on certain things and the battle we are in, in this hour.

Much has been made about the event that happened in America where a man lost his life through the actions of another. We all remember the imagery, repeated time and time again through news reports and news reels. It is of course the murder of George Floyd that I refer to.

Long before that tragic accident I remember using the same expression in toxic situations I have been in ie ‘I cant breathe’. Even in this tragic situation only those who know the signs of the times and the things of the spirit will listen to what the spirit is saying to the churches, if not to individuals.

We are in a battle and for souls. It has been the oldest fight since the beginning of time, evil trying to usurp and triumph over good. We saw it in the records of Jesus speaking in the New Testament when he stated ‘I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven’ . Satan began his onslaught for the sons of God from the garden of Eden , worked through both Eve and Adam, through Cain and he continues to this day his murderous fete to abort and silence the plans of God.

I thought I knew all there was to know about spiritual terminology but this week the lord made clear the difference between strongholds and stranglehold. I don’t exhaust the learning here but want to highlight strangleholds in particular.

After the fall , God pronounced a word to Eve seeds saying that her heel with bruise the neck of the serpent , this is a stranglehold – the one we saw used against George Floyd. Satan raged then at the pronouncement and he is trying to use that same thing against the seed of God and the people of God and as a last attempt to cause much pain and suffering for Gods people. Indeed there are institutional stronghold and strangeholds that have held the people of God captive. Using the analogy of the sport of wrestling opponents seek to have the upper hand and in doing so can fall into the realm of illegal holds. Stranglehold’s are illegal holds that seeks to choke the person to death to gain the win. As in the natural so in the spiritual. Satan has no right to be putting his pressure on our necks .We were giving authority to do that to him… anyone being held down in this way has the power (in the Name of the Lord to break free). We have seen these illegal holds even in the Body of Christ where the enemy has forever or influenced moves or maneuvers or actions that has stymied , choked or suppressed free expression. When the people have God have tried to rise up, there are naysayers, or judgements being made that has had the effect of crushing spirits or keeping individuals in bondage. Interestingly , (and as in the demise of George Floyd) this stranglehold prevents blood from getting to the head and certain death can and will follow as a result .

I will leave the definition here for today and end with a prayer

PRAYER

Father you see and know all our situations and the plan and attacks of the enemy against your people across the Body. Lord we know your heart is grieved when brother rises up against brother and takes life just as in the first murder by Cain agains Abel. Father this murderous spirit has been seeking to silence and abort the righteous seed from the beginning of time – babies killed in the womb, children maimed or abused causing stunted growth and inability to grow and develop and express. Father we have seen it in your Church and across the whole Body. Illegal moves, illegal holds and merchandising of your flock . Decision making that has stymied the free flow of your already shed blood and the expression of your Holy Spirit.

Father today, we declare we will not be silenced, muzzled, muffled or strangled but we will continue to speak the word of God instance in season and out of season. Lord we know man will always look at the outward appearance but you look at the heart. It was the spirit of jealousy that moved Cain to murder his brother because Abel gave an offering pleasing to you., It was the spirit of jealousy that led Joseph’s brothers to seek to put him down a pit again because you had a plan for Joseph’s life. So Lord we pray against this murderous , legalistic spirit that judges a man or woman called by the Lord. Lord , you have made us the head and not the tail and we will walk in that anointing with no fear or intimidation from men. Turn the tables Lord, give us the necks of our enemies that we may annihilate those who seek to destroy us and the call of kingdom on our lives.

We come against the strongholds of our minds, those we have let develop there through fear, personal sin or lack of faith and trust in you. We ask you to open the prison doors and to loose the chains and spirit of deception that seeks to impact on our proper calling and DNA. We come against the spirit of murder, deception, wickedness and malice.

Help us to rule and reign and take authority that you have already given us as sons and daughters of the most high God. Help us to grow up and stop being mealy mouthed, or feel we need to make excuse or justify, over the things pertaining to God.

Lord you called us . You chose us. You are pleased with our offering.

You alone holy Father , have accepted us , just as we are . It is you that died for us and not another.

You have called us Beloved.

Linda J Clifford UK

19/9/2020

What a wonderful day we had yesterday (12/9/2020) as family … I was so blessed. When I thought about doing the event, it was just before the Government ‘no more than 6’ announcement. I nearly cancelled, but I felt the Lord say, if it is only two people GO , make a stand and take ground.

So I sent out the call and those who were meant to be there showed. Some people were unwell, but it was a testimony in our community of the joy of the Lord and the beauty of the Lord. I kept a watchful eye and could see others (members of the public) wanting to join and being drawn in.

For those of you who were not there, there are the pictures. We also shared a couple of scriptures – Noah and the Ark, the need to be under covering and hearing from the Lord in this hour. By way of encouragement, I shared a word about bringing the extraordinary out of the ordinary as God did with Phillip, and a dream about listening and hearing from the Lord, those he has set over us and again , the importance of getting under cover.

Essentially, the Lord is raising up leaders in families and groups who will know his heart and will seek to bring people out and in…… and together…. but like in Noah’s day some people wouldn’t hear or couldn’t hear and continued to do their own thing. When we walk alone, we are easier to be picked off by predators and we learn that from nature.

God puts the solitary in families. He creates families and church as a Body for a reason.

Sometimes it is to humble us, to receive from others… Sometimes it is so we can be used by Him, for others…

Its give and take and with sacrifice.

There will always be differences and challenges when we are in family, but God is greater than our stony hearts…. If Jesus stayed in heaven and refused to come down…. we wouldn’t be here today. Building family and maintaining family, is a sacrifice and you have to put in, to get out.

In our family, everyone is welcome (my own mother taught me that) and everyone has worth (my Heavenly Father taught that one..!!). We are here to build up, not pull down. At the end of the day, it is never about us, but about building a kingdom.

The bible says iron sharpens iron and the countenance of one brightens another. We can see that the enemy is seeking to put our lights out, gag us and divide and separate. We need to be wise and in this hour . We need do the opposite of what he (the enemy of soul) whispers in our ears and do what God has asked us to do. If we keep giving into the voices of fear, conflict, upset, or procrastination, we won’t even notice when he has won, but it will be too late and he will have ravished our souls, our homes and livelihoods.

It was good to hear testimony of healing yesterday – one tumour reduced in size and two prodigals returned home with testimony. We continue to pray for one another. We can’t do it but He is able.

God is blessing us with fruit of the womb and making provision for all of us along the way. We are not our own and we can only do things through his wonderful working power in us. He instructs, he guides, he teaches and it is all working out for our good.

We don’t know what tomorrow will bring either in the spiritual realm or physical and we don’t know when we will meet face to face again.

For now, pray for one another and look for creative ways to get /remain in fellowship as family and with others , continuing to call on the name of the Lord.

Your sister

Linda J UK

14/9/2020