The true meaning of "Easter"

Easter Friday is a sad day for the majority of the Christian all over the world as they remember the death of Jesus.  Churches have solemn services and sing sad songs.   But it should be a day of rejoicing, for if it were not for the death of Christ, we could not receive forgiveness for our sins and eternal life.  

We should have died and been buried, but Jesus took our place and bore our sin and iniquity so that we could be reconciled to the Father and have everlasting life. 

Easter for many this is purely traditional.  They will go to Church, worship the Lord, listen to an Easter message and go home and life will continue as normal.   For millions, it's just another holiday to rest and relax. 

It would be awesome indeed to see millions get a revelation of the death and resurrection of Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross of Calvary for us. 

It's not about the day or season, it's about a relationship made possible by what happened during the historic days of Easter, that can only come when He truly lives inside.  

The purpose of Jesus death was so that we could have life.  He paid the price for all our sin, shame, guilt, inhibitions, shyness, anger, bitterness, hatred, addictions, and every human imperfection you can think of. 

2 Cor 519  "It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor)." (Amplified)  

Because of Christ's death and resurrection, we have favor with God.  This favor is undeserved, unmerited, unearned and has nothing to do with anything I do other than receive.   "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOESOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Jn 3:16. 

The death and resurrection of Jesus made it possible for Him to send "another comforter" the Holy Spirit that He promised would "be in you" and that we would receive "power" (God's ability, efficiency and might - Act 1:8 Amp.) and be witnesses to others about Him.  In other words, people would know that there is something different about us.  We are in the world but we don't live like the world.  We walk according to another law, the "law of the Spirit of life in Christ" (Rom 8:2)  that sets us free from "law of sin and death" that we were subject to before.   

Romans 8:4 (Amplified Bible) "So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit]"

AN AMAZING THING HAPPENS ... 

But an amazing thing happens when we receive Him as Lord and Saviour and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in us.   A transformation takes place inside that changes our desires, hopes and dreams.   Our focus changes from our will to His.  Sure we will never be perfect in this life, but our hearts cry is to be more like Him and to live according to His dictates via the Holy Spirit inside.   That's what God looks for and works with, our desire. 

And so begins a wonderful journey of discovery in Him.  Because He is our Shepherd, He looks after us, providing what we need when we need it..  Helping us to succeed when we should have failed.  Lifting us up when we fall and causing us to "triumph in all things"  

 2 Corinthians 2:14 (Amplified Bible) "But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere" 

We become trophies of Christ's victory and we spread the "fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere"  And after He rose, He was seated at the right hand side of God (Rom. 8:34) making intercession for us.   

Colossians 3:1 "IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Vs 2: And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.

That's the true message of Easter. He did it all for me so that I don't have to work for it.

 I am so happy that I gave my life to Christ at age 6 
and He has been my friend ever since. 

Thank you Jesus for the true message of Easter.

Listen to this short audio clip "God is so Good"

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God bless you richly.

Gil Howard-Browne

Our main ministry web site is www.revivaltimes.com

When my head is anointed, my cup will run over.

"...thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. " Ps. 23:5

I think the reason for the anointing on David's head is that his head was probably the thing that prevented his cup from running over.  Most of the time, our heads will get in the way of God's blessing. It is how we think that molds and shapes our lives. People with negative attitudes never really get anywhere. 

I have found that when my thinking is in line with God's word, my attitude towards Him and His purpose changes.    The word of God declares "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" 2 Cor. 10:5 

 We really need the help of the Holy Spirit in the area of our thinking.  Christians focus on negative things too much. Every year some new crisis arises that gives Christians reason to panic. Fear grips the church and stifles productivity. Doctrines are birthed out of those fears and people, who are gullible, believe in it and become tainted by those warped views.

• We are the ones that need to do the casting down of imaginations and rampant thoughts that try to infiltrate our minds.

• A good relationship with God will protect our minds.

• An intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit will keep us thinking right thoughts.

• Seeing our problems like Jesus sees them, will transform our thinking and bring our thoughts into captivity in Christ.

After all, there is no problem too big for God to handle.  "For with God nothing shall be impossible " Lk.1:37  "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." Mt.10:27 He has given us " ... exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature," 2 Peter 1:4  He said " ... and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Heb.13:5 

So if we have the promises, what is the problem? It is our thinking. People make the wrong decisions for various reasons, and then blame the devil and even God. We are responsible for guarding our hearts and positioning ourselves for the blessings of God. " Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23  We are commanded to   "...stir up the gift of God, which is in thee ..." 2 Timothy 1:6  "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;" Ephesians 5:19 

That is why we need the oil of the Holy Spirit to be poured upon our heads.

• Natural oil has many uses.
• It is a lubricant that will stop friction.
• It can be used to stop corrosion.
• It will stop a hinge from squeaking. 

We need the " ... oil of joy for mourning ..." Isaiah 61:3    When the oil of joy comes, your cup will run over and mourning and sorrow will have to leave.   An overflowing cup will result in others getting blessed. Too many Christians try to minister from an empty cup. An empty cup, no matter how beautiful it is, has nothing to give. It does not matter how much gold and glitter adorns the cup, if it is empty it is for show only.

When your cup is empty, you are dry and have nothing to give. You will resort to gimmicks and programs in order to satisfy the cup. None of that satisfies your hungry and thirsty heart. 

You yearn for much more. Your spirit cries out for more. " As the hart (or deer) panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God."   Ps 42:1. 

We need water of life to refresh us and the oil of the Holy Spirit to anoint us and the power of the Holy Spirit to equip us.  

God bless you richly. 

Gil Howard-Browne
www.revivaltimes.com   (Main Ministry Site)
www.podcast.revivaltimes.com  (Worship Podcast Site)

Is "Doom and Gloom" or "Abundant Life and Blessing" in your Future?

 Psalm 46:2-7  (Amplified Bible)

2 - Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas,   3 - Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!   4 - There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.   5 - God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early [at the dawn of the morning].  6 - The nations raged, the kingdoms tottered and were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.  7 - The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our Fortress and High Tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

I regularly receive an email from someone wanting me to view a video or article on how bad things are in the world and how we are facing great danger.  The frequency has escalated in recent months and it's almost daily that I am being asked to comment on some conspiracy theory, or prediction of great impending doom. 

Now I am not disputing the the fact that the USA and the rest of the world is facing some major challenges.  But consider for a moment, has there ever been a time in history when the world has been a perfect place.  Every century has had it's moments of calamity, disasters and wars.   Christians are particularly vulnerable because of our understanding or lack thereof, of the "end times" mentioned in the Word of God.   Many have  built whole ministries around end time prophecy.  But Jesus actually told us "take no thought for tomorrow" Matt 6:25  and "occupy till I come"  Luke 19:12-19

I remember back in the 60's and 70's, how many preachers were preaching about the soon return of Jesus and how wars, earthquakes, extreme weather,  were an indication that the second coming would happen in the next few years.   There is a real danger in misinterpreting end time prophecy.  There are "end time" preachers who avidly believed that Jesus was coming soon, who have preached the message for 30 or 40 years of their ministry, and are now dead and buried, but life is still going on. The only problem is, thousands were influenced by their teachings and missed God's plan for their lives.  We have a great responsibility in spreading God's word and to "speak every man truth with his neighbour:" Eph 4:25

The fact is Jesus could come back tomorrow but He may only come back in 20, 30 or 100 years from now.  Who knows.    Jesus said "But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father"  

Matthew 24:33-36  (AMP)    33 - So also when you see these signs, [a]all taken together, coming to pass, you may know [b]of a surety that He is near, at the very doors.   34 - Truly I tell you, this generation ([c]the whole multitude of people living at the same time, [d]in a definite, [e]given period) will not pass away till all these things [f]taken together take place.  35 - [g]Sky and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.  36 - But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

So, don't get caught up in all the doom and gloom theories that are flying about these days.   If you take a close look, you will usually find, there is a book, DVD or some product for sale.  The article/video is designed to stir emotions and thus generate business.  

Towards the middle of 1998, I published to my web site a section on Y2K. Read Article  My comments were "Non event, Hype and a money making opportunity."  I said "During the first week of Jan. 2000, a lot of "Feed the Hungry Ministries" would be birthed." 

 

Well, January 1, 2000 came and went with no sign of the dreaded bug.  What was all the hype about.   One answer . . .   Money!!!!    Money fueled the Y2K bug theory.   I believe many pastors and leaders were sincere in their efforts to warn their congregations, but  they were caught up in the hype of the Y2K bug info being divulged all over the globe.  People began to purchase survival supplies and purchased electricity generators. 

A lot of money was made by churches, ministries and secular corporations.  Fortunes were spent on supplies and bug fixes, sadly, most was not necessary.   For example, we were told that most desktop PC's would fail unless they were upgraded with BIOS fixes and other software upgrades.   Well all of my computers were working on January 1st, including a six year old computer and software.  Sadly, I met a number of people over the next 5 to 6 years who still had lots of Y2K rations stacked in a cupboard or box somewhere in an attic or garage. ( Read the follow-up  article here)

We are not to put our heads in the sand and live in denial.  But we need to learn to trust the Holy Spirit, our comforter, teacher and guide to lead us and warn us if necessary.   Every year brings new challenges and opportunities.   But God has a plan and His plan will be fulfilled if we trust Him.   

Let's focus on this ... 

Ps 37:25  "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. "(KJV)     

Ps 23:1   "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. "(KJV)   

Matt 6:25-26   "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  26    Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? "(KJV)

 

What are you searching for?

2 Timothy 1:7  

"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind" 

There are 41 posts on this blog covering a number of life issues that people face daily.  

About 70 percent of the visitors are being sent from Google searches and the balance from my own web site and a few others that link to my blog.
  

Listed below, are the top 6 most viewed posts.

God will keep you in Perfect Peace.

When will the answer come ... how much longer must we wait.

Do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow.

Be of Good Cheer - Jesus overcame the world.

The Secret Place brings hope, peace and quiet confidence.

Peace that Passes Understanding.  

These are the key words or phrases people are searching for, and it confirms where we are in the world today.  Recent polls in the USA show that the majority of Americans are concerned about the economy.  There are 40 million Americans on food stamps and unemployment is at almost 9%.

I posted the blog God will keep you in Perfect Peace. on March 11, 2011 and it has stayed at the top of the list since then.  People REALLY NEED PEACE in this time of history.  There is such a need in the world and many are suffering greatly because of lack of finances and in many cases, lost jobs.   

It is easy for me to simply say, "Trust the Lord"   But for the people facing the situation, it is easier said than done.  I can only speak for myself and say, I have been on both sides of the fence.  I have been in prosperity and at the brink of poverty.  The truth is, peace is needed in both situations.   

There are many extremely prosperous people who have no peace at all.  They have all the money the average person could only dream of, yet they don't have peace.  Peace does not come from material things and pleasure.   Peace is internal and is a "fruit of the Spirit"    Fruit has to grow and mature.

Peace starts in my spirit because of the presence of the Lord, and I have to learn how to yield my mind to that peace. I have been in the middle of a financial crisis so deep that I never thought I would ever recover.  But that was almost 30 years ago.  That crisis lasted about two years and I learned how the mind can conjure all sorts of bad scenarios that make you loose hope.  

But I also found out that none of those thoughts had any foundation at all.  In fact, none of the bad things my mind conjured up ever came to pass.  Out of that desperate situation, God brought one of the greatest blessings in my life and marriage I had ever experienced.   God made a way where there was no way. 

I discovered the Joy of the Lord is my strength.  I am not talking about a by faith "spiritual joy".  I am talking about a literal joy, where laughter takes hold and a "joy unspeakable" fills your entire being.  It's like God's anesthetic which takes your attention off of your situation and places it on His incredible joy.   It's a joy that mends a broken heart and puts hope back into a hopeless heart. It's a joy that takes the focus off of me and puts it on Him. 

The after effect of joy is His peace.   It's like knowing a good outcome, inside as opposed to a bad outcome, outside.   God's peace allows us to see His provision when our understanding sees the result of our bad circumstances.    It's like looking through God's eyes and seeing His plan and purpose unfolding, instead of through our eyes, that see only the circumstances surrounding us.

Now I am the first to admit, that we have had many difficult times since then where we have had to trust God to see us through.  But it is a lot easier now, as I have learned how not to let my thoughts get out of hand.

The word of God says "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind"  2 Timothy 1:7      Fear is the opposite of faith.  Fear is faith in reverse gear.  Fear overwhelms us and makes us doubt God's ability to deliver us from our situation. 

HOW CAN THIS HELP ME? You ask.

As soon as the negative thought comes into your mind, there are two directions you can take.  One is to give into the thought and dwell on it until fear manifests.  The other is to immediately say to yourself ... "I will not allow my mind to dictate the outcome, but I will trust God who has promised to deliver me and be my provider.  Immediately begin to re-direct your thoughts away from the negative.  God sees only blessing for your life and will always make a way of escape.  So I have to begin to think His thoughts which are to be found in His word.  

I love this old song "Turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Look full in his wonderful face.  And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

God bless you

Gil Howard-Browne

www.revivaltimes.com

www.encourageme.tv

Peace that Passes Understanding.

Philippians 4:6-9 (KJV)
Vs 6  "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.   Vs 7  "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (See vs 8 at the end)

"Be careful for nothing"  Why would God's word suggest that, when there is so much in life we have to care about.  There is not a person in the world, rich or poor, famous or infamous, who does not have a care.  It's like asking us to be in denial, when everything around us seems to be the opposite.   


The clue is to be found in the latter part of Vs 6.   God is saying that the answer is "fellowship with Him" talking to him (prayer) and thanking Him for His goodness and provision.  God already knows what we are going through and what we have need of.  But it is in fellowship that we find the strength and direction that we need.  


The second key is to be found in Vs 7.   "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."    It's the peace of

Be thankful to God during good and difficult times.

Being thankful for all that God has done in our lives is something we should cultivate on a daily basis, not only when life is great and blessings are flowing. It is easy to focus on the things we need and want, but sometimes we forget ALL the wonderful things that God has done for us.

We are commanded in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 " In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." That does not mean we are to thank Him for bad things, but regardless of our condition, we are to be thankful.

The Amplified says it well [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks]  Being thankful even when things go wrong means we trust Him and are not swayed by life's trials. A thankful grateful heart, opens the door to the Joy of the Lord which in turn causes the peace of God to flow in us.

It's like being in the fiery furnace and not being singed.  Daniel 3:24-27 The truth is, Jesus is with us every day in every circumstance.  It's like being in the Lion's den and not being afraid because He is with us.  Daniel 6:22 "My God has sent His angel and has shut the lions' mouths so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent and blameless before Him"

Happy New Year - New Blessings and Opportunities

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Philippians 3:13-15    ... but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14  I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

Oh how we all love to forget the trials and difficulties of the past year.    We say and hear others say, "I am glad this year is over"    But the one thing we so often forget to say is, " Thank God He brought us through and we made it into the new year, and He is going to take us through the next 12 months.  

The reality is, there is not much different between Dec 31st and Jan 1st other than the date.  The world celebrate the midnight hour as if it is some magical moment.  But, things are pretty much the same.  Some may still be in the struggle in January as the were in December.  Others may be riding the wave of success and it carries through into the new year.    

Whatever your situation is, God is still the same God and His word is still the same word.  He has never changed and is in fact, "yesterday, today and forever the same."   He is the one constant in our lives and His plan and purpose has never been changed.   Our successes and failures are never a surprise to God.  But his blessings and provision is always a surprise to us.  

Joy to the World.

Luke 2:10-14  (KJV) 

 ¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.   ¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.   ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  ¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Christmas day is a great day of celebration for Christians all over the globe.  Even those who do not believe in Christ, inadvertently celebrate His birth in that they use Christmas as a great commercial time.  We walk in stores and hear Christmas carols being sung and it brings joy to many that hear them. It is a day associated with joy and happiness and excitement.

But the truth that millions miss, is that the birth of Christ was heralded by the angels with tidings of "great joy" and "peace on earth and good will towards men"     Christmas  signifies God's heart of good will towards all mankind and His desire to fill them with peace and joy. 

2 Corinthians 5:19 (AMP)

¹⁹ It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).

That's the good news.  God is not mad at the world but has forgiven them through Christ and restored them to favor with Him.  Favor is undeserved and unmerited. We were cut off from Him but He has restored the connection and granted us access through Jesus' birth and death. 

That's the true meaning of Christmas.  God came down in the form of Jesus and made a way for us to come back to Him.   All we have to do is acknowledge Him and accept what He has provided for us.  Then turn around and start living for Him and allowing Him to fill us and lead us and guide us for the rest of our lives.

It's a great live of surrender to Jesus.  Not a dull life as some would suggest, but a life filled with adventure, love, peace, joy and provision.   It's a life filled with victory after victory, free from the condemnation that comes to those who do not accept His love and salvation.

So, Christmas day and the baby in a manger is a special day to all those who would embrace the provisions that were provided for the world.   Jn 3:16  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 

Have a blessed Christmas and my His love, peace and joy fill you to overflowing.

Gil & Loraine Howard-Browne

Pressing towards God's plan and purpose.

Phil 3:13  "but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead"

The apostle Paul speaking a simple yet profound truth.   "Forgetting what lies behind"     The past is the past and there is nothing we can do to change it.  How many of us have wished we could just go back several years and change something that we did or said or did not do.  But that is not possible.   But it's our future that can and must change.  

That change can only come when we take the next part of Paul's exhortation "straining forward to what lies ahead"     The word "straining" is indicative of "effort"   It denotes something that I must passionately embrace.   I want change so badly that I will diligently pursue it.  

I'm not talking about works.  Works will bring us into further bondage and frustration.  I'm not saying we must run around trying everything.  The "effort" is really "rest".  As the bible declares in Hebrews 4:10 (Amplified) "For he who has once entered [God's] rest also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors, just as God rested from those labors ..."  

The secret is to walk in the peace and joy of the Lord and to lean on the wisdom of God.  The peace is the umpire and the joy of the Lord is our strength.  The wisdom of God comes when we ask and yield. 

PEACE :

Colossians 3:15-17 Amplified Bible "And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds ... "

God's word tells us to allow His peace to be the umpire, the decision maker, thus settling the questions in our minds.   You see, we want answers but they are not always forthcoming.  Mainly because if God were to tell us everything in advance, we would mess it up anyway. 

I don't want to know too much, it may be overwhelming.   

JOY :

Neh. 8:10 "... the joy of the Lord is our strength"    There is strength that comes from joy.  Joy energizes the human spirit.  It brings encouragement in the face of insurmountable odds.

It's not a set of formula's that bring success, but a relationship with God and a trust that comes from an ongoing yielding to His plan and purpose.    Many time our lack of success is because we are looking for outside approval.  We are looking for man's acceptance.   But ultimately, we need to have God's sanction and approval.

I have seen HIGHLY successful people burn out after a time because their success was based on their effort.   It does not matter ultimately how big or small your ministry or personal effort for the Kingdom of God is, if it is based on your strength and ability, it will fail.

PURPOSE:

Psalm 127:1 "Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it"

With the Peace and Joy of the Lord, the Purpose of God becomes easy. It's time for the Body of Christ to trust, obey and rest in Him.  He will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.


God Bless

Gil Howard-Browne
www.revivaltimes.com

 

Your miracle is moments away.

Jude 1:20 "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,"

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Watching God's plan unfold takes faith and patience. It is fun in the Spirit but in the flesh sometimes scarry. That's because we can get discouraged when all we see is the problem and the solution is not forthcoming.   God's suggestion to dealing with this is to "pray in the Spirit"   The reason God says to pray in the Spirit, is that according to the Word of God, when we pray in the Spirit our minds have nothing to do with the process.  We are praying by the Spirit within and "building up ourselves"   

1 Corinthians 14:14-19  explains it well.  Amplified Bible (AMP)  For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the [a]Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive [it bears no fruit and helps nobody].

We can and should pray with our understanding, that is simply talking to God.  But God knew that the human mind is fickle and easily distracted.  So He devised a perfect way for us to pray that would not require our minds full attention.   I like that.  Don't you?   

It is important to do what God suggested.  He knows the end from the beginning and knows that the miracle is closer than we realize.  I would love to get a direct answer from God for everything I ask Him, but I am sure if He told me I would probably not like the answer.  Smile.

But He is full of surprises and can do "anything" in an instant if it lines up with His plan for our lives. It's not hard for God since He can create something out of nothing.  (The Universe is proof)  But He demonstrated that through the life of His Son, Jesus.  Think of it this way.   If Jesus could use the little boy's lunch to feed 5000, He has so many more creative things He can do to bless us and provide for us.   


He said in Isiah 43:19  "I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
That means He does not need my help to get the job done, unless He asks for my co-operation in doing something that will be the trigger to release the blessing.   There is no road in the wilderness and there is no river in the desert, but God will put one there if necessary.   HE CAN DO IT.  I have to get my head out of the way, set my thoughts and affections on Him, and trust Him to see me through. 

He is the God of suddenlies. (Acts 2:1)  Rejoicing and keeping our focus on Him, keeps us in the place where suddenlies can happen. It's His way of showing how much He loves us.   The lame man at the gate of the temple, was there to collect money from those who felt sorry for him.   But Peter and John has something better, the anointing touched the man and healed him.  It was a suddenly for him.  One minute he was as he always had been from birth ... lame ... the next minute he was "walking and leaping and praising God"

We can go from lame to leaping in a heavenly minute if we stay in the place where miracles happen.   God is so far ahead of the game.  He is always many steps ahead, just waiting for us to grab hold of all that He has done and will do.   The bible says, He had made ready and keep ready for those who love Him.  

1 Corinthians 2:9  "But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him [ who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed]."  Amplified

When we don't know what to do, God's plan is still perfect. Our circumstances are never a curve ball to God. His love is steadfast and His plan is unchanging.   He may have to move the obstacles I create out of the way, and that can be the hold up.   Isaiah 59: 1   "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:"

So,  take courage and be of good cheer.  The answer is closer than you think.   We are commanded to encourage, edify and build up one another daily.   1 Thessalonians 5:11  Amplified Bible  "Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing."   

Summing up :  

1. Watching God's plan unfold takes faith and patience. It is fun in the Spirit but in the flesh sometimes scarry. Lets stay in the Spirit.
2. The miracle is minutes away. If Jesus could use the little boy's lunch to feed 5000, He has many creative things He can use to bless us.
3. He is the God of  "suddenlies". Rejoicing keeps us in the place where "suddenlies" can happen.  It's His way of showing how much He loves us.
4. When we don't know what to do, God's plan is still perfect. Our circumstances are never a curve ball to God. His love is steadfast.

I trust this blog has been an encouragement to you.   Please feel free to write a comment or send me an email with you prayer request or praise report by going to my web site http://revivaltimes.com/address.htm   The contact form is to prevent spam which I am trying to eliminate.

God bless you righly Gil Howard-Browne Visit our worship podcast at  http://podcast.revivaltimes.com   Click Here