Virtuous

I know it's going to be worth it in the end but I am soooooooooooo tired!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need a fresh word...

Yes, Lola... It was refreshing for me! Like a second wind.

pretty harsh, but sometimes God gets that way with me and thats what catches my attention Daph, I understand completely. I am one of those who can't be "sugar-coated" approached. It takes things like that for me too. Honest - Stern - Point Blank...

How important is doing the will of God? Do you know the will of God for your life? Does it matter? Do you worry about NOT carrying out God’s will in your life? Do you worry about HOW you’re going to carry out the will of God in your life? These are questions I have struggled with for years. Sermon after sermon…Message after message…teaching after teaching; concerning these things – still, I have struggled with carrying out the will of God for my life. In one swoop, the light has come on and a song we sing takes on a whole new “LIFE” to me… I give myself away. I give myself away. So you can use me. (repeat at will) Here I am. Here I stand. Lord, my life is in your hands. Lord, I’m longing see…your desires revealed in me. I give myself away. I give myself away. So you can use me. (repeat at will) Take my heart. Take my life. As a living sacrifice. All my dreams. All my plans. Lord, I place them in your hands. I give myself away. I give myself away. So you can use me. (repeat at will) My life is not my own. To you, I belong. I give myself… I give myself to you. (Bridge) Doing the will of God is very important to me. My one heart’s desire is to do the will of God. My purpose is to do the will of God. In order to do the will of God, I have to surrender EVERYTHING – ALL THINGS to Him. There can’t be any of Virtuous. My desire (wait, oh my God! Cholette, as I write this, I felt your dream you had about me come up in my spirit and I just want to cry. Remember? Desire? That’s it! {now I’m crying} That’s what God wanted. This is what He’s wanted all along. Everything is going to change. I understand now. Oh, God, I understand! THIS “desire” has changed who I am! Oh, God, I understand! I understand!) I was studying Moses last night in Exodus 40. The will of God for his life at that time was to build the tabernacle. God told him what He wanted him to do, when He wanted him to do it, and how it should be done. All Moses had to do was do it. I mean God gave Moses instructions from start to finish. All Moses had to do was obey. I don’t know if Moses thought he should put the veil someplace else, or the altar someplace else or do anything else different or what. But I do know he was doing the will of God, God’s way. Moses wouldn’t have been able to do that if Moses was in the way. Either I want the will of God for my life or I don’t. It’s all or nothing. I don’t have to worry about HOW it will be carried out. If I give myself away to the Lord, He HAS to use me to carry out the purpose He created me for. There is so much just opening up to me about how the will of God will be carried out in my life. I have to be like Mary was when she said, “Be it unto me according to thy word”. All the dreams and desires I have that my heart longs for are ALL tied to the will of God for my life. I know this because they are ALL tied to ministry. No, they are not all spiritual but even the natural ones are tied to the spiritual ones. It seems like they only make sense or have meaning when I think of them complimenting the things of the spirit. It’s almost as if the natural things won’t be as fulfilling without the spiritual things. Does that make sense to anybody? I said all of that (and could probably say more) to say this. From this day forward, Virtuous is moving out of the way. I will carry out the will of God for my life – God’s way. The song I added to the very beginning of this thread is my anthem. Everything God has promised me in His word and through prophecy is His will for my life and I am giving myself away to Him and trusting Him. He brings the provision for the vision and I’m just going to obey orders. Virtuous… your life is not your own!

I have experienced what Mia is talking about as well. I truly believe that because God had instructed me and given me the authority to pray against those spirits, I was not “possessed” by them. And that goes back to what Cholette and NeWine were saying. If we don’t have the wisdom, revelation, knowledge and understanding of what these two ladies speak about, we can and will be overtaken. From my experience, I am tried in every area of prayer I pray. For example, God led me to pray against the spirit of adultery…the spirit of adultery tried to attach itself to me by having me lusting after this married man (And I know this is not me. I have NEVER desired, much less made advances towards, a married man – so I’m like, WHAT?! ). The more I prayed against the spirit the more it attacked me. But thanks and glory be to God - I stayed in His face and stood against that spirit. IT DID NOT “possess” me. Attack me? Yes. Possess me? NO! But it could have if I hadn’t stood in the authority that God had given me (and of course walking in what Cholette and NeWine spoke about). Even now, I’m on an assignment against another spirit and I see that spirit trying to operate in my life but the devil is a lie! Oh, I see it, recognize it, and I ain’t having it! Keep it moving devil, cause I ain’t got no room or no vacancy for you! I have the authority to PRAY AGAINST IT and the strength to STAND AGAINST IT. Now play wit it! Satan tries to possess the souls of the people of God…Christians…Us. He’s out to destroy God’s people! No, Satan can’t just simply snatch us from the hand of the Lord because as long as we’re in His hand, we are protected. But if we decide to get out there on the devils territory, we are a free agent and the devil will have a field day with us. There is no soul like the soul of a child of God. The devil is NOT going to sit back and watch your friend, you, me or anybody else who is walking in the will of God in ministry without doing something to abort/prolong his defeat. He’s going to throw out opposition on every hand. But WE have to know the authority God has given us and work it. But like Mia has stated, we can use the authority to kick them out, but there is still a battlefield full of them waiting to attack AND possess us if we let them. It IS a sin to go ghost hunting. This is witchcraft, occults, mediums, familiar spirits, wizards, dead people, ghost - and it is in the Word of God that we are not to have anything to do with them. The scriptures given by traveler clearly back this up. It defiles and pollutes the souls of those who seek them. No way can familiar spirits tell you anything about the spiritual realm because they are not operating in the spirit of God. Peddling around in that foolish puts us in the devils territory where anything goes. Ask it of God and WAIT for HIM to answer. Mia hit it right on the head and that’s where the problem lies… people contacted them to get answers from them (supernatural answers) instead of waiting on and/or seeking God.

You're welcome, mjtorrence.

It’s not about being considered human. It’s ALL about the spirit. Jesus (God’s spirit in human form) had all the spiritual gifts to demonstrate the power of “The Spirit” by which they were given. All of the spiritual gifts were given by the same spirit (I Corinthians 12). Just as much as you have the desire for spiritual gifts, you should be just as passionate about them to cause you to want to elevate in them to edify the church (I Corinthians 14). Children of God are not “just human”. We are a peculiar people. “Just humans” will NEVER be able to live a life of holiness or walk this faith walk without the spirit of God. Spiritual gifts are used to exalt the power of the Spirit of God. I desire to have the spiritual gifts that God has placed on my heart to desire. I am very passionate about them because I want to use them to edify His people and demonstrate His power to unbelievers that they may believe. I desire maturity in those areas that I may be more effective in His Kingdom. Reference scriptures: Peculiar people - Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 14:2; Deuteronomy 26:18; Titus 2:14; I Peter 2:9 Side note: I saw this thread shortly after you posted it and it caught my attention but I didn’t feel ready to respond. The only thing that came up in my spirit was, “It’s not about being human”. I couldn’t just leave it at that because I knew there was more. I just didn’t know what. I’ve gone over and over this since then. Today I had a little time to research scriptures about it. After reading the thread again for the umpteenth time, “peculiar people” came up in my spirit and I knew why I just couldn’t leave “It’s not about being human” in the beginning. Plus, reading I Corinthians 14:12 have given me understanding and a scripture to stand on as to why I’m so passionate about operating in the spiritual gifts I desire. When making your desire for God your top priority, His priorities (Will) becomes your priorities (Will). Thank you, Holy Ghost…I felt that! I did a study on this very subject – Making your desires for God your top priority and the rewards of doing so – a couple of months ago.

When you're set apart, you're not suppose to fit in. That's the purpose of being set apart. You can't be like and be around everybody else even if you tried. You'll feel more OUT of place fitting in.

I didn’t get a notification when you replied to my response last month. I just so happened to open this up because of the topic. I didn’t even realize I had already previously opened AND posted to it. I had forgotten all about it. After reading your response, I feel that you yourself, or someone you know (but I personally think it’s you) have been or are in the furnace. I feel that God is testing you or has tested you at a point in your life when you knew/know that you are in right standing with him…living a righteous and holy life before Him. I don’t think you knew what was going on (not at first) because it all happened so fast. It blew you away because one minute things were great and then all of a sudden…BAM! And you’re like, WHAT?! The test God had/has you in, has put you on blast in front of everybody and to the flesh (people), what you were/are going through looks just like the result of sin in your life. In most cases, it would be, but not in your case. How do I know? It happened to me – back to back...once with losing my house and the other with having my son. The hardest time of suffering (like what you’re talking about) was with my son. I could see/hear the whispering…the talking behind my back…the “I knew it” looks. I could go on and on. Even now, just thinking about that time brings tears to my eyes. Everyone had their two-cents to say, including the devil. I thought I was going to lose it. I was so devastated and heartbroken. After all, I didn’t want people to look at me in the way they were looking at me. I couldn’t explain to them what I was going through because none of them understood. Heck, I didn’t understand it myself. The more I tried to explain, the LESS sense it made. I would hear the same talk you’re speaking about that would crush my spirit and make me feel like if I hadn’t been living in sin, I could have the same thing. It wasn’t so much directed at me, but you know when conversations come up and it’s indirectly directed at you. That was a very trying and lonely time for me. But God, stepped in right on time. He sent me a word that soothed my soul. He specifically told me that what was happening with me was ALL HIM! It had nothing to do with sin but it had EVERYTHING to do with HIS PURPOSE for my life. He told me not to keep anything from Him (This is when He taught me that He truly cares about my feelings. Even when it seems to be nothing to others, but was VERY REAL to me; He cares about what I was feeling while suffering); and to only obey Him. THAT word got me through those times and as I go through things now, I allow it to encourage me because when I know I’m living upright before the Lord, there is hope, there is vindication and there is liberty. More importantly, there’s a GREAT anointing that follows! He didn’t deliver me out of the furnace, but He certainly got in there with me and what people thought didn’t matter anymore. It’s like my Pastor says, “You’re going to always be accused; just don’t be guilty”. I know all the nay-Sayers/enemies were like, “Now I know she was in there by herself; but there is a 2nd man in the fire”! Hallelujah, Jesus! There were times I got so weary. But because He knew I had to go through it to make me who He’s chosen me to be; He carried me. As He carried me; He strengthened me. When He strengthened me, He put me back down to walk it out. This went on until I made it out. And when I tell you I made it out WITHOUT smelling like smoke…I made it out WITHOUT smelling like smoke!!!!!!!!!! Ya heard me?!

I think your topic says it all...

It used to be something i loved to do, i need that hunger back. REKINDLE THE FIRE... I TIMOTHY 4 - Key verses 14-16 (It'll be good to read the entire chapter) I TIMOTHY 1 - Key verse 6. (It'll be good to read the entire chapter) ACTS 8:17

I agree with what you've said and your scripture reference sums it up. This is a preparation stage. God is actually allowing suffering to make us who He wants us to be. We can't decide what we go through or when we go through it. However; to some degree, I think we can determine how long we stay in it by how we respond to it...how we deal with it...what are actions are. Meaning, if we're kicking and screaming while we're going through, there's no way we can see, hear or feel God. He's just going to step back until we calm down. The suffering we go through depends upon the anointing and our assignment. Anointing comes with a high price. So what do you do other than pray for clarity for someone who declares over and over again that they are so very blessed with all things working like fine wine - mind you, in the face of humble and spiritual people who demonstrate more spiritual maturity and are going through a hard time? It's a slap in the face to everyone and it takes away the faith of some to think that they are suffering while this other boasting person is living it up. You never know what a person is going through. I was about to lose everything I had and I still had a kool-aid smile on my face and boasted about the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord and proclaimed how blessed and highly favored I was in the Lord. The enemy tried to still that joy and peace from me by telling me I was crazy, that I was about to lose everything I had and I was running around like everything was "working like fine wine". One of my friends (not saved) told me a person would never know I was going through so much just by watching me. I had a beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 full bath home, sitting on almost two acres of land. A part of my income, that I was counting on, stopped and I fell behind in all of my bills so my house was up for foreclosure. I made plans to get a part-time job with a fast-food chain that I had worked with for many years. God said no and for me to trust Him. I had gotten a start date and everything but I would miss Bible Studies and Prayer Meetings and I knew I needed to be in both of them - I desired to be in both of them. It was either going to be that I would get a job to save my home and miss church, or trust God. A lot of people (yes, some of my Christian family at church) thought I had just been living in sin and was about to lose my home. That wasn't the case. At first it bothered me and I wanted to go ahead and get the job anyway to bring money into the house to make sure I didn't lose my home. But God kept saying no and for me to trust Him. At that point, I didn't care what anybody thought. People kept telling me what I should do, which all led to the opposite of what God was telling me. But I had to follow God. I just knew He was going to perform this great miracle for me to keep my home. NOT... I lost my home but I had so much peace in my heart about it because I knew I had been obedient to God. Shortly after that, God sent me a word through my Pastor and told me that because of my obedience, He was going to bless me with a beautiful home bigger and better than the one I lost. The following week, a prophet called me out and confirmed what my Pastor said. I was told God had to get me out of my house and to the apartments I moved to that I could reach someone for Him. I wasn't sure at the time what they were talking about but I just rested in it. I became very close with my neighbor and I would share the messages my Pastor taught with her. We would sit on her porch (our hang out spot) and I would share my faith with her. That went on for about a year before I moved out. I would still go by to visit and talk with her and she would tell me how she was in church and I could tell by her conversation, God was moving in her life. I knew she was developing a relationship with the Lord - I could see growth in her. A year after I moved away, she died. I was devasted. But God reminded me of what was told to me about reaching someone. It was her. Sharing my faith with her for just that year made a difference in her life. She got saved and I thank God that I was obedient, regardless of the circumstances and how it looked to everyone else, that I was able to be a part of God's plan for her life. Getting a job to save my home was and is not worth the salvation of someone else. Even though at the time I didn't know things were going to work out that way. Yes, God could've raised someone else up to do it because He would not have had her to miss her salvation because of my disobedience. I said all of that to say this. Don't misinterpret someone's declaration of how blessed they are. I know from experience that all hell can be breaking lose in your life and the joy of the Lord is your strength and it will bring you so much peace that the tornado you're going through will seem like a light wind to you. Oh, yeah...as I said I still lost my house but it wasn't foreclosed on. IT WAS SOLD! I'M IN HIGH EXPECTATION TO RECEIVE MY BEAUTIFUL HOME, TOO. IT'S ON THE WAY....

A Moses winning the battle season, huh? You're drained/tired. You can't climb under a rock until it's over. It's up to you to win this battle. You need an Aaron and a Hur to hold your arms up for strength. As long as Aaron and Hur held Moses hands up, he was winning the battle. Strength be unto you, my sister!

But he embraces the love of Jesus...he prays every night for God to send His angels to watch over us and to give him sweet dreams. God showed him He hears and He's answering his prayers. Imagine what that has done for him...what a "faith increaser"!

True...why? The cry of His people?

What if we cried out for something better? Crying out for God's Perfect Will for our lives and this nation is the best thing.

Being that God is an all-knowing God, He knew they would ask for a King and it was already in His plan. Nothing surprises God.

Shortly after I joined the church I presently attend, some things were going on that I absolutely didn't like and I wanted to leave. I even told God I was going to leave and He needed to lead me to another church. He immediately gave me specific instructions NOT to leave; therefore, I didn't have to battle with the decision of leaving or staying. I still wanted to leave but I was too afraid to leave because I didn't want to get out of His will. We feel releases from God in different ways. You have to know how God speaks and answers you. I'll be praying that God confirms or corrects your desire to leave. If your assignment is complete, I pray that He will lead and guide you to the place you should be.

Keep reading and see what happened. There was a lesson for them to learn in all of that. Yes, He asked Samuel to anoint Saul as king, but really notice the TYPE of king Saul was. Same goes for those who God sent Moses to lead out of Egypt. They kept begging and harassing Moses for food and water. Look what happened to them. These weren't God's perfect will for these people; but He allowed it (Permissive will)

PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING Oh, God, teach me to find understanding in reading your word, For it is written in a language, I have never heard. I try studying the Bible to learn about you and what you ask of me, But I can’t make sense of it, to be who you want me to be. I’m hungry for your word, and I desire to be fed, The devil is attacking me; starting in my head. I need to speak the Word of God and rebuke him in the name of Jesus, So he will know that the solid foundation I stand; is only for the righteous. Meditating on your word is hard when I don’t understand, What to apply to my life to live eternally in the Promise Land. Father, God, I pray, that you open my eyes so that I can see your greatness, Touch my mind so that I can live in your likeness. Thank you, God, I now have Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding to seek your face, For Power, Love, Salvation, Peace, Faith, Meekness, Gentleness, Longsuffering, Goodness, Temperance, and Grace. ______________________ I wrote this poem in January of 2004. A few months later, I was introduced to the NLV because I COULD NOT understand what was being said in KJV. I just couldn't. I bought the NLV, which I still have. At first I didn't even read it because like I said, I don't like to read. One day God spoke to me and said, "What's your excuse now?" I picked that bible up and began to read and I've been reading ever since. I don't read like I should all of the time, but the more I read, the more God opens up His word to me. Not just in the NLV but the KJV as well. I'd rather read the KJV and allow the Holy Spirit to bring revelation, knowledge and understanding but I don't always get it. So I use my NLV as a reference tool.

, Oh, No...

OH, Praise God for His faithfulness. I have been thinking about him. Thank you for the update!

Proverbs 3: 5-6 "Trust in the Lord with ALL thine (my) heart; and lean NOT TO THINE (MY) OWN UNDERSTANDING. In ALL thy (my) ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy (my) paths". God gave me a personal revelation through this scripture that has truly blessed me. I would like to share it with the group in hopes it might encourage all who reads it. I have been seeking God for guidance. After reading the commentary section in my Living Bible regarding this scripture, I realized that there ARE areas in my life that I have not fully acknowledged God in. Acknowledge means admit the truth, existence, or reality. I haven't been admitting the truth, existence, or reality IN God in ALL of my ways. Yes, there are some areas in my life where I trust God completely. There is no doubt in my mind that He can't handle certain things. There is no doubt in my mind that He can't provide certain things...etc. I have admitted His truth, existence, or reality in those areas. Although I wasn't doing it purposely, what about the other area(s)? Th truth and reality about God's existence should be evident in ALL areas of my life. I must trust Him in with ALL my heart in ALL my ways. God knows what's best for me and if I give my entire heart, my entire life, my entire ways to Him; He has to direct my path because then and only then will I be seeking guidance for His will and His purposes for my life. I will end with this one question about anything you may be going through: Regardless of what it looks like...Regardless of what it feels like...Regardless of what it taste like...Regardless of what it smells like...Regardless of what it sounds like; HAVE YOU ADMITTED THE TRUTH, EXISTENCE, OR REALITY OF GOD ABOUT IT? , Oh, thank you Lord. God just put it on my heart to look up the word "admit". Admit means to take or accept as being truth! , Thank you Jesus... Oh, my God. We have to accept truth, existence, or reality in God. Accept Him as being truth, accept his existence, accept His reality in all things in ALL of our HEART! In order to accept something, it has to be offered. God has offered us His truth, existence, or reality! Oh, God I praise you. You are worthy to be praised!

I love how God rebukes the devourer!