In a fog, it is not bright headlights that help to

In a fog, it is not bright headlights that help to show the way. It is the low level light that helps us identify minute by minute where the road is where we should be driving. As we should be, we are all listening and tuning into the powerful 'words' spoken in these times. Words of encouragement, inspiration, and challenge are always needed.

God actually used a very tough time of captivity to Babylon to restore His own role in Israel. Jeremiah 51 is a promise of deliverance. God did not intend to leave the Israelites to their enemy any longer than it took for them to turn to Him for help. This word was given to any of those who would listen. God gave instructions through Jeremiah of how they were to wait. 

They were to raise their banner (don't give in - know you are in CHRIST - no other). Sharpen their swords (study the Word - for powerful discernment of man's ideas and thinking and what is of the Spirit, divine life giving truth). Oil their shields (to be anointed, saturated with Holy Spirit). Rehearse who God is to them and what good things He has done. We are always to be giving our testimonies, our reports even when we are facing times much like Babylon.

When life seems much like the Spirit of Egypt described in Isaiah 19 we need to know God has always had a plan. Like a dark cloud deception threatens to overwhelm the Word, which has ever been a light to 'our feet.' The bright sunlight and sunsets are sometimes very blinding. There are times when life is a bit of a fog when we need the light that identifies minute by minute where the road is where we should be driving. It is a time of slowing down to navigate the straight narrow way to go. It doesn't matter how broad the way if we go to far right or left we can miss the safety of the road already established and found true. Very concerned our listening for everything spoken or written, to be filtered through the foundations of truth that have been so faithful to help the body of Christ navigate sound doctrine. Sloppy, careless navigation when what appears to be something fresh and brilliant  could actually be disastrous. Straight paths are still to be desired over every wind of doctrine. 

It is always a good time to be carefully listening and examining what is being said in light of what was, is, and always has provided a solid foundation. Ours ears need to be hearing carefully discerning voices. But the voices need to be more than an opinion. An opinion is only as valuable as the evidence and experience that formed it. The straying away from what builds and maintains foundational doctrine affects everyone and everything. The rock is doesn't move like the sand does every time the tide changes. Let's be content to stay with the rock that is sure.

Linda Livengood

mikelivengoodministries.com

Revival Reports from Doorkeepers (Facebook)

What Would I Have To Say?

Often I have received a prophecy stating the Lord is giving me a voice. Because I am already a vocalist I doubt it is about a singing voice. So I have wondered what is the voice the Lord would be giving to me? If He were to give me a voice what is it that He would want me to say?

Worship is a huge part of the voice I am to have. To sit at His feet and give Him my worship, the only worship I have, I can give. Inside each of each one of us is a need to worship. There is a cry inside to worship something. God calls us to worship Him. He does not intrude upon our will and would never enslave us to worship Him. God places within the heart of every man, woman, boy and girl something that belongs to Him, as our creator.  And until we worship the creator there is something missing inside. He so wants us to be with Him. He wants to come and abide right inside each of us. There are those who do not yet recognize, or choose not to acknowledge that deep is about a cry to worship God. It is wonderful to know the Lord enjoys each and every voice of worship that is offered to Him. 
  
I give my voice to the worship of my Creator God. At 61, I qualify as an older woman. Scriptures say the older women should teach the younger. The experiences and tenure of the relationship I have with my Lord Jesus Christ have given me wonderful things to share about Him. My love and devotion to Him has not grow any weaker through the years. As a child I learned to trust that He will always love me. In Him I am complete and have found there is no desire to search for a greater a love than He gives. The more I seek to know Him the more complete I am in Him. So, I will share with a voice of the experience of completeness. 

I can share from wisdom I have learned, perhaps to help someone who could avoid going from seeking one relationship, or pleasure only to find there is still something missing. To experience what it is to know His presence and glory has satisfied and lasted. To know HIm is an experience already freely given for the asking. He says, those who seek Him will find Him.

My voice will also speak of the joy and journeys of a life that has been changed and is ever-changing by the dwelling of His Spirit in me. Through the good and bad times, the rush and the disappointments the presence of the Holy Spirit and the beauty of His holiness is with me. I pray it will always be seen in me and experienced by all of us.

Taking Offensive Action

March 24, 2009 at 10:52pm

They announced the need for help at the Healthy Living Festival that was to take place in the Town Hall in just a few days. This was not the first year for this Festival, but it was the first year we were able to participate. Several years before Christians from several churches began to take offensive action. As a direct result the darkest ‘spiritual’ vendors will no longer work this Festival any longer. I am reminded of the Philistine god, “Dagon,” who couldn’t remain seated beside the Ark of the Covenant successfully. From impacting thousands just a few years ago no more than 700 attended each day this year.

Still some offered reflexology, palm reading, mystical healers, mediums, spiritualists, a high profile TV clairvoyant doing seminars, and all were charging a fee and/or selling their books, rocks and crystals. Those attending would stroll around while they were deciding who and what they could afford to pay.

The café opened a door to serve those who were spiritually searching. Christian books were made available, but the opportunity which really caught my attention was free prayer. We would offer each one a God’s promise (scriptures on small pieces of paper) and a free prayer. When they saw the word God in “God’s promises” some would immediately turn away and say we don’t believe in God. The very thing they were missing and desperately searching for they had already rejected. Some even told me they themselves were god.

One couple asked us to pray for them to find ‘the right way.” What a privilege to lay our hands on their shoulders and pray “Jesus You said you are the way, the truth, and the life…the only way to heaven. We are asking that The Way for them would be made clear so they could find the way to You Jesus, etc. It was very obvious they had felt the Presence of God. As they were leaving they kept saying ‘that was good’ ‘that was good.’

We prayed for things like healing, for finances, for grief, for mothers with tormented children, for employment, or to be able to sleep at night… Their reaction was often exciting. They would say they felt heat, no more pain, or tremendous peace as they left the prayer booth. We were able to put literature in their hands about the ongoing Healing Rooms at Hope Centre every Tuesday.

When I was not scheduled to be in the prayer booth I began to watch for vendors who were not busy. I wanted to find out who they were, where they were from, and how or why they started doing their ‘spiritual’ search or practice. It was amazing to hear over and over those who had tried church and it wasn’t enough. There were many opportunities to testify of the personal healing touch of Jesus and the completeness I find in knowing Jesus.

The one thing I did not expect was the very strong presence of the Lord upon me personally. Often I feel nothing when someone lays hands on me, but there was such an explosive Presence of God upon me I could hardly stand still and I definitely could not shut up. Someone said my hand was trembling as I walked around and talked with whoever I found to talk to. It was not fear.

One of the things that came up in conversations over and over was the need to feel clean. They felt the need to go to spiritual guides and teachers who taught them to have clean thoughts and lives. They desired purity so they could change the world. One clairvoyant told me she wears a particular oil which makes her gentle. Another was quite bored with it all and actually admitted most of what she offered people came from life experiences and nothing mystical. Another, in line at the café in front of me, said she just had to get out of here – there’s too much energy. There was a remarkable difference in the café area compared to where the activities were going on in the booths. We believe she was experiencing the power of God’s presence.

At one point I txt Michael and told him “I was in my element.” Michael had a three hour powerful conversation with a man who did not even believe God exists. At one time the man had been a seminary student. He told us a door he thought was closed had been opened for him. He kept saying Michael was a powerful communicator. He was really moved upon by the Holy Spirit. He has our card and we are praying he will call us soon.

Wisdom for everyday

March 2, 2009 at 9:48am

Two secrets to keep your marriage brimming
1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it,
2. Whenever you're right, shut up.
---- Nash

Why is it that God’s people do not know their God?

July 1, 2010 at 11:51pm

“Why is it that God’s people do not know their God? And the answer is: They take anything rather than God, - ministers, and preaching, and books, and prayers, and work, and efforts, any exertion of human nature, instead of waiting, and waiting long if need be, until God reveals himself. No teaching that we may get, and no effort that we may put forth, can put us in possession of this blessed light of God, all in all to our souls. But it is still attainable, it is within reach, if God will reveal Himself. That is the one necessity. I would to God that everyone would ask his heart whether he has said, and is saying every day: ’I want more of God. Do not speak to me only of the beautiful truth there is in the Bible. That can not satisfy me. I want God.’ When a man is giving an illustrated lecture he often uses a long pointer to indicate places on a map or chart. Do the people look at the pointer? No, that only helps to show them the place on the map, and they do not think of it. – it might be of fine gold; but the pointer can not satisfy them. They want to see what the pointer points at. And this Bible is nothing but a pointer, pointing to God; and, - may I say it with reverence – Jesus Christ cam to point us, to show us the way, to bring us to God. I am afraid there are many people who love Christ and who trust in Him, but who fail of the one great object of His work; they have never learned to understand what the Scripture saith, “He died, that He might bring us unto God.” - quote from The Master’s Indwelling by Andrew Murray

Being an encourager

 April 14, 2011

I'm always for reading a good book, but you have to make the time to do it. While visiting my son, here in Lubbock,  I picked up my daughter-in-law's book, "How to Encourage the Man in Your Life" - Norman Wright. I had to share this quote because everyone of us needs to be encouraged.
"Encouragement is not a deficit-oriented approach. To be an encourager, you need to go counter to our culture and not be "conformed to this world." We live in a mistake-oriented culture. We've become skilled as flaw finders. Would the man or men your life say you are more equipped to point out mistakes, weaknesses, or liabilities rather than strengths? The answer speaks volumes."

The Bedroom


What do you think about when you lay in your bedroom? The bedroom is a place of intimacy. The moments when we are lying in our 
bedroom
 with private thoughts can be a 
place 
of dreaming of special relationships or maybe times of great loneliness. Ps
alm 6:6 "
I
 water 
my 
couch 
(bed) 
with 
tears."
 

When we are alone, such as in our bedroom it is a time to be totally honest with ourselves and carefully search 
our 
heart 
to 
be 
sure 
we
 are 
standing
 in 
awe 
and
 sinning 
not. 

Psalm
 4:3-4 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call unto Him. 
Stand 
in 
awe 
and 
sin 
not:
 commune 
with
 your 
own 
heart 
upon 
your 
bed,
 and
 be
 still.
 


Maybe the
 bedroom
 has been
 a
 place 
of temptation, or to 
plan 
revenge. 
Events of the day, or even years of pain, may have brought you to bitterness or 
anger. Alone, our emotions can escalate out of control. Have you ever heard, It will look differently in the morning?" Often it really will. 
Know that God
 does 
not 
get 
offended
 at 
intense
 emotions. 
Our 
emotions are safer 
expressed to God than with anyone else. 


Tell Him all about it. He wants to bring peace into your heart. You may need to repent, forgive, or hear His wisdom in a situation, or comfort, or direction. 

David prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Psalm 51:10-11

We can 
welcome 
Holy 
Spirit 
to change us.
 He
 actually
 knows 
what is in our heart 
better
 than
 we
 know
 ourselves.
 What is in our heart can hurt us. What 
we
 think and say
 and
 do
 can
 all
 be
 influenced
 by
 what He says to us
 when we will listen.
 
 

 
The
 bedroom
 is meant to be a wonderful place of
 being
 sealed
 in 
God's
 love. 
A place of sharing His great love and joy. Psalm
149:5
 refers to singing on their beds, "Let 
the 
saints 
be 
joyful,
 let 
them
 sing 
aloud 
on 
their 
beds,"
 
  
  

We
 really
 are 
His
 treasured 
possession.
 
We
 can
 stand
 in
 awe
 in
 the 
bedroom, a
 safe
 place,

 a
 place
 of 
joy
 knowing our heart is intimate with God.

 

Test for Fools

Do you despise wisdom & instruction?
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord[ is] the beginning of knowledge:[ but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Do you hate what has been known as truth? Do you scorn those who know right from wrong and refuse to learn what God has said?
Proverbs 1:22-23 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

Do you think if you have enough money you will be safe?
Proverbs 1:32-33
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Do you live ashamed time and time again of things you have done?
Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Have you been influenced, swayed, manipulated, or seduced because you gave your heart away to be trampled and slaughtered.
Proverbs 7:21-25 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it[ is] for his life. 24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.

Who do you listen to? Understand who it is who speaks excellent advice to you.
Proverbs 8:5-6 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. 6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips[ shall be] right things.

Do you really know what you are talking about? What you don't know could destroy you.
Proverbs 10:14 Wise[ men] lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish[ is] near destruction.

Wearing the Fringe

Wearing the Fringe Numbers Everyone knows we make a statement about who we are by what we wear, how their hair is cut, and even the way we walk.

The Children of Israel were instructed to wear fringe on the hem of their garments. The fringe was to be worn in plain sight and the fringe would be seen several times each day. They may have been identified as ‘the ones who wore the fringe, you know, the Children of Israel’. The fringe was not a fashion statement. In fact it was more like a yellow caution sign along a highway. The fringe was to be a warning for each person who wore it. It was to be a constant reminder to do God’s commandments.

Numbers15:38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: 39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: 40 That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

God knows us so well. He knows our weaknesses. The fringe was not for God’s benefit. He didn’t need to brand or label the people who were His. God didn’t need to see the colored fringe in order to easily locate them whenever He looked down from heaven. Realistically, God doesn’t even need us to wear clothes! He doesn’t get embarrassed at our nakedness. He has no need to cover our nakedness.

The fringe was to remind them about what our sin does to us. Adam and Eve were embarrassed because of their sin. They reacted to the guilt of their sin by making clothes to cover themselves and hide from God. God hates sin. He cannot tolerate sin. He hates sin because He is holy. He hates sin because sin separates us from Him. Every generation was told to continue wearing the fringe on the borders of their garments. Every generation was to remember to do all of God’s commandments.

What God required of them on the outside, their clothes, was only to be a sign to keep themselves for Him on the inside. Wearing the fringe would help them remember they were His children so they would not be whoring after other gods. The clothes represented holiness to themselves and to others. God still requires holiness, inside and out, but He provided a better way. He sent Jesus to pay for our sins, once and for all – on the cross.

Now we are able to live holy lives. God, Holy Spirit, will come to live inside of us and help us resist what is unholy. With His Presence actually dwelling in us we can make good choices concerning what is holy. It is a choice we make to invite Him to live inside us. It is our  choice to resist what is unholy to live a holy life. The choice to live holy is because we want to reflect Him who is holy.

Choosing to live holy is about others seeing a reflection of Him in our lives. Similar to the same reasons as the Children of Israel who wore fringe their clothes - we show who we are.  Everything, our clothes, our attitudes, and our habits are important to our testimony. They help us make a statement to everyone who sees us about how we live and we love a holy God.

What we wear can help to remind us that we are not our own. Those who have invited His presence to dwell in them He calls them the Bride of Christ. Christ makes them His own. A bride in a white wedding dress is beautiful and special. The color white represents a purity  reserved for her bridegroom alone. No longer to live only for ourselves, but also for our bridegroom.

We love the phrase, 'Happily ever after.' Scripture says the Bride, the church, will be given to Jesus Christ to dwell with Him forever in Heaven. In the same way the fringe marked the Children of Israel, and what we look like on the outside is the first impression or reflection of what is on the inside, the love for her bridegroom.

THE POWER TO SUBJECT ALL THINGS TO HIMSELF

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:18-21 ESV)

The heart of God is for all men to come to the cross in repentance. To those who refuse - their end is destruction.

Why? 

. Their God is their belly.

. They glory in their shame.

. Their minds are set on earthly things.

Heavenly citizenship is a gift, an offer to be received or refused.  We are not forced to join a Kingdom we don't want to be a part of. At the same time the King announces what He knows will happen in the future. 

He knows His Kingdom is everlasting and everything else will pass away. The three reasons above are given to clarify what His Kingdom will be like. There are qualifications required to be a part of this Kingdom. Emotionally, with tears describe an unqualified one from this Kingdom.

We are not 'citizens' of New Zealand, but we have gone through the process and have qualified and accepted the right to permanent residency. Without cooperating, agreeing with the process they require we would not be accepted. If we had not the consequences would not have been so severe, but we would not be coming and going to New Zealand as often as we like.

There was a deadline for us to qualify. If we applied today..it would be too late. There is a deadline to receive this citizenship. If they don't want the privileges of heavenly citizenship they are warned it means destruction for them

Linda Livengood

mikelivengoodministries.com

Revival Reports from Doorkeepers (Facebook page)