THE HORIZONTAL FLIP

Posted on May 15, 2016 by Pastor BB

Photo editing can be quite fun, but also quite deceptive.
You can horizontally flip a photo, causing the right side to become the left,
and the left side to become the right.

While I was thinking about this, the Lord began showing me that this is what
we often do with scripture!

Proverbs 16:3 instructs us to “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”
The amplified Bible provides a deeper understanding: “Roll your works upon the Lord (commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable
 to His will, and) so shall your plans be established and succeed.” 

Here’s the picture: we take our plans, like a heavy burden, and roll them onto the
Lord, Who then establishes/ structures them according to His will.
How simple! We start with God first, give Him our plans, and He gives us
the wisdom how to best accomplish them.

It doesn’t happen.

Instead, we do the horizontal flip! We bypass God, go forward with what we think
is great, and then ask God to work it out.

The deception is believing that we are more capable than God to establish
our ideas and make them successful.
Wow! The question is: What would cause us to have more confidence in ourselves
vs trusting God?

Could it be a control issue? A fear of letting go and trusting God? Lack of knowledge
of God- His nature and the truth of His word?

Good stuff to pray about!

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ANXIETY

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Pastor BB

Tonight I kept seeing people that appeared to be squashed down by some invisible force. Their bodies were like boxes….some were so compressed they barely had any necks. Others were extremely hunched over. They all seemed so sad and discouraged. This was a picture of anxiety.

Prov 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression……

The “invisible force” of cares, fears, and sorrow, had become heavy burdens, weighing  down the people. They had become weak, as if all hope and joy had been squeezed out of them.

ANXIETY is defined as a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness; an emotional  response experienced in anticipating some undefined misfortune. Research reports that 40% of a person’s anxiety is focused on things that will never happen. 30% on things about the past that can’t be changed; 12% on things about criticism by others, mostly untrue; 10% about health, which gets worse with stress; and, only 8% is about real problems.

Clearly, worry is a waste of time….Jesus asked “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matt. 6:27   Why then is it so hard not to worry? With that thought, I suddenly saw a snake trying to wrap itself around peoples heads. Too strange…but it must mean something….. It does!

I found that the word “worry” comes from an old English word that means to “strangle or choke”. Amazing…so worry functions like a snake (it’s the python again), squeezing all hope and peace out of our mind and heart.

The snake’s bottom line hasn’t changed from its first appearance in the Garden of Eden. It’s agenda is to choke out what God has said. Prov 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,  But a good word makes it glad.

Truth is the real remedy for anxiety. A good word from God awakens the heart to new vision, hope, and peace! We have a God Who loves us and has promised He will never leave us or forsake us.

“For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.” Zeph.3:17

What are you anxious/worried about? What unknown fears are wrapped around you, strangling your hope…squeezing you into a panic attack?

Don’t let it happen….get your sword (the Word of God) and cut off the snake!

the SWORD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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AN INTERESTING VISION

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Pastor BB

An interesting vision: J CellEverything was in shades of black and white. There was a long corridor, dimly lit with florescent lighting which reflected shadows on a shiny, dark, cement floor.

Prison cells lined both sides of the corridor. Each cell had one or two people who seemed surprisingly content in their bleak surroundings. Even more amazing was the fact none of the cell doors were locked! How puzzling this seemed….in such an oppressive atmosphere, no one was taking advantage of escaping.

As I walked down the corridor, I discovered there were specific sections of cells, each section having it’s own name. 3 of the names I saw were “Pornography”, “Alcoholism”, and “Deception”. At the very end of the corridor, there was a plaque with these words: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil….” (Isaiah 5:20)

The prison guard, who had been watching me, was eager to explain. The reason no one even tried to leave their cells was they didn’t really want to be freed of their addictions or destructive behavior. In fact, they found relief and comfort in them. This was because they had become the means to escape or avoid aspects of themselves or life they didn’t want to deal with.

There it is….we resist giving up something that we have made our escape! It makes wrong right and bad good, but ultimately robs us of freedom.

Wow..may we  not be bound by seeking relief and peace in things that are ungodly!

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SPRING CLEANING

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Pastor BB

spring-cleaning

And now…suddenly….it’s springtime! The warm sunshine and fresh breeze brought back childhood memories.

This was the time of year my sweet mama, of a gentle nature, turned into a samurai warrior. My sister and I were immediately recruited to join the ranks in the battle against dust balls, greasy stains, and various unclean invaders.

This was a ceiling to floor attack.

Everything that could be picked up was taken outside and shaken. Nothing inside escaped being lifted up, inspected, turned over and moved. Cobwebs and mold were no match for brooms and bleach. Few items escaped the pulsating, soapy water of the washer and fierce heat of the dryer. Only high quality, delicate items were carefully hung outside to dry. The grand finale, after several weeks, was a stunning showcase of cleanliness and order.

I can’t help but wonder what would happen if we decided to “spring clean” our lives. Anything that didn’t agree with God’s Word and a goal of excellence ….physically- mentally – and spiritually, would be tossed out. This would be far greater and more intense than my childhood experience.

None the less, I believe God is cheering us on (like mama) to get the job done.

“But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able  to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes.  He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross.” Malachi 3:2

Scripture tells us not to be conformed to the world. The Message Bible says it this way: “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work,  and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him”. Romans 12:1,2

Make a decision not to complain, to keep your eyes from unclean things, purify your heart, and walk in truth.

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and  meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Phil 4:8 Message Bible

AMEN!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ATTACHMENTS

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Pastor BB

SMALL CLIPS

I was certain …no, I was proud, that I had no attachments.
I was free and convinced of being unattached to external
circumstances. Nothing could hinder or slow me down.
Until…..just one small incident exposed the deception.

This isn’t about PDF files you attach to your emails. This is
about emotional attachments that join you together with
someone or something. Long standing attachments become
valuable sources of stability and reliability. When they are
threatened, the degree of attachment is revealed.

Such was my experience re my cell phone. My cell phone!
The phone number I had for approx 9 years couldn’t port to
my new carrier. The ensuing drama was short lived, ridiculous,
and painfully revealing.

The bottom line …my phone number had become my identity!
Those 10 digits represented me to others in every area of my life.
The task of reconnecting the past with the present via my new
number initially seemed an unquestionable necessity. The sheer
absurdity of that thought brought everything into right perspective!

The deeper issue was if I couldn’t let go of a cell phone number,
what about my life? Intellectually we can have all the right
answers, but in a real life confrontation, our response will reveal
whatever we really believe in our heart. Jesus addressed it this
way: “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you
give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” Mt 16:25

How easy it is to allow emotional attachments to people, objects,
and geographic locations overrule God’s presence and guidance
in our life. We become one with whoever or whatever we join our
self to…”But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.”
1 Corinthians 6:17  There’s my true identity!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NO RESPONSE

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Pastor BB

I saw 2 people standing side by side, identical in every way. Suddenly, the person on the right began to glow from within. At the same time, many voices began chattering indiscernible words as black marks began to appear on the person on the left.

Whenever the person on the right acknowledged the black marks, they also appeared on him /her. Soon the person on the right was totally attentive and responsive to the black marks on the other person. This caused black marks on the person on the right to increase at a frantic pace. The light that initially glowed in that person became dim and was no longer visible. Ultimately, both people fell dead to the ground.

Wow-what a strange vision! But, then the Lord gave me the understanding. The 2 people are actually one person. The person on the left represents the physical body; the one on the right is our spiritual body. The inner glow is the light of truth, God’s Word, in our spirit-man. When the Word of God is sown in our heart, tribulation is sure to oppose and challenge it. Thus the chattering voices speaking negative words over us. Accusations that carry blame, shame, rejection, poverty….bold proclamations of incurable diseases, virus, cancer…..thoughts of suicide, unworthiness, etc.

The good news is destructive things against us initially can’t take root – they are resting upon the “old man” who died with Christ. In the resurrection power of new birth, all things have been made new! Our faith must also be firmly grounded on the true report that Jesus not only took upon Himself our sins, but also every sickness and infirmity. That is why scripture tells us by His stripes we are healed! Isaiah 53:5

However, if we begin to respond to these accusations, we give them permission to affect us. The more we yield and come into agreement with these “lying / false symptoms”, the deeper they become entrenched and manifest in our body or circumstances. Eventually, the person no longer lives in the spirit and is totally focused on the condition of their physical body and circumstances. The way a person thinks in his heart is how he is. Prov 23:7

So this is why we are called to be “overcomers”. An overcomer is a person who defeats, gains a victory over, overtakes, masters, subdues all obstacles and difficulties. Read Rev 22:11

Learn to overcome speaking and acting in agreement with false reports!

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JUMPING FROGS

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Pastor BB

 

frog_1024x768Most people are familiar with the “butterflies in the stomach” sensation.

Along this line, I had a recent prayer request re stomach issues described as a “jumping frogs” sensation.

This was a fairly new one to me, so I’ve been asking the Lord what was up with
the frogs. The revelation came this AM and I am excited to share it with you!

Frogs like to live in watery, muddy places, like ponds. Their slimy skin and
repugnant smell label them unclean. This is true, but mostly because of the
harmful bacteria they carry. Their constant, loud croaking throughout the night
can become quite irritating and annoying.

In the Bible, frogs were the 2nd of 10 plagues the Lord sent against the
Egyptians because Pharaoh refused to let God’s people go into the wilderness
to worship Him. (Exodus 8:4)
Suddenly there were frogs everywhere in the land; on the people, in their homes,
beds, ovens…everywhere. Pharaoh’s magicians also brought forth frogs, but then
couldn’t get rid of them. The frog invasion continued to multiply and became
unbearable. Pharaoh finally relented and said if the Lord would take away the frogs,
he would let the people go. Yet, when Moses asked when he wanted the frogs to go,
Pharaoh replied tomorrow. Tomorrow? Really? Why not right now? (Exodus 8:10)

The frog was intentionally chosen for this plague. It turns out that the Egyptians
worshipped a frog goddess (Heget or Heket), who represented long life and fertility
Pharaoh hesitated to immediately rid the land of the frogs as they were beloved
and held too sacred to be killed.
At the said time, the Lord did as Moses commanded and all the frogs died. Piles of
dead frogs were everywhere, causing the entire land to stink. This was difficult for
the Egyptians who were known for their cleanliness! The frog seems a humorous
choice through which God demonstrated His glory and sovereignty over their
idolatry of Heget.

Frogs appear again, this time in the New Testament. In Rev 16:13, three unclean
spirits, said to be like frogs, come out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the
false prophet. The frogs are called demonic spirits with an agenda to deceive the
whole world.

Here’s the revelation: the “jumping frogs” are actually word curses. They are a
constant stream of words, (croaking like frogs) from self-appointed authorities, esp
women ( remember the frog goddess), released like a plague against a person’s
health, mind, and spirit. Their intent, as in Rev, is to manipulate and deceive. They
are lying words that directly oppose God and the truth of His Word. This will be
evident when people try to speak words into every area of your life….words that oppose decisions you’ve made, undermine relationships, ridicule new directions etc. Their
words cause strife, fear, and doubt.
Don’t wait until tomorrow to get the frogs out. Pharaoh delayed his decision because
he was fearful (of man) to take action against a goddess the Egyptians worshipped.
Don’t allow fear and intimation to stop you.

In the natural realm, people rid their garden and pool of frogs with salt. Likewise, we
are to speak words, seasoned with salt. Take the sword of the Spirit, God’s Word
of Truth, and exercise your dominion!

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EVERYDAY LIFE

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Pastor BB

20195541.thmEVERYDAY LIFE…a steady stream of obstacles that somehow people manage to overcome and keep going forward.

EVERYDAY LIFE…larger scale….nations are uniting together in agreement to break the increasing forces of terrorism. No doubt the continuous outrageous acts of senseless evil have impact…not just globally, but, also individually. It is hard to ignore what the media constantly bombards us with and the impending threat upon our personal safety.

Last night I remembered a vision in which I saw several tubes of toothpaste that had been squeezed, squashed up, and thrown on the floor. They were no longer useful. The understanding is when a major crisis comes into our lives, it will “squeeze” us…and whatever is inside us will come out. Many people, because they have nothing inside to strengthenor guide them, fall into fear and depression. Others internalize the prevailing spirit of hostility, and are moved by anger to commit violent acts. Alas, unless our emotions are submitted to the Lord, we will act upon the dictates of the flesh.

We need to remember the New Testament is the Good News of the New Covenant God established through Jesus. It is no longer about personal revenge …an eye for an eye. Instead, Jesus took vengeance out of our hands, and redefined visible outward sin to include our inner thoughts andemotions. Wow!

The Message Bible says it well.

”You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill” MT 5:21 – 24

 “You know the next commandment pretty well, too: ‘Don’t go to bed with another’s spouse.’ But don’t think you’ve preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices – they also corrupt.” MT 5:27,28

 “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. MT 7:12

There’s more, but the sum of it all is not to let evil overwhelm us, but make the decision to overcome it with good. RMS 12:21

This kind of behavior is impossible to live out on our own. It has to flow from a heart that has experienced unconditional love. This is the love that Jesus revealed when He presented the radical picture of God, as a lovingFather…Abba…Who cares for all creation.

So, the decision to “live for others” it is more than choosing to honor oneanother but more like honoring the Presence of God, the Creator, Who gives life to all things.

Living under Intimidation and fear lead to feeling defeated and useless…much like the toothpaste tubes on the floor. Religion is not the answer.The courageous lifestyle that flows out of unconditional love can only come from an intimate relationship with a “higher power”. That is, the God Who first loved us. His name is Jesus.

This is a perfect time of year to open your heart to allow Love to make His home in you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A PASSION FOR HOPE

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Pastor BB

hopeMuch discouragement and depression are caused by disappointment. Especially when things we expected and hoped for don’t happen. The following scripture is so true:

“Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around”. Proverbs 13:12

Good news: There are great “turn around” scriptures, actually promises, re hope! Here is one of my favorites….Jeremiah 29:11-14 (Message Bible)

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.”

The same verse in the NIV Bible says “plans to prosper you“. That word “prosper” means to be completely whole;  at peace. It is a harmony that comes from the Lord creating an order or structure for all things to work together for good to those who love Him and called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Hmmmm sounds to me like what we hope for doesn’t just automatically come into reality. Nor can we talk about hope without looking at faith….faith being the substance ….the tangible source, that brings into existence what we hope for. By faith we create that which is not yet visible. Not by our self-will, but by our faith based on the hope of God’s Word. Hebrews 11:1

Once we catch the foundational truth that God is His Word, and there is no shadow, change  or flakiness to Him….that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever…..wow, then we can be excited about His promises to us.

The key is being excited enough to get serious and go after God & His promises more than anything else. It’s called passion.

To be passionate is to be ablaze, ardent, and fervent about something or someone we pursue with extreme zeal and enthusiasm.

We will pursue whatever we are passionate about. It’s easy to see where our heart is by looking at where we spend most of our time and money. If our passion isn’t building the reality of our hopes & dreams, we need to refocus our heart back to our first love and ask God to give us the focus and passion He has purposed for us!

I pray we become a people passionate for the truth and reality of God’s hope / future for us. It’s about becoming you were created to be and do what you have been gifted to do!

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SAND CASTLES

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Pastor BB

Anothergreatcastle-1It was such a perfect day. The sun was shining; the sand was warm.
We dug deep holes, trenches, and put up walls. We filled small, brightly colored, plastic buckets with sea water. We carved, pressed, shaped and molded wet sand. The finished structure was amazing. We laughed with delight as we looked with prideful joy at our magnificent sand castle!

We had built a safe place, outside of time, fortified against enemy attacks.
Such labor had value. It could not be left unguarded.
Sadly, we too soon discovered it could not withstand the rising tide and fierce waves that eventually brought it all down to nothing. It was just sand.

How much of life is spent building sand castles? Years of laboring to produce and acquire things that we grow to dearly treasure.Somewhere along the way these lifeless things come to life in that they own us.
We can’t imagine how life would be without them.The greater the value we place on things, the harder it is to let go of them.
The guarded fortress now becomes a stronghold.

This is about much more than physical items…..it’s really about our personal value system that directs how we live life.

How devastating to labor tirelessly, placing your hopes, building your life, and trusting in that which, in the end, is worthless. In a single moment, everything you thought was, no longer is.
It really was just sand.

Mt 7:24-27 “These words I (Jesus) speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words,
words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit – but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.
“But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach.
When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” (The Message Bible)

Apparently, according to Jesus, there are 2 types of builders.
There is the smart one who hears instruction, acts on it, and builds the foundation of his house on Solid Rock (God’s Living Word – Jesus!)

The other builder is not so smart. He hears instruction but chooses not to act on it.
Instead, he builds his house on the sand.

The forecast of extreme weather patterns for our nation has already become evident.
Various states are experiencing torrential rains, flooding, and mud slides.
How much more are the spiritual storms coming upon us.

It’s probably a good time to clean out the roof gutters and check our foundation!

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