minister5writes

Written by Linda J 1/9/2018

Lord take over our streets

Heal our land

Lord we commit our cities and nation to you even what you have placed in our hands

Your hands are wide

Your love is shed abroad for all

You are an ever present help in our time of need

Oh how we need You

Clean up our churches, our city our land and our nation

By the Power of the Holy Ghost

Let your anointing flow through the blood lines, through the isle, aisles and regions

Through our cobbled streets , our own backyards and through our own impenitent hearts

Lord, we come against murder, mob rule and monkey dust

We come against fights, fits, fury , fornication, fear

We come against hatred, malice jealousy

The things that puts and pits a brother, brethren, a nation, a neighbor against each other

The things that separates us from you

Break the spirit of pride, self rule

That Luciferian, vociferous, viper spirit that has taken hold

That spirit that has taken hold in our churches, institutions – the spirit of lawlessness that has taken over our land

That spirit that has castrated, poisoned and blinded us

Take away the sting and stench of sin in all its forms and which leads to death – bring back life to our dead, diseased parts

Help us look, see YOU and return to the cross – away with self-rule

Lord you said if YOU be lifted up

YOU would draw all men onto YOU

Break the cliques and the adulation of men, the mouse and human dung and doing and man made ideologies

Thwart the purposes and plans of the enemy. Thwart the backroom, (behind the scenes) stealth, devious games and divination. Remove the dagger and the blade. Remove the assassins and the usurpers.

As we lift up your name in our homes, churches, streets, city and nations , let the Captain of the army host ARISE and let the enemy be scattered.

You instruct me to write and to say

Linda J

By Linda J

22/3/19

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ,

I am so sorry I couldn’t have been with you tonight. I had to travel out of Derby on an appointment late evening and I have a early start with traveling to Grantham tomorrow at the start of the weekend of serving in the Mission 24 missions and Connect, which gathers evangelists from across the country. Father knows, I would love to spend more time with you, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

You know I work full time, so it is on top of that I have to fit in personal things, like clean the fridge, put the garbage out and spending precious time with our Father. I am not complaining, but explaining the context of my life just now. I would have loved to have been with you.

Like Paul, I am on a course… and I must run my race and I want to run it well.

Father woke me this morning . He knows what is on my mind. He said ‘Have I not said … signs and wonders will follow those that believe?’ He is encouraging me (like Jonathan Conrathe my current leader does) to ‘stay with it’ until the power for change comes.

I have seen the signs and wonders in many dreams and visions and I believe we are on a precipe to see the mighty works of God in our time, if we just continue to hold on and believe.

I wanted to share that I attended an event on Tuesday night called the Secret Place and was blessed by a testimony from an international minister and how he broke the spirit of fear for him and his children against attacks from drug lords. They had already taken the wife and mother. She was dead, because of addiction. He was just about to give into their demands , but said “enough is enough” – calling on our Father and praying in the Holy Ghost and making a stand.

I have been part of a closed pastor’s group in New York since 2010 and have been blessed by Pastor Carter Conlon, on many occasions. Pastor Conlon runs the Times Square church, which I hope to attend in person one day. I woke up early yesterday as he had sent a message. The message was in the context of perilous times being here and about endurance. I listened attentively, as I very much needed that word this week, on so many levels (and in particular) , as I prepare for international travel and all that can go with that..

Pastor Conlon taught from Matthew 24. In essence : What shall give us the ability to endure? What does endurance mean anyway?

Endurance means staying behind or going … because it is necessary for someone’s sake. That is, (in the Christian context) someone else’s sake (my emphasis). Endurance is having the patience to cope with people who live recklessly, who reject or rage against you. It is staying with it, with them … against all odds.

As I listened to the message, the Holy Spirit brought back our church and an incident that occurred on Sunday morning. A dishevelled looking man had come in right before the start of the first service. I went to say hello. He said he was hungry and cold and hadn’t eaten. He was an adult , but looked like a child. I said I would try and get him something. I went and begged for a roll from the relish team in the canteen (they were so gracious)and also made him a cup of tea. I sneaked it past onlookers and some of the leaders…I thought I would get told off. The man took the tea and the cob. I would have brought bacon butty too, but it wasn’t ready. I thought I had done what Father would have wanted. I left him to eat, but went back just before the service started to see how he was. I asked “are you alright now?” The man cussed me down… !! He said ‘if that is all your God can provide. He can stick it..! He had already eaten the cob and still drinking from the cup.

I wasn’t offended (my how I have changed…) . I was sad. I thought to myself, I had gone all that way for him, but he is ungrateful. The man then went onto denigrate Father and said he doesn’t believe in my God. I wasn’t going to take him on, so I smiled and said “I’m sorry you feel like that” . I moved on, seeking to guard my heart and prepare my worship. The bible tells me anyway wisdom is to high for a fool.

As I walked away, I remembered the scripture Father had taught me long ago ‘all day long, I stretched out my hand to a disobedient and gainsaying people‘ (Romans 10:21).

Pastor Conlon’s message on endurance brought this incident and many others back to me. This is not the first time I have witnessed or been subjected to this scenario and I doubt it will be the last. It’s been a period of challenge on many sides.

Essentially, he taught that you can’t keep on doing good in situations like this, unless your inner man has been changed. You can’t do it yourself. You will be destroyed. Flesh will war against the spirit all the time. Flesh will always rise up to attack the child of and the proper responses which are rooted in the spirit and of God.

We will suffer rejection, scorn and scoffing from those we love dear and have given time to. But we must keep giving the cup … For his sake we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. The disciples cut and ran, when the pressure was on and the attacks were coming against Jesus. Our nearest and dearest, people (and even our brethren) will sometimes hurt and despise us, but we stand and endure.

As he is, so are we, in this world. I have said before the prophet’s life is a metaphor.

Father has shown me that we are not alone in persecution, there are a number of his servants imprisoned, silenced, buffeted, neglected by the sleight of men, overwhelmed, rejected, wounded , despairing in diverse places. He wants us to know he has seen, but to continue to endure hardship as good soldiers. He will bring us out in the end.

We live in days of lawlessness, where the spirit of deception, and rejection is on the rampage, when we see that standards of righteousness and Truth trampled down to the ground. But stand.

The Bible warns us, that when we think it is peace and safety, sudden attacks or destruction comes upon us. We are to expect these things but also victory.

Perilous times are here. We see people maiming /killing themselves, being killed by the sword and by the mouth and where we are being sold down the river and for a morsel of bread – but endure we must.

I thought about the real reason for this piece – letting go of my comfort zone, preparing again to go. As evangelists, we will traverse towns and cities, countries and nations, when perhaps we could have stayed in our warm cozy beds. But we go. We take the ministry of Jesus alongside the attacks, because we are those that endure (and must) for the gospel sake. We do it for the love of God and the spirit of Christ working in us. We cant do it ourselves, but Christ in us is the hope of glory.

In our walk of endurance , we have to not only love God and his word, but people and nations. Pastor shared that even stalwart wanting to be sincere Christians, struggle with loving all people.

There are/will be difficult people, challenging situations and nations. Some don’t want to know Him or You…But endure we must.

Don’t let offense rob you of your joy peace, hope and love or your power to do. Don’t let your love wax cold. Go. Endure. Sin abounds, but the spirit of grace, much more abounds. Smile in the face of adversity

There is much more to say including the need to take a spiritual selfie* from time to time ie to see where we stand on these issues, but lets leave that one for another day…!

I want to close with a prayer.

PRAYER

Father, your word says that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but you deliver us from them all. Deliver us from the snare of the fowler and the noisome pestilence. Deliver us from spiritual abuse and oppression. Give us a heart like yours – a heart of love and staying power – spiritual endurance with, and for others.

Father, help us to understand that the race is not for the swift nor the strong, but those that endure to the end. Help us not to be weary in well doing, but to keep going against the odds. Give us courage to finish the race – finishing well.

Lord your word said that He that endures to the end, the same shall be saved. We are being saved. For this we give you thanks and praise.

Increase in us the gift of faith, gift of patience and the gift of love for you, and others.

Let those that know us/need you, see you working in us and through us, which is their access and hope of glory.

Your daughter Linda J

*I will write another word on the spiritual selfie , when I get time..😳❤️

By Linda J 1/2/19

I had the wonderful opportunity to support the youth ministry last night. I started working with young people from the 80’s as a leader for the Council and it was a joy to get back into the saddle (so to speak) although the Lord was speaking to me about rocking the cradle* as I stood behind the young people listening to Him for instruction and as they worshipped.

This morning, I am up early and reflecting. I thought about some of the wonderful prayer station ideas that had been put together. There was a particular station that caught my eye its colors and arrangement. It involved a tee pee.. (wigwam/tent) a mirror and lovely set of light bulbs. It was symbolic of a meeting place with God and seeing ones unique identity in God. The young people were encouraged to see themselves as how God sees them and to leave their unique mark (finger print) in the ‘mirror of his Word‘ (my added emphasis). I smiled as He looked back at me and I left my own…

At the end of the evening when the leaders were dismantling the stations, I chose to dismantle the tee pee and it folded up so nicely..

I thought no more about it until this morning when I was up reflecting and reading the Word. I saw a picture of the tee pee as I read 2 Corinthians 5:10 New international version in particular. Here it is – see if you see what I see?

“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the Body whether good or bad’

Simply put, (and this is my inspiration ..) even though we see that the tee pee with all his beautiful lights, has been put away, the essence of who we are in him remains and should remain.

God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship him in spirit and in Truth. It is not what we do in the physical, that has any eternal currency or value, but what we do in the spirit. It is those who walk by and live in the spirit, who are the sons/daughters : children of God. We come to him groaning on bended knee crawling into our tents our meeting place, desiring to see more of Him reflected in us. We desire for the old covering, the old man, the old tent of our making to be folded up and as we seek to put on our Christ.

We live by faith, not by sight. Whether we can physically see the Tee pee (a place of trysting, resting or self examination) or not, we can trust that we remain ‘In Him‘ , if we continue to do the things which we know are pleasing to Him and the things which will accurately reflect and represent Him. We can share this, our confidence, with our young people (even with the world), as we work with and minister to them.

Further, if we rest and maintain an accurate identity ‘in Him ’, we shall make our final home and final resting place with Him, when all this earth is finally swallowed up in victory and all what is perishable taken away.

He is our sure foundation and it is in Him we move, live and have our being.

By Linda J in the year of our Lord February 2019

* I will write a word on rocking the cradle later ….remind me!!

When I was a little girl, I read the story of Brer Rabbit and the notorious story of the tar baby. The tar baby was a ploy by Mr Fox to entrap and ensnare Brer Rabbit and so that he could have him for his supper…

The tar baby was an image that looked like a person, but made out of black tar. When Brer Rabbit passed and said good morning to what he thought was a person (and the person didn’t respond), Brer Rabbit became angry and attacked the tar baby and became stuck to it. The story ends well for Brer Rabbit , (due to his sheer ingenuity). I use it here as I believe it has has profound historical and current secular and spiritual connotations.

My race of people ie black peoples have come through decades of oppression and where there has been much sensitivities about how we use and determine the color black and how we reframe positive and negative representations of same and ourselves. How we articulate our individual experience of oppression, has been elusive, as there is a tendency to put us all in one box and generalize (ie it happens to all and it is like this for all). Or worse, forcing each black people to conform to a general stereotype of what black should do and look like. This results in closing down and minimizing what it has meant to individuals on a personal basis, rather than the institutional.

It has taken years to develop my own self esteem and identity and in Christ. I am who I am. I am the loved of God, the healed of the Lord and the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus – none of my step will slide. He loves me just as I am, but he desires that I not be ensnared in sin. Because of this knowledge, I walk circumspect not as a fool, but as wise. I also declare regularly that no weapon formed against me shall prosper and say that those that rise up against me, shall be condemned. However, the tar baby has and continues to represent my experience of being denigrated, bullied and labeled as a black female and now even a Christian woman, leader, and in our times.

I come from a history (and a period) of being the only black girl in my class, the only black officer of the court, the only black manager, the only black female evangelist in our current cohort group – although let me say in the latter, I am accepted in love and have felt Father’s heart and a sense of belonging.

From an objects relation theory point of view, we need to see positive representations of ourselves in all walks of life, for us to have a good Id, sense of belonging, to enable growth and to develop well. I think I know what I am talking about when made to feel different, dumbed down, or not having positive representations of myself around me, to feed my self esteem.

I also understand how our race can carry the blame and shame for all societies ills and how we can also internalize it and perpetuate it against each other. I also understand the detriment not only for the victim, but also the victimizer. In the Brer Rabbit story, you will read that the fox ends up getting stuck to what he himself had created. There is detriment for us all if we dont take heed.

Inspiration

Today, I want to focus on the spiritual analogy of a tar baby and what it might mean for Christians. Brer Rabbit’s reaction to being ignored is a lesson of us from the get go, to grasp. The Bible says that offense will come but woe to the one who causes it(Matthew 18:7) Father tells us that we can be angry but not to sin (Ephesians 4:26). We need to be careful about our responses.

Yesterday whilst I was being taught on a subject in Misson 24 training and to do with the early Christians, I heard that the emperor Nero was an emperor who burned the Christians in vats of tar. Almost immediately, I had a revelation of the spirit behind this labeling and stigmatizing and which can occur for blacks and Christians, both in the Church and also in the workplace. Interestingly like Mr Fox, the emperor Nero made a rope for his own next (so to speak) and history records him as committing suicide.

Let me say, we don’t rejoice in our enemies downfall. Father would rather not the death of a sinner and we shouldn’t either. But we stand sure footed on the word of God, which says he will avenge us, in his own good time.

Thank God for Jesus, the Bible says that the rod of the wicked (the tar) will not rest upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hand unto iniquity. Psalms 125:3. God will avenge us speedily and that right, early. Psalms 46:5

Don’t be a tar baby, be stuck up, or allow others to label or stick sleights or hurts on you. In your patience you will possess not only your soul, but your hide… Humble yourselves and rise above it. Put on the whole armor of God and make your stand.

For those of you feeling under attack, being poured out, or being labeled – those stuck in jobs, careers, ambitions or lost identities, don’t let the enemy reframe you, remodel you, dumb you down, out fox you, or have you for supper… As our leader Jonathan C said yesterday (and like Brer Rabbit did) walk in a place of surrender.

You give up your supper… Fast and Pray. Ask God to reaffirm who you are in Him. Ask him for divine strategies, for wisdom and understanding. I know it will be well with you.

Let me end with this scripture:

Come let us return unto the Lord for He has torn so that he may heal us. He has stricken so that he may bind us up. After 2 days, He will revive us and on the 3rd day, He will raise us up, that we may live before Him. Hosea 6:1-2

From my sick bed

Linda Joyce

One of Father’s daughters

18/1/19

I got up early diligently packing items and loaded my car – I did this before devotion as I wanted to use the very early part of the morning with no traffic and no nosey neighbors… I packed about three or four boxes and my beautiful Pom Pom silver light for my bedroom – I have had it years. I then thought I would go and rest and do some devotion. I would take the stuff to the house later.

I lay on my bed and meditated and prayed for certain people including my daughter. The voice on the audio* said close your eyes and let go, so I let go – the message was about love.

I felt that I had achieved something and I was at peace. I then had the impetus to go take the things to the new house before church so I got up and went down. As I opened my car door, I could see that the things were not as i had left them. I could see that some things had been taken including a box of food with a brand new tub of salt, vitamins, prescription contact lenses and I think a brand new pair of boots which I had treated myself to at Christmas. I was devastated.

I remembered the scripture : The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.

I may not have locked the door or someone has a key to my car(?). I couldn’t understand how it happened.

I took the rest of the stuff quickly to the new house and unloaded. It was the last day of fast and it should have been a good day, but I had a sense of disturbance and sadness in my heart about what happened. I felt cheated, violated and angry. It was also perplexing because I cant remember what else is in the boxes.

As I was returning to the flat and turning the corner of the street in my car, I saw out of the corner of my eye a black plastic bag on the corner. I felt the Lord say this is not a bag of rubbish go and look. As I parked up and ran to the corner and looked into the bag which was ripped , I saw my daughter’s new skate boots and my diamanté slippers which presumably had been dropped by the thief as the plastic bag gave way in his hands as he was running off. Those skates are heavy…

Inspiration

I am up early reflecting on the events of yesterday. The Lord has thought me that there is a message in most moments of our lives if we but look.

The Bible says when we think peace and safety then sudden destruction comes upon us like a woman with child. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)

It also says lay up treasures on heaven not on earth where thieves break in and steal. (Matthew 6:20) This is something I am working on this season.

It is the second time I have been robbed whilst going to pray or in fasting. I know it is a backlash – had I not written about this the day before? We were asked to share what we had got from the Lord throughout the fasting and I have been sharing. I couldn’t share this last night as it would have been too long a tale..

Despite the devastation, I had prayed for my daughter earlier that morning. I prayed that the Lord would protect all that concerns her and I was so pleased her brand new skates had survived the robbery. I love her so much because of what we have been through. I also smiled at my two slippers that were also left. Do you know why? It was a message from my Father.

When I was first called out to ministry in 2006, the Lord gave me a dream a vision about a pen and a slipper. The pen he instructed me to write and the slipper was about evangelism – how beautiful are the feet… (Song of Songs 7:1)

Interestingly most of the food stuff I had packed in the boxes were approaching out of date and I had thought, I wonder if the Hope team would want them for their clients. Although it is a nasty feeling for someone to break into your property, the thief saved me a job of throwing some of those items out.

However, I am upset about the boots and I am praying for a miracle..and putting our God on record.

The scriptures truly says He will turn everything out for our good. (Psalms30:11). I have come to know He does and He will .

Prayer

Father you are our heavy weight, you will arrest and take care of everything that concerns us. You are the light that shines in our darkness. Lord you will not suffer your anointed to see corruption. Your word says that we should not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his soul when he is hungry, but that when he is found he will store seven fold. Lord, I am not upset about the food or the other things I am able to let those go…but I would like my boots back..

Thank you for protecting my daughter and all that concerns her. May this little experience show her that you care about even the seemingly insignificant things of our lives.

Lord we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth and those things can never be taken from us. Help us to continue to give rather than to store up treasures here on earth where thieves break in and steal. Help us to be vigilant be watchful as the enemy of soul prowls round seeking whom he may devour.

Thank you specially for this week where you have re kindled and reignited the gift to pray and to write. Thank you are helping me to see things as you see them and to release and share what you have given me to the world so they too can be encouraged, know you are alive and have a hope.

Thank you for the future and the hope and the blessing of a new home and the ability to do of your good pleasure.

Your daughter

Linda J

You called me Beautiful , Joyful Spirit

* see bible apps – Faith comes by Hearing

Day 7 and final day of our church Fast

It was after Jesus fasted in the wilderness that the devil came in and took him to a high pinnacle and tempted Him. (See Matthew 4 ). Jesus withstood Him by the word and so will we.

We have stood together as a church and a Body to fast and we are going to continue to Stand and to Walk as one new man. We are not those who are going throw ourselves down or give place to the devil. We are not going to trust in horses or chariots or in ourselves. We are going to remain in love and in unity so that He can continue to do a good work in, and amongst us.

We have His word on our lips and a two edged sword in our hands and we are going to wield them so the enemy flees. They will come in one way, but flee 7 ways.

Let us rejoice and be glad in Him.

He has strengthened the bars of our gates and our children are blessed.

Peace reigns in our homes and in our workplaces because each day we host the Prince of Peace.

Peace will be in our borders, in our town, city and nation because we prayed. Our defenses are sure ; we will be like those who dream and our mouths will be filled with laughter. We will eat the finest of wheat.

His winds will blow and His waters will flow and we shall be healed.

No weapon that has been formed against us shall prosper. For who can stand against our God? He is for us, who will dare take Him on?

He counts the stars by number. He knows our name. He delights not in human or animal strength, but delights in those who fear him and hope in his mercy.

He delights in You. He delights in Me.

He will hear our cries speedily in this seasons. He will not hide his face from us.

We will hear His knock knock on the windows of our hearts and his loving kindness in the morning, and night seasons. This is my testimony.

We will continue to have testimonies of the greatness of our God.

We will be delivered from our enemies; non of our steps will slide.

We will walk sure footed like hinds on the slope of any mountain, leaning on his everlasting arms.

We will stand

We will walk

We will reach our final destination.

Praise Ye The Lord

Linda J

13/1/19

In the Year of Our Lord

It is Day 6 of our church fast and we are coming down..glory to God.

Last night in our Dwell service, I was given liberty to share the inspiration the Lord had given me as I was preparing to go to church.

It had been a hard day with my heart being broken about a number of situations and injustices that I had heard or was witness to. I wanted however to come into the Lord’s presence with joy and thanksgiving and to make a break with the old week before preparing for the new. I wanted to take off my old clothes and put on something new.

I started to iron a white shirt which had become creased. For some reason I wanted to wear white, although it would not be my usual color of choice. I needed to put some water into the dispenser and went into the kitchen. As I came back to the ironing board and started to pour the water into the hole, the Lord began to speak to me.

This is what He said:

He said Linda , now look at what is happening. As the water is poured in and touches the elements of the iron which is ‘plugged in’ then the steam starts to rise. He said now to get those creases out, you have to press hard against the cloth and keep going. I had to lift the arm … of the shirt to get into the creases. I had to turn the shirt this way and that. I had to ensure the bit that I had ironed out didn’t get crushed again as I moved onto new areas. He reminded me what we see happening in the natural is what occurs spiritually. I chuckled with Him (as I do) and because he gave me the word when I was doing something so innocent and simple.

As we worshiped last night I was pressing in and He nudged me to share the word. Some were able to receive but I also sensed that the word fell on areas of hard hearts and ears, until the Lord broke a second word through another (who had, had a similar word all day). This evidenced for me how the Lord confirms His word with signs following.

I continue to turn over and reflect on the word as there is always more.

One knows, you cant iron out creases with a cold iron. It has to be plugged into the source of electricity or put on hot coals. When Isaiah saw the Lord and realized his crushed state, (and as our brother explained last night), a seraphim had to bring a hot coal out of the fire to purge and take out the creases (his sins /uncleaness). (See Isaiah 6:6)

As a Christian, we too have to be plugged in so that there can be ignition and for God to arise and let those enemies – those creases , our sins be flattened/scattered.

As we approach the penultimate day of a period of fasting together, let us remain plugged in. Let us press ie press towards the mark of the high calling which is in Christ Jesus.

In preparing to come before Him, Father is looking at our hearts not our garments. Yes, we must be presentable, but it is the heart that He is after not our outward appearance or our works.

I don’t usually wear shirts or white neither like ironing on a Friday night…. I believe this choice was led by the Holy Spirit as he wanted to speak. He continues to speak and to inspire.

White stands for righteousness. Could it also be that the steam depicts the glory cloud and is what we create when we are baptised, ‘plugged in’ and are ‘hot’ and on fire for him in our worship. Worship is not just what we do in church before the altar, our whole lives should be a walk of prayer and worship. It is then we will be on fire; the glory cloud will go before us and his anointing will rest on us. He says in His word, He would rather we be hot than cold or luke warm.

He says that all our righteousness (our white shirts) are as filthy rags before Him, if we have not come through the press and washed in the blood of Jesus. (Isaiah 64:6). We must repent and be baptized (with water) to stand before Him and in the great day for reckoning. Will our garment – (how we have pressed), stand up to His scrutiny?

In the battles of life we will get crushed and creased at times, but there is good news..! We don’t have to do the ironing ourselves! He’s a good Father/Husband and He will do it!!! If we stay plugged into Him as our source – our energy provider..and if we ask.

How do we stay plugged in? Through listening, through willingness, through obedience. Through reading the word, through constant pressing ie cycles of prayer, worship, service, fasting.

Brethren, we must press through. When Zion travailed she brought forth. (Isaiah 66:8). We will see the glory cloud arising if we just open our hearts to receive.

Closing ….

I hear an old childhood song in the spirit :

Take off your old coat and wear it no more

Christ has a garment waiting for you

The robe of salvation is knocking at your door

Take off your old coat and wear it no more

❤️

5th Day of the Church fast , Glory to God.

It has been great to see the army of God turn out to stand and unite in prayer together and I believe much was accomplished in the heavenlies, for our nations and for our communities. Indeed we prayed for a number of nations and those stationed there who are with us Mozambique, Nigeria, Venezuela, Spain, Kosovo, India amongst others – all belong to God.

We prayed for local missions and ministries and those far flung, for our leaders, our prime ministers, our local and national councils, the health service, the police and our politicians. For strength; for wisdom knowledge and understanding to be their portion and for Fathers right rule to come in and to govern our land. There was such a great sense of harmony and I heard a new sound rising in intercession and in the spirit. There was a sense of togetherness and even laughter. We had a child sharing in the leading of worship – confirming the word that a seed shall serve him and it shall be counted unto him for a generation.

The backlash of what we are achieving (as we set time apart to pray) can be felt in places over the week. I am sure we each have a story to tell…but we are overcomers in the Name of Jesus. The Name of the Lord is a strong Tower and we run into it when we are under attack, scared, feeling weak, and we will be saved. This is the Name we make known to the world.

Many years ago I heard in the spirit ‘God came from Teman and the Holy one from Mount Paran’, (Habakkuk 3:3). Father reminded me of it this morning by His Holy Spirit. It was a word beautiful then as it is now. Our God lives and reigns in Mount Zion, the side of the North, the city of the great King.

May you be encouraged in your walk with him today.

For those of you on this week’s journey with us as a church, keep fighting on. The Lord has said that if we humble ourselves and pray and seek his face, then he would hear from heaven and heal our land. Our land needs healing, our hearts need healing, our families need healing. So many broken relationships, discord, hatred and animosity. So much sickness and disease.

As we continue to supplicate for the rest of this week and beyond, may our spirits cry out in unison : Father, Revive the works in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known, in wrath remember mercy.

It is up to us as the light of the world to show a different way of being. We can’t be like the world. We are indeed in the world, but not of the world.

Let us be brave soldiers of the cross – contend for our families, our nation, our loved ones, let us stand tall be strong and contend for the faith.

Avante. We are going to a new level. I heard it and see the glory and joy on many faces.

As one author says ‘pray responsibly, prophetically, biblically, particularly those prophetic prayers related to revival’* If you cant say it write it… if you cant write it, sing it..!! But make some noise and contend for the faith. ‘Prophetic promises fuel the work of our intercession and is more effective in our outreach to others’.*

The world needs us.

Let us be strong and continue to march in unison, one voice, one accord. Lifting each other up. In terms of opposition , let us be hard faced and hard nose and set our faces like flints. God is in the midst of us . We will not be shaken. We will not be moved.

Today is another day and we are alive to give our Father the praise and the glory for great things He has done.

We will see revival in the midst of our years as we call out for it and make known our Saviour and King.

Linda J

11/1/19

In the Year of Our Lord 2019

*quoted from Growing in Prayer by Mike Bickle

By Linda J

Day 4 of the Church Fast 10/1/19

What a wonderful privileged to to pray as a family yesterday and as part of the church fast. Indeed I woke with this scripture on my heart

“How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity; it is like the precious ointment that ran down upon the head , even Aaron beards; that went down to the skirts of his garments. As the dew of Hermon and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion : from there the Lord commanded the blessing,even life for evermore”. (Psalm 133)

There is also beautiful scripture of not only coming together as family but what happens when we come together to make mention of the Lord. In the book of Malachi Father tells us that a book of remembrance is written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name. (Malachi 3:16).

If we walk in the light, even as he is light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. Whenever we feel breaks to our fellowship with one another it means we have allowed darkness to come in . The enemy of soul has been out to destroy not only the natural families that we are part of but also the spiritual families that God has orchestrated to come together.

Let me say, the beauty of our house is the intergenerational and multinational representation of same – what a beautiful family. What a wonderful Father we have.

There are indeed different characters to every member of a family, but God knows the heart and the reason why that individual was created and came… Let us treasure what we have, what Father has enabled us and look after each other with love.

Our coming to church is not about us, its also about our brother or sister. They need us. We need them. As Pastor said last night, if a part of the body was hurting we would want to seek remedy and help.

We need to look after the Body.

My added emphasis (and as the spirit leads me this morning ) is that we wouldn’t deliberately bash our arm against a brick, nor throw stones at our head, eyes or heart. We wouldn’t neglect to feed, change or hold the little baby in the crib. We wouldn’t neglect to speak to, hurt or ill-treat our children. Therefore we need to look after each other and based on age, stage and need. Let us pay attention to those parts which may not be as comely as the rest.

Look out for the stranger that comes in amongst us – those who may be battling with demons, ravished by time and circumstance and suffering abuse or in some disarray. Let us be aware of those who are away from (or may not have) a family – allow them to contribute and belong.

Reach out. Give of yourself. Break out of the cliques or normal patterns and ways of being that might exclude others. Get to know someone new. You never know who God has placed amongst us, or sent as a witness and a testimony. The Bible says ‘some have entertained angels unawares’(Hebrews 13:2).

Family ministry is the ministry that God has given to us – to each and every one of us to care for and from the porch to the altar ie whoever and whenever we make that interface.

Father says

6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen?

to loose the bands of wickedness,

to undo the heavy burdens,

and to let the oppressed go free,

and that ye break every yoke?

7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry,

and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?

when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him;

and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Isaiah 58:6

As we complete the fast, Let the dew of Herman fall on us. Let us continue to reflect on the Word of God. Let us pray for ourselves and the part we play in breaking yokes and building families, (the physical and spiritual family of God).

Linda J

Writing in the Year of Our Lord 2019

Day 4 of the Church Fast