July Message - REPOST
Our July Newsletter
Happy July, Happy Fourth of July! Good News is coming our way! Praise God for miracles and the Holy Spirit said last month miracles were coming!
This month we have a special word. The Holy Spirit said to make July's message "My sheep hear my voice" and to focus on how we are all very precious to God so we're using July to focus on the Good News and Miracles that are happening (see our News segment and Good News feature under Need An Uplifting Word?).
In This Month's Issue We Cover:
Our July Message: My Sheep Hear My Voice, Enlarging God's Territory, Good News, Why You Must Have Faith, and Our July Prayer
Music Spotlight: Israel Houghton: O Come to the Altar, Le' Andria Johnson: Revival Fire Fall
July Spotlight: 50 Clever Ways to Beat the Heat; Enjoy Summer Cooking; Up To 70% Off Sizzling Summer Savings
Need an Uplifting Word? Good News
News: Man Wrongfully Jailed Gets Life Back - Embraces Judge, Kind 15-Year-Old Helps Deaf and Blind Man on Flight
LOL: Some Day...
Fasten your seatbelts. The ride's about to begin...
My Sheep Hear My Voice...
For our July Newsletter, the Holy Spirit said to use, "My sheep hear my voice" and we found this awesome image of a bighorn sheep.
If you don't know anything about bighorn sheep, the National Park Service states, "They have wide-set eyes that provide a large angle of vision. This along with sharp hearing and a highly-developed sense of smell helps them detect dangers at great distances. Specialized hooves and rough soles provide a natural grip as bighorn sheep make precarious jumps and breath-taking climbs up and down sharp cliff faces." It's no wonder Jesus describes us as sheep. We're wide-eyed, alert, and listening for Him AND able to leap over mountains and obstacles in our way - with God's grace!
The Holy Spirit also stated for July to include that "We are all very precious to God" and in following Him, it's important to know how much God loves us and how to stand strong in our faith. The devil can't touch us, but we have to be equipped to know how to hear from God clearly - before the test or trial comes, and how to put on the full armor of God so that during the testing, we can stand strong in our faith. Just like sheep can fall prey to a wolf that might try to attack them, someone might try to distract the shepherd to get to the flock, or distract a sheep to isolate it.
We have to be careful because the devil has been trying to isolate God's people and separate them from sources of strength: Your phone battery dies when you're listening to church music, or the Internet goes out while you're trying to hear a powerful sermon, (but if it was a movie or anything secular, there wouldn't be any disruptions). The devil can also attack internally so you'll feel bad about yourself - It's happening now. We're hearing about people giving up because the devil is playing games with their minds. That's one of the reasons why reading your Bible every day is vitally important to renew your mind and nourish it with the Bread of Life, the Blood of Jesus, and the Water from the Holy Spirit.
In this season where the devil is trying to show MORE attacks on the news and plant MORE seeds of hate and fear in people, we have to show MORE of Jesus's love through MORE random acts of kindness to uplift and encourage one another. We also have to filter out the devil's attacks and not focus on him because satan is already defeated and satan is under our feet, so don't give place to the devil. The devil is looking for people that are afraid and vulnerable. Our light shines like a lighthouse letting the world know that we are not afraid, we know Jesus, and there IS a way out: Jesus Christ! Put on the full armor of God today so you can stand strong against the wiles of the devil! Our next section will focus on Good News and setting good examples! For we have been redeemed and Christ has set us free!
Music Moment
Have you heard Israel Houghton's heartfelt version of O Come to the Altar? Sometimes we just need to know that we have a loving Father God who takes us as we are - He loves us so much!
Good News and Setting a Good Example
A few months ago I was listening to a sermon about a pastor who wouldn't let anyone tell him bad news. He never wanted anyone to say, "Pastor, we don't have the money to pay the light bill." He trained his staff to reprogram their minds to speak the solution so they would say instead, "Pastor, we are praising God for the money that's coming in for the light bill that the Lord is providing." See the difference?
As the Church and Body of Christ, we have to set the example. Jesus NEVER said "We don't have fish," or "We don't have any bread", but he constantly tested the disciples to see where their thinking was because they needed to put a demand on Him. And that's something that we have to do more of - - speaking in advance what we need and praising God for it - - so it will come to pass.
At a time when we need encouragement, it's so important to set the example because the Church and the Body need to show strong leadership and confidence in God and Christ - despite what it looks like and what the enemy is trying to attack with.
Set the Good Example Despite How They Treat You
When Joseph's brothers set him up in the Old Testament, they thought it would be the end of Joseph. The brothers despised his favor with the father and they didn't like Joseph showing off his coat of many colors - even more favor. But the problem with that is your gifts will make room for you and gifts and callings are without repentance, meaning, God isn't going to take it back because another person is jealous and trying to make it difficult for you and that's what happened with Joseph. Despite his brothers' jealousies, Joseph had a call on his life. He just had to keep walking in his gifts and showcasing what God gave him until the right time. David went through that, too.
David's brothers hated him and his father didn't even acknowledge him, but David was destined to be king. A very good thing that we can learn from David is that David kept perfecting his gifts like with the slingshot when he killed the bear and the lion.
Keep Giving 110%
While people may despise you (it will happen because there's a call on your life), you have to stay encouraged, stay positive, and keep drawing closer to God to work on building up the gifts He's given you AND sharing them with others. In this season, there are a lot of people that have been waiting and they're holding back because they keep saying "If I just had --- I could give God 100%. Wrong! Everyone is probably "without" something. It might be a spouse, money, a job, family members, etc., but whatever it is, keep giving Father God your 100%.
The fact is that the devil has been trying to handicap people so they THINK THEY CAN'T work "with a disadvantage", but it's almost like God is saying, "Look at my servant Job". There's God showing off Job and saying I know my child will serve me even without --- during a test and there was Job, proving God right when Job said, "Though He slay me, yet shall I trust Him." Whatever you've gone through, however they treated you, whatever they did to you in the past, you have to let that go and continue to grow, continue to thrive, continue to help others, heal, preach, teach, and share your gifts. When you work with what you have, God provides what you don't have.
Why You Must Have Faith
Just like when Paul asked God to take whatever it was that he was plaguing him and God said in so many words that Paul could serve him just as he was, we have to continue to give 100% and show good service. Think of the Children of Israel that had to do double the work. They still produced and we know that with anything Father God ALLOWS, it will always work in our favor.
The hard part though can be having enough faith to believe and know that you know that you know that God will still make the way DESPITE how people treat or treated you, despite the doctor's report, despite the bills and debts, despite the neighbors' noise, despite the violence and racism, despite the news or what's going on around you. It can be SO hard especially when you turn on the news or hear about racism and hatred. But that's the devil and he's attacking because he's looking for weak people to lash out and war in the flesh OR run in fear. For everyone that you encounter, please remind them to stay encouraged, to have faith, and to see the end result as God because Jesus has already overcome the world.
Remember, the losing team only gets mad when they realize it's so late in the game that even with all their attempts, they will still lose in the end and there you have it. We're in the last quarter, Jesus is coming back "soon, soon" and the devil is mad because we have the victory. The Body of Christ and the Church are coming together now more than ever before. Watch for miracles to come and remember, in our January Newsletter, the Holy Spirit said that this year we will be shouting "Victory!" Stay encouraged. Victory is ours (and we win)!
The Holy Spirit said to tell you, "You must have faith. God will deliver us. Things are about to change. Where you saw your enemies you won't see them any longer. Wait on God. All things work together for the good of them that love God. You're going to look back and see that it's better. It's better, it's better. It's so much better. Don't go by what you see. The enemy wants you to see with a distorted eye. We have a single eye. Stay focused on God, building His ministry, helping each other, walking in love, forgiving one another, sowing seeds of faith for encouragement. That stubborn pride, keep rebuking it and repenting. Stay in God's shadow. We will see the miracles that God does. The miracles that He does. The enemy fails in comparison to what God's about to do. Keep on committing sudden acts of kindness. Keep on rebuking the devil."
I wrote that out as the Holy Spirit said it, but then He said "stubborn pride" a second time, so let's please all be mindful to repent and stay humble on our knees before God. While we want to win in our personal goals and achievements, the devil is hoping that we stand and say, "Aha, now I'm finally on top," but that's not what God wants. No flesh can stand before God. We stay humble and God elevates us. Always humbly. Please continue to rebuke false pride. Lord, we ask for your mercy.
Our July Prayer...
Father God in the name of Jesus, Lord, we come to you and we praise your holy name. Lord, you've been so good to us. Thank you for covering and keeping us and making the way. Father God, we ask for your "covering" and for you to "protect us". We know you said to "look for your window". The Word says you won't let our foot slip and we praise you for the victory. Please keep the enemy at bay. We know the devil is defeated and under our feet and we have the victory. We know where there is no way, you will always make a way out. Please show us clearly every window and door that you have for us and surround us with your goodness, love, and favor. We wait for you, and I hear the Holy Spirit saying for someone "Wait for God". (Not sure who this is for, it's a woman and I think it has to do with a decision, they need you to make a decision, where they're telling you they need an answer, but wait for God). So we will be obedient and wait for you, Lord. Not sure why I'm hearing to "pray for Dallas," but we pray for Dallas's covering.
Thank you, Father God, for the beautiful messages and Jesus's encouraging words to help us grow stronger in our faith and our commitment to you. May we recognize your signs when we need proof and be a help to those in need a light on a hill so others can find their way to you. We pray for your covering, we ask for God's mercy and we praise you for the blessings you keep pouring down. He said do not quit or be tempted to quit or give up. God has His finger on it or on you. He will not fail. We praise you and know you will show us proof where we need it and we receive help from you and your mercy because we know our miracles are on the way! Thank you for your love, mercy, covering, and grace over our homes, communities, nation, and our planet. We cancel the devil's assignment in Jesus's name and no weapons formed against us shall prosper. We praise you for the victory and for keeping us covered, Lord, in Jesus's most precious name, Amen!
Look for the windows that He sends.
Aside from titles, anything in bold above is something the Holy Spirit mentioned to pray about.
The Prayer of Salvation
If you haven't said the Prayer of Salvation, now's the best time: Father God in the name of Jesus, Lord, I ask forgiveness of my sins. Please come into my heart. I turn my back on sin and I make you my Lord and Savior. I want to follow you for the rest of my life. Please give me eternal life through you in Jesus name, Amen.
Re-dedication to Christ Prayer
If you need to rededicate your life to Christ because you feel like you've been sinning or haven't been living right, pray: Father God in the name of Jesus, I ask forgiveness of my sins and I turn my back on sin. Please help me to overcome ---- and I want to lead a better life through you. I decree and declare this day I have overcome ---- and I have the victory in Jesus name, Amen.
Stay in God's shadow, stay away from sin and temptation, keep reading your Bible and keep seeking God first.
Be ye doers of the Word... We pray this message blesses you today!
If you need prayer, please call the Bill Winston Prayer Center at (877) 543-9443. You can also check online for Joyce Meyer's prayer request form and other sites that can pray for and with you. You are more than a conqueror!
Enlarging God's Territory...
Isaiah 54:2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
1 Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
In this season, please be mindful to listen for Father God. The devil can try to be distracting with traffic, noise, violence in the news, and so forth, BUT, when you hear God calling, please stop and obey Him. I've noticed in my own life that it's usually when I am super busy and in a big hurry that the Holy Spirit will stop and tell me to do something or say a kind word to someone. We must obey and take the time to listen for Father God.
There's a rush to get home and get away from the crowds or tune them out, but remember, God wants us to also counsel, witness, pray, teach, and even lend an ear or a shoulder when someone needs it. Please make yourself available as you feel God calling you and the Holy Spirit said to keep reading the Gospel of Luke for inspiration.
Music Moment: Le'Andria Johnson: Revival Fire Fall
Before revival comes repentance. Love this live but "slightly shaky" version of Le'Andria Johnson's, Revival Fire Fall. Remember to confess sins because we must go to God on our knees, bowed down, and humble before God and "He shall lift you up," (James 4:10).
News: Man Wrongfully Jailed Gets Life Back and Embraces Judge
As a 14-year-old, John Bunn was convicted of killing an officer and after nearly three decades behind bars was released. Watch his touching story and the moment he thanks the judge.
We pray for all those that face convictions. A criminal past or conviction doesn't dictate who you are and a judgment doesn't determine your future. Man might try to hold you by it, but when you ask God's forgiveness in Jesus's name, He sees the sin no more. God calls you His child, His servant, and His chosen, and Jesus calls you friend. We are reminded not to stand in judgment unless we want to be judged. Every high thing that exalts itself will be brought down.
News: Teen Steps in On Flight to Help Deaf and Blind Man
Story shared courtesy CBS News: Clara Daly was on a flight with her mom when they heard a call from a flight attendant asking if anyone knew sign language. Clara, who had been studying sign language, decided to help, and her random act of kindness has now touched thousands of people. CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds has more.
LOL: That one baby everyone just KNOWS is destined to become the BEST minister...
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