by Belinda Jabore
Whether we knew of them or not we were faced with the extreme media coverage of the unexpected death of an ‘icon’ in the music industry, Michael Jackson, and we were also faced with the loss of actress and ‘pin up’ girl of the 1980’s, Farah Fawcett, who lost her battle with cancer. Her death though was harder and more difficult because she new the likely outcome of cancer fighting it all the way. Yet, Michael Jackson’s death overshadowed hers seemingly. Interestingly though, we have discovered that Michael Jackson was in extreme pain in his heart, mind, and body for a very long time. As my husband pointed out, and I believe that this is true, that he really died of a broken heart. Both were created by God, for God, and for His plan and purpose, yet their lives were cut short suddenly (especially in Michael Jackson’s case).
I remember watching a program several months ago on Farah Fawcett and being extremely moved with compassion for her, and I found the Lord prompting me to pray for her after that. About a week before her death I was praying that God would be with her, through it all, and if there was any way that she could be saved (whatever that looked like). I thought it was extraordinary how the Lord’s heart was ‘heavy’ on me for Farah and I felt His great compassion and deep love towards her. Then came the news of her losing her battle against cancer. It was headline news along with that of Michael Jackson’s death - a sad and sudden loss.
I thought this was interesting that the word ICON from the Australian Oxford dictionary means: painting of Christ, image or statue, object of particular admiration.
The Collins Australian version was: image, representation, and esp. of a religious figure.
As Believers:
We truly don’t know the day or the hour of when our time is up.
Are we being obedient to the things the Lord has asked of us?
Are we doing every thing we can to pursue and take hold of what God Almighty has called us to do?
What are we doing with the talents He gave us?
Are we being faithful in the little things?
If we were to go tomorrow what does our Legacy look like?
Will we leave a Legacy that will last through Eternity?
What are we building into others? Is it Jesus or the counterfeit?
Do we truly know Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit?
Only our Lord Jesus and our Father in Heaven knows how Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson went and where they are now.
Michael Jackson did lots of charity work, apparently being in the Guinness Book of Records as, ‘the pop idol that has given the most money to charity’. A portion of his songs brought the Lords heart and thoughts to us, even though we did not know that it was Gods words and heart for us. When so many of us did not go to church and did not know God exits, He still speaks through people like Michael Jackson so the world will hear the Lord’s heart for us.
Farah Fawcett campaigned to heighten awareness of domestic violence against women. She also did lots of charity work, and fought valiantly for a cure for cancer.
But when it’s all said and done, did they have a relationship and know the Lord Jesus and their Father in Heaven? …I truly hope so.
Finally: There is a song that our Worship Director Dan Hannaford wrote and it goes like this:
Ready
Are you ready?
Have you got that oil in the jar?
Watching are you watching?
For we do not know the day or the hour
We all sleep - what’s done is done
Then a midnight cry - here He comes.
Matthew 25 v (11:13) – "afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, “Lord – Lord Open to us! - But He answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you”. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."
Are we ready?
Friday, 10 July 2009
Concerning Our Foundation
by Rhys Fitzsimmons
I live not much more than 50 metres from the sea here at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. Around a month ago, we on the Gold Coast experienced some wild weather once again, and during the time of this storm we were hit with King Tides that seriously affected many of the Gold Coast’s most valuable properties. The normal boundaries of the sea were seriously breached and people literally lost millions of dollars worth of land as their precious real estate was washed away to the sea, as the waves would beat furiously on their prime properties. Overnight people had lost very valuable land and their swimming pools to the sea. The residents woke up to see half their land gone, where too, but to the sea. As each night went by the residents would brace in fear of the stark reality that their very livelihoods, all their life’s hard work, their prized possessions, was at the mercy of nature. It was a very sobering thing to walk along the beach and see how many of these properties had lost their land, and to see all the sand banks completely washed away with nothing for the waves to crash upon except the very rock walls that have been placed to protect the prime real estate.
As I began to intercede for these people, the Lord showed me how important it is to have our very lives built on the Rock. As Jesus said, “ Foolish is the man that builds on the sand”, but wise is the man that builds upon the Rock.
Though this was a very difficult time for these people, and please pray for them, in the natural there was a King Tide on top of the storms, which breached its normal boundaries. To me this speaks of Fullness. I believe for the nation of Australia, God is bringing fullness to the body of Christ within Australia and all the surrounding nations, including my beloved country New Zealand.
However, I speak a warning to those in the body of Christ whose life is not founded on the Rock, being Jesus Christ himself. Just as these waves came crashing in to these people’s valuable real estate stripping away their land, unless you repent and seek God’s face for His forgiveness, He will allow the wave of His Spirit that is being unleashed in this land to strip away all that you have held onto for security and protection. All idols He will expose and they will be washed away (the biggest idol I believe He will deal with is self), then anything that does stand the pressure of the fire of the Lord will be burned up.
The wave of God’s Spirit that has begun to move around Australia this year has already begun to break down the barriers of resistance to His Kingdom, and each wave that comes will be with more intensity and more force. I see each wave of God’s Holy Spirit that crashes on this land has a name and a specific purpose, for example, one wave will be “Holiness unto the Lord”, and another will be “Fear of the Lord”. I believe God has turned His eyes towards Australia and I even believe God has released a multitude of His warring angels into our land to push back the power of darkness. No longer is there going to be what I will call “Passive Christianity”, this is a barrier that I can see God will break. These waves of His Spirit will begin with His body. Judgment begins in the House of the Lord.
The days of going to church on a Sunday, going to home group, youth group, etc, as the regular Christian thing to do for you to make it through the week, simply is not going to be enough to withstand the Waves of God’s Spirit that are coming upon this nation.
When there is a war, the government will usually issue a draft for men and woman to fight the enemy, and these men and woman need to be trained as quickly as possible to be able to be sent out to battle.
The Captain of Hosts is issuing a challenge to His people, “Will you give up all that is precious to you, all that you hold dear, to come and serve me? Choose you this day who you will serve”.
In the seasons ahead God requires a faithful people totally sold out to Him, our Master and Commander.
With each Wave of God’s Spirit, I see God providing for His children by warning in advance. Just as in the Old Testament we need to listen to the God anointed prophets of this day.
Each wave is assigned to break through a certain barrier that is opposing God’s kingdom, and as each wave comes upon the country I see God’s people being set free from passivity and moving in the power of His Spirit with many signs and wonders following them. The Christian in the workplace is going to lay hands on the sick and see them healed, the Christian businessman is going to bring many into the Kingdom as he begins to share the gospel with power, and the Christian in the supermarket is going to move in the Spirit of Knowledge and Wisdom. Demons are going to scream at the very presence of Christ in the so-called average Christian.
The brightness of God’s kingdom is about to shine more and more into the realms of darkness, breaking chains and setting the captives free, both Christians and non-Christians
These are exciting times, but your life needs to be based on the rock, or you will not survive the times ahead. We need to be totally and completely sold out to Christ.
God has a very unique surfboard made just for you to ride on the waves coming, but to ride them you must be sold out, because if there is compromise you will not survive.
There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), but I sense an urgency that we need to obey what is asked of us by our Commander and Chief.
I live not much more than 50 metres from the sea here at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. Around a month ago, we on the Gold Coast experienced some wild weather once again, and during the time of this storm we were hit with King Tides that seriously affected many of the Gold Coast’s most valuable properties. The normal boundaries of the sea were seriously breached and people literally lost millions of dollars worth of land as their precious real estate was washed away to the sea, as the waves would beat furiously on their prime properties. Overnight people had lost very valuable land and their swimming pools to the sea. The residents woke up to see half their land gone, where too, but to the sea. As each night went by the residents would brace in fear of the stark reality that their very livelihoods, all their life’s hard work, their prized possessions, was at the mercy of nature. It was a very sobering thing to walk along the beach and see how many of these properties had lost their land, and to see all the sand banks completely washed away with nothing for the waves to crash upon except the very rock walls that have been placed to protect the prime real estate.
As I began to intercede for these people, the Lord showed me how important it is to have our very lives built on the Rock. As Jesus said, “ Foolish is the man that builds on the sand”, but wise is the man that builds upon the Rock.
Though this was a very difficult time for these people, and please pray for them, in the natural there was a King Tide on top of the storms, which breached its normal boundaries. To me this speaks of Fullness. I believe for the nation of Australia, God is bringing fullness to the body of Christ within Australia and all the surrounding nations, including my beloved country New Zealand.
However, I speak a warning to those in the body of Christ whose life is not founded on the Rock, being Jesus Christ himself. Just as these waves came crashing in to these people’s valuable real estate stripping away their land, unless you repent and seek God’s face for His forgiveness, He will allow the wave of His Spirit that is being unleashed in this land to strip away all that you have held onto for security and protection. All idols He will expose and they will be washed away (the biggest idol I believe He will deal with is self), then anything that does stand the pressure of the fire of the Lord will be burned up.
The wave of God’s Spirit that has begun to move around Australia this year has already begun to break down the barriers of resistance to His Kingdom, and each wave that comes will be with more intensity and more force. I see each wave of God’s Holy Spirit that crashes on this land has a name and a specific purpose, for example, one wave will be “Holiness unto the Lord”, and another will be “Fear of the Lord”. I believe God has turned His eyes towards Australia and I even believe God has released a multitude of His warring angels into our land to push back the power of darkness. No longer is there going to be what I will call “Passive Christianity”, this is a barrier that I can see God will break. These waves of His Spirit will begin with His body. Judgment begins in the House of the Lord.
The days of going to church on a Sunday, going to home group, youth group, etc, as the regular Christian thing to do for you to make it through the week, simply is not going to be enough to withstand the Waves of God’s Spirit that are coming upon this nation.
When there is a war, the government will usually issue a draft for men and woman to fight the enemy, and these men and woman need to be trained as quickly as possible to be able to be sent out to battle.
The Captain of Hosts is issuing a challenge to His people, “Will you give up all that is precious to you, all that you hold dear, to come and serve me? Choose you this day who you will serve”.
In the seasons ahead God requires a faithful people totally sold out to Him, our Master and Commander.
With each Wave of God’s Spirit, I see God providing for His children by warning in advance. Just as in the Old Testament we need to listen to the God anointed prophets of this day.
Each wave is assigned to break through a certain barrier that is opposing God’s kingdom, and as each wave comes upon the country I see God’s people being set free from passivity and moving in the power of His Spirit with many signs and wonders following them. The Christian in the workplace is going to lay hands on the sick and see them healed, the Christian businessman is going to bring many into the Kingdom as he begins to share the gospel with power, and the Christian in the supermarket is going to move in the Spirit of Knowledge and Wisdom. Demons are going to scream at the very presence of Christ in the so-called average Christian.
The brightness of God’s kingdom is about to shine more and more into the realms of darkness, breaking chains and setting the captives free, both Christians and non-Christians
These are exciting times, but your life needs to be based on the rock, or you will not survive the times ahead. We need to be totally and completely sold out to Christ.
God has a very unique surfboard made just for you to ride on the waves coming, but to ride them you must be sold out, because if there is compromise you will not survive.
There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), but I sense an urgency that we need to obey what is asked of us by our Commander and Chief.
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Cornelius - One Who Feared God
by Glenice Mills
As I was reading the Bible the other day, I was reading Acts 10 when the Lord dropped on me and particularly highlighted a verse that spoke of the character of a man called Cornelius. The Lord began to speak to me of this man and the ‘type’ of this man in the Apostolic/Prophetic time that we live in.
Acts 10:1-2 - “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man, and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.”
In the Amplified Bible this verse says that Cornelius was a devout man who venerated God and treated Him with a reverential obedience, as did his household.
What a man he must have been!! This was in a time when he had not yet had an understanding of salvation and of the cross of Jesus Christ. Somehow there was something in the integrity of this man, in his relationship with God and something on the inside of him that was sealed with the Spirit of God, that he was able to know the power of the name of God. He was a man who knew God, and he was a man who walked and lived his life as a Godly man. Here was a man who was spoken in Scripture, whose life was defined not only by what he did (he was a Roman Centurion), but who he was as a man of God.
As I was reading this I was humbled but also excited by the fact that here was a man who was acclaimed as one who walked in the fear of the Lord. Here was a man whose life and reputation was spoken of, not once, but twice as one who walked in the fear of the Lord. I began asking the Lord what was different about this man that he was renowned as one who lived his life this way, what was there about this man that he was spoken of in this way, that he was known by all around him and further a field as one who walked in the fear of the Lord? This man had this reputation, it was known, it was spoken of, and it was defining. As you read about him there are some keys that speak of his reputation but also the influence he had to those close to him. He played a role which had a huge consequence that changed history because of who he was.
Some keys to his reputation:
He was a devout man. Devout means to reverence, to have a sacred awe, to have a reverence exhibited especially in actions, reverence or awe that is well directed. All his household feared God as well.
He was a man who displayed the Fear of the Lord, he modelled it and he was able to reproduce it to those of his household. There was a generational blessing on his household because of his obedience.
He had influence over many lives, obviously he had a wife and family and servants, plus the hundred soldiers he had charge of. What a powerful statement to have been spoken over someone. He clearly lived his life as an example, one that was reproduced to others.
He gave alms generously. He was known as a generous man who gave to the poor. His reputation must have been so, that he was known for his generosity and many obviously benefited from it.
He prayed to the Lord always. He had a close relationship with the Lord and communed with Him in prayer constantly. People must have noticed the time he spent in prayer and the sacrifice involved. His prayers were effective - they were spoken of as being a memorial before God. He had a spiritual encounter with an angel who spoke to him and gave him instructions that he was obedient to put in place. His relationship with God was such that he was entrusted to carry out a message by God. God knew that he would fulfill all that he was told to do, such was his obedience.
He had the respect of those under him - when he gave instructions they were carried out. He was a man who walked in authority, but he also had the respect of those under him, again displaying righteousness and integrity in all he said and did.
He was a just man. For this to be said of him he must have spoken up at times over issues of justice. It was noticed by those around and about him that he did what was right, and because of that he earned respect.
He had a good reputation among all the nations of the Jews - in his role as a Roman Centurion. His conduct in the way he lived his life and the way he led his soldiers was noticed by even those outside his ‘people group’.
He was an effective leader - he called his relatives and close friends and they came - he was a man of influence and when he spoke all obeyed him without questioning. He must have been proven trustworthy. Maybe he had gone through trials that tested those close to him but he had come out always doing what he said, hence he was one to be trusted.
He was humble - he fell at Peter’s feet - he acknowledged who Peter was. He was instrumental in Peter getting the revelation that all men can come to God - that there was no partiality in God - it established Peter’s call. He was ready to receive all that Peter had to say. He recognised Peter as a man after the Spirit, he discerned that Peter was a man of God. As a result the Holy Spirit was poured out on all of them - he and his household received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. God honoured him for who he was and he was one of the first to receive the new truth of the Holy Spirit.
These days we don’t speak of the defining attributes of a person. We are good at acknowledging what a person does, we may speak of a person’s character, but we don’t speak of the depth of who a person truly is. It is that statement that defines a person. It is an acknowledgment of the depth of the character of that person. It really exposes the shallowness of relationship that we have in this day and age. It is a rare thing for someone to look at a person and then define them in God. I began to think of ones at Forerunners and it was really difficult to say and define a particular person as like an aspect and attribute in God. At Forerunners there were only two that I could say who were truly defined, that I could put a Godly definition on. They were:
Lynne: a woman who knows God
Margie: God’s love.
In some ways it is easy to speak of someone and define them by a particular function they do, but it is a deeper truth and deeper revelation to clearly define, speak of, and acknowledge someone because of the depth of the seal of the Spirit of God on them. I don’t know if what I am writing is making sense but it is something that is beyond our minds, it is something that is discerned, it is a revelation of God’s unique spirit that is placed on a person and is integrally an aspect of that person that defines them in God. It is God in them.
I asked the Lord why, what is it that defines a person in God that brings them to a place of being esteemed highly by those close to them and those in the wider community?
I sense the key is maturity. Perhaps it is when true ‘maturity’ is attained that a person’s reputation is spoken of, that they are then esteemed and acknowledged for the depth of character that has been forged through the testings of their life. They are ones who have stood firm through the trials and testings of God. They have learnt to fully yield to God.
It is profound and it is a truth that is yet to unfold in the church. The church has not come to a place of maturity to even be able to acknowledge and be confident in, and of itself, to be able to ‘know who a person is in God’. In Scripture there were examples of where a person’s name was synonymous with them and their character. For example Peter was known as ‘the rock’ and Barnabas was known as ‘the encourager’. These were titles that defined them, they came about from the life they led but also they came about from who they were to become. It is a depth of revelation of who a person truly is. It is God’s seal on that person.
As God raises ones up at this time He is calling the apostles and prophets forth in many areas in the community. He is and will be calling ones out who have been hidden as the Lord has done the deep work. They will be defined by their character and their unique attributes that God has worked deep in their lives. They will be like as Cornelius, one who fears the Lord, one who has influence, one who is sovereignly placed in pivotal areas of society, who can and will have a huge effect in changing the foundations to put in the new. The Lord is stripping and pulling down; but these ones will be used to build and to plant. They will be the ‘new breed that is arising’. It will be in many sectors - the finances area - stockbrokers, financiers, in the area of politics, in the area of law, and in the church. I was thinking about Marc Dupont and he is one of those who is of the type of Cornelius - one who knows and walks in the fear of the Lord.
Oh Lord my heart cry is to be as Cornelius, that it is spoken ‘she is one who walks in the fear of the Lord.’
As I was reading the Bible the other day, I was reading Acts 10 when the Lord dropped on me and particularly highlighted a verse that spoke of the character of a man called Cornelius. The Lord began to speak to me of this man and the ‘type’ of this man in the Apostolic/Prophetic time that we live in.
Acts 10:1-2 - “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man, and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.”
In the Amplified Bible this verse says that Cornelius was a devout man who venerated God and treated Him with a reverential obedience, as did his household.
What a man he must have been!! This was in a time when he had not yet had an understanding of salvation and of the cross of Jesus Christ. Somehow there was something in the integrity of this man, in his relationship with God and something on the inside of him that was sealed with the Spirit of God, that he was able to know the power of the name of God. He was a man who knew God, and he was a man who walked and lived his life as a Godly man. Here was a man who was spoken in Scripture, whose life was defined not only by what he did (he was a Roman Centurion), but who he was as a man of God.
As I was reading this I was humbled but also excited by the fact that here was a man who was acclaimed as one who walked in the fear of the Lord. Here was a man whose life and reputation was spoken of, not once, but twice as one who walked in the fear of the Lord. I began asking the Lord what was different about this man that he was renowned as one who lived his life this way, what was there about this man that he was spoken of in this way, that he was known by all around him and further a field as one who walked in the fear of the Lord? This man had this reputation, it was known, it was spoken of, and it was defining. As you read about him there are some keys that speak of his reputation but also the influence he had to those close to him. He played a role which had a huge consequence that changed history because of who he was.
Some keys to his reputation:
He was a devout man. Devout means to reverence, to have a sacred awe, to have a reverence exhibited especially in actions, reverence or awe that is well directed. All his household feared God as well.
He was a man who displayed the Fear of the Lord, he modelled it and he was able to reproduce it to those of his household. There was a generational blessing on his household because of his obedience.
He had influence over many lives, obviously he had a wife and family and servants, plus the hundred soldiers he had charge of. What a powerful statement to have been spoken over someone. He clearly lived his life as an example, one that was reproduced to others.
He gave alms generously. He was known as a generous man who gave to the poor. His reputation must have been so, that he was known for his generosity and many obviously benefited from it.
He prayed to the Lord always. He had a close relationship with the Lord and communed with Him in prayer constantly. People must have noticed the time he spent in prayer and the sacrifice involved. His prayers were effective - they were spoken of as being a memorial before God. He had a spiritual encounter with an angel who spoke to him and gave him instructions that he was obedient to put in place. His relationship with God was such that he was entrusted to carry out a message by God. God knew that he would fulfill all that he was told to do, such was his obedience.
He had the respect of those under him - when he gave instructions they were carried out. He was a man who walked in authority, but he also had the respect of those under him, again displaying righteousness and integrity in all he said and did.
He was a just man. For this to be said of him he must have spoken up at times over issues of justice. It was noticed by those around and about him that he did what was right, and because of that he earned respect.
He had a good reputation among all the nations of the Jews - in his role as a Roman Centurion. His conduct in the way he lived his life and the way he led his soldiers was noticed by even those outside his ‘people group’.
He was an effective leader - he called his relatives and close friends and they came - he was a man of influence and when he spoke all obeyed him without questioning. He must have been proven trustworthy. Maybe he had gone through trials that tested those close to him but he had come out always doing what he said, hence he was one to be trusted.
He was humble - he fell at Peter’s feet - he acknowledged who Peter was. He was instrumental in Peter getting the revelation that all men can come to God - that there was no partiality in God - it established Peter’s call. He was ready to receive all that Peter had to say. He recognised Peter as a man after the Spirit, he discerned that Peter was a man of God. As a result the Holy Spirit was poured out on all of them - he and his household received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. God honoured him for who he was and he was one of the first to receive the new truth of the Holy Spirit.
These days we don’t speak of the defining attributes of a person. We are good at acknowledging what a person does, we may speak of a person’s character, but we don’t speak of the depth of who a person truly is. It is that statement that defines a person. It is an acknowledgment of the depth of the character of that person. It really exposes the shallowness of relationship that we have in this day and age. It is a rare thing for someone to look at a person and then define them in God. I began to think of ones at Forerunners and it was really difficult to say and define a particular person as like an aspect and attribute in God. At Forerunners there were only two that I could say who were truly defined, that I could put a Godly definition on. They were:
Lynne: a woman who knows God
Margie: God’s love.
In some ways it is easy to speak of someone and define them by a particular function they do, but it is a deeper truth and deeper revelation to clearly define, speak of, and acknowledge someone because of the depth of the seal of the Spirit of God on them. I don’t know if what I am writing is making sense but it is something that is beyond our minds, it is something that is discerned, it is a revelation of God’s unique spirit that is placed on a person and is integrally an aspect of that person that defines them in God. It is God in them.
I asked the Lord why, what is it that defines a person in God that brings them to a place of being esteemed highly by those close to them and those in the wider community?
I sense the key is maturity. Perhaps it is when true ‘maturity’ is attained that a person’s reputation is spoken of, that they are then esteemed and acknowledged for the depth of character that has been forged through the testings of their life. They are ones who have stood firm through the trials and testings of God. They have learnt to fully yield to God.
It is profound and it is a truth that is yet to unfold in the church. The church has not come to a place of maturity to even be able to acknowledge and be confident in, and of itself, to be able to ‘know who a person is in God’. In Scripture there were examples of where a person’s name was synonymous with them and their character. For example Peter was known as ‘the rock’ and Barnabas was known as ‘the encourager’. These were titles that defined them, they came about from the life they led but also they came about from who they were to become. It is a depth of revelation of who a person truly is. It is God’s seal on that person.
As God raises ones up at this time He is calling the apostles and prophets forth in many areas in the community. He is and will be calling ones out who have been hidden as the Lord has done the deep work. They will be defined by their character and their unique attributes that God has worked deep in their lives. They will be like as Cornelius, one who fears the Lord, one who has influence, one who is sovereignly placed in pivotal areas of society, who can and will have a huge effect in changing the foundations to put in the new. The Lord is stripping and pulling down; but these ones will be used to build and to plant. They will be the ‘new breed that is arising’. It will be in many sectors - the finances area - stockbrokers, financiers, in the area of politics, in the area of law, and in the church. I was thinking about Marc Dupont and he is one of those who is of the type of Cornelius - one who knows and walks in the fear of the Lord.
Oh Lord my heart cry is to be as Cornelius, that it is spoken ‘she is one who walks in the fear of the Lord.’
Healthy Lifestyle
by Belinda Jabore
You are a soldier in a war fighting the enemy on all different levels. You need to be able to move quickly and efficiently. Not needing much to survive – re: food, backpack clothing, etc. To have greater strength and stamina in the spirit and in the natural and to be able to go further than before.
The Lord has been showing me these things as I have been directed to get fit and to change the way I eat. Old habits of the past that I have been looking at and finding out how much we self comfort from food and the wrong habits that we have with food. Also looking at the profound choices that we have when it comes to choosing something to eat. “We have so much food and so many choices.” The way food affects us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
As we all know we need to have food to survive, but the right food is very important. We all know this. Let us take a look at the food that goes into our body and the effects it has on us. After all, it is the Lords body isn’t it? Now I don’t profess to have the full picture, but I found as I did what the Lord asked me to do, the results have been very surprising.
Now I am not a person who can go on a diet or likes to diet, in fact if you just mention the word I put on a few kilos. So you could imagine where the Lord and I went with this. But as I agreed to eat what the Lord was showing me and to help me it all became much clearer.
Within approximately 2 months there was such a change in me, not only was I loosing weight but the back pain was less, I was able to do things with my body I couldn’t do before, I had more energy, less lethargic, my sleep was better, etc. Not only that, when the Lord would wake me in the night I would stay awake to talk and pray. My head was clearer with less clutter in it; I was more alert, and generally began to remember things better. Emotionally, I sense a greater stability and steadfastness. My immune system just seemed stronger as at one stage I felt a flu coming on, but as I prayed and resisted, it just went away. Also, I felt more alert spiritually, with a greater stamina.
I believe the Lord wants us to get in to healthier lifestyles and to really take a good look at what is going into our bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?For you were brought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
You see, soldiers don’t have a choice in what they eat - they get rations of food that do not weigh them down. They still have to fight and survive on the bare minimum, sometimes not having any food to eat for long periods with only water to drink.
Now I do understand that not all of us are in such an intense place, but I really do believe that the Lord wants us to look at ourselves to see how we can improve our eating habits. For instance lots of fruit and vegetables, salads, lean meat, lots of water, etc. Treats or sweets only on special occasions (in other words not very often), and to make sure we are getting enough regular exercise to strengthen our body’s. I believe that as we get over 40 we must do some sort of exercise program to keep our body’s in shape and flexible. Under 40, well they should have a well-balanced lifestyle and a good exercise program in place. This is not necessarily to loose weight (even though that will happen naturally) but to build strength into you. It is certainly true of that statement “use it or loose it” this is also very true in the spiritual. Remember it’s a process.
We never know when the Lord might send us on a secret mission that will require us to be able to handle the challenge. The truth is we are on a mission everyday to glorify Christ, so it makes sense to train and prepare ourselves asking the Holy Spirit for help in these areas.
We are temples of the Holy Spirit, let’s do Him proud.
You are a soldier in a war fighting the enemy on all different levels. You need to be able to move quickly and efficiently. Not needing much to survive – re: food, backpack clothing, etc. To have greater strength and stamina in the spirit and in the natural and to be able to go further than before.
The Lord has been showing me these things as I have been directed to get fit and to change the way I eat. Old habits of the past that I have been looking at and finding out how much we self comfort from food and the wrong habits that we have with food. Also looking at the profound choices that we have when it comes to choosing something to eat. “We have so much food and so many choices.” The way food affects us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
As we all know we need to have food to survive, but the right food is very important. We all know this. Let us take a look at the food that goes into our body and the effects it has on us. After all, it is the Lords body isn’t it? Now I don’t profess to have the full picture, but I found as I did what the Lord asked me to do, the results have been very surprising.
Now I am not a person who can go on a diet or likes to diet, in fact if you just mention the word I put on a few kilos. So you could imagine where the Lord and I went with this. But as I agreed to eat what the Lord was showing me and to help me it all became much clearer.
Within approximately 2 months there was such a change in me, not only was I loosing weight but the back pain was less, I was able to do things with my body I couldn’t do before, I had more energy, less lethargic, my sleep was better, etc. Not only that, when the Lord would wake me in the night I would stay awake to talk and pray. My head was clearer with less clutter in it; I was more alert, and generally began to remember things better. Emotionally, I sense a greater stability and steadfastness. My immune system just seemed stronger as at one stage I felt a flu coming on, but as I prayed and resisted, it just went away. Also, I felt more alert spiritually, with a greater stamina.
I believe the Lord wants us to get in to healthier lifestyles and to really take a good look at what is going into our bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?For you were brought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
You see, soldiers don’t have a choice in what they eat - they get rations of food that do not weigh them down. They still have to fight and survive on the bare minimum, sometimes not having any food to eat for long periods with only water to drink.
Now I do understand that not all of us are in such an intense place, but I really do believe that the Lord wants us to look at ourselves to see how we can improve our eating habits. For instance lots of fruit and vegetables, salads, lean meat, lots of water, etc. Treats or sweets only on special occasions (in other words not very often), and to make sure we are getting enough regular exercise to strengthen our body’s. I believe that as we get over 40 we must do some sort of exercise program to keep our body’s in shape and flexible. Under 40, well they should have a well-balanced lifestyle and a good exercise program in place. This is not necessarily to loose weight (even though that will happen naturally) but to build strength into you. It is certainly true of that statement “use it or loose it” this is also very true in the spiritual. Remember it’s a process.
We never know when the Lord might send us on a secret mission that will require us to be able to handle the challenge. The truth is we are on a mission everyday to glorify Christ, so it makes sense to train and prepare ourselves asking the Holy Spirit for help in these areas.
We are temples of the Holy Spirit, let’s do Him proud.
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