Gratitude Unlocks the Fulness of Life

November 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Dear Father,

How can I say thanks for all the abundant blessings in my life? May I continue to have an appreciative heart.

Dear Child,

Having a thankful heart is living the abundant life!

Having a thankful heart is a life full of joy!

Having a thankful heart is a life that can be molded to My will!

Having a thankful heart is the life of a true worshipper!

                                        Thus saith Papa

Psalm 103:1-5  Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Joel 2:21 Fear not; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.

 Why does God continually remind us to be thankful?

   1. A thankful heart is full of praise, which ushers us into His presence. 

   2. A thankful heart blesses the Father’s heart. 

   3. A thankful heart is a soft, pliable heart that God can mold to His image. 

   4. A thankful heart is a joyous heart that strengthens us spiritually. 

   5. A thankful heart remembers His faithfulness in the past thereby feeding our faith to

       trust Him for our future. 

   6. A thankful heart will be a good steward of blessings. 

When we cry unto the Lord, “restore unto me the joy of thy salvation” (Psalm 51:12); we are really crying out for a grateful heart! A complaining heart soon becomes a heart drowning in self-pity that will quench your joy. The fruit of thankfulness is joy and joy results in spiritual strength and fulness of life! “…neither be ye sorry;? for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

 

CHALLENGE:       Be thankful lest the enemy steals the joy of the abundant life.

                             Be thankful that you may be conformed on the potter’s wheel.

                             Be thankful that you may enter His presence as a true worshipper.

“How can I say thanks for all the things that you have done for me,

Things so undeserved yet you gave to prove your love for me,

The voices of a thousand angels could not express my gratitude,

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe it all to thee.

To God be the glory for the things He has done.”

by Andre Crouch

 The above photo captures our joy as we celebrated God’s faithfulness during our 45 years together.

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Are You Ready to Uncover the Roots?

October 31, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Dear Father,

Are attitudes the fruit of the flesh?

No, child,

Attitudes are the root of the fruit of the flesh.

Roots develop in the dark and in secret,

Bring those attitudes to light that they may be cut off!

You can’t cut off a root without uncovering it.

While covered up it will continue to develop and will eventually bear its fleshly fruit.

There is nothing that I will put the ax to, that I will not replace with something much better to grow in its place.

Let me cut off the root of pride and I will give you the lowliness of mind of the Lord Jesus.

Let me cut off the root of revenge and resentment, and I will give you the grace to forgive and fill you with My love.

Let me cut off the root of jealousy and I will give you security and assurance of My unique plan and destiny for you.

Let me cut off the root of strife and I will give you peace that passes understanding in all circumstances.

Let me cut off the root of self preservation and I will give you life everlasting.

                                               Thus saith Papa

John 3:19-21  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 Luke 17:33  Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

CHALLENGE: Have the courage to uncover your attitudes that they may be brought to the  light that the Lord may cut them off and replace them.

 

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There is a Time and a Season for Everything

October 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment

 

IMG_0166Dear Father,

May I never cease to praise You for the works of Your hand, as I look at my garden in the autumn how it manifests not only Your glory but also Your faithfulness in the seasons of the earth.

Oh, Papa, as I place my life, body, soul and spirit in Your hands, the hands of the great Husbandman, may the garden of my life  also bring glory to Your name and display Your faithfulness in the changing seasons of my life.

Everything in my garden has a unique purpose, and therein lies the beauty and the glory for everything in my garden, that it fulfills its unique purpose in Your timing. All so different and yet all so beautiful.

Papa may I also bloom in my uniqueness in Your timing.

Dear Child,

Therein lies the glory that you bloom in your uniqueness, for then you are fulfilling the purpose of your creation.  

Watered from heaven, nourished by the Word, faithfully tend the garden of your life that the cares of this world and weeds of discouragement do not strangle and choke the potential bloom.

This bloom in all its beauty will bring glory to My name and testify of My faithfulness, just as your horticultural garden does.

                                                   Thus saith My Faithful Papa

Revelation 4:11  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

 Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

CHALLENGE: You may be facing rare seasons that others have not had to face, but these seasons will bring uniqueness to the potential bloom and harvest of your life. So don’t labor or strive to bloom in someone else’s potential, but rather bring glory to His name by resting in His faithfulness as the unique flower He created you to be.

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A Heart on Fire for God

October 8, 2013 by 1 Comment

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Dear Child,

You praise Me not only through song but you praise Me everyday through your life by your words, your thoughts, your attitudes and your actions.

A heart of gratitude is a praising heart

A heart of humility is a worshipping heart

A heart of holiness is a regenerated heart

A heart that surrenders to My will is a trusting heart.

Thus saith Papa

Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me. Isaiah: 29:13

CHALLENGE: Is your everyday life only lukewarm or is it on fire for Him?

See Chapter Nine in “Developing a Secret History with God” to inspire you as you press into His presence with a heart full of praise.

Book available on Amazon/ Barnes&Noble/ Walmart/Lulu/ itunes/ Kindle/ Nook/http wwwclfrance.com/ W.H. Smith UK/or a bookstore near you.

Languages: English/ French

 

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How do I Grow up Spiritually?

October 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Dear Father,

How do I grow up spiritually?

Dear Child,

1. BY FEEDING AND CHEWING OVER THE MEAT OF THE WORD THAT YOU MAY LEARN DISCERNMENT.

Heb 5:13-14  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Heb 6:1  Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

If you want to grow up and mature you must learn to discern between that which is done in the soulish realm and that which is done in the spirit. You can only learn this by meditating and feasting on the meat of the Word. You must invest the time to wean yourselves of milk and unto the meat which takes more time and meditation to chew over than milk which can more easily be swallowed and digested than meat. 

2. BY BEING OBEDIENT .

1 Sam 15:22  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. John 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments

I want a child who chooses to spend time with Me. I could have programmed you to obey and love Me, but this would not bring Me glory. Such obedience would have no spiritual value. There would be no fault or sin, yet neither would there be holiness, for obedience would be passive. I do not want automation. I want a child with a free will who will choose to love and obey Me.

3. BY BEING “BIG PICTURE” MINDED, THAT IS, BY SEEING THINGS IN THE LIGHT OF ETERNITY.

James 5:7-8  Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

You are living in a culture where you demand everything NOW, you have forgotten how to delay instant gratification for your better good long term. You need to bring your soulish impulses under subjection of My Holy Spirit who not only knows your future but also holds your future. Impatience belongs to childishness not necessarily childlikeness. I have a lot of impatient childish adults in My Body, when I am looking for patient adult children.

4. BY NOT TAKING OFFENSE.

Psalm 119:165  Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Luke 17:1-4  Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. 

Offenses not forgiven will be stored in the heart and will hold you captive as chains that tighten with each unforgiven offense. They will either be a trap and stunt grow or they will be an opportunity to freedom and maturity. How can you learn to forgive if you never have the opportunity to forgive? How can you be conformed to My Image without learning to forgive?

5. BY SERVING OTHERS.

Mat 23:11-12  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Breathe in My presence, that you might be refreshed and then refresh others, by washing their feet and refreshing them for their journey through life. Speak only words that will build up and be an encouragement. Continue to lead others on the path that leads to eternal life. Help the wounded that they in turn may help others who have fallen on the road.

Lead, lead the way by being a servant. Greatness in My kingdom doesn’t come from being served but by serving. In serving you are investing in My kingdom. That investment no man can steal from you, it is safe in My hands. 

6. BY ABIDING IN ME THAT YOU MAY MATURE TO THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.

John 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Abiding in Me is abiding in the Word for I am the Word, and if you do not abide in the Word, you can do nothing. Abiding is living with, you must live with and by the Word. Abiding is not just visiting BUT living with continually.

Abiding in Me is abiding in My Body. You can’t stay connected to the Head unless you are in the Body. Parts of the Body cannot operate in the Spirit apart from the Head. 

Abiding in Me is talking with Me. If you live and abide with Me you will converse with Me.

Without these you are not abiding, you are only occasionally visiting.

7. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, BY SPENDING TIME ALONE WITH ME AND BEING LED BY MY SPIRIT.

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

That is the hidden Manna of your heart! Your secret history is that path I walk with you that nobody else knows of, that secret history is time spent with the one who knows you the best and loves you the most. Only I know all the motivation of your heart and thoughts, only you and I know your innermost being. Your history and communications with me, will be the path we can share, as I alone can deal with those motivations that are not of my Spirit, and daily transform you into My likeness as we spend time together.

                                                           Thus saith Papa   

CHALLENGE: Is your spiritual life only in survival mode? 

                    Which of the above areas have you neglected the most, resulting in stunted 

                     growth in some of your spiritual root structure?

My book “Developing a Secret History with God” will inspire and help you as you develop your root structure. See Amazon/Barnes & Noble

 

 

 

 

 

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