Growing in The Power of JESUS! Winning the little battles.

Luke 16:11 

So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?
I woke up this morning with the LORD speaking this to my spirit.
Remember he who joins himself to the LORD is one SPIRIT. 1 Corinthians 6:17

So, as JESUS followers, we can easily hear with our hearts. (our spirits connected to HIM, really ONE with HIM).

What the world values GOD calls "detestable". See Luke 16:15

It is lust to put the false 'loves' of worldly things above what the LORD tells us to LOVE.

You see if you want promotion in greater gifting and true power, then it comes and increases by fruit growing.

Now JESUS is POWER - POWER is a PERSON.
I can see some of you shake your heads in doubt.
Here is the scripture to prove what I am saying.

CHRIST the WISDOM of GOD, the POWER of GOD. 1 Corinthians 1:24

Now how does this power come and increase?

The scripture also says, "I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST for it is the Power of GOD."

If we are preaching anything but the GRACE of JESUS its got No Power. In fact if its preaching on any part of human effort, self help or promoting man, its not righteousness by FAITH. Galatians 3:24

Its wicked unbelief in GOD, and not saving GRACE.

So, we must understand GRACE to start.

Once we do, we enter the kingdom of LOVE. The POWER increases by submitting to GOD. Abiding in JESUS.

Testing brings forth a true image and shows us our grades in the Kingdom. We pass the tests by properly 'handling' lessor things or earthly worldly things. When we do (by resting in JESUS, and ceasing your own effort), you start to the promotion.

How you handle food, shows how you can handle spiritual food.
How you handle money, determines if you are promoted in spiritual riches.
How you handle the (seemingly) 'lessor' around you will determine if or how you receive greater company. (Spiritual Visitation).
How you handle time, will determine how you operate in getting GOD'S timing - perfect timing.

Remember GOD is not impressed with worldly wealth. HE is only pleased with the fruit of the SPIRIT flowing out of us.

Now, if you think you are failing any tests, don't get 'hung up' on that, just
put your trust or faith in JESUS by asking HIM to change your wrong attitude or incorrect thinking.

As HE lives through you, you will see LOVE come alive, changing every part of you and your (improper) thinking.

Ok, so how we handle the lessor things, (thats the test), then we get promotion.

So, you are on your way to work, running a little behind. Some (so and so) cuts you off. Here's your test. Do you pray, and remind your self of HIM who loves the worst of us (loves us), and take HIS refilling? or do you re-act?

Here is your test, is patience (true riches) going to win, or worldy anger?
Are you satisfied and thankful to the LORD, for where you live? Or are you angered that you don't have a bigger place?

I once did a teaching on the fruit of the SPIRIT - patience. No sooner did it finish, I had to go to a local coffee shop and meet my Dad. I got there first and the place wasn't busy. I went in line as 2 young teenage girls arrived. The clerk asked for who was next, and the 2 girls, went ahead of me and took my spot.

My blood began to boil...

Then they couldn't decide what they wanted, and when they finally did decide, had to look through each others purse for change to pay for their order.

It seemed like this little transaction should be quick but not so for 2 giggling girls!

I was about to say something as I was there first - remember?

And the LORD spoke, HE said "do you remember your lesson?".

You see the lessons teachers/evangelists teach also apply to themselves. Or should I say primarily apply to themselves then others.

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27

Little things, being faithful (doing it GOD'S way) in the small stuff guarantees
you Awesome Promotion.

So, its based on my effort eh? And not GRACE?

No, your effort will be without merit - nothing.
This is are you simply allowing HIM to mold you and make you or are you going
to let the sin nature dictate how to handle it?

Simply your choices.

-eric

Want To Know The Secret To Great Get-Togethers?

When you enter into union with the LORD JESUS, and with each other, GRACE (really GOD'S GRACE) is the key that opens doors. GRACE is simply LOVE demonstrated.
LOVE in action toward all (because all don't deserve it, and if it was deserved it is effort, law, wages).

Its a matter of GRACE (undeserved love) which if you are giving because they deserve it, then its not love, rather self-effort. Its ok to reward for good done, but remember thats not GRACE - MY LOVE (which is MYSELF - GOD - I AM) gives to all freely, without cost or effort, because all effort does is lead to death and is sin.

The opposite of self-effort is faith.
Self effort on one side / Faith on the other side.

Ok, so GRACE or LOVE in Action opens the door to great get - togethers. It does it by learning that and accepting the fact that anyone in your group is
1) Sent by ME (the LORD)
2) They all make up (those that confess ME) make up part of your body/their body/ the body of CHRIST. MY BODY.
3) They are loved and not judged on race, color, creed, money, status, power, sex, background, or sins but are loved because I Created them, I Love them, they are part of you and you them!

Once GRACE opens that door, and they know they are 'forgiven and loved', then you are what the Scripture calls 'walking in the light'.

"But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

That is walking in the LIGHT and everything is judged by MY LOVE.
Every teaching, Every word, Every instruction, Every correction, Every idea,
Every persons actions - they are all judged only by MY LOVE.

When your group walks that way, they are starting to walk in the LIGHT (walk or abiding in ME - JESUS) when that happens fellowship grows - it blossoms is a better word. And like a blossom its fragrance is sweet and its beauty captivating.

As the LORD taught me.

-eric

Increase our Faith - How?

Faith is always only called a
fruit (Galatians 5:22)
or a gift (1 Corinthians 12:9)

Both are not derived in and of ourselves.
If we are branches, then we don't produce the fruit, but
the fruit is produced through us - helping every around (not the branch itself).
see John 15:5

If its a gift of faith, then gifts can only be received.

So get over the fact that you can somehow 'amp it up', or 'get more of
it on your own'. (thats only mental ability)

The secret to the entire thing is the most simple yet most difficult.

JESUS said all over the place to simply 'abide'. (rest, live with, dwell with).
John 15:1-8

This is simple, anyone understands, but to do - needs HIS power.
Because we always want to do it, we never want to 'rest' and let GOD
do it - no, we want to work salvation, or miracles ourselves and never wait
and see the deliverence of GOD.


You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, 2 Chronicles 20:17

We hate waiting, and we hate wondering - we live in a microwave society
that wants everything NOW. (because its all about me anyway - right?)

GOD says to labor, to enter rest. Hebrews 4:11
GOD says in order to see miracles - believe / trust JESUS. John 6:29
GOD says when we put on our armor, we simply stand (not fight - not think what
to do with this armor on). Ephesians 6:11

But HIS gifts, and fruit -flourish when we let HIS life (we trust, HE is doing it)
flow through us - spontaneously, just when you need it.

I like what Corrie Ten Boom says how she learned faith from
her Dad. Read it here, if you haven't heard it before:

Source: Corrie Ten Boom

A girl and her father were going to ride a train and the girl was concerned and asked her father many times on the way to the train station, where was her ticket? He kept reassuring her that just before she gets on the train he will give her the ticket and she need not worry.

It is this way with our Heavenly Father. He will give us the strength and help and support to successfully learn, grow and be blessed by ANY situation that we encounter in our turn here on earth. But he may give us that help right when we need it and not any earlier, so we may feel unprepared for many things that could come our
way. But we need not worry because he will give us the ticket to ride, when we need it.

Why?

Because HE supplies needs. Phillipians 4:19
Because no one can boast in HIS presence 1 Corinthians 1:29
Because faith pleases HIM Hebrews 11:6

So, get out there, and let HIS LOVE (which is HIMSELF) flow through
you spontaneously as you need it - everything works that way.

Because real love works that way - it spontaneously lavishes on any given
situation.

-eric

Hearing HIS Voice Part 2

Did you know that when Tsunami's hit that most animals already
knew in advance so they could run inland to safety?

Here is the link if you want to read it from BBC news.

Now if the animals could hear (or were programmed, or sensed
love warning them) why can't we hear?

What we miss, is some of the basic most important facts of life.
1) Love
2) Trust

We don't know GOD'S voice, or dont trust the fact that HE would
even talk to us. If you don't believe or use trust then you will
never hear HIS voice properly.

Now HE does talk to all of us, but if you don't trust the
fact that you've already heard before!

But without faith it is impossible to please him.
For he that draws near to God must believe that HI is, and
that he is a rewarder of them who seek him out.
Hebrews 11:6

You have to believe, coming to HIM!

Believe what?

Well..
Believe that HE listens to you/ HE hears you. Psalm 4:3
Believe that HE understands. Psalm 103:14
Believe that HE can do the impossible. Luke 1:37
Believe that HE is full of mercy and grace. John 1:17 Psalm 23:6
Believe that HE is simply "I AM", the ONE. Exodus 3:14 Revelation 22:13

But then you have to recognize and understand what GRACE
and LOVE is.

The problem is we don't understand 'love'. We think its a
warm fuzzy feeling, or something nice done to us, or words we say.

But real love is a person for GOD is LOVE. 1 John 4:8

And to understand HIS voice, you have to know HIS language and
that language is LOVE. If its not a word that is for your best
interest or better yet, the best interest of your whole family or
group (whom ever you are praying over) then you don't
understand HIS LOVE.

Now, that LOVE maybe for you - but not for selfish 'sin' nature.
That cannot work.
GOD is for you, but the 'sin' nature is only for self (never the
good, or best for you or family).
The 'sin' nature cannot please GOD and it will destroy you.

So, you have to make sure your will is matching HIS.
How can you know?

Well, like we teach to our own boys and family - use
LOVE as your benchmark.

What does LOVE say?

LOVE has a voice (hint: its GOD'S voice).
That voice is never selfish nor will it answer your 'sin'
nature selfish prayers. Love answers Love.

Simply is it a request that is 'best' for you
or 'best' for your group (others). Because LOVE is
always 'others' first (not self) the best prayer
is for others.

In fact priests do just that, they intercede for others.
As a Christian, you are called to be like JESUS our
High Priest and you are thus enrolled in the priesthood.

Note: we are not talking any church denomination or
worldly priesthood - but a royal priesthood by faith.
See 1 Peter 2:9

So practice.
Don't be afraid.
Step out on what you hear from a voice of LOVE.
And remember, some of those great lovely ideas
you've had before - were not yours! They were
given to you!

-eric

The Lessons Are All Around Us - but then so are the tests!

For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:2

What we have to be really open to, and expect, is that when we learn lessons or learn something about the LORD, or judge someone - the test comes.

And the test is the same as we measured out.
If we fail the test, just like school, we get re-tested somewhere.
Sadly there are some who never pass the tests of life - and pay the price
of failure.

And don't kid yourself the SPIRITUAL includes the physical and mental. If
it effects one part of you - it effects all of you, that is what a body is.

Ok, so what is my point?

I was tested...

It started on a Monday, I was in a McDonalds with my dad, and I over heard a lady
about my age (she was in her 40's) talking to her very senior mother.
The talking wasn't strange, but it was 'how' she was talking to her elderly mother.

As this was November, she was telling her mother, in no uncertain terms, what
she demanded her aged mother to give her for Christmas.

She insisted that her mother order online a 'kindle' from Amazon. Which allows book worms to download and read on a electronic computerized tablet and usually the e-books are less money than traditional paper books.

Anyway, the point was that she demanded her mother get her one, and no other gift would do!

The mother was very congenial, and agreed that if her daughter 'needed' one she would make sure she would order one for her. Although she reminded her daughter that she doesn't really know how to order online.

The daughter told her mother, that her brother would help her and that using a credit card, was all that it took to get this gift, and then told her mother how much it would all cost.

I laughed to myself, thinking what a crazy conversation. I thought, they were both acting like the mother was 30 and her daughter was 9.

Now if you are Christian, then its one of the HOLY SPIRITS jobs to make you grow into CHRIST. Become more like how HE is, not how you are!

So, I made judgements in my heart about this two-some, not having a clue who they where or where they were coming from.

Enter the TEST!

About 3 days later, I am going to meet my dad in a local coffee shop. Knowing he was going to get there before me, he asked what I wanted. So that when I would arrive there minutes later, everything would be ready - and paid for! Thanks dad!

Anyway we were also ordering bagels with our coffee's and tea's.

I ordered a cheese bagel, I don't eat them very often but from time to time
have a craving for them. My dad knows this.

When I arrive, everything is ready, but to my surprise the bagel was
sesame seed and not the cheese type that I wanted.

I mentioned it to my Dad, and he said, he thought they told him
they were out of them. I said 'ok', thanks.

But when I got up to get a napkin, I saw they had many cheese bagels!

I was about to ask my dad about what happened?

When the LORD reminded me, that I was falling in the same pattern as
the woman and her mother a few days earlier!

As the prophet Nathan said to David, when David was caught in a sin,
Nathan said "David, you are that man!" 1 Samuel 12:7

Re - learning several lessons:

1) Receive everything with thanks!
2) As you judge others, you will be judged.
3) As you judge or learn something (or like most often,
think we've learned something) the test comes!

Get ready for your test!

Re-tests available.

-eric

All that glitters is not gold

We had a unique Bible Study/Fellowship the other day as it landed the day
before Halloween.

Now Halloween is a very interesting time of year. When we were a younger family as Christians, we never participated in Halloween knowing that it was a pagan celebration. But know when we understood GRACE and knowing that Halloween actually means "Holy Eve". Its the Holy evening before 'All Saints Day' the day the believers remember the saints of old.

But there is something way more important about 'dressing up' that we don't realize as its more sinister and deeper than meets the eye.

You see, we all where masks, life it seems is a full masquerade. We all where false images of our selves portraying to others exactly what we are NOT! We show (either in a Church gathering, or in the world) how 'strong' we are, how 'together' we have it, how powerful, how successful, how smart, how rich, how influencial, how educated, now connected, how athletic, how beautiful - when its all fake, false.

We are not saying that nobody is smart or beautiful or athletic, but we hide what we really are behind this. We are really fearful, nervous, sinful, week, confused, and worried.

We worry if we measure up, worry if we'll have enough, worry if our children will 'make it', worry if we will make it, worry about the future, the goverment, with fears of life and fears of death. In one word - pathetic.

All of our achievements, don't really satisfy and the burden we carry trying to continually fill it with everything from money to sex to power to 'things' only to find we were left un-fulfilled, un-satisfied. But the mask, the 'dress up' shows everyone what we want to portray! Only knowing in our heart - its a lie. Never really good enough but not allowing anyone to come close, to really see the real us, for fear that 'if you new about me, you wouldn't like me'.

But that 'mess' is exactly the way GOD wants us to come.
Because HE is LOVE (the bible says that GOD is LOVE), HE wants what is best for you.
Also we read that LOVE rejoices and only seeks the TRUTH.

Again LOVE is a person
But so is TRUTH.

They are the same person and rejoice with and in each other because they complete
each other!

So coming to GOD, 'just the way I am', and seeing ourselves as real sinners, a real mess and unable to fix it or make it right. Coming to HIM who knows us better than we know ourselves, because HE made you - and only HE knows how to 'fix you'.
That is how we come to GOD, and enter the light, throwing away our masks and allowing the truth and light to penetrate all of the dark, and fearful issues we have and get healed or as JESUS promises 'Saved'.

Saved from the curse, Saved from wrath, Saved from ourselves.

Come to JESUS
Enter the LIGHT

All you have to do is come!

-eric

Usual Morning With A Lesson From The LORD

It was a typical morning.
I drank my tea.
Read some of the Bible (I was reading Isaiah 53, in the Message Translation).
Had some breakfast and sat where I usually sit, on the far end of the table.

When I was finished, reading, drinking, eating I got up and was about to leave
until I saw the newspaper left at the other end of the table.

I sat down read some of the paper and got up to leave with blackberry in hand, getting ready to start work.

The LORD spoke to me: "Do you see both ends of the table where you sat?"
"Yes," I answered in my SPIRIT.

The LORD continued: "Is that a story of your life? A little bit of the WORD, and a little bit of the world?"

The Bible on one end representing the WORD and the newspaper on the other representing the world and the things of the world.

"I guess, never thought about that", I answered again.

"Do you see 2 parts of your life - or 1 in ME?" asked JESUS again.

I was thinking - I'm never good at getting the 'right answers' when the LORD
asks me.

JESUS continues, "Don't see your self as spiritual because you read the bible and now worldly because you read the newspaper. You can be in the flesh doing both or in the SPIRIT doing both. Its not what you do or what you don't do, but who you are in ME! Or are you trying to live in the flesh which is trying to live without ME".

Living for youself, or living for others (ME and everyone else).

That was my lesson, and the picture is the exact picture as I saw it when I was
walking out of my kitchen and then heard HIS voice and now you know the rest of the story.

-eric

A haunting question/life and some help.

A Haunting

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I need a little help.

First off I promise I'm not crazy. I have not been alone in some of these 'experiences'.

While I have had strange experiences in my life I have always been able to 'explain' them away but lately that's getting harder to do.

In the last three years a lot of really crazy stuff has been going on around me and I'm just not sure how to stop it.

I've experienced seeing red figures who stand and stare at me (daylight hours and 'disappear' once I notice them, once a man and once a woman. Both were dressed fully in bright red clothing and although I 'saw' them I couldn't tell you what they looked like beyond their genders). Things throwing themselves at me (apples, candles, paper even!). Voices calling my name (not voices I recognize). Sounds that can't be traced to their source (I investigate rather then quietly cower in fear). Even glowing yellow cat eyes in the dark of my hallway when there are no animals in the home (with no explicable light source or reflective surface to explain it away). Many of these experiences have been shared by my roommate (the noises, the figures that disappear, etc).

I'm the world's biggest skeptic but after a year of this I have come to the conclusion that either I'm being followed by 'something' or I'm losing my mind. Clearly the former is the less frightening possibility.

These things aren't occurring only at night or when I'm asleep and startled awake which rules out sleep paralysis, sleep hallucinations, etc. They happen whether I am alone or with others. They are far more violent when I am alone (while in church a candle threw itself across the room and slammed into the wall behind me - things being thrown at me is an experience that I have no witnesses for and quite frankly those experiences were more frightening then the red figures even because they defied all logic). This started three years ago when I moved in with my roommate and has continued through three moves so I don't think this is related to the homes I'm living in.

Ignoring this doesn't seem to help.

I have no idea how to handle this.

I hope this is the right place to ask for some help.

I am going to attempt blessing the home tonight and dedicating it to God. My roommate is Christian also so she's going to assist. We have never blessed our home before so we're not sure how to even go about that but neither of us have attended church since moving in so we have no minister we can call in for assistance

----------------------------------------

Here is the answer we gave:

Take real heart!

It sounds like your friend has something to do with all this.

We've seen demons manifest, and beds shaking and demons appearing (in spirit form) and I tell you they are all defeated at the CROSS.

Note: we are not seeking them, but they manifest when you are helping and praying for people from time to time.
We seek JESUS and HIS GRACE only!

Luke 10: 18-20
18He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Read again those precious promises and victory in Colossians 1 and 2 showing you that satan is defeated. Read them, believe them and ask the HOLY SPIRIT to open your eyes to see more of how lovely, how available and how big JESUS is!

The devils only weapon is deception and it boils down to what you believe.
(or who you are going to believe).

Don't let people tell you its not real. or you need someone -you've got the greatest SOMEONE in the universe inside you!

My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:23

How do you use HIS authority in you?
The authority is over demons never people (thats witchcraft/manipulation)
Speak your rebuke and insist on your victory (even if it doesn't leave right away) you never back down (no matter what it says).

If it speaks tell it to 'shut up in JESUS name' it will stop talking.
Tell it what to do like get out of here and it will go. Sometimes you have to insist because the demon will try to call your bluff - but we aren't bluffing!

I've never seen HIM fail.
Believe and you will receive.
I believe therefore I speak.

-Eric

PS if you want me to call you, or if you think it would help to call me (either way) PM me - if that would help as we are both in Canada. I am open to that, but you've already got what I've got - JESUS!

JESUS is the VICTOR!