There's no Greater....

I got this song a few months ago and it keeps coming back to me,

"There's no greater,  no there's no greater,
Thing I could do, thing I could do....
Than to lay my life down for others
Than to lay my life down for You."

And it keeps repeating.  It's from the scripture verse in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

This was a theme in Jesus's life,"... just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:15)

Then we see the disciples picking up this theme of laying their lives down for others. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." (1John 3:16)

Today's modern soceity doesn't talk much about this theme.  We like it theoretically, but when it comes right down to it, we don't want to do it. 

I think parents know a bit about sacrifice, especially moms.  Babies can be very demanding and the needs don't disappear as the babies grows up, they just change.

So where is Jesus' leading us with this statement?  I think we need to ask the Lord for ourselves  because each of our circumstances is different.

Last winter it meant  that I was spending a whole lot of time promoting my church and getting them presence on the net using youtube clips instead of doing my own stuff.

It seems like such a loss but hang on-- why is Holy Spirit so happy with me?  Why is his joy filling my life in a new way?

There's a secret success that we will never realize as long as we have ourselves as the focus.  Holy Spirit is able to look after our 'stuff' if we will give it to him.

He knows the dreams he has put in your heart better than you do.

He is able to look after you far better than you ever could.

So, I have learned that when it looks like things are hopeless, start praising the Lord because it's always darkest just before the sun rises.  Hallelujah! I know the sun's giong to rise again!

Let's pray: "Lord Jesus, I ask that you would encourage every person reading this article.  May their hopes be reignited.  May they know that you have not forgotten them.  May they realize in a fresh way that it's not just about the goal--it's about the fellowship along the way.  May they sence your presence in a whole new way and may they remember and recite all the promises You've given them and all the testimonies you have given them. Bless them in a fresh way today I ask. Amen!"

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson
(on Youtube look up "Kinburn Revival" or "beloved4evr")

Pete Cabrera... The REAL Deal!

This fellow has a refreshing perspective.  ENJOY!
http://petecabrerajr.com/?p=326

John Belt: God Is Giving Out New "Out of the Box" Ways of Doing Things

Really good article especially the part about prayer groups and gossip.  Something we all need to be aware of.
Enjoy!

John Belt: God Is Giving Out New "Out of the Box" Ways of Doing Things

Victoria Boyson: Passionate Pursuit: Desperation Draws Him

This lady has written in a beautiful  way about the wonders of Passion for our King.
Enjoy!
Victoria Boyson: Passionate Pursuit: Desperation Draws Him

Encouragement Yesterday

I've been so busy that going out to the malls seems like a lifetime away.  I stole some time away from the church video stuff and was listening to Todd White for a bit.  (Here's one of the clips I did
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjk_jgDYRrw   There's a bunch of them.  Just look up "Kinburn Revival Todd" on youtube.com)

I was thinking about what Todd said, "I have these encounters because it's who I am, not because it's what I do."

I gathered from what he said that he doesn't have and on-off switch.  This is who he is.

That's who I want to be.  So in the grocery store it's easy to tell a mom about her beautiful baby and all the great things he's going to be good at when he grows up.   It's easy to tell a mom that God loves her and says she's a great mom.

It's easy to help those who come across your path because that's what Jesus would do.  Love isn't meant to be something you turn on or off.  We are wired to be 'on' or 'in love' full time.

Not feeling loving towards someone? Ask!  Holy Spirit will always give you more love for people if you ask him. (ref. Rom. 5:5)

Only when we walk in selfishness is love turned off.  Therefore, our goal should always be to make sure that love is turned on.  When we seek our own we are no heavenly good, but when we deny our own ambitions then love is turned on bright in our lives.  And only Heaven knows the difference we can make.

Todd also shared somewhere how important it is to share encouraging words.  He's seen dozens of people who said they were suicidal find hope through God's words spoken by him.  We too can prevent suicides with encouraging words from Holy Spirit.

Love is encouraging..... We don't need to have a prophetic word or a word of knowledge to give an encouraging word.  Most times I don't have one.  I just have Love and when I open my mouth I am sometimes surprised at what comes out.  We can all give God our mouths and our wills so that he can use us. Let's be living sacrifices for Him today and special ambassadors of God's love today.  Let's be free from the fear of what people will think, or what they will say and just focus on Jesus and how happy he is with us. Amen? Amen!

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Testimony

I got a text a week or so ago to pray for an expectant mom because her water broke at 30 weeks.  Not a good diagnosis.  I felt to ask the Lord for more placenta fluid and that the tear would be repaired. I didn't know the whole situation at the time. The expectant mother was on bed rest.

Got a text a day later and they were going to check the baby and induce if there wasn't enough fluid.  I prayed for enough fluid...

It didn't happen..... I got another text saying that they were inducing the mother.  I started to pray a lot harder and asked the Lord what to do.

"Drop any preconceived ideas you have." was all I heard.

Okay.... I discarded what I would like to see happen in this situation and started to decree the truth I knew. I didn't allow discouragement to start because it gets you no where.

I argued, "God, that's not blessed to have a baby with birth defects. Tell me what I'm allowed to decree for them."  I knew but I knew, that a single mom didn't need the extra burden of a handicapped baby.  So I claimed a healthy baby that could breathe on it's own, without a ventilator. I also decreed no complications in the labor and delivery process. I had peace then.

God's blessing is so much greater than anyone's sin.  The only one who is cursed is the devil.  I knew I was onto something claiming the blessing of God on that mom and baby.  I could feel myself get hot as I would decree it over them.

I also texted a few friends and got them to agree with me for miracles for the little guy.  We were all in agreement for him.

A day or so later I got a text and  mom delivered without any trouble. Mom and baby are fine.  He was 3 lbs, 11 oz and hasn't been on a ventilator once!  Now that's God!

Bless You!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Horse Testimony

Here's a testimony from last week.  A friend was having problems with her horse that had foundered very badly last year, to the point that some thought it would be better to put the horse down.

Well thanks to God and a lot of persistent people the horse survived and was doing quiet well although it wasn't on grass.

I knew that God could heal the cause of the foundering because he did it in an old mare I bought, not knowing that she had foundered.  The farrier enlightened me when he trimmed her hooves the first time.  I looked up what foundering meant and realized what a chore if would be to try to keep this horse off of rich grass in the Spring.  So I asked the Lord to reverse the diagnosis and heal the cause of the foundering.

Well, every Spring thereafter I would remind this mare that she didn't have founder and that she was going to be just fine on grass.  Now I wasn't stupid.  I normally put them out for a couple of hours the first day or two then increase it to about 10 hours for a few days, then I let them out full time.

God answered and she was always fine with no swelling or discomfort.

Back to my girlfriend's horse.  She had been through this harrowing experience with her horse and didn't have the faith to believe that God could reverse the diagnosis.  I understood completely, so I volunteered to go pray for her horse in person.

I showed up on the day she asked me to come and no one was around.  The dogs were barking wildly, but nobody was up.  The Lord told me to go ahead and pray for the horse.  So I walked to the back paddock and all the horses tried  to greet me, except the one I wanted.

I shooed the others away and when I started to pray he walked away from me, time and time again.  I asked the Lord to break off any curses that had been spoken over him and immediately he settled down and let me scratch him.  What a character he was!  I asked the Lord what was up and he said that the horse wasn't used to seeing the Glory on people.  Hmmm..... that's something to think about.

Nothing significant happened that I can recall and I didn't get stopped by any suspicious people.  I went home and carried on with my daily routine.

I sent my girlfriend a text to let her know that I had been over in the morning and that she could start him on grass anytime.

I got a call the next morning and  she said,  "How could you have known that he was going to get out last night and eat grass ALL NIGHT LONG?"

I replied, "I didn't. I just did what God told me to do."

"Well,  he got out last night and was happily munching grass all night and he's fine. No swelling and he's not lame."

Was she every happy.... That was quite the testimony for those who know this horse and his history. 

Praise the Lord!  The only diagnosis that is permanent is the one you won't ask King Jesus about.

I bless you today! May you be challenged to let Jesus be Lord over all.  What he says goes.... that's the way to live. Amen."

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

A Kindhearted Woman...

The Bible says that, "A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth." (Prov. 11:16)  If I understand this correctly respect is to be more desired than wealth and it's far better to be kindhearted than to be ruthless.

Boy we need to hear this.  It's too easy to lay aside kindness when our own pursuits suffer.  It's not the easiest thing to lay down our wants, our needs when others are acting selfishly.  From what I have been hearing the home is the final stronghold of carnality.  We can be so nice when we are out in the public eye and then act completely different at home.
. 
If you are having to live through situations where others are acting selfishly, take heart.  God is able to keep your reputation. He knows how many times you have been slurred or disrespected by those who say they love you and He will repay you.... if you allow him to.

He is our source.... no one else. My day does not depend on my husband appreciating me, although it's nice when he does.  Also,  My good humor should not depend on what's happening with the kids.  You know what I mean?  It's easy to say, but boy it takes some discipline to live like this consistently.

I can only say that those things that I used to esteem I now count as rubbish, and that includes my own so-called rights. (ref. Phil. 3:7)

"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Phil. 3:10-12)

That's the key.  We keep pressing on. We choose to pick up our cross instead of picking up offense.  We let the Lord keep us and when the angry feelings come because we feel used we take them to the Lord. He'll sort them all out.  

Ultimately, he is our hope and our source.  We need to learn to go to him with stuff instead of looking for the first person to vent on. LOl.

Let's Pray:  "Lord help us look to you for everything so that we can be free from people.  Help us to deny ourselves and pick up our crosses and follow you.... at any cost.  Let our lives have an impact for your kingdom and may we always bless your heart in the way we treat others. Amen!"

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Photo courtesy of  northwestbc.com

Lions to help Us.

I saw a brief picture during worship at church the other day.   I was walking along a dirt road in a grassy field on a beautiful sunny day.  My  lion, "Reign" was beside me and "Huntress" my lioness was about twenty feet ahead looking to see what was worth investigating.  An eagle that has linked itself to me was soaring high above me back and forth, just enjoying the air currents.

I was wondering what the Lord wanted me to see that was different, when all of a sudden I saw one lion after another come towards me from all different directions. Within minutes I was surrounded by a huge group of lions of all different ages and sizes.

I asked the Lord what does this mean?  I didn't hear anything directly but then I felt the longing in the lions to be connected with their special Saints.  (It's bringing tears to my eyes even as I write this.) There are lions waiting to be assigned to Saints...
Did you read that?  There are lions waiting to be assigned to Saints and you qualify!!!

Lions are such a blessing in the spirit realm. They bring authority with them and courage. 

I didn't know this was even possible to be assigned a lion! God surprised me one day with a vision.

During this vision, my lion came up to me from behind when I was on the outskirts of the throne area just enjoying the glory and the angelic beings.   Imagine, all of a sudden this lion hits my left hand with his big head and stands beside me. My hand has slide down to his neck and he's huge!  I never knew lions were so big!  He smells of incense and myrrh and he's different shades of cinnamon in color with a thick, coarse mane.  I couldn't stop the tears and the laughter.  Talk about affirmation!

It really did something for me.  I have been more conscious that I rule and reign with my words.  You might not see it but there's authority when I speak.  Courage comes as you realize what you were created for.   What people think or don't think doesn't matter in the light of eternity.  It's very hard to be concerned about your reputation when you can close your eyes and smell your lion beside you!

Let my experience encourage you to ask for your lion.  May I pray for you? You already know that God is no respecter of persons, right?  What he's done for me he wants to do for you! (ref. Acts. 10:34)

"I believe your spiritual eyes are opening up more and more.  I decree that you are seated with him in Heavenly places and that your spiritual senses are awake.  That any hindrances to feeling in the spirit realm are cancelled through the blood of Jesus.   Every spiritual gift and blessing is yours in Christ/Holy Spirit. You have been given the privilege of knowing the secrets of the mysteries of Heaven." (ref. Eph.2:6, Gal. 5:25, Gal. 5:16, Eph. 1:3, Matt. 13:11)

"Thank You Lord for showing us the plan.  Thank You Lord for showing us some of the stuff you have preordained for us to walk in.  Thank You for foretastes of it to whet our appetite and encourage us to press in for more. Amen!" (ref.  Eph. 2:10, Phil. 3:10)

Bless you in Jesus' name!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson
(photos courtesy of www.photobucket.com)