Psalms 23
David as we know wrote this Psalm during a time when he was fleeing from Saul. He had been wandering from place to place. He was in exile from his own people and constantly living among strangers, even enemies. His life was continually being threatened. It is an outpouring of David’s confidence in the Lord and trust in His care for him in every moment of his life. In the Lords loving care there would be no reason for David to fear even before his enemies.
In Psalms 91, there is security for the one who trust in the Lord. Psalms 91:1,2- He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!” In this passage there is a key statement, he who dwells in the shelter of the Most High. Those who dwell there are His children, and as we read the rest of this Psalm, we find what we have refuge from.
What do we have to fear in this day and time? Even though things look bleak and we don’t know what tomorrow brings, God is still our refuge; He makes us to lie down in green pastures, restores our soul, and brings us comfort.
Psalms 61, we can have confidence in God’s protection. When we call to Him and our heart is faint, He will hear our cry. He is our strength and our salvation.
READ:
Psalms23, Psalms91, Psalms27: 1-6, Psalms61.
Rev.Jackie Schofield
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Perhaps you might remember many songs that were written by a man named, Charles Wesley, that are sang in fellowships throughout the world—even though many are several hundred years old. Songs, such as: Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O! For a Thousand Tongues, Christ the Lord is Risen Today, and Jesus Lover of My Soul. There are many other songs that were written by Charles Wesley, that you might know, but the old time hymns are such a treasure to the Body of Christ. These songs all have a story and a testimony of the Great Love of Jesus, for each of us all.
Today, I would like to briefly meditate upon the theme of a song called, Jesus Lover of My Soul.
From the cross to the grave, to the grave to that blessed place of abiding rest in our Lord Jesus Christ, there is a world of bliss and gasp at the gaze of our Heavenly Lover of our soul, Jesus, yet to be revealed. I believe, and have witnessed the work of the Holy Spirit cause the Bride of Christ to lift her hands high in worship, with her eyes closed, learning to take one step at a time in deep hunger to gaze upon her Lover. Her heart has been prepared by the Holy Spirit to speak whispers of Love in desire and passion to see her Lover of her soul, in a way that is being heard throughout the land.
In a moment, Jesus will appear to her, and her eyes will be opened, to behold Jesus (through the eyes of faith) and receive deep revelation on His precious Love to her. He is our Bridegroom that is preparing to come out of His chambers, to rejoice like a strong man in a race. His going forth, of His Love for her, goes to every circuit from beginning to end in the heavens, and nothing will be hid concerning His passion for His Bride. (Psalm 19:4-6 KJV) She will walk in newness of strength and Truth, and she will walk in newness of grace in a new level of His Love. For this, I speak what I have seen in secret, and what has been whispered in my ears. (Matthew 10:27 KJV) Her cries of greater intimacy is being heard saying, “I must see Jesus!” continue to bombard the Throne Room Altar (Heb. 4:16 KJV)
I would like us to meditate together and comfort one another tonight, that the Bride of Christ will be a glorious Bride and the Holy Spirit will finish what He started, to prepare us to meet our “Jesus! Lover of our souls.” The great Wedding Feast is not far, dear Beloved Bride! Hallelujah! (Matthew 22)
Song of Solomon 8:6a
“Set Me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm.”
The Wedding Ring
On the top of the wedding ring were beautiful diamonds, and the inside of the wedding ring was pointing westward. The ring was full of Glory and transparent, as even the ring was diamond made throughout it.
Jesus & His Ring
Suddenly, I saw the finger of Jesus go through the wedding ring. His finger was full of Glory and perfectly fit.
Jesus & His Ring
As Jesus put His finger through the wedding ring, out of the tip of His finger I saw members of the Bride go through the inside circular part of the ring. At this time, they were coming out of His fingertip. Continually, one by one, they continued to go through His ring.
Jesus Dances with His Bride
Suddenly, I saw our Lord begin to dance with His Bride, in a heavenly waltz.
It was there the Bride was dressed in a beautiful wedding gown. Upon her head was a veil and a crown. The crown was very humble and feminine as she was sitting down in a chair, decked in humble diamonds to reflect "Jesus, the Lover of her soul." It was there I saw our Lord give to her a brilliant sword full of Light. As she took the sword, it was there I noticed the handle to the sword in which she held.
The handle was rounded at the top, for her hand to go through, like a circle. As well, the handle was full of diamonds that glistened the very Light of Jesus everywhere the sword was turned.
Jesus Gives Out Wine Bottles
It was here the scene changed, Jesus sat upon His horse in Gentleness, and Grace, as His Horse trotted towards the Throne Room area.
It was there that I noticed our Lord dismount His beautiful horse, and walk up towards the multitudes in heaven. As I watched Jesus dismount His horse, I noticed the horse stood gracefully with its reins over its beautiful blue-saddled cloth material.
In the vision I began to see our Lord Jesus begin to give out something in His hands. As I looked closer I noticed in His hands He had many "New Wine Bottles.” As I looked at the face of Jesus He was smiling with great favor upon many people that were there, at the Throne Room Altar. His robe was white, with a beautiful light blue shawl over His shoulders.
As our Lord came closer to the people at the Throne Room Altar, I watched Jesus give out many wine bottles to those present. As I looked at the wine bottles the top of the bottlenecks were long and narrow, and there was a beautiful white seal on the front of the bottles, with gold around the seal on the face of the bottle, right below the bottlenecks.
As I continued to watch our Lord hand the bottles of wine out to the people, I noticed that the seals became an open door, which went deeper into the Throne Room area. It was there that I saw many women coming out of these doors already dressed in brilliant clothes of dance.
In each of the colors of the clothes of the women who danced and worshiped before our Lord, I noticed them to be all multi-colored. For example, one woman in particular had something like an apron around her waist that came down in front of her robe. In the apron were brilliant white pockets and the women had their hair up in a bun.
Upon their heads were beautiful crowns, which looked like Tierra crowns. Each of these women were making a celebration of the Great Dance before the heavenly Throne. Jesus smiled upon them all, as they were dancing quickly working to hand out more bottles of new wine, to give them out for all who were there….
There is more I could write to you today. If our Lord is willing I will write more next time. Let us all be comforted and encourage one another of the precious faith of “Jesus Lover of our soul!” as we continue to Share God’s Dream together.
Love to you in Jesus,
Rev. Lara Phelps
Reverend Mitch Minney
Winds of Change
Winds Of Change is in a constant state of movement. As the Spirit blows around us, we are moved by its current.
At times, the wind is strong and oblivious. Other times it is subtle and barely noticeable. Some of us may feel a breeze while others feel nothing at all. Yet, we are in the same area. The wind is blowing; the Spirit is moving. We cannot create the wind, but we can position ourselves to experience its benefit.
We can observe the landscape, the surface of the water, even the clouds to get an understanding of the strength and direction of the wind. There, we must flow with it. If the leaves are not moving, the water is still and the clouds are calm, then we should wait patiently for the wind with great expectation. The wind will blow; the Spirit will move. Within every believer there is a wind blowing, a river flowing, a fire burning. You may be the first leaf to rustle the first tall reed to lean. You may be the beginning of Change.
If you would like to have any of our ministers speak at your church or ministry you may contact them through Winds of Change Ministry at, office@windsofchangeintl.com .
Shaking the Earth
Hebrews 12:26,27 His voice that time shook the earth to its foundations; this time-he’s told us quite plainly-he’ll also rock the heavens: “One last shaking, from top to bottom, stem to stern.” The phrase “one last shaking” means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the UNSHAKABLE ESSENTIALS stand clear and uncluttered.
Hebrews 12:28 Do you see what we’ve got? An UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM!
We must be thankful, brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. God is not an indifferent bystander, he is actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he will not quit until it is all cleansed. GOD HIMSELF IS FIRE!
Haggai 2:21 I will shake the heavens and the earth.
Haggai 2:22 “And on that day”-this is God’s message- “I will take you… (Insert your name), as my personal servant and I will set you as a signet ring, the SIGN of my sovereign presence and authority. I have LOOKED OVER THE FIELD AND CHOSEN YOU FOR THIS WORK.”
Luke 6:48, 49 Jesus’ words are foundation words, words to build a life on.
If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, NOTHING COULD SHAKE IT; it was BUILT TO LAST!
Jesus goes on to say,’ if you use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like the carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation.
…..it was a total loss.
Foundation
Psalm 102:25 God laid the earths’ foundations a long time ago and handcrafted the very heavens; He will be around even when the foundations are gone.
Proverbs 10:25 When the storm is over, there is nothing left of the wicked; good people firm on their rock foundation, aren’t even fazed.
WHAT TO DO WHEN THE EARTH SHAKES
1. Keep looking and listening for Jesus
Luke 24:13-32 The Road to Emmaus – two of them – long-faced like they had lost their best friend. Jesus comes up and walks beside them, but they were not able to recognize who He was. Jesus begins to POINT to the Scriptures that referred to Him, beginning with the book of Moses. Admonishing them to simply believe what the Prophets had said. Jesus breaks bread with them and their eyes were opened to the Truth. “Didn’t we feel on FIRE as He conversed with us ON THE ROAD, as He OPENED the Scriptures FOR US?”
2. Remember the personal supernatural experiences you had with Him
David encouraged himself in the Lord. Encourage yourself remembering what He has already done in your life!
Prophetic words and visions from Him concerning you.
3. Don’t Panic/ Be strong and steady
Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 24:6 “When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic.” And again in verse 13, “Staying with it – that’s what God requires” and in verse 39 – “stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your master will show up”
Matthew 24:45-46-“Who here qualifies for the job of overseeing…..a person the Master can depend on to feed the workers on time each day. Someone the Master can drop in on unannounced and always find him doing his job. A God blessed man or woman.”
Matthew 25:14-30 don’t bury your talent because of fear!
4. Be a WORD person
Mark13:31 Sky and Earth will wear out but his words will never pass away.
The time to eat is NOW, not when you are in the battle, so learn all that you can. Don’t rely only on what you hear from the Pastor, you need your own intimate time with the Lord and allow Him to teach you and experience him being with you.
5. Listen for His voice
What is the Lord saying concerning these events in the world, in your life?
6. Don’t have faith in the world system.
We need to realize this now, in our current events.
7. John 20:23 Jesus said YOU ARE GIVEN THE POWER TO FORGIVE SINS! And that when you do those sins are gone forever! But if you don’t forgive sins what are YOU going to DO WITH THEM? You must be willing to release the sins from you and those committed against you. If not what will you do with them? They will only make you ill and ineffective in His kingdom. Sin is not a part of Gods kingdom. You can’t carry them in with you.
Reverend Deborah Cain
Cutler, OH. 45724
2009, A Year for Birthing Your Destiny
Happy New Year!
2008 has been a year of transition, moving toward birthing what God wants all of us to minister in 2009.
This January we will begin to see the fruit of our labor. Yes…those whispers that the Lord planted in our hearts are about to be birthed into reality.
I don’t know about you, but my husband Jerry and I have been in some serious birth pangs since 2006. We are strongly feeling a move of God coming in our direction. Wow…could it be a suddenly of God about to happen after what seemed like it took eternity to get here?
There have been prophetic words spoken over me that bears witness in my spirit that I have been holding on to for about seven years now. I know they came from the very breath of God as a reassurance and direction of my calling into the ministry. These are the visions placed in our hearts that are about to be birthed. Hallelujah!
I’m not saying that every part of our calling will unfold this year. I do know that we grow with our ministry. Sometimes we want it all now, but we can’t always handle everything all at once. At years end we look back and notice how far we have come and all that has been accomplished for God‘s glory.
It has been asked, “How do you eat an elephant?…One bite at a time!”
Get ready to start chewing!
I have been asked about 2007, 2008, 2009 of what the Holy Spirit is saying will take place each new year. As I seek the Lord I also look prophetically at the numbers and what they might represent. If we go into God’s word we will find that He speaks in, how many disciples, measures in cubits, how many years and so on.
Numbers have prophetic meanings
#7-complete, Finished, Rest….Genesis 2:1-3
#8-New Beginnings, Circumcision of the flesh,
#9-Fruit of the Spirit, Fruition, Gifts of the Spirit, Harvest, (Also in the natural, birthing of 9 months)….1Corinthians 12:4-1, Galatians 5:22-23
2009 will bring the birth of a mighty move of God as we have never seen before. We will experience the gifts of the Spirit at greater levels this new season of our lives. All we have to do is step into the direction of His calling.
Let me share a dream I had in December 2008.
I dreamed there were three high top chairs before me. One chair my sister Deborah Cain sat on, another my sister Jackie Schofield occupied, and the center chair was for me to climb onto. However, there was a problem….there was a haggard old lady sitting on it. She had no teeth and looked as if she was about to die. This woman had her back to me as in being stubborn and refusing to get off my chair so I could take my place.
I woke up and started to seek the Lord about what was going on in this dream. Of course I had to share with my sisters and they gave me some awesome thoughts of what it all might mean. Still, I needed to understand more about who this old gal was and what she was doing in my chair.
Then the Lord landed something on me that I never dreamed of….she is me!
No, the Lord wasn’t calling me an old bag. He was showing me that there were things in my life that I need to let die. Things that will bring hindrance in this next season of my life.
Many times we try to hold on to what we thought worked in years past, but the Lord wants to bring change in this season of birthing. He is always exciting and innovative, full of freshness.
Revelations 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
John 14:12-14 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
I want you to be encouraged in this new year and look for opportunities to move in new and exciting ways to reach a harvest of lost souls. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirits direction and move in His boldness. To whom much is given, much is required.
As for me, the old lady is going down! I must have a total change of garment for 2009. YAY…I get a new wardrobe.
God bless you on your journey,
Reverend Jennifer Morris
Seasons of my Life
I see throughout the seasons of my life how God brought me through. As a person that believed in God, I went to church and I thought I knew about Jesus Christ. However, today I really see I was not saved by the grace or His precious blood. I had never truly accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. I was just walking through the routines of life.
Today I give my life in the trust of God’s words like Jeremiah 17-7,8, Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
This is God’s promise to me through faith. His grace considers me His beloved son because of the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Looking back in my life I can see where I often stumbled in offending other people in my speech, I was wrong in these things. James 3:9 With our tongue we bless the Lord and the Father and with it we curse man who were made in God's likeness.
God Has planted me as a tree of His choosing, He has designed in me growing deeper that I may be blessed in His glorified plan for His purposes. He helps me to stand strong and sturdy and grows in me everyday in grace as He enriches me as I trust in Him... Another look at God the Planter who planted me right where He wants me towards maturity. God has a purpose for me in my life. He is calling and equipping me to be a tree rooted and refreshed in His love. He planted me to bear fruit through (His word).
Isaiah 61:3 They will be called oaks of righteousness a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.
Looking back at all the seasons in my life, I had to take off my old man and put on a new man which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of my Creator Jesus Christ. In the days to come I will reflect on the different ways God is working in my life to draw me closer to Him in faith and bless me to be a blessing to others. God has planted me for every season and has called me to be a man of faith, trusting in his guidance and protection He will equip me...growing me up deeper and higher in his grace.
In this season of my life, I have no worries because, my father has called me by name and chosen me to be a man who lives by faith. You can trust his promise to work in you and through you to bear the fruit of the spirit in all the seasons of your life. Drink the water that Jesus pours out for you. Ask the spirit to refresh you as Christ has promised, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. (John 7:37-3
I am so grateful for this season of my life as God is constantly changing me, to be more like Him.
Trust your Father to make your fruit grow, and having the privilege of asking God to make you more fruitful for His glory. Jesus said in John 15:5; I am the vine, you are the branches, if a man remains in Me and I in him he will bear much fruit, apart from Me you can do nothing.
Prayer…Today Lord, You are The Lord of my life. I seek You in my heart. My soul thirsts for Your compassion, my body longs for Your healing touch. I cling to You. Hold me tightly in Your gracious hands in every season of my life.
Reverend Bob Strahler
120 Shamrock Dr.
Marietta, OH. 45750
The Voice
If you would like to have any of our Ministers speak at your church or ministry, you may contact them through Winds of Change Ministry at, office@windsofchangeintl.com.
PSALMS 23
Almost everyone, whether religious or not has heard the 23RD PSALM. It is quoted so frequently at funerals, churches and many other gatherings. Many other Psalms are familiar also because there have been worship songs written about them. The Psalms we know and love often come to our minds when we need help from the Lord. They inspire us, comfort us, correct us, and when we need a Word from the Lord the most, they bring us into God's presence. Why? Because most of them start with a praise or thanksgiving. I am sure that most of us can remember a time when one of the Psalms lifted us up and changed our attitude or our thought pattern.
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT:
In order for the Lord to become our Shepherd, we have to relinquish our rights and follow Him wholeheartedly. We have to put our full trust in Him and allow Him to lead us wherever He wants us to go. No matter where He leads us, we just follow...no questions asked.
I SHALL NOT WANT:
That means that everything we have need of, has already been provided. When Jesus said, "It is finished" on the cross, He finished everything we would have need of. We lack nothing in Him.
HE MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES:
He gives us a peaceful place to rest. We should get it in our spirit that God has provided a place for every child to rest and there is no need to struggle, no matter how the storm rages, we are safe. Revelation 7:17 "For the Lord which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all the tears from their eyes.
HE LEADETH ME BESIDE STILL WATERS, HE RESTORETH MY SOUL:
Have you ever been through a trial that almost took you down? I have! He is standing by waiting to restore your soul.Have you ever had a real cold drink of water on a hot day? He wants to be your cool drink of water today. He wants to bring you that refreshing as only He can. He wants to restore to you the things that life has robbed you of. He often went aside to rest and He wants us to lay down beside the cool stream and lay aside all the things that hurt and trouble us; and just spend the day in His presence.
HE LEADETH ME IN PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIS NAMES SAKE:
He don't want us to just lie there in that cool place ( although it is tempting sometimes) He wants us to get up and walk in righteousness. I heard a story of a deer. It said that he knows where all the water holes are and when the dogs and the hunters are chasing him, he knows where to stop and refresh himself for the chase. Have you learned where the refreshing is today?
YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR THOU ART WITH ME:
If we have stopped at all the water holes, and refreshed ourselves...we can literally stare death in the face and never feel afraid.
SURELYGOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE; AND I SHALL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER:
What a wonderful promise! I have heard it said that there is no covering for the back, but I beg to differ with them. I believe that goodness and mercy are two big angels following me everywhere I go. I'll be glad to share them with you.I have been told that the humming bird is so small and fragile, and when he needs to fly south for the winter; he just burries himself up in the goose's down and hitches a free ride. I would like to encourage you to just bury yourself up in Jesus today, go wherever He takes you. You might be in for a wonderful suprise!!
God is wanting the church to get their feet firmly planted and stop falling apart at every little trial. We need to put on the whole armour of God so that when the trials come; we can stand.
Read: Jeremiah 12:5
Dr. Wanda R. Reeves
Witnesses of the Truth
God has raised this Jesus to life and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. Acts 2:32-33
These were the words spoken by the Apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost. Holy Spirit was visibly and audibly poured out on the newborn church, the promise of a friend like Jesus, who would be with them and in them forever.
Acts 2:17-18 describes the effects that the Holy Spirit has upon believers. God says, He will pour out His Spirit on all people, those who have called upon His Name no matter the nationality, no matter their sex, no matter their age. Sons and daughters prophesy, not just sons. Young men see visions, and the old men dream dreams, seers among us. He pours out His Spirit on those that serve Him, men and women both, and they prophesy.
As you have probably noticed along with a promise is action produced as the promise arrives. The scripture is clear that the friend, the comforter, has an effect on believers, the church. Here we see what should be, a body that hears and sees what the Father is doing through the Holy Spirit indwelling them and are affected by Him. Is the Holy Spirit of God having effect in me? Do I have dreams, have vision and visions, and am I a seer? Am I a hearer and am I a doer also? Do I prophesy, speak out what I see the Lord showing me, and what I am hearing?
As you read Acts 2, you will note that what was happening to the church was visible to all, was audible to all. We are witnesses of the truth; the truth is Jesus is alive and is dwelling in believers through the Holy Spirit. Now in these times when lines of the truth are being so easily erased, it is as important as ever to be His light. In the days ahead let us be those whom the demonstration of His power and love is seen in. He has poured out in us the promised Holy Spirit, now let Him be seen and heard in us.
Reverend Deborah Cain
If you would like to have Deborah Cain speak at your church or ministry you may contact her through the address above, Winds of Change Ministry at, office@windsofchangeintl.com, or email Deborah at Revdeborah@hotmail.com. _______________________________________________________________________
Faith Is
Faith is always past tense never present tense. The word Faith is not
believing it’s already believed!
I find it so amazing that when you switch on a light that the light will
come on, you just know it will because of the faith you have and the knowledge to know that’s how it works, even though you can't see the electric going through it...you just know that's how it works.
Then why is it so hard to have faith and knowledge about our Lord and his love for us, and we still question His love? Why do we still forget that God is our father and we can go to Him at any given time and talk to him? Do we forget what faith is? Are we so simple-minded that our lips move when we ask Him into our lives, and it’s not really from the heart? Or are we just going through the motions of Christianity?
Faith works just like that light switch, you ask God to come into your life (that’s the switch being turned on) then if you really mean it ( that's the electric going through it) then faith is believed that it’s done (the light is on) so when have faith in God for anything and truly believe it in your heart and ask it in Jesus name it is already done.
Jesus said in John 14:12-14,
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
So turn on the power and believe in Him and see if He doesn’t give you the desires of your heart.
Pastor Deloris Strahler
________________________________________________________________________
Jesus Plays His Violin
Reverend Lara Phelps
Greetings in the Name of Christ!
May the joy of the Lord be upon you and your household. Fortunately for us, we have been adopted into a home where joy and peace is abundant. Our heavenly Father and His son, our Savior, overflow with happiness and pleasure. We are told in Hebrews chapter one that Jesus has been anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows. That means he is the happiest of all of us! What do happy people do? They sing. Jesus sings a lot. In chapter 2 of Hebrews we read that he sings the praises of his Father. We also learn that Jesus is not ashamed to be called our brother! We are one big happy family. Psalm 16 tell us that there are pleasures at God's right hand forever more.
I realize we have challenges and disappointments. We experience circumstances that do not exactly make us want to jump for joy. These are the moments, however, when the pleasures of Yaweh's love are the most powerful for us. This is when we begin to sing with our elder brother Jesus..Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!...
Through our tears of pain and hurt the sacrafice of praise carries the sweetest aroma to our Heavenly Father. He will be swift to respond to our worship. It is comforting to know that such a powerful being has a heart that is for us and not against us. It is comforting to know that His anger has been detoured away from us because of the cross of Jesus. While it is true He will find it necessary to disipline us from time to time, we have this confidence that it is truly from a heart of love and will be followed by a big hug.
So then, live every day with this truth. Our God is a joyful God. He is mostly glad, not mad or sad. And you are the one who makes Him smile!
It has been wonderful to receive articles from several of our readers. We are happy to share them in the newsletter. We would also like to thank Sis. DeWitt for her gift which will help toward the newsletter. You can read your newsletter online by going to www.windsofchangeintl.com and click on fgcc. We also have pictures of those who write. You can send us a picture of yourself and your article by e-mail or by regular mail. Any news is good news
A Great Army of Women
In the past we have seen a stream of women pioneers in the ministry. Mariah Etter, Amiee Semple McPherson, Joyce Meyer, just to name a few. Also there have been many not so well known women who have been and are being used by God as well. The message I want to share with all of you is that what has begun as a stream is about to become a FLOOD!
PSALM 68:11
The Lord gives the word, and a great army(or a host of women) brings the good news. (New Living Translation)
The Lord announced the word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it. (New International)
The women that published the tidings are a great host.(American Standard)
The Lord gave the word; thousands called out the good news(Message Bible)
The Lord is looking for alot of proclaimers of His good news! What is this good news? The answer is in verse 12. Enemy kings and armies flee, while the women of Israel divide the plunder! The Lord Himself is fighting for us. He is destroying every stronghold the enemy has built against us, this includes believers around the world. We have the VICTORY and share the plunder, taking back from the enemy what has been stolen! That is our families, our children, our churches, our spouses AND our VOICE!!!
We are coming into a time of women being used by God like never before. The Lord has a army, a company of women that has yet to be revealed. We as women must hear the Lord's rallying cry. Our inheritance is among our brothers in the Army of the Lord. We are not second to anyone. Women, you need to know this because that women have had a history in the church, of giving up their birthright. But in Christ the dividing wall has been done away with! In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, bond nor free. YOU are a MESSENGER!!!!!!!!!!!! Christ has done away with division!!
You have right to be who he has created you to be and take your place in this great army. Find the order He has placed you in. There is a gift that is crying out to be used by God in you. Don't look at this gift as large or small, important or not, but rather as an instrument that God Himself is proclaiming through. Find yourself in the scriptures, who are you like, but know that the Lord custom makes each gifting to be as unique as you are.
In verses 7-10 of this psalm, the declaration is made that God Himself went out before His people. When you marched through the wasteland, the EARTH SHOOK, the HEAVENS poured down RAIN....You gave abundant SHOWERS. This blessing refreshed His inheritance and FROM HIS BOUNTY, provided for the poor! God is refreshing His inheritance(that is you)He is pouring out rain in buckets(Message Bible). That is alot, not just a little bit! Are you ready to be saturated?And then are you ready to be poured out as His messenger? From His bounty He will provide for the poor. He needs willing vessels to contain Him so he can be distributed to as many who have need. are you willing? To help others to come and dine? This is not just for you to recieve, but also for you to share!!
You may need to be restored. Restored to the truth about your position in Christ. Psalm 68:13 says in King James Version, Though ye have lien among the pots, yet ye shall be as the wings of a dove covered with silver and her feathers with yellow gold. He is not talking kitchen utensils here! Lien -means to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, deceased or any other purpose). Among the pots- means a double stall, also a two pronged hook (for flaying animals on). Now you may have stood along side and watched as others sacrificed or may have been separated because of being female. You may have been flayed and stripped of you covering, or just given up and quit! YET you shall be as the WINGS of a DOVE!!
This is Holy Spirit language! YOU ARE COVERED(God will veil, incase, protect and overlay you with HIMSELF!!) with silver and your feathers(YOU ARE MEANT TO FLY) with yellow gold! The GLORY of GOD himself!!! He is your armor! The enemy has been defeated it is time to get up and GET IN!
Rev. Deborah Cain
3464 Burnett Rd. Cutler, OH. 45724
If you would like to have Deborah Cain speak at your church or ministry you may contact her through the address above, Winds of Change Ministry at, office@windsofchangeintl.com, or email Deborah at, Revdeborah@hotmail.com.
A few months ago the Lord told me to start a women's ministry and call it 'Sisters'. I did and it is going very well. It's about God first, then loving each other. This sharing group of women have become very close sisters in Christ. No matter whether you are rich or poor, big, skinny,black or white or different denomination, we are all sisters in the Lord.
The ministry has branched off into four other ministries. Spiritual interpretive dance, praise and worship leading, intercessory prayer and health and exercise. People are breaking out of their comfort zones into unity and peace. For several years the Lord has spoken to me about unity and love but I did not understand what He wanted. Now I understand. How can we say we love the Lord and do not take the time to love our brothers and sisters. How can we say we love our neighbor but don't know who our neighbor really is? The Lord reminds me that it is not about me but about Him. This is why He took me out of my comfort zone, encouraged me to begin a womens ministry and emphasize Love and Unity. It was difficult to grasp why the Lord wanted to use me (a nobody) with no experience, and no college degree. I am a people person, I love people and like to be loved and isn't that what most of us want? If you want to take back your joy which the devil tries to steal. then go to church, get involved with a group, love your brothers and sisters and be a family, the Lord's family. He will take care of you in all things. He will not let you down. He will pick you up to the highest high for He loves you more than you can imagine.
Love to all who reads this
Pastor Deloris Strahler
IT IS ALL ABOUT CHANGE!
I would like to share some highlights in my life that I feel were important in bringing change. God has worked many times in my life yet I couldn't see it.
How many of us,once we are saved,truly change in our hearts and souls from our old lives and habits? Our old ways of thinking, doing things our own way thinking we know it all.We leave God and His holy spirit out of the process. We can have a difficult time breaking away from bad things because of our fleshly way of life we are so accustomed to living. We have a foot in the world and a foot with God and yet we know He is calling us to change from our ways to His will.
Our lives are like the seasons. As we grow older we experience the different changes. Just look back at your childhood to where you stand now. See how The Father has changed you. Of course we make the ultimate decision in our life. Then God, like a doting father watches us. He picks us up when we fall down and cleans up after us. He helps us through the seasons in our lives because He loves us. Proving His love by giving Jesus to die for us.
As a young child I had a difficult time with my school work. Math and english did not come easy and I was poor at reading. My parents were always on me to do better. Mom and dad were wonderful christian parents and were only trying to help. At the age of thirteen my schooling had not improved. However, summer break was great. I got a job working on a vegetable farm. A job I worked for five years. Over the course of these years I worked with men who gave me a different type of education. This education I had no problems learning.I picked up bad habits such as cussing. I did not realize till later the hold Satan had on me from these experiences. I had great respect for my parents and always wanted to be like my dad. Now my spirit grieved because I knew how disappointed he would be with the bad habits I had acquired during this early season of my life.
A new season began for me when I entered a catholic high school.
There were nuns there who took the time to tutor me every evening after school hours.They had a very positive influence which I now see was the hand of God.This season flowed into another as I found myself traveling the country as a laborer and bricklayer building industrial silos. Living in hotels, I would be the designated driver as I took my five working companions, all alcoholics, out drinking and back to the hotels. Working as high as 300 feet, I had several close calls with death but God got me through. Even while being with these worldly men I knew God was in me. I knew Jesus but obviously something was missing. I had a car, a motorcycle and a girlfriend. I found it difficult to give up this compromised lifestyle.
At twenty one I decided to get off the road so I left Birmingham Ala. and went home to Marietta, Ohio. I joined the police force. After dealing with the public and a police chief harassing me for three years, I quit the force on Oct.2 and was hired at the local B.F. Goodrich factory Oct.3 where I worked for38 years. This was in 1966. I also married the girl I had dated since I was sixteen. We had two beautiful daughters whom we raised in the Catholic faith. I was still living a worldly lifestyle but a new season was beginning.
My brother had a son graduating so we went to Houston, Texas to visit them. The graduation was part of a Baptist church so we attended church every night that week. These baptists had something I didn't have but I desired. Their relationship with God was so alive and real. As a catholic man I did not feel like I could go forward during the alter calls. On Friday night the pastor asked if anyone else wanted to be saved to just raise their hand so I did. After service he came to me and asked if I wanted to be saved. I told him yes and explained my catholic background. We went to a back room where I knelt down to pray and wow! The holy Spirit came into my heart and my spirit. I wept for the first time in over 34 years. I was so happy. I knew in my heart, mind and soul that Jesus died for me in my place at calvary and my name was in the lambs book of life. As wonderful as all this was, I still needed more changes. I still had lingering habits in my life. A new season was coming.
In 1986 an accident at work resulted in my back being broke. I was bedfast and lived on pain pills for a long time. Then my wife came home after work one day and told me she wanted a divorce. For the next year I was in pain and depression not wanting to live. I was tempted to take my life but God had other plans for me. I was His child.I went through drug rehab to break my addiction to the pain killers and physical therapy and rehabilitation for my back injury. I was finally able to return to work. I am so thankful that my heavenly Father walked me through this long dark and difficult season of my life.
The next season brought joy as I met the love of my life, Delores. Our marriage brought happiness but not without challenges. Delores had three sons from a previous marriage, two whom lived with us and I learned to love as my own. Delores ex-husband was a quadrapelegic, injured in Viet Nam. He was a friend of mine and I liked him very much. Delores and I cared for him the last seven years of his life. We both loved him and miss him still today.
After 12 years had past, Delores' middle son,who was still quite young, had a daughter. We adopted her and raised her as our own. Alexis is now 11. Delores and I have learned through these seasons that we must completely give our lives over to God. He is constantly changing us in preparation for the next season.
We attended a church with a pastor who was a wonderful teacher. The church was great, the people were great.We learned more and more about what God had to offer us. We then helped plant a new church with three ministers. This process taught us more. We began learning about pastoring and ministering. After two years we began attending the Marietta Celebration Center. It was nearer our home and was also a great local church with friendly people and great pastor. We also began bible schooling in preperation for the ministry. This was made available thru the Full Gospel Church of Christ which we learned about from two friends, Mitch and Lena. We met these two ministers through our previous pastor whom we helped with the church plant, Jennifer Morris, who is also licensed by FGCC. The Lord had a plan during each season.
The seasons brought winds of change to our lives, changes that brought the ability to minister to others. My wife Delores started a womens group at our church which has been well accepted. She loves giving her life to God and to the women with the desire to bring unity to all.
As for me, I did not think I was worthy enough or smart enough to amount to much. I was a poor school student but great at worldly ways. Not the ingredients for a good minister. Yet God had a plan for me. I couldn't see it but my Heavenly Father was inching me along toward the goal. He loves all of us and will help you if you ask Him and believe He will help.
I would get up early and work on our ministry schooling books with Delores at my side. She and God are my big motivators. School work is still not easy for me. My wonderful wife and pastors Jennifer, Lena and Mitch all encouraged me that God had a place for me, a ministry out there some where. Through bible academics and working with our Pastor, Gordie Deere at the Celebration Center, as well as other acts of accountability, my wife and I received our ministers license and ordinations from FGCC.
THE CURRENT SEASON
I have volunteered as a chaplain at the Hospital. I know this is where God wants me. It is also challenging. I am able to comfort the sick and the dying by the power of the Holy Spirit. I also received more training by the head chaplain who showed great paitence with me. Many people I can pray with just like I am at a full gospel church. Other times people need special prayers. I meet many Catholics who are comforted by the Catholic prayers. Well, after 44 years of Catholic background and being tutored by nuns I do just that for them. They are so happy and pleased,and to hear it from a chaplain! It is not just the sick who need attention but also their families. The Holy Spirit directs my steps. All my seasons have prepared me for dealing with people, saved,unsaved,worldly,dying, laying in pain, even family members.
Yes, I have had many seasons in my life but the best change I made was giving my life truly to God and doing what he wants me to do. I learned so much about the bible taking the schooling to be a pastor. I am so happy for the loving people that has taught me and our church family. What a change in Delores and my life this has all made. What more could a person want than to have the Lord walking with you every day and guiding you in everything you do.
Look at your life. Look at the changing seasons. Can you guess what God is preparing you for? Have you changed from your old habits and worldly ways? Are you still in process? Winds of change are still blowing!
Rev.Bob Strahler
Volunteer Chaplain
Follow His Lead
Genesis 19 teaches us how Lot had an opportunity to lead his family out of destruction by the pleading that Abraham did to the Lord. Sodom and Gomorrah would be destroyed and all who remained would perish. As a result God had allowed two of His angels to be sent as their deliverers. Their mission was to warn Lot to take his family out of the city and go to a place where God would send them.
As Lot tells his family his son-in-laws make light of the situation and believe he is joking and refuse to go with them as they leave.
I often think about if Lot had son-in-laws then he would have daughters that were married and more-than-most-likely he would also have grandchildren. How sad to know that they would be left behind and be destroyed. This might have been part of Lot's reason for his own hesitation of leaving or even part of Mrs. Lot's turning back to look when told not to. These are my thoughts not - the Word of God.
The episode goes on....
Genesis tells us he has a wife and two virgin daughters. If you've read these passages, then you know that there was great evil being entertained in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, hence the reason for their destruction.
When the angels came to Lot's house the men of Sodom wanted to do evil things to them thinking they were human men visiting.
Lot tells them not to touch his visitors but instead he offered his
virgin daughters to the men of the city to have their way with them. Lot knew his company was sent from the LORD, but to offer his daughters!!!! (HELLO????)
Did he not think that if the LORD whom saw fit to send deliverers to rescue him and his family, would He not also save the angels also if need be?
Many times I think we today are just like this. God makes ways for us when we find ourselves in situations needing to be delivered out of and not only for sin reasons. Maybe its time to move on because He has another direction for us.
We may think this sounds good, but did He really mean He would handle the details or should I look for another way to stall while I figure this all out. I might have a better way of making things work..hmm!
Well back to the story .. The time comes for them to get out of Sodom before the great destruction is to takes place and Lot lingers. Lot is tied to his possessions and the comfort of Sodom. The angels grab his hand and the hands of his wife and their two virgin daughters and lead them out of the city.
The LORD says to hurry, escape for your life and neither look back nor stay anywhere in the surrounding plains but go up to the mountains.
When Lot hears these words he begins to barter with the angels wanting to go to a small city called Zoar and finally sets his own destination.
As they ran to Zoar fire and brimstone fall upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and Lot's wife looks back and becomes a pillar of salt.
It is hard to go into the unknown not knowing what lies ahead. I'm sure she was thinking about all she had to leave behind, family, friends, possessions and the comfort of their home. Moving in another direction is not always easy. God many times closes doors to what we know but He is always faithful to open new doors.
I am in such a place at this time.
Oh, did I say that the second door He opens doesn't always open right away? God has his own time clock, so we may find ourselves waiting.
I always say it is like being in a long hallway, at times it seems as
though we will never find a way out. It is sometimes hard to wait on God's timing.
But God is faithful and He is not a man and He cannot lie. His promises are forever.
He is just working some things out of us that we cannot carry into the next level of our walk.
In this time of what seems like an eternity of waiting and trying to be patient, questioning ourselves on, did I really hear from God? Did He really say go?
We may be with our family, but what about our church family? Will we see them again?
It is important to stay focused on God and not to look back at where we came from because we may be tempted to go back to what is familiar. It's not easy stepping out into the unknown where we may find ourselves totally out of our comfort zone and feeling totally out of control.
WOW...That's where I have found myself! I have also been warned like the Lot family that it was time to move and in this move I will have to totally trust God. This word was given to me prophetically by several others and also in dreams to my husband and myself. That I would find myself totally feeling out of control and vulnerable.
This place seems to have come full force. YAY! This to me says that the door is ready to open!
(By-the-way, I say "I", because of myself being called to preach. My husband, Jerry is like okay, whatever God wants I will follow along as long as I can follow and I will support my wife all the way. My husband and I are in this together.)
As we go through this walk it is important not to look back, but stay focused. Then follow His lead and save ourselves a lot of headaches.
Remember Lot didn't want to go to the mountains; he wanted to go to Zoar? He thought they would have more safety in the city, not realizing that the LORD would protect them wherever they would be.
Well, later he and his daughters did go to dwell in a cave on the
mountain, not God's timing but Lot's timing. He now finds himself in another mess with his daughters. You can read about it at the end of chapter 19.
If Lot would have trusted the LORD at this time of his life, or anytime of his life, things would have turned out much better for him and his family.
God is a grace-giving God. I know because He has delivered me out of, led me out of, and worked with me in my disobedience and obedience. He still wants to use me no matter what, even though at times I think things should happen in my timing. Praise His Holy Name!
God will never lead us into a place that He has not already equipped us to walk in. Sometimes we may find ourselves in the "Hallway" waiting for the next door to open. Remember, if that is where you are, He is probably working things out of you that cannot be carried through the next phase of your life. Trust that He has a plan and a purpose for each and every one of us. He hasn't forgotten us and He will deliver us on time. He is an on time God!
God bless you on your journey,
Rev. Jennifer Morris
1150 Jonestown Rd.
St. Marys, WV 26170
If you would like to have Jennifer Morris speak at your church or ministry you may contact her through the address above. She may also be reached through, Winds of Change Ministry at, office@windsofchangeintl.com, or bythe_blood@yahoo.com.
What I am hearing from people here lately is where is the love? In this day and time and the condition that the world is in, more than any, the world is in desperate need of love! What I am seeing in the church is a lot of Christians looking down their noses at a lost and dying world.
If we look at 1 Corinthians, the love chapter, we find that it does not matter what kind of gifting we walk in, if we do not walk in love we are nothing. There is so much judgement, unforgiveness, strife, offence, and bitterness in the church today that the world wants nothing to do with it.
1 Corinthians 13 the love chapter :v 1: If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. V 2: And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. V 3: And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
If we look at what love is in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, We see what Christians should be. The ultimate is the manifestation of love, not the speaking in tongues. The word charity or love is agape, that self-giving divine love, which emanates from God and is to be seen, reflected in believers. It is the love which is concerned for others rather than self and which should govern the practice of all the spiritual gifts.
In Philippians 2, We are to be like Christ!
Phil.2: 1-5, If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interest, but also for the interest of others. Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus.
In summary, if we submit ourselves fully and humbly to God, and stepping into the fullness of Christ, and allowing the Holy Spirit to pour out His love through us we will reach a lost and dying world, when the world sees the glory of God in us they will be drawn to His presence. When we put away all selfishness and judgement, and when we have a concern for others and regard others more important than ourselves there is nothing left but love!
Remember, God Loves us so much that He gave us the very Best that He had, He gave us Jesus, and through Jesus we became sons and daughters, according to Ephesians 1: 4-7, He chose us before the foundation of the world, He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, and His grace He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. And in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His Grace.
Rev. Jackie Schofield
Dennis & Jackie Schofield 33550 Perry Run Rd. Long Bottom, Oh. 45743
If you would like to have either Dennis or Jackie speak at your church or ministry you may contact them through the address above. They also may be reached through, Winds of Change Ministry at, office@windsofchangeintl.com ,
d.schofield@earthlink.net, or jackie_schofield@yahoo.com.Hello Mitch & Lena,
There is an old saying that is so true when it comes to the heart of family, "A family that stays together prays together." Yet, in all of our local fellowships "Why do we have families that struggle to stay together, at times?" I believe that marriage is Holy and that God intended marriage to be between a man and a woman. I love a dream that Joseph had in Genesis 37 where he was telling his family that the "Sun and the moon and the stars bowed down to him". Yes, I do believe that there is a Spiritual meaning in this allegory how Joseph represented Jesus, however "Joseph's father said something profound." Infact, Joseph's father was very trained in interpretation of dreams, whose name was Jacob. Never the less, Jacob replied, "What is this saying? Shall thy mother and I and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?" Genesis 37:10 Jacob pondered the dream meaning to represent the following, and though the dream represented each member of the family.
If you think about a man being like the 'sun', it is a profound symbology in the language of the Holy Spirit. God anoints men; in an apostolic way to bring order to the kingdom, and nourishment to the kingdom by the way, they abide and 'shine' in our Lord Jesus. Men rule very different in the kingdom because they rule by what they 'see' in every area of life. They grow in God's Glory by being declarers of how God is moving, and what is doing, and what God is saying. Oh! A real woman wants a real man! He has learned how to declare the beauty of God, by communication, even into the heart of a woman as her means of edification. (Perhaps that is why the Body of Christ is discovering the Song of Solomon such a time of deep intimacy in this hour. Let HIM kiss me with the kisses of His mouth. Song of Solomon 1:1 A real woman loves to hear her man talk in sweet, pure words, to her.)
If you go out on a clear day you will see the moon next to the sun--but, nobody really notices it. The moon, or the woman, helps her man by and through intercession, and encouragement while he rules and declares in the things of the day. She can easily submit to God's workings in her man's life, because he knows his place in God. A woman rules in her fullness, at night as she 'shines' the glory of our Lord. She does not rule by what she 'sees' she rules by what she 'hears.' A woman's greatest form of intimacy is communication; perhaps that is why the Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God." She is intuitive and insightful, prophetic, in the kingdom of heaven. This is how she declares God's rule in the earth. She is also a profound 'seer' into the kingdom how she rules and reigns. It does not matter where I go I follow this simple principle. If I see a man walk up before me in a check out lane, I will let him go first. It might sound a little old fashioned, but being a woman of God I know my place in ruling and reigning. I would prefer that I have a male boss, simply because a male boss in the work place 'sees' detail. Of course, when a man and woman know their place they understand that a woman was not made to be a man, nor--was a man made to be a woman. This type of reign and rule in God's kingdom is out of order, and the 'stars' or the children will be under constant attack of the enemy. In closing, I would like to share with a vision I had of our Lord that was inspired by a simple prayer, "Holy Spirit? What would you like me to pray for today?"
Jesus, Our Mediator of Marriage-Prophetic Title
Pray for marriages--Prophetic Theme
In the beginning of my vision, I saw our Lord carrying a cross upon His right shoulder, walking in the midst of earth. Our Lord was dressed in a beautiful blue, white robe that was full of Glory. In my vision I pondered, "What are you doing Jesus?" As the vision continued I saw our Lord place the cross into the earthen soil, and it stood uprightly and He knelt to pray, at the foot of the Cross. To the back of our Lord's right shoulder stood a man, in outer darkness--pacing the blackened sky. The man would walk back and forth, and look to the cross, and then his eyes would come off the cross, repeatedly. Jesus never moved, but continued to pray at the foot of the cross. Jesus never looked to the man, but continued to pray. In my vision, I immediately knew the Holy Spirit wanted me to pray for the salvation of this man, and return to the cross. For almost fifteen minuets, I was in intercession with our Lord for one single man.
Suddenly, I saw the man return to the cross, kneel, and pray. The man did not know that our Lord was there on the other side of the cross. The men knelt and wept, and wept even more. All the sudden I saw our Lord reach His hands out from under each peg of Calvary's boards and embrace the man. For the first time, this man's spirit was full of the Light of Jesus--totally transformed by His Love, and Jesus and the man became one.
Jesus Stands as the Marriage Covenant
At this time, the scene changed and this same man was standing in wedding attire with his wife in front of a pulpit where our Lord stood. It was here Jesus was the Minister to Marriage, and the Covenant to Marriage to each of them. The attire of Jesus was much brighter and a different cloak was over His shoulders in the color of deep red. Jesus read from a scroll that laid over the top of the pulpit area to the man and woman. At this time, a beautiful dove came out of the scroll that was full of Light and went forward from where Jesus and the couple were standing. I knew in my heart, this was a prophetic time in my life to pray for restoration of marriages. Immediately, Jesus placed His Loving hand on the head of the man and he was slain in the Spirit. While this man laid on the Throne Room area floor, our Lord walked over to the woman and reached deep within her heart to minister healing. Lovingly, I watched this woman's pulsating heart turn from deep multicolored wounds into a beautiful blood red, heart--full of the fullness of Lord Jesus Christ Love and healing. It was there, Jesus placed the heart back into the woman's chest cavity, and man was now standing beside her. Our Lord laid His hands upon them both, and I watched them engage in a Heavenly Waltz of renewal of God's Covenant--Jesus, the Marriage Covenant.
In short, let us learn how to rule in reign in the kingdom of heaven as God's prophetic men and women. Let us be humbly reminded, that marriage is between a man and woman. Men are like the 'sun' and women are like the 'moon'; may the harvest of these Last Days bring many children 'stars' into the kingdom of heaven. Let us pray for strong marriages, and family values in our local fellowships. More importantly, let us pray that families are strong (along with local fellowships) when we realize Jesus as Our Marriage Covenant.
Sharing God's Dream,
Rev. Lara Phelps
Pastor Mitch Minney
Greetings dear brothers and sisters,
I hope this letter finds you prosperous and in good health.
It was encouraging to hear from Rev. Venita Weed in Ceres Ca. What a wonderful testimony to the keeping power of the Holy Spirit who strengthens us to keep the faith and share this Good News for as many years as we are able.
We will share her letter so all of us might be stirred to good works in Christ.
Bishop Wanda Reeves is also a tenacious warrior in the ministry of this gospel. As many of you know, she has stood in faith against various attacks on her health. We praise God with her for her victories and fight with her for the battles not yet won.
In spite of these challenges, Bishop Wanda remains in high spirits and is marching on. When I last spoke to her she was having a problem with her vision and could not read. During the same time, her Pastor suffered a broken leg which disabled him from taking the pulpit for Sunday Services. The responsibility fell to Bishop Wanda. She was tempted at first to excuse her self due to her poor eyesight. However, a scripture came to her, which her daughter-in-law read for her. The Holy Spirit motivated her to persevere through these difficult circumstances and to preach the Sunday sermon even if someone else had to read the scripture text. Praises to our great God. Bulldog faith. Let us all learn to never give up!
______________________________________________________
WORSHIP
Have you ever been in one of those church services where the saints went wild in their worship?
People jumping, yelling, flailing, crying, laughing, bumping into things, falling over each other, running in circles, laying out on the floor.
I have been in lots of these meetings. It puts me in mind of pet dogs I’ve seen. When the dogs sense their master is near; they hear a car in the driveway; the owner’s voice; a key in the door lock; these pets go wild! They’re jumping, yapping, barking, whining, bumping into things, falling over each other, running in circles. When the master walks in, the dogs nearly knock him over jumping up on him. The owner picks the dog up or kneels down if it’s large and the pets go crazy kissing and licking the master’s face, neck, hands… and the master loves it. He enjoys the wild, crazy, unrestrained affection. After the pets wear themselves out with the enthusiastic greeting, you can usually find them curled up in the lap or at the feet of their master.
Well, guess what? The Father seeks such to worship him.
John 4:23. It is true. Yahweh, God desires us to worship him in spirit (the very core of our being) and in truth.
I looked up the word worship in the Strong’s concordance for this particular verse. It is a combination of three Greek words which literally means ...To move toward or approach with the intention to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand, to crouch or prostrate ones self to do reverence or adore…
Amazing!!
I realize there are many people outside the church who are put off and even disgusted by our display of affection for our God and Savior. Many church folk are also embarrassed for us and by us. The truth is however, that if they knew the depths of darkness that Jesus rescued me from and the wonderful gifts of life that he has blessed me with instead of the punishment I deserved…They would have a better understanding why I start jumping, yelling, flailing, crying, laughing, bumping into things, falling over people and running in circles…I’m excited…my master is near….I want to lick his face…And he loves it!!!______________________________________
Pastor Venita Weed
Greetings, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for the Voice and all of the articles of encouragement each month. I look forward to these each month and always enjoy them. Somehow, it helps me to get to know each one who writes them. I Think a little of their own personality and love for God comes through. I thought I would tell you a little about myself so when you send me the Voice again you will know a little more about me.
Since December 10th, I have been a Christian 57 years. I was 26 years of age when Jesus saved my husband and I both at the same time. We were saved in the Pastors home in Bakersfield California. We began to work in almost every Phase of Ministry of the Church. I started out as my sister’s assistant in the "Beginners Class". I then went on to the Primary Class and from there I learned as I studied and prepared to teach them as I found out it to be true. " A little child shall lead them." While trying to explain " The Trinity" to them one Sunday morning, a young girl- (Missionary’s Daughter) spoke up and said, "Sister Weed it is like this, an egg is an illustration, it is one egg but has three distinct parts the shell, the white and the yolk". I never forgot that lesson and have used it many times since.
I went from the Primary Class to the Junior Class, then to the Intermediate Class, The Teens Class and Sunday school Superintendent for the Primary Department. From there, I went to the Extension Department of the Church, Teaching and ministering in one of the local hospitals, Young Peoples Leader and Adult Bible Teacher.
My Husband worked in the Ministry of Sunday school Superintendent, Song Leader and as part of the Jail Ministry. We also worked in the Ministry our Church did at the Rescue Mission. We spent around nine or ten years working in the local Church and this prepared us for being Pastors. We were Pastors in Northern California. My Husband had to retire when he was
Fifty-nine years of age because of health problems. We then worked in the Churches we attended, as Sunday school Superintendent, Song Leader (today would be called Worship Leaders), Adult Bible Teachers and wherever we were needed.
I will be eighty-three years of age July the 3rd and find no place for retirement. I still teach the Adult Bible Class, Preach and Sing.
"The Blessings and Strength of my precious Lord has been abundant. He has enabled, strengthened and faithfully kept me and I marvel at his love, patience and longsuffering for although I have failed and blown it and messed it up terribly at times. He has never once given up on me but patiently, lovingly, disciplined and molded me. I have found in the last two or three years it seems his word is clearer and open than ever before. I believe this just proves that he is coming soon. In addition, he desires to bring Revival to his chosen people and pour out his Holy Spirit in a great manner as never before. I want to be n on this and see America turn back to God. I do not know how much longer I will be here, but as Peter said in 2nd Peter Chapter 1: "Moreover I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them and be established in the present truth. Yes I thin it necessary as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up by way of remembrance. Verse 15 says this is my prayer and endeavor for I wish to leave behind me that rich spiritual inheritance for my children, grandchildren, and great =great. So I say with Peter,, "Moreover I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. "For while I am here by the Grace and strength of our Lord, I want to work for him as long as possible. I believe it is so important to leave behind a "Rich Spiritual Inheritance" for the generation coming up.
First we must possess "The Land" ourselves, then build for God and leave it a rich productive land for them as in1st Chr. Chapter 8 and 2nd Chr. 1st through the 7th chapters. This also comes by constantly building those altars of rededication and consecration, as we read in several passages of the scriptures starting with Gen.8, 20 and 21 I intend to preach a message soon on "Rebuilding Altars". For I found such a relevant vital subject as I began reading, the bible through for this year as so many of the Patriarchs did in their walk with God. It is a glorious study concerning particular altars that these servants of the "Most High God built in times of travel, suffering, times of severe trial and also in time of Great Rejoicing and Worship."
God Richly Bless you in your Ministry for Him.
Your Servant in Christ,
Venita Weed
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Minister Laura Phelps
Hello Mitch & Lena,
God bless you both for your labors of Love in the going forth of The Voice Editions, that you send out to us. What a blessing it is to read how the Holy Spirit is working in the lives of those who share with us.
From beginning to end, Genesis to Revelation, the Holy Spirit has a goal. That is, "To present one heart at a time Jesus." Not only does He want the Bride to hear our Lord in intimate commune, but He wants to open our Spiritual eyes to see Jesus. Spiritual Sight, for me, has been a process in the Secret Place as the Holy Spirit has me as His disciple in the School of Prayer. As I continue to practice His presence in the Secret Place I grow in awe of the Person of the Holy Spirit, revealing to me Jesus. I would like to share a vision with the saints that changed my life, of intimacy with our Lord. The impact of the vision had me literally singing the whole Book of the Song of Solomon, eight small chapters, in spontaneous new songs of the heart. I entitle the name of the vision: Jesus & His Bride, the Great Love Feast.
Jesus & His Bride, the Great Love Feast
As I was in the Secret Place of worship and prayer the Holy Spirit gave me a vision of the beautiful Bride, dressed in her wedding gown, sitting on the Throne Room Floor of heaven. As she sat there, I noticed that the reflection of the helm of her wedding gown rippled across the Throne Room Floor. (This effect was almost like seeing yourself, as a child, in the reflection of waters of lake when the wind would blow.) As she sat there in her time of waiting, I saw our Lord appear in my vision from the right side. He was dressed in Groom's attire, and as He walked He was perfectly fit and beautiful. At this time she did not know Jesus was there, behind her walking towards her. He gently tapped her on the right shoulder, with a smile of favor and love. She turned her head towards Jesus to see Him. At this time, there was a gaze in each of their eyes that locked in Great Love for each other. He took her by the right hand and she stood face to face, with her Heavenly Groom. Suddenly, the vision enlarged, and I saw Jesus begin to waltz with His Bride. Each step they took, He lovingly led her across the Throne Room Floor. Arm and arm, hand and hand they continued in this vision for almost ten minuets. During this time, the Bride was in such bliss that she threw her neck back in pure bliss of this Heavenly Waltz, still relying on Jesus to lead her. Still holding onto Him hand in hand. While her neck was thrown backward, gracefully, I watched her hair gently touch the Throne Room Floor. Without her knowing, while she wasn't looking, Jesus stepped into her and continued in the Waltz; they became one. As they continued in the Waltz, there was a time when the Bride looked up to her Lover, and immediately Jesus stepped out of her so she could see Him, still holding arm in arm in the Waltz. As they continued in the Waltz, the Bride stepped into Jesus, and He into her. The vision ended.
Over the period of a year, I took a survey from common people, basing it upon John 3:3 in the narrative conversation between Nicodemus and our Lord Jesus. In the conversation Nicodemus did not understand how Jesus did the miracles He did and Jesus responded to Nicodemus, "Verily, verily I say unto you, except a man be born again he cannot......see the kingdom of heaven." I simply asked the question, "When you hear the word see what word/s mean the most to you?" The top answer was...to discern. People ask me in return, "Is it right to see a vision? I simply say to them, "Isn't Jesus our Vision?"
A simple prayer that holds much Truth when we petition our Father, "Father, open the eyes of my heart to see Jesus" (John 3:3-5, John 14:21b, Eph. 1:1 can lead us to a life time of precious intimacy with our Lord as we stand upon scripture promises and look to Jesus as our Author and Finisher of our Faith. As well, the Secret Place becomes a place of the Holy Spirit to make us His disciple of prophetic intercession, as He takes us to uncultivated regions of prayer to open new gates of glory to birth, "On earth as it is in heaven." No matter what we go through we can "Lift up our eyes where our help comes from" and see Jesus--by faith. May the Secret Place always be the believers first place of ministry unto our Lord. May we take from the Secret Place and walk in the overflow of our commune with our Lord wherever He sends us in the earth as our Daily Heavenly Manna.
Sharing God's Dream,
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Ministry Leader Mitch Minney
Greetings in the Love of our Lord Jesus!
I realize most of us do to know one another personally. My wife Lena and I run down a list of seventy or so names every month and transcribe them to the newsletter. As we read your names, cities and states, I try to imagine your homes, the landscape that surrounds you. What your daily lives might be like.
I sometimes wonder if your Christian walk is as challenged as ours is from time to time. Do you question your desire to be a card-carrying minister of Full Gospel Church in Christ? Do you even feel like a minister? Perhaps you are like a caterpillar in a cocoon waiting for your chance spread your wings and fly. Maybe you are flying and circumstances are attempting to chase you down and pull your wings off. We pray that is not the case.
Whatever condition this new calendar year finds you in, we all need to encourage ourselves and one another that we are more than conquerors in Christ. Because, we are confident that we are already victorious in the eternity of tomorrow, we can meet the challenges of today with a tenacity and fearlessness. Willing to take risks, we can attempt actions that are outside our reasonable capabilities. If we end up falling short, we get up, nurse our wounds and search out another battlefield. By God’s nature, we are not quitters, nor do we glory in our success. We live and give our lives for his kingdom, His Honor, His Glory.
To the sneers of strangers and sometimes friends and family, we waste our lives on Jesus. Like an expensive, precious perfume, we are poured out on our Savior, our friend.
If there is an enemy we need to fear, it is our own heart. Where there is envy and strife, there is every evil work. We must be humble, quick to forgive, especially in our own homes. We should prefer others before ourselves. We are not doormats but we are willing servants. Our humility will not go unrewarded. The small, seemingly unimportant tasks we do that may not be called ministry by some but touch the heart of our heavenly father who is deeply in love with you. If you were in McDonalds and Billy Graham and Oral Roberts and several other big name ministers were also dining there and Jesus walked in… He would look around smiling and nodding and upon seeing you, he’d say, " hey… Can I share your table?" That is how His heart is. He is so gracious and kind. He is merciful and understanding. He loves you for you. When we can absorb that truth of his love toward us, it will make this one of the happiest New Years of our life.
In his love
Your brother,
Mitch
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Pastor Deloris Strahler
Hey 2008 already and new beginnings, new life, new love, a New Year to do God's work, How Awesome is that! I do not know about you but I love new beginnings. Off with the old and on with the new. God replenishes us with new breath and a new day. Doesn't that just sound like our Father in heaven. He is giving us new when actually we don't deserve anything. He loves us so much, that we cannot comprehend His love. Soon the flowers and the trees will be out all new leaves and blooms and He gives that to us as a reminder of His Love. I would like to thank the Lord for all he has done for my family and me in 2007.
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Reverand Deborah Cain
Ladies Designed with Destiny
Recently I taught at a Ladies meeting and shared this word there. I would also like to share it with everyone who reads the FGCC newsletter. I hope it will be a blessing and give encouragement.
In the story of Israels deliverance from Egypt, we will see how God used women in their giftings to bring about the plan of God. We all know of Moses being called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and I would also like to expound on the way God also used the women. We also see how their examples inspire us to see OUR gifts and abilities and fulfillment of our destinies, to accomplish Gods’ will today.
READ EXODUS 1:15-22 AND EXODUS 2:1-10
Midwives- Shiphrah and Puah their names mean brightness, garnish and brilliant, smart, to glitter, brilliancy.
Brightness, glitter, splendid, brilliancy! The Lord revealed in them, true women of God!
They chose to obey God rather than Pharaoh BECAUSE THEY FEARED GOD MORE! Even though it could cost them their lives. BECAUSE OF THIS THE LORD GAVE THEM WISDOM in dealing with Pharaoh. The fear (reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10). Do you face a situation you need wisdom in? Here is your answer. Reverence the Lord, recognize who He is, all wisdom comes from Him! Also they chose to OBEY the Lord! Because the midwives obeyed God, Moses’ life was spared. Obey God! You may never know whose life you will touch because of YOUR obedience. When Moses was spared, how could they have known he would be the one chosen to deliver Israel? How do we know what blessings we can be, simply by DOING WHAT IS RIGHT!
Moses ‘ Mother-was also a Levite (priestly tribe), she SAW Moses as a FINE child! No ordinary child (NIV), and hid him to keep him safe for his first three months of life. Then she made an ark for him to save him from destruction When the scriptures record that she SAW, does this mean SHE SAW PROPHETICALLY or simply the seeing that comes with motherhood? To see the potential in a child and nurture the child who is not ordinary because the child is yours (MOTHERS LOVE). In either case the seeing was strong enough to move her to protect him. Parental love is a gift from God, God uses our giftings, and the ministry to our children is as important as pastoring a church! Hebrews 11:23 records her actions in the FAITH HALL of FAME..
Moses’ Sister- protector like her mother (never underestimate the power of a woman and motherhood), she keeps watch over and she makes arrangements for the care of the baby Moses. She does this with WISDOM for she sees to it that her mother nurses the child until time for him to be weaned and sent to Pharaohs’ daughters house. She has a PROTECTOR calling. What is that? To watch over and care for one another! She represents how families work together. She is a SISTER! Sisterhood, being a sister to one another in the family of God is important also!
Pharaohs’ Daughter-Teacher- ADOPTED and NAMED Moses (his name means pulled out, "I pulled him out of the water"). Teachers can pull people out of despair and reveal the truth. Also note the name change, God even called him by the name Pharaohs’ daughter chose for him. She also was moved with compassion for Moses and had him taken out of the Nile. She was Pharaohs’ daughter, with a mean daddy, but she was in a POSITION and in a PLACE, where God would use her. She was the instrument that God used to pull Moses out of danger. She gave Moses his name and was probably instrumental in teaching compassion to him. Compassion is a gift and fruit of the Spirit of God. Jesus was moved with compassion as the scripture records, to heal and restore people. Let yourself be moved with compassion to show people the way to be restored.
Now Moses stayed in Pharaohs’ house but it was only for a period of time.
IT IS TIME FOR MOSES TO BECOME WHAT GOD HAD DESIGNED
READ EXODUS 2:11-15
Moses knew he was from Israel, thus he tried to protect Israel First by killing the Egyptian and then by exhorting the Hebrew men. He had begun to recognize his calling, but he did not know how to go about answering that call. Can you relate? We make mistakes sometimes simply because we recognize there is a need and we try to fix it ourselves. When that happens we may end up having to deal with the fruit of our mistakes, but God doesn’t want you to give up on being used by Him.This is the key! That He IS DOING THE WORK THROUGH YOU BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT not your power.
PHARAOH TRIED TO KILL MOSES. Moses was running into opposition, but we don’t want to be taken out early. Moses flees to MIDIAN where this is a time of growth. In these places of growing time, you may feel like your dying. And so it is that you must decrease and He must increase. Trust that the Lord is leading you into a land where you receive what you need for the rest of your life and ministry. Endurance is learned through these times.
EXODUS 2:15-22
Midian means….brawling, contentious
This is where Moses learns to fight Gods way, this is where he learned how to FIGHT as a SON!
This is where he learned to be a son of Abraham, his country, his decendants, not as a son of Pharaoh! Moses became the Moses we know him for in the land of Midian. For Moses to live there, God made some arrangements and once again He used women.
Moses when arriving in Midian, sat down by a well. This is a good place to find women. They are the ones who draw water. Here Moses runs into the (7) seven daughters of the PRIEST of Midian. (Seven means perfection, completeness, finished, a day of rest! These daughters were tending their FATHERS’ SHEEP. This reminds me of a Pastoral position, to feed and protect the flock of God. Not an easy job and when they were being threatened, the deliverer Moses, comes to their aid, rescues them from the BAD shepherds and HELPS them water their Fathers sheep. Moses is a type of Christ here, YOUR deliverer is coming! Don’t get weary in well doing. Keep on obeying what your Father God has instructed you to do! He is coming to your rescue, and He will help you to get the water to give his sheep! And he will run the opposition away!
"An Egyptian", the daughters reported, helped them. They thought Moses looked like Egypt, but he acted like God. They reported his helpfulness to their Father. Because of this, the Priest Reuel (name means friend of God) (Jethro), recognizes a good man, feeds Moses, invites him to live there and gives him a WIFE. This demonstrates how important it is to recognize the character and giftings in others, and to help them find their place in ministry.
And finally I would like to address the need in Moses life for a WIFE. Remember she is one of the SEVEN, and she is perfection, perfect for him and she completes him, he can rest in her embrace, he does not have to look any further for she helps to finish the work of the Lord. His wife is name is Zipporah or "bird". She is partner with him, helper for him, how important it is that her name means "bird" for she must be able to relocate, to fly away with him so to speak. But to help she needed to be a part of his calling and in doing so finds and fulfills her own. Moses we know was sent back to Egypt, not to live there and not to be a part of Pharaohs’ house, but as a deliverer, an instrument of deliverance. All these women played their part in God making that happen.
Keep in mind how often we as Christians, use this event to symbolize deliverance from the world of sin, to worship God and enter the Promise Land. Ladies, God has a plan for you, unique, something He has designed, that design is you!
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Minister Elaine DoMoe
Melpilas, CA
To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice
In studying I Samuel 15, we can divide the themes of this chapter into four sections. First is the command from God, and then comes the carrying out of that command. Next comes the blessing resulting in the obedience or the consequences of disobedience.
Samuel goes to Saul to give him a message from God. His identification is "the one who the Lord sent to anoint him king". He was to give him his first assignment from God. The first was to give him his "badge" of authority that was from the Lord and the other was to show what kind of a ruler he would be. Even kings answer to a higher authority and are not excused from obedience. These two things set the stage for the rest of Saul’s life.
The Amalek people were descendents of Esau and the first assignment Saul received from God was to destroy all the Amaleks. God was setting the stage for Israel to receive the promise of Amalek’s destruction. Exodus 17:8 and Deuteronomy 25:17-19 tell us who the Amalek people were and why God promised to utterly wipe them out as well as all memory of them.
During the Exodus, Amalek would lie in wait and ambush the flanks of the people. Those people were usually the less able of the tribes of Israel, the weak, sick, disabled. Like jackals or hyenas, Amalek would attack the weakest that are usually found at the end of the line. They also refused Israel passage through their lands and did not fear God.
God told Moses to write in a book and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua that He would utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. God told Israel that He would tend to Amalek when the people were in the land and rested. He would blot out the remembrance of Amalek. It was a promise and He will fulfill His word.
God is setting the stage for the fulfillment of His promise in the selection of Saul. By now, Moses and Joshua are only memories to the people. They learn of them through the written accounts and by the word of mouth stories handed down through generations of their ancestors. .
Samuel the prophet has contacted Saul and told him what God has said about his being King over Israel. He has also instructed him in what to do about the Amalekites. This particular action had a double meaning. One was to show Saul’s willingness to be obedient and the other was to show Israel that God does not forget His promises.
Do you suppose God still does that today? Did He promise one of His saints 100 years ago that a particular action would take place? Maybe God is telling someone to be obedient in some particular area and that person is wondering what the purpose is. Maybe like Saul and Amalek, our obedience is a fulfillment to that saint 100 years ago. God has no time limit in carrying out His promises. Keep in mind, though, stepping out in obedience to the word of the Lord is not always a fulfillment to a long ago promise. But, in the case of Saul, this it was. We really don’t understand the effect of obedience or why God uses mankind to carry out His promises. But the Word tells us to put our trust in the Lord and follow Him.
Saul takes 210,000 soldiers to carry out this command. In going down, they come across some people called Kenites. During the Exodus, the Kenites had helped Israel and Saul told them to flee because he was getting ready to destroy Amalek. The Kenites had, off and on through the centuries, contact with Israel and had always treated them favorably. God gave them an opportunity to save their lives and they packed up and left. God blesses those who bless Israel and curses those who curse Israel. An interesting fact is that Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, was a Kenite.
Saul and his army partially carried out the Lord’s command. The instruction from the Lord for Saul was not only to utterly kill all the Amalek people, man, woman and child, but to totally destroy the animals as well. Apparently, he did everything God told him to do except he spared the life of Agag and the best of the animals. Some people must have survived because later we read in Esther about Haman the Agagite who plotted to destroy all the Jews. He is considered in Jewish literature to be an Amalekite.
God goes back to Samuel and tells him that he was grieved in having appointed Saul as king. The reason being is that Saul turned away and did not carry out His instructions. Samuel was troubled by this and cried out to the Lord all night. When one of His children is in a predicament, God will often trouble another of His children and cause them to pray. Samuel knew exactly why he was troubled but that is not always the case. Sometimes we call out to God for someone without knowing the reason why.
The next scene in this chapter is Saul in Carmel setting up a monument in his own honor. First disobedience, then pride. We know a better way to do it than how God tells us to do it. When Samuel finally catches up with Saul the first thing out of Saul’s mouth is a lie. He tells Samuel that he has carried out the Lord’s instructions thus compounding disobedience with pride and lies. Samuel is no fool and he asks "What is that bleating of sheep I hear?" So now Saul tries to justify his actions by saying that the animals were for sacrifice to the Lord God, "but we killed the rest" he says. Saul has stepped further over the line. First he disobeys, then he builds a monument to himself, then he lies about the whole thing.
At this Samuel tells him to stop and "Let me tell you what God said to me last night". Be careful in giving permission to the messenger from God to speak especially when we know that we have sinned. Unless we are really repentant and want to hear what God has to say, it could be our undoing. Not all of God’s words are pleasant to hear. But, Saul tells him to go ahead.
Samuel goes on to tell Saul that once he was small in his own eyes but God chose him to be king over all Israel. He gives him his first kingly duty. All he had to do was utterly wipe Amalek off the face of the earth. So now the Lord asks him two questions. "Why did you disobey the Lord?" and "Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?’ The domino effect of sin is compounding with disobedience, pride, lies and now covetousness. If has been said that if you break one of the commandments, you are guilty of them all.
Saul claims he did obey and that he completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back their king. Now wait a minute, utterly destroy does not mean save the king. He was told to kill all of them. It appears that Saul led his army into disobedience as well. All the animals were to be killed but he allowed his soldiers to keep the best of the cattle and sheep. It was only when Samuel asked about the bleating of the sheep that Saul said they were for sacrifice to the Lord God at Gilgal. So, what is he doing at Carmel?
Saul is trying to put the blame on others for his own sin. Ultimately, it seems that when we are confronted with our own sin we first try to weasel out of it and then we claim it was somebody else’s fault.
I Samuel 15: 22, 23 are wonderful verses to commit to memory. They will sustain us during those times when it seems that out of obedience the situation is becoming worse. Keep in mind that obedience is not the problem rather the solution. Look what happens to Saul. Samuel tells him that obedience is better than sacrifice and to hearken is better than the fat of rams, rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. The consequence of Saul’s rejection of the Word of the Lord is that the Lord has rejected him from being king. And, not only him, but his heirs as well. The kingship is to be removed from Saul’s line and be given to another. Another interesting side line is that an Amalekite was responsible for Saul’s death years later.
How does one survive when God has taken His Hand off them, when God rejects them? From that moment on, Saul is plagued by all the mind ills of mental disease. According to some scholars, he probably suffered from migraine headaches for the rest of his life. The Word tells us that God sent an evil spirit to torment him.
After delivering the message from God, Saul says to Samuel that he has sinned. He violated the Lords command and Samuel’s instructions. "I was afraid of the people and gave into them" says Saul. "Forgive me, I beg, and come with me so that I can worship the Lord." Samuel tells Saul that he will not go back with him because he has rejected the word of the Lord and the Lord has rejected him from being king over Israel.
This must have terrified Saul to realize that God had removed the anointing. Samuel is beginning to leave and Saul must have known that he would never see him again. He grabs the hem of Samuel’s cloak and tears it. Even this is a message to him and Samuel tells him that God has torn the kingdom of Israel from his hands and given it to another, one who was more worthy. Samuel goes on to say that He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind because he is not a man. The Glory of Israel is none other than Jesus Christ who is our Glory.
Saul states that he has sinned but begs him to appear before the people and honor him before the elders. Everyone knew that Samuel was the prophet and he was the one who delivered the anointing for the king on God’s instruction. If Saul had appeared before the elders and the people of Israel without him they would probably have rebelled and rejected him as king as well. Saul also tells him that he wants to worship the Lord your God. So Samuel goes back with Saul and Saul worshipped the Lord. Notice how Saul has changed his statements for worship the Lord to worship the Lord your God. He realizes that his days are numbered. God is no longer his god but Samuel’s God.
When we are faced with our disobedience what do we do? Do we blame others? Do we claim fear as a reason for not following through with obedience? What do we do when we realize that God has removed his anointing?
Samuel has one more task to perform before he can leave. He calls for Agag the king of the Amalekites. Now Agag was spared by Saul and he figured that everything was alright. After all, Saul was the chosen king of Israel, anointed by God. In fact Samuel was the one who brought all this information to Saul. The Word tells us he was confident, thinking that death was past. If he was to be put to death surely it would have been done before now. Picture him strutting into the presence of the king and the prophet. He probably had somewhat of a swagger in his stride, his back was straight and his expression was probably haughty and maybe a little sneering. He was ready to receive the prophet with all the kingly demeanor in his possession. Imagine his surprise and dismay when Samuel announced that "As your sword had made women childless, so will your mother be childless among women". Samuel put Agag to death before the Lord at Gilgal. Simple little sentence but full of incredible meaning. Samuel had to complete the original instruction from God. He leaves to go home to Ramah and Saul goes to his home in Gibeah.
Saul for the rest of his time is left without a prophet to give him word from the Lord. His rule over Israel, relationship with everyone around him, his ultimate madness and even his death reflect how total the Lord’s rejection of him was. Although he never went to see Saul again, until the day he died Samuel mourned for Saul and God was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel.
As we begin to study God’s Word we see how obedience is so important. The things we do now have an affect the whole of the future. In Saul’s case, Esther and all the Jews were in danger because of a descendant of Agag. In Moses case, his father-in-law, Jethro was indirectly responsible for the sparing of the Kenite people. In Saul’s case rejection from God caused madness. How do we know if we are in obedience? Study the word and develop a relationship with our Precious Lord, Mighty Prince, and Wonderful Counselor. Learn His ways, dig deeper into what is being said, apply the principles we learn to our hearts. It is said that the mind is a wondrous thing but susceptible to what it is fed. Garbage in, garbage out. Each one of us is responsible as to what kind of information we feed ourselves. We cannot blame others for what we choose to fill our minds. Just like Saul, in a sense, we are the "king" and as it has been said, we will be judged not so much for what we do but what we do not do.
Pastor Mitch Minney
Parkerburg, WV
Wow! Where did the year go!
The holiday season is upon us again already. The scriptures say a day is like a thousand years to our God ‘Yahweh’. To my mind a week seems like only three days, but feels like a month to my body.
My wife Lena & I are realizing that if we want to enjoy the future holiday seasons of our older age, now is the time to make the proper mental, physical and nutritional adjustments to do so. The catalyst to motivate us in these areas, I believe, is a healthy, joyful loving relationship with our ageless Heavenly Father while here on earth. Proverbs 17:22 says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones".
Nothing increases the joy of my spirit as pondering the marvels and wonders of the Father of all creation who is excited to interact with me on a personal, individual level. Showing his true kindness to the peoples of the earth through his son ‘Yeshua (Jesus), it is now possible for me and you as well, to pursue as intimate a relationship with God as we are willing to give our time to. Our time is fast and fleeting like a wisp of smoke that appears and is gone just as fast. Such is Life.
Now is the time for change. Knowing that I am pleasing to the Father and that Jesus is not ashamed to call me brother. I have the confidence, self-esteem and encouragement to care for myself and make adjustments to live a longer, healthy, productive and prosperous life.
I am also motivated to enjoy the more simple pleasures such as family and friends, taking longer looks at nature and wildlife, knowing these are gifts to me from my Heavenly Father to enjoy.
The holiday seasons often bring about unnecessary financial stress. We are bombarded by commercials to spend! Spend! Spend! We are intimidated by gift giving and gift receiving. I haven’t checked the statistics lately but the suicide rate usually climbs this time of year. So much pressure, high expectations, disappointments and depression takes its toll.
Christians are right there, caught up in the thick of it with everyone else also.
I say let’s be different! We may be jars of clay like everyone else but we are full of great treasure, God’s glory.
We may be hard pressed at times but never crushed. We may be at a loss and see no way out but not in despair, struck down but not destroyed.
When we are cursed, we will bless. When we are criticized, we will endure. When we are slandered, we will answer kindly.
We know in whom we have believed and are confident that He believes in us.
For this reason, that our Heavenly Father has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ and has given us everything we need for life and godliness, let us celebrate him! Everyday is a Holiday for us. The reason for the Season resonates inside of us all year long.
Society celebrates from a distance, but we do it face to face. He loves the world but Good enjoys us. While children climb into the lap of Santa, we the adopted sons and daughters climb into the lap of Father God. We kiss his face and hug him, pour out our adoration and thankfulness and pour just plain old-fashioned love out to him. You and I have within us the very life, the very Spirit of God, which allows us to emotionally touch the heart of the Father, and he yearns for it, he thrives on it.
How wonderful to see the good intentions of the world celebrating the birth of the Savior Jesus who just happens to be your doting, fun-loving, kind-hearted older brother who adores you and has tremendous affection for you. Yes, time is passing fast, and time spent in the presence of the timeless God of love is time well spent. Happy Holidays.
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PASTOR JENNIFER MORRIS
ST. MARYS, WV
BORN TO TAKE THE GIANTS FROM THE LANDThey have, as a whole, failed the test!
Many times we go to the THRESHOLD of our promise but never enter in because of the GIANTS in the land!
Most times it may seem like we hit a brick wall in the path to our promise. Fear arises at the thought of having to get out of our comfort zone. I know, because this has been my enemy in the past, moving beyond what I cannot control in my own right.
But who do we see ourselves as?
What we think in our hearts, so are we!
God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind!
Many times giants are formed in our mind. I think at times we make a mountain out of a molehill! Too many times we see our inadequacies and not having self-confidence. Actually, we are crucified with Christ; it is no longer we who live, but Christ lives in us. So, we are to cast down all vain imaginations and watch what we are speaking out of our mouths, for out of the abundance of our heart the mouth speaks. Are we walking by faith or by sight? We don't need self-confidence nearly as much as we need GOD confidence!
Jesus said He would never leave us nor forsake us. Moses told God, "if Your Spirit doesn't go with me, don't send me out from here." I agree with Moses and I take Jesus at His word.
The adversary is great at brow beating God's people when they don't understand who they are in Christ. We can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives us strength!
God will never call you into anything He has not equipped you to do. If it's in His plan, He must know what He's doing. After all, He created us.
Did you know that a rat when cornered will puff his body up in a stance to make himself LOOK bigger than he really is? God showed me that Satan does the very same thing. He recognizes who we are and sees the damage we can bring to his plans. Therefore he puffs himself up to lead us to believe that he has more power than we, but, greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world!
We are a THREAT to him and we need to take note of what Isaiah 14:16 says about him, "Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms,'
Have you ever heard of Beelzebub? It is a Canaanite "deity" which name means, "lord of the flies!"
Flies swarm sores and infest with disease! It's a nasty devil that does what devils do best. They come to kill, steal, and destroy our lives if we let them. Remember, most times giants start in our minds because that's were the devil attacks us first. If he can get your attention he might be in control of your thoughts, therefore keeping you from fulfilling your destiny in the Lord.
We are to submit to God first, resist the devil and he will flee from us.
David confronted his giant by standing in the word of the LORD.
While at the same time there were those who dressed for battle daily but never entered in. They were afraid of what this Philistine Goliath might do to them. They saw themselves as grasshoppers just as their forefathers saw themselves when going into the land of the giants. They did not recognize that if God be for them, who could be against them.
Esther could have lost her life while facing the king on behalf of the people, but she said, "I will go in and if I perish, I perish!"
Caleb said; "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." Evidently, he took God at His word when He said in Ex. 23,
"Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared
"I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come,
and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.
And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive them out.
One scripture says He will scatter the enemies. (They will flee for their lives!) God continued by saying,
I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beast of the field become too numerous for you.
Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land.
How do you eat an ELEPHANT? One bite at a time!
If you are faithful over the little things, He will make you ruler over much!
But, make sure that it is God, and then wait for His timing for you to go forth. Never try to open doors yourself or you might start a mess you cannot clean up. God will make it happen. Then it will be your responsibility to step into your promise. It might be a battle, because the kingdom of God suffers violently, but the violent take it by force. Go for it! God sends His angels forth before you making the crooked ways straight, setting a table for you in the presence of your enemies. He will take care of you. His promises are for you and you were born for such a time as this. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of the testimony loving not our lives even unto death. And remember, God is not a man that He should lie.
Be watchful of wounds of the past that can hinder us!
Many of us are carrying hurts that have been committed against us. Every time we think the scab is almost healed, something happens to fester the memory of the painful event. Then we start replaying it over and over again in our minds, therefore picking the scab and making it bleed. Sounds rather gross, doesn't it? But that's what we do when we rehash in our minds what needs to be forgotten and forgiven.
Let me give you an example:
I know a woman who was married to a man that was very abusive to her and her children. They eventually were divorced and both remarried other people. This did not stop the man from calling the woman several times a month for a period of five years, begging her to come back to him. The woman became so troubled in her mind even to the point of hating her ex-husband that she started dreaming about ways to do away with him. Kind of scary, isn't it?
Anyway, she would wake from these nightmares crying out to God for help. She really didn't want to hurt him; she just wanted it all to stop.
God started dealing with her heart, talking to her about forgiving him. Her response was, "Why should I for give him when he's the one in error? God said you have to forgive him so I can use you. He also led her to recognize that forgiveness would bring healing to her heart and her mind.
She thought about how wrong this man had been at invading her new life and the unfairness of it all. Yet her love for Father God meant more to her and the freedom this would bring. She pondered on how she could get a word in the routine one-sided conversation between her and her ex-husband. Then it happened. He called! As he started the same begging which she knew would end up in an argument. Somehow she spoke these words which could have only came from God, "I forgive you!" The man said, "what for?" She continued to tell him how Father God said to let the hurts and the pains committed against her and her children are forgiven him.
The man at first was dumbfounded, not knowing what to say, but quickly regained himself and started his same routine. Nevertheless, she said goodbye and hung up the phone. A great pressure fell off of her as she learned what true freedom truly felt like. She never let him cross the boundary again even though he tried. She chose to forgive, and God kept His promise to her calling.
Let's not allow unforgiveness to have a hold of our hearts. In other words, "don't pet devils!"
Millions of people were delivered from the bondage of Egypt. But only Caleb, Joshua, and those who were under twenty years of age went over to the promise land. Everyone else had to die in the wilderness.
Let's not allow the giants we see bring fear to govern over our faith in God. Or have unforgiveness rule our hearts and control our minds. It's time to trust the Holy Spirit's direction, and it's time to take the land for the kingdom of God for we were born for such a time as this.
Step over the threshold, out of the boat, and into your calling.
God bless you on your journey.
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PASTOR DELORES STRAHLER
MARIETTA, OH
FACING MY GIANTS
One night I had a dream, I woke up my husband about 2 a.m. I knew God had given me the dream and he was directing me to have a women’s ministry. I struggled with him, saying Lord I can’t do this. A few weeks went by and I had the same dream again. I explained to the Lord that I couldn’t do this.
I would be absent from school on days that I would have to stand in front of the class to give reports and I would rather take an F than to do a report that required me to speak in front of people. I could talk in a one on one situation, but not to a group.
I was saying every day, "Here I am Lord, use me". Well he was trying to use me. I had heaviness in my chest every day. One day I did it, when I saw my pastor I asked him about starting a women’s meeting, he said, "yes". God even put the people in my path to help.
Time was coming fast to have my meeting. The week before I started to get sick; my face broke out, my chest hurt and I could not sleep. Finally, I said enough is enough. I am going through this, know matter what happens I am going to face my giant. I did it and it was great. Now we are getting ready for our second women’s meeting. God is there helping me plan things out. He has given me a name for the ministry. "Sisters". It is about a relationship with God and each other, love, togetherness, praying for one another, trusting in each other, helping each other and being able to open up and share our hearts with each other. God loves unity and wants us to love each other. We have fun, there are special quest speakers, wonderful praise and worship, each of us loving others through him.
He has given me a scripture for the ministry. Philippians 4:13 – "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
The meetings are for anyone who wants to attend. So, Come join in and let God love upon us.
We meet at the Celebration Center in Marietta, OH the 4th Friday of every month at 7 p.m. Come and meet your sisters in Christ and face your giants.
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PASTOR ROBERT STRAHLER
Marietta, OH
ARE YOU A DOUBTING THOMAS?
What does it take a person to believe in a miracle. God can do all things if you pray and ask him. This is my story of how I was healed.
As a Catholic for forty-four years, I thought I knew God. I did what I was told to do. I went for years to a Catholic High School. I was not taught that Jesus could heal me. I was saved in 1979, but salvation had not changed my life. Yes, I had admitted I was a sinner, but I still sinned. I believed that Jesus was my savior, but I didn’t do anything to show it in my life. I never read my Bible. I just went to church like a good Catholic man.
Our loves are like seasons and I had gone through many. I knew by observing my brother-in-law, who was a very good Christian that something was missing in my life. It was the letter C for Change. When I was saved, I hadn’t changed from my old ways. I hadn’t let God work in me. I had admitted I was a sinner and that I believed in Jesus, but my life style had not changed. I had realized that God had been carrying me through all my life.
Many seasons of changes had come and gone in my life. I was working in a plant when I had my first heart attack. It was in 1994 and I never really asked God to help me, because I never believed in that. By this time, I was going to a Baptist church with my fiancée and her two sons. We attended there for about ten years.
We met this wonderful and woman who asked us to attend their Thursday night bible study. It was a wonderful three years. I had surrendered my life to God. I finally gave up my old ways of thinking and could believe that God could heal a person if you asked.
I loved lifting my hands to the Lord and just surrendering myself to him and praising him. That was a big change in my life. I now know that by his stripes we are healed.
There has to be a time in your life that you truly, in your mind, heart and soul believe what Jesus did and can do if you ask him.
It was now 1996 and I had a second heart attack at the plant. I was taken to the hospital and was taken to intensive care for four days. A good Christian friend of mine came to see me. She came everyday praying and giving me giving me teaching tapes on healing, to listen to by Norvel Hayes. On the tapes, he would rebuke Satan and all his works. Norvel would tell Satan to leave his body and never come back. I learned that the Blood of Jesus healed me. After listening to my friend and the tapes she gave me, I knew Jesus had healed me.
The Doctor’s had come in on the third night and said that I was very bad and I needed to go to Riverside in Columbus for more x-rays. The x-rays had shown that the heart attack left scar tissue and blocked arteries. This would have scared me in the past, because then, I didn’t believe what Jesus could do for me. Now that I was a Christian and Jesus was my Lord and Savior, I was not afraid.
That night, God came to me in my dreams and told me I was healed and didn’t need to go to Columbus. The next morning the hospital workers came in to take me to Columbus. I told the Doctor’s I did not need to go. They asked me what I based this on. Years ago I wold never have said this or believed it, but now I said from my heart to them, "Jesus has already healed me." I asked them to send me to Parkersburg, WV for a Heart Catherization.
The Doctor’s thought I was crazy to say this, but this is what I wanted and knew God wanted. They took me to the Parkersburg Hospital and at the same time warning me that I was so bad that I might not make it. I told them that God is the Great Physician and he is with me and the blood of Jesus heals me. After going through the medical procedure, I was laying in a room where my fiancée and four other Christian friends were praying for me the entire time. The surgeon and my family Doctor came in, looked at me, and said that I must have received a miracle. They had compared x-rays and there was no scar tissue, that I have the heart of a nineteen-year-old. They couldn’t believe it.
Thirty years ago, I was a doubting Thomas. I had to see it to believe it. Now it had truly happened to me.
Today I read the Bible and study God’s word increasingly. I pray to Jesus for everlasting love for Him. I thank God for all the Blessings he gives me everyday. I hunger more and more for his word and his love. I am now studying to be a minister, to teach someone else Gods words. For God has been good to me.
I am thankful for my new wife of four years and my stepdaughter, God has given them to me to love also.
God not only gave me a new heart but a new heart to love others with.
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FRANKYS CORNER
This month, I'm recommending a song from the first album by Barren Cross.
The name of the song is 'Rock for the King'. Those of us who listen to Christian Metal should have a place in our heart for this song. As Christians who love Rock and Roll, we should rock for the one and only true King of Rock, the King of Kings... Jesus Christ. He is the rock and foundation we stand on. So go ahead and Rock for the true rock, Jesus, with a little help from Barren Cross.
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This is the last newsletter for the year 2007.
We would appreciate it if we could hear from you with articles and pictures to share with other Full Gospel Church in Christ affilliates.
If you have internet access you can log on to www.windsofchangeintl.com. Click on FGCC - then click on The Voice. This will take you to the blog site where you can read the articles and see the pictures we receive of people submitting articles. If you would like to contact us by phone please call and leave a message at 304-428-0823. Your call will be returned.
Thank you.
Wow is it hot! August has been one hot month. It has been a time for change.
This summer my husband and I bought our fishing license and have gone fishing. It seems like all we do is bait our hooks and feed the fish. Yes, they see us coming and say, "here they come again". Gather round boys for a free meal.
It is nice to be out in nature, seeing the trees, water and the blue sky. It makes you wonder about our Heavenly Father and his love for us. He enjoys us and takes pleasure in us when we are fishing or when are ministering. He loves us even when life throws us a curve and we don't respond in love. That is hard to imagine, but it is truth.
When Jesus was out looking for disciples, he went to the water. He saw some fishermen and told them to follow him. Without hesitation they did. My question was did they really know what they got theimselves into? Did they realize that after three years of training that Jesus would be leaving? As they watched him being mocked and jeered by the "then church." Did they realize that this would be their fate also? I believe they loved him very much, but as for knowing the full extent of their lives, being persecuted the same as their teacher's, I don't think so. Many times he told them of his fate and even of their own. But like many of us involved with ministry, who would of thought that you would have to deal with as many situations that you have. How many times did you think, is this what I am supposed to be doing?
In Acts 1:6 the Disciples were asking if he was now going to set up his kingdom. What they didn't realize was the kingdom was set up. It wasn't set up like they thought. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he said Our Father who art in Heaven, hollowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven ..... Thru his death and resurrection, he bridged the gap for us to bring Heaven to earth. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us of our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Through his death, he brought provision. Through forgiveness, he brings humility.
Jesus was telling the disciples about the Kingdom of God before he ascended to Heaven in the book of Acts. His life is the walking, breathing example of the kingdom of God. He fed the multitudes, by blessing the bread and fish. The food was multiplied by his blessing. He was moved by compassion. He healed the sick and raised the dead. In everyday life, we have been given the same ability. We first have been adopted into the family of God. We are not slaves or workers in the field, but sons and daughters. We have been given the same authority and are filled with the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead.
It is of the utmost importance that Jesus did leave so that the Holy Spirit could come and lead us into all truth. We need him to fill us with His Spirit every day. Just like the Israelites needed fresh manna every day, we need his fresh infilling every day.
In Acts 1:8 Jesus said that they would receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit came upon them. In Chapter 4:31 the place where they were at was shaken and they were filled again. So once is not enough.
Should we be fishers of men? Absolutely. We, in our everyday walk should be imitators of Jesus, in power as well as in word. Do we need a microphone, a large audience, advertisement? No, we need to have a heart of love for Jesus, our Father and the Holy Spirit. Our relationship with him will produce our Fathers nature in us to love him because he first loved us and to win the lost, to have love and compassion for others.
The disciples where in a time of transition or change when Jesus ascended to the Father and the Holy Spirit Came. They relied on his Spirit's power to get them through and not only go on, but to excel with excitement and passion.
If we ever find ourrselves doing the work of the ministry and there is no passion, maybe what we are doing is not his work or we are doing a work without him. Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
2 It is useless for you to work from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working ;for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Our Lord God has given us rest, to walk, work and minister in him.
Colossians 1:29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
His disciples learned as we must, to trust in the Lord with all our might. Allow him to transform us into passionate lovers who lay down their lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let him make us fishers of men. If you are going through times of uncertianty or frustration stop and take time to refresh yourself in his presence. Rest in him. Ask for Fresh Bread from heaven.
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After last month's newsletter I received a note and a receipe from Rev. Margaret Dewitt. I wanted to talk to her by phone but was not able to reach her. I talked to Bishop Wanda Reeves for more information. She said Margaret was one of the most wonderful people she knew, and I know from the notes I have received from Margaret, she truely is a blessing to me.
Rev. Margaret Dewitt is not only a minister but also a Nurse at the Mule Creek State Prision. Being a Nurse is a ministry in it's self. Bishop Wanda told me that Rev. Dewitt's desire is to start a church at retirement. I would like to say I appreciate you Margaret and your kind words.
Rev. Margaret Dewitt's Recipe
Rasberry Supreme Cheesecake
2 cups Graham CrackerCrumbs
1 cup chopped toastedAmonds
1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup butter,melted
1 pkg. (8oz.) Cream Cheese, softened
1 can (14 oz.) Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/3 cup Lemon Juice
1tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 pkg. (6 oz) Raspberry-flavored gelatin
2 cups hot water
2 pkg. (10 oz.each) frozen Raspberries, partially thawed
2 cups Whipped Cream
1/4 cup toasted slivered Almonds
Combine first four ingredients. Press into the bottom of a 13x9x2 inch baking pan; chill for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese, milk, lemon juice and vanilla until smooth. Poor over crust; chill. Dissolve gelatin in water. Add raspberries and stir until completely thawed; chill until very thick. Pour over filling. Chill until set. Before serving, top with whipped cream and almonds. Store in refrigerator.
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I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK BROTHER & SISTER MINNEY FOR THE FINE JOB THEY ARE DOING ON THE VOICE. GREAT JOB!!
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL YOU WHO RESPONDED TO MY LAST LETTER. SOME HAVE BEGUN TO SEND IN SOME MONEY EACH MONTH AND THIS HAS HELPED TREMENDOUSLY. THANK YOU. HOWEVER THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAID THEY WOULD BUT NEVER GOT AROUND TO IT. YOU ARE STILL IN OUR PRAYERS. WE LOVE YOU.
SOME OF YOU REMEMBER REV C.D. SEUM WHO HELPED MY HUSBAND START THE ORGANIZATION. HE PASSED AWAY SOME TIME AGO. WE ARE SORRY TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE HE WAS A WONDERFUL FRIEND.
WE ARE COMING ALONG IN THE HOME OFFICE. I HAVE RECENTLY SENT AN APPLICATION FOR MINISTRY TO A MAN AND HIS WIFE IN RENO, NEVADA. HAVEN'T HEARD FROM HIM AS YET. IF YOU KNOW ANY WORTHY MINISTERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE LICENSED WITH US BE SURE TO LET ME KNOW. WE DEPEND ON OTHER MINISTERS FOR OUR REFERRALS. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT VOICE AND TO SEE IF YOU HAVE SENT IN YOUR ARTICLE.
IN CHRIST, WANDA R. REEVES
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Here is one of the best stories I have heard in a long time.
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Assoc. Minister Robert Strahler.
Fisherman of men
One rainy Sunday morning while camping by the Ohio River, my father-in-law and brother-in-law said, "lets go fishing."
We were setting side by side on the riverbank catching very little fish. We had more snags than anything, except one little blue gill that I caught.
It was raining on this morning, I put my umbrella up over me and looked into my tackle box. I noticed three little books that a very good Christian friend had given to me. This friend told me to carry them with me and read them when I felt the need for words from God.
I had been feeling bad that morning because I hadn't gone to church and I very seldom missed church in my life.
I took out a book and read, "A was for admitting you were a sinner. B was for believing in Jesus Christ. That Jesus is your savior, C was to confess your sins and to change your life for God. Then it said just ask and you shall receive.
I talked to God and said, "help me Lord to catch some fish to show my father-in-law it was because of you that I caught them."
I took the blue gill I had caught and cut it into three pieces. I put the tail on my hook first and cast it out into the river. Moments later I had caught a very nice size catfish. My brother-in-law said, "I was just lucky." I told him that I had help and he just laughed at me.
Next, I used the head of the little fish for bait. I cast it out and started reading my little book again. My father-in-law asked me what I was reading. I told him, it was Gods words, how to be a Christian. He laughed a little and went back to where he was fishing.
Just then, I had another bite. I reeled it in to the riverbank. It was another three-pound catfish. Both of the men by this time wanted to know how I was catching these nice fish. They came over to me, and I said to them, "It says in this book, just ask God for help and you shall receive." They laughed at me again and went back to their fishing.
I took the third part of the little fish, put it on my hook and cast it out into the river. As I set back into my chair and picked up my book, I read more of God's words. God said Jesus was a fisherman of men. We were to be fisherman of men with Gods words. We were just like Jesus.
I was to talk to these two men about God and what he had to offer them. It was everlasting life with him. I felt God was very close to me at that time and I asked God to help me catch a very big fish.
It was some time later I thought that I had a bite, so I started to real in my line. I thought it was caught on a snag. I tried to pull the line to brake it. Then there was a hard pull on the other end of my line. I reeled in and the fish pulled my line out. My line would come in and go out again. This went on for at least twenty minutes before I got the fish to the bank of the river. My brother-in-law went down and took a hold of the fish. It was too big to pull ot with the line. He picked it up and brought it up the riverbank. It was a catfish, that was 48 inches long and weighed about the 48 pounds. It was the biggest fish caught at that campground.
People came from all over the park to see it. They asked me how I caught it. I told them it was from God. I asked God for a big fish and he gave it to me. My father-in-law wanted to read this book I was telling them about and so did his son.
I told them to just set down and talk to God in their own words and he will listen to them. Ask God for forgiveness for what they did wrong. Believe in Jesus, that he died for them to give them the right to go to Heaven. Then ask God to help you and believe it and it will happen.
My father-in-law asked, "will this work?" I said, "God can do anything, just ask him."
God had me that day to be a Fisherman of men.
Mark 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me and I will make you to become fishers of men.
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Assoc. Minister Deborah Cain
Prophetic Artwork----Prophetic art is like any other art with one major difference, the inspiration, subject matter, and meaning, colors and story are from the Spirit of the Lord rather than from ones soul alone.
When we, as believers receive from the Lord the Spirit of Prophecy in any form such as dreams, visions, revelation of the word, these events foretell or reveal the will of the Lord, the beauty of the Lord, the character of the Lord, the truth about the Lord. For the testimony (evidence) about Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy. Rev. 19:10. The key is that the Holy Spirit will always show us Jesus or point us to Him, or help us experience Him. For the substance (essence) of the truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (the vital breath, the inspiration of all inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose, including both mine and yours). Amplified Bible
Therefore, when it comes to art, paintings, drawings, sculptures, these are simply another avenue in which the believer can express what the Lord is revealing, and that same rule applies, pointing to Jesus. For it is the Lord himself that speaks to you. The Spirit gives evidence, and there you experience relationship.
The prophetic can be in various degrees, from glimpses to full visions. Much of what is expressed in the area of art work in my own experience with the Lord, has begun mainly with glimpses. Maybey during worship, getting images and beginning to draw out what I am seeing from the Spirit.
Usually once I begin to draw, I will start to receive more. This is not to say that you can’t draw spiritual things from your natural mind. People have expressed their love, theology, likes and dislikes, interpreting their own ideas through art. One drawing that I created began in the natural. I just wanted to sketch some pictures of people. But then an idea came to me and I began to combine the sketching of many people into one large group. In doing so, I began to feel, experience the drawing in my heart. That drawing is titled “Purchase of God”. Another example is featured on the “about us” page at windsofchangeintl.com. Titled “Winds of Change”, this painting began as a still life for an art instruction class I was conducting. I taught the class then later finished the painting, I thought. For then I dreamed about the painting. In the dream someone was standing to my left painting that same exact painting as I was painting it, at the same time! I reworked the painting with a spiritual attitude, I could “feel” the painting from within me. I now know that the Lord was leading me into a new area of ministry, He wants to use my talent!
If you want to capture what the Spirit is showing you, using art, I would recommend starting with an easy medium such as pencil, charcoal, crayons, or pastels. These are easy to carry with you at all times, even to church. There are no harsh chemicals or water to spill over. I prefer pastels or a medium with color because so much of the time I see color as well as the image.
Imagine John, the author of the book of Revelation if he could have drawn or painted the colors he saw around Gods’ throne! He was good to obey the Lord and he wrote what he saw. Maybe He, the Lord Jesus, will ask you to paint what He shows you so others can see also?
Don’t become frustrated over trying to create “perfect” artwork during worship. Artwork is an extension of your worship, and creating it is like worship, your eyes are on Him. It is more important during a worship service to remain worshipping. Try to capture the colors and some of the image. Later you can take it home, enter in and spend hours in revelation with the Lord. Just like the musician, who must at times figure out the music so that he can write down what he is hearing so it will not be lost. Many prophetic streams are moments, but they are moments that can be captured.
In the scriptures, you will see the Lord giving instruction for how to create something, the ark Noah built, the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, the Temple. I don’t believe the Lord has a problem with creating what we see in worship, only with creating idols does He have a problem. We do not worship the thing we have created, but we worship Him. This is true with all prophetic experiences, let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!
Ministry Leaders Mitch & Lena Minney
Welcome! It is the month of July already and we are moving fast into the summer months. We have had our first Worship with the Arts outreach at our city park in an effort to take the body of Christ outside the four walls. We are gearing up for our second outreach next month. We also have in operation Bread of Life Food Pantry which is directed by Ministry Leader Jackie Schofield. Food is distributed on the third Saturday of the month. We have had opportunity to minister with food and prayer while visiting with neighbors who have come to the pantry. We work with Valley House of Prayer, a 24 hour night and day prayer and worship center and healing rooms.
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We would like to encourage everyone to send in articles and pictures to be put in the newsletter. We are quite interested in your ministries , your ministry outreaches, your prophetic words and encouragements. Mail any articles to Winds of Change Ministries, 343 Mill Run Road, Parkersburg, WV 26104. Email us at: office@windsofchangeintl.com or call at 304-428-0823.
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I would like to thank Rev. Margaret Dewitt from Hughson, Ca. for her lovely note. It really made my day knowing someone is reading The Voice. It really gave me a boost to keep on typing.
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We have also been hearing from Rev. Marissa Ill from Westport, CT. Marissa is sharing an article this month which is timely for this season.
Rev. Marissa Ill
My Tent is My Business
www.warriorpoetes.com, www.marykay.com/marissa
The Time is Now. Now is the Time. Yes, I meant to say that twice. Now is the Time for you to start your business, make that change, step out of your comfort zone (whatever that is) and GROW. A friend of mine recently pointed out the difference between the Israelites "Wilderness" relationship with Jehovah God, and their "Promised Land" relationship with Him. In the Wilderness He supplied their every need, daily, by providing manna, and when they complained, quail. This was to teach them not only dependence on Him, but the consistent going out to receive the meeting of their needs. He is the Source of Supply. When they were afraid and stored up food for the next day it spoiled and He was displeased with their doubt. But in the Promised Land, he expected them to mature, the Wilderness lessons having been learned and learned well. In the Promised Land, His plan was for them to remember the "dailiness", and add to it cultivation. The definition of cultivate in Webster’s Dictionary is "to prepare or prepare and use for the raising of crops; to loosen or break up the soil about (growing plants); to foster the growth of; improve; refine; further, encourage". The Israelites had to work in order to be refined. Selah. They were free – so they worked their own land – no longer slaves to Egypt and toiling each day to build someone else’s "castle in the air"…or pyramid, as it were. Through their daily cultivation of their own ground, they were refined. They were business-owners, family business-owners, a community of free people under Jehovah. My personal concern is this: that we have been lazy so long in the Church and expecting God to "save" us – financially, emotionally, relationally – when the Truth is, He already has. He has provided everything WE NEED to WORK OUT OUR SALVATION. Jesus Christ showed us how to live – according to heaven’s rules – here on earth. He died to set the path for our spiritual salvation, and all we need to do is believe on Him to be saved spiritually. However, our finances, our relationships, our emotions are part of the soul and flesh realm and they need daily work. God probably will not drop an envelope with a million dollars on your pillow…believe me, I was waiting myself. And when it didn’t come, I questioned Him on it. I had served Him, set my life on a path according to His calling – and still, no envelope. In fact, the envelope that did come was a bill taking away everything down to my last one cent. Literally. And as I held that bill in the air for Him to explain (true story), He told me he had given me a business plan 9 years ago and I was to take it out and use it. You see, I was in the Promised Land the whole time acting like I was in the Wilderness. He’s no longer going to give me manna and treat me like a baby. I am an adult. He has given me the tools to cultivate this earth and cause it to submit to Him, as I have. Paul, the Apostle, had a tent-making business. It was His covering. It was the reason He was free to go about the Lord’s work when He was called – because some of the perks of owning your own business I have come to learn are being your own boss, setting your schedule according to your priorities, growing as fast & consistently as you decide and work towards. It is SO WORTH IT. You are going to work in this life. Why aren’t you working for yourself, your family, your community, and the globe to build the dreams God has given you? If it’s laziness or fear, repent and be forgiven. Get wisdom. Get counsel in the area God has given you to grow. And then go out EVERY DAY and GROW it. Cultivate your dreams. You are worth it. You deserve it and God has called you to it.
Lena Minney
A Giving Heart Mark 12:41-44 (The Message
)41-44 Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, "The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford—she gave her all.
Christ’s praise of the poor widow that cast two mites into the treasury, which Jesus, had been busy preaching found spare time to take notice and observe. He paid attention to the amount and the heart.
How awesome to hear that God has noticed our giving and that he takes note of our generosity and our compassion.
Jesus Christ had an understanding by the giving at the temple; He sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the container for alms.
Jesus takes notice of what we contribute. Whether we give liberally or sparingly; whether cheerfully or with reluctance, He looks at the heart; he observes what principles we act on, and what our views are in our giving, whether we do it as unto the Lord, or only to be seen of men.
Have you ever given in an offering because of what others might think of you if you didn’t? Have you ever felt a tug on your heart like here is an opportunity I have to give? Have you ever felt compelled to give from deep inside? When the revelation of relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes a reality to us, there will be such freedom and desire to give. It will have to do with relationship not with money but it will affect our giving. Our destiny is to walk in the fullness of God and that was made possible through Jesus Christ. It is not an issue of faith. It is already ours. It is an issue of knowing positively that Our Heavenly Father loves us completely, totally, abundantly, and overwhelmingly. We have total assurance of his acceptance. I can boldly go into the throne room into his presence.
Jesus saw many that were rich cast in much: and it was a good sight to see. It is good to see rich people charitable, to see many rich people give, and to see them give a lot.
But here was a poor widow that gave two mites, which make a farthing or a very small amount. Probably by most people considered worthless unless you have nothing. And yet Jesus highly commended her; he called his disciples to him, and said look at her, this is important. He told them that she could not easily spare that which she gave, she had scarcely enough for herself, it was all her living, all she had to live on for that day, and perhaps a great part of what she had earned by her labor the day before. To him it was more than all that put together, which the rich people put in; for they did give of their abundance, but she out of her need.
What was the reason for her bringing it to the treasury? To be disposed of by the chief priest, who we have reason to believe were partial and played favorites. Not anyone would blame her for not giving out of her lack. what good does it do? But not many will do as she did. Jesus blesses her by recognizing her. What she was doing was not only right but it was wise.
If Jesus says,"Well done", no matter who says other wise; we must take heart and learn from this.
1. Giving is an excellent and good thing, and highly pleasing to the Lord Jesus; and if we be humble and sincere in it, he will graciously accept it as a sweet smelling fragrance.
2. Those that have but a little, ought to give out of their little.
3. It is very good for us to deny ourselves, that we may be able to give more to the poor to deny ourselves not only excesses but also even our own personal comforts for the sake of love. We should in many cases be joyous, that we may supply the necessities of others. This is loving our neighbors as ourselves.
4. If we can give but a little in Charity, yet if it be according to our ability, and be given with an upright heart, it will be accepted of Christ, who requires according to what a man has, and not according to what he doesn’t have. Two mites shall be put upon the score, and brought to account, if given in the right manner, as if they had been $2000.00.
5. It is much to the praise of Love, when we give not only in our ability, but beyond our ability, as the Macedonian churches, whose deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality as in 2 Cor. 8:2-3.
Verse 2 For in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty (together) have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part.
Verse 3 For, as I can bear witness, (they gave) according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability; and (they did it) voluntarily.
When we can cheerfully provide for others, out of our own necessary provision, as the widow that gave the last of the oil and flour for Elijah in 1Kings 12-14, and trust God to provide for us some other way, this is approved, acceptable and wins Gods favor.
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Frankies Corner
The first album by White Cross was self titled White Cross. "Who Will You Follow", is a powerful song asking a powerful question.
The lyrics go: Who will you follow? Satan or the Author of Life! The Author of Life is Jesus Christ. If we will follow Christ and put our trust in him and not live for this world, or Satan, Our Author will give us Eternal Life.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that who so ever would believe in him would not perish but have Eternal Life.
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