A Present Voice

If you're serious

2012-02-12T11:40:00.000-08:00

"So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective." —Colossians 3:1-2 (The Message)

—Sabina Holtby

His hand interconnecting the hearts

2012-02-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

The Lord gave me a vision of His hand like smoke interconnecting the hearts of Hope as they gave their hearts to Him. Then after I opened my eyes again the room was full with the Lord repeating "1,000 Blessings" and still the hearts were connected through Him.

—Tim Szkolnik

Focus on Him

2012-02-05T10:45:00.000-08:00

(from Judy Gassman, Melissa Gaudy's mother, who was visiting Mark & Melissa this weekend and came to Hope with them on Covenant Sunday | impressions/concepts received while congregation was sharing; not in same order as spoken. To listen to the full service, including what Judy spoke, visit the sermon player of Hope's website.)

God is faithful to complete what He started.
God is faithful to complete/fulfill the promises He gives - both old and new.
Hope Church - "Hope" not coincidence but Hope does not disappoint (Rom. 5:5)
God is pouring out His love individually and upon our congregation collectively. Receive His love, His compassion and embrace—His compassion for you is great. There is healing in His love. Love in turn will help you to then give out to others and to others beyond walls of your church. Ephesians 3 (the love of God/Christ strengthened by the Holy Spirit); Colossians 2:6-7 (rooted and grounded in love).
He is drawing you towards Him and towards new things you might not understand at this time. Focus on Him and He will bring you through this transition into new places / things.

—Judy Gassman

The ultimate end

2012-01-29T11:40:00.000-08:00

"¹⁵My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified." —John 17:15-19

²⁴ “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." —John 17:24

from vs. 16, God is calling us to give up our "membership" to this world (i.e. we are called to be aliens in this world).

from vs. 24, regarding Brian's point that the ultimate end of Christianity is not being a church member. The ultimate end is that Jesus desires for us is to see His glory.

—Chris Story

Don't miss out because of fear

2012-01-29T11:31:00.000-08:00

The doors are open—if it is time to go, go with the blessings of our wonderful, loving Father. Times are scary—what lays ahead only our precious Father knows. It will get harder before the truth of His plan is revealed. If our Father has told you to go, then now is the time. However, if you want to leave out of fear or anger, stop and pray. He has plans for us. Do not miss out on His blessings because of fear. Remember, the Israelites wandered for 40 years, mostly because they were not patient and did not wait upon the Lord.

He loves every one of us. Our God knows the plans He has for you.

—Dianna Crane

A cool spirit

2012-01-15T11:38:00.000-08:00

I sense a cool spirit to the Lord each Sunday since the new year... not cold, but cool? Why? I am not sure. I believe that for many of us Jesus has become an inconvenience to us. Are we so distracted by worldliness that we have become cool? Consider our worship? It is dry & cool in our response to the Glorious One. Also, there is a person, or multiple, with serious sexual sin to confess and they are instead choosing to keep it buried, even though their conscience is heavy with the lack of transparency.

—Austin Skelley

Time & trust

2012-01-15T11:37:00.000-08:00

Gangs have a deeper trust than the church... why?

When you need to get to the airport at 5:00 AM, who do you call?

Time & trust are invested in small increments.

—Mark Gaudy

Sons & Daughters; Not Beggars of the Lord

2012-01-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

The Lord reminded me this week of a word He had given me a few weeks ago - that Emmanuel was coming to be Emmanuel in our relationships and finances.

This week God said you don't understand relationships or finances because you are not understanding your relationship with me. You are coming to me as a beggar when you should be coming to me as sons and daughters. If you understand the inheritance that is yours as sons and daughters you would have no fear in finances, but would have joy in blessing others abundantly, for you know the huge abundance that is yours. But you come to God as a beggar hoping for scraps when there is a seat at the table prepared. In fact, God runs to embrace us and claim us as sons and daughters and establish it in abundance. So it's a picture of us just not seeing our inheritance but choosing to beg and strive for what is ours. A correct view of God as Father will cause relationships and finances to simply fall into correct perspective. They will no longer hold us in idolatry. But we will excel as sons and daughters of the King.

—Amy Story

Don't be fooled by other maps

2011-12-11T11:37:00.000-08:00

The second coming will be a complete new map. Unexpected, sudden, a shift we must be prepared for. As much of what God has done has been (Noah, Lot).

Referencing Luke 21 | Do not be fooled by signs, road maps the world is going to try to show. There will be many maps waved in our faces. The Lord says not to fall for this. Be prepared, keep oil in your lamp. Keep your eyes open for the Lord in this.

—Mary-Dawn Carrier

Shaking the American dream

2011-11-06T11:42:00.000-08:00

" ⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. ⁹ For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,"
—Colossians 2:8-9

The American dream is a lie. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are not equal with the life, liberty and happiness of Christ. Judge the fruit in America to see this truth: our pursuit of happiness and the American dream has led to bondage. The church in America has fallen for this trap. The Lord will break the church of her addiction to the American way of life, with all its lusts, but there will be mass casualties. Let us beware, watch, and be on our guard. 2012 will see shaking and pruning as a major theme.

—Austin Skelley

He will not relent

2011-11-06T11:40:00.000-08:00

"if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself."
—2 Timothy 2:13

The Lord decided to purchase me by His blood even though I'm worthless, knowing that He cannot deny His character. He will not relent in His pursuit of me because that's His character.

—Sabina Holtby

A cleansing rain

2011-10-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

As we were worshiping I started seeing rain coming down all around us. It was coming down in sheets down the walls all around us. It was a peaceful feeling that overtook me. I asked the Lord, "What are You saying, Lord?" I heard the Lord say, "It's a cleansing away—to bring healing/restoration." I started getting cold and began to feel His presence—His almighty presence. "It's coming. It's coming. Hold on. It's coming. Seek my face. Seek my face."
—Jackie Carte

One family in Christ

2011-10-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

I felt so strongly in my spirit that the Lord was speaking prophetically to Hope a word of reconciliation and closure. I sat behind the Tombleys today and was confronted with the reality of healing on both sides, Tombley and Hope, and that now there are not two sides, but one family in Christ. Hope is free from hurt, offense, unforgiveness, and shame. Free from being deceived that her destiny is dependent on any one man or ministry. I believe that this is a two-way street between the Tombleys and Hope, and that they will know they are and always will be part of the Hope family, and dearly beloved. This is a difficult Holy Spirit impression to articulate in writing. I felt it necessary to go to LaMonte, in a prophetically symbolic act, as a member of Hope, to confess my sin of offense, unforgiveness, man worship and hardened heart, that our church would experience closure, reconciliation, healing and would truly walk out her destiny in accordance with God's will for Hope.

—Austin Skelley

Battle to rebuild

2011-10-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

God is calling us to battle to rebuild His church, His Hope. He has called us, as He called Gideon. He says He will take the few that remain. He will test them for the work ahead. He will return us to His work. He will restore the body. There will be peace. We will be a shining light of restoration to the people of Newport News. He has not taken His hand from us. He has been waiting for us to stop wondering what to do and start asking Him.

—Raelene Bonner

A call to action

2011-10-09T11:37:00.000-07:00

"This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.'" —Isaiah 30:15

The Lord is giving us a call to action—to not do as those who did not hear or obey the word... but He is calling us to repentance and quiet, to His voice and instruction. There will be cleansing in doing so.

—Anne Sych

Be Still

2011-10-09T11:35:00.000-07:00

The Lord desires to rejuvenate our spirit to serve Him... "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today... The Lord will fight for you, you need only to BE STILL." —Exodus 14:13-14

—Simone Williams

Faith no matter what

2011-10-02T11:40:00.001-07:00

Romans 4:9-5:5

Abraham was not credited righteousness by the law or by circumcision. He was credited righteousness before these things because he had faith in God. Circumcision was a seal of the faith he had, and the law was to show all what is good and right in the eyes of God. However, he was credited righteousness by his faith. Even when his and his wife's body were old he had faith that God could do anything he said he would do. So, God brought him a son and made him the father of many nations. I feel like what God was saying to me in this is that if we know that God has work and promises for Hope Community Church, then we need to continue to have faith and do what he has given us to do, no matter what the situation looks like. Too many ministries have a calling but waver in faith and shrink back, not able to survive because they did not walk by faith into their calling. We need to press in by faith to whatever God has given for Hope and for each of us individually.

—Jeremy Manders

We have the Spirit of Life

2011-10-02T11:40:00.000-07:00

In the past, when the Israelites were trying to escape their slavery to the Egyptians, they covered their doors with the blood of a lamb and cowered in fear of the angel of death.

Today, many of us are or have been slaves to sin. But we have the Blood of the Lamb covering the door to our hearts. Instead of the angel of death passing over us, we have the Spirit of Life entering our hearts. Enabling us to go out courageously into the world, full of sin and destined fro destruction, to proudly proclaim His word of truth.

This Truth is that because of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, we can by faith ask God for forgiveness and His Spirit will come to us empowering us to live a life full of love and mercy, holy, acceptable and pleasing to God.

God made it grow

2011-09-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

an adaptation of names only from...

1 Corinthians 3:1-9 | The Church and Its Leaders

Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, “I follow Mike,” and another, “I follow the elders,” and another, "I follow Ken;" are you not mere men?

What, after all, is the elders? And what is Mike? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. Mike planted the seed, the elders maybe watered the seeds, Ken may have planted the seeds/watered the seeds, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Clothe Yourselves

2011-09-25T11:40:00.000-07:00

As we go through the days ahead, let's keep this passage in mind.

¹² "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

—Allison Taylor

We are not afraid because He is not afraid

2011-08-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

There are many things to be afraid of. We take our cues from Him. He is not afraid of things that cause us fear. He is confident in the face of what causes us fear. We hide in the shadow of His wing - in the shelter of the Rock.

–Chris Carter

Nothing Can Separate

2011-07-31T11:42:00.000-07:00

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" –Romans 8:35-39

The love of God cannot be taken away from us by anything in this world. All we need to do is ask for God to fill us with His love. Once we have, we can pour it out to not only one another, but to the world.

–John Williams

Mutually Exclusive with Love

2011-07-31T11:41:00.000-07:00

I was searching my heart, asking that I would love my wife and others, especially the church, in a deeper way. I sensed offense, resentment, and unforgiveness that were "clogging" my heart from unleashing a freer flow of holy love. I felt the inclination to share this with the body. Unforgiveness in your heart, especially the deep-rooted type which comes when hurt by a loved one, is mutually exclusive with love. Murder isn't a deal-breaker to God, but unforgiveness and the hardened heart of resentment and offense is.

–Austin Skelley

God has arranged the parts

2011-07-31T11:40:00.000-07:00

"But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be" –1 Corinthians 12:18

Just because you are called to be a mouth does not mean you can only preach, but use your mouth to serve in all ways. So if you are called to pray and have the gift, use that gift to pray over the children while you work in the children's ministry; or, when you deliver a meal, pray over the home you bring your meal to. Pray as you serve in all you do. The gifts we are given are to be used for the common good.

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." –1 Corinthians 12:7

So use your gift as we serve and love one another.

–Mary McCoy

Not a Long Walk

2011-07-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

He wants to take the difficult away and the things you feel dismayed about. It's not a long walk to the end of ourselves.

-Rachel Scoggan

There Is No Fear in Love

2011-07-10T11:40:00.000-07:00

We do not fight for fear of loss; we have overcome! So, do not operate out of fear, but in love.

¹⁷ In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. —1 John 4:17-18

We see so much happening around the world, but that should not drive us to fear, but encourages us even more to love and be those children of light.

-LaMonte Williams

The Antidote

2011-07-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

The Lord spoke to me about Hope from Rev. 3:19-20 during prayer before the service. I gave a word many weeks ago about lukewarm-ness and the Loadicean spirit. In response to Hale's message about brotherly love, the Lord showed me that the antidote to that lukewarm-ness is opening the door to Jesus and dining with Him, like He tells the Laodicean church.

-Andrew McDade

Your Hearts of Service

2011-07-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

God is working here at Hope. He is working by Himself.

It is time for the people of Hope to step out of the puddle of self pity and come where God is calling. God says when we step out of our own problems and respond to the needs of others He will bless us. Look around. See the needs. Release your hearts of service. There are many places God is working and calling us.

-Mary McCoy

Live in the Spirit

2011-06-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

Galatians 5:16-18, 22-26

¹⁶ "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[a] you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

Live in the Spirit. Amen!

-John Williams

You ARE a chosen person

2011-06-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

We prayed in small groups for Silas Cameron. During that time I sensed that there were at least a number of people who were feeling a sense of inadequacy and doubt. 1 Peter 2:9 came to mind and God wants to increase our faith by saying, "If you're a disciple of Jesus Christ, you ARE a chosen person, a part of the royal priesthood and holy nation. And you are the only nation who has the living God as King, who can approach His throne boldly with requests and can approach Him as Abba, Father. This is our identity in Him."

-Andrew McDade

Let the fire burn

2011-05-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

Hope, do not allow the distractions of the world to cool the fire in your hearts. Look past them toward the heavens and let the Holy Spirit burn in your hearts even hotter. Let the fire burn to bring revival to your love of the Lord. Lift up your voices and move your feet in praise to loose in you the zeal for the Lord.
-Mary McCoy

Let us love man but not fear him

2011-04-17T11:30:00.001-07:00

To share the good news of this man Jesus, we must love people and fear the Lord. We share with people we love because we know it is in their best interest, and the secret of life is found in this man, as eternal separation from God is also found in saying no to Him. As we would take great strides to warn our loved ones of an impending disaster, we will take great strides to share the Lord with those whom we love.

However, if we fear man and not the Lord, we will remain silent. When we fear man we esteem his thoughts, words, opinions and reproach more than God's... This will keep the church silent. Let us consider Jesus, who loved and feared correctly, and preached the truth despite being reviled and insulted by those he came to love and serve. Let us love man but not fear him, for when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ the reproach of man we received when sharing Jesus will be considered an affliction not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed to us in the age to come.

Austin Skelley

I kept your hand in mine

2011-04-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

Take me with you when you go forth. I will remind you of the places we have been together. Most of all I kept your hand in mine. Love always drowns fear.

-Sally Staples

We Were Not Afraid

2011-04-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago I had a vision. A flock of sheep surrounded by a hedge of thorns and high bushes. This hedge caught fire as from lightning and the sheep (us) were afraid. The Shepherd spoke and we were not afraid. Some of us tried to run to or through the burning hedge to escape and became wounded. But we who heard the voice of the Shepherd who said, "Do not be afraid," stayed close to Him and were safe. The hedge burned to the ground with not a root left to it, and we grazed in green valleys.

Jessica Hill

Resurrection Can Only Follow Death

2011-03-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

During the first set of worship, as we were singing about revival, I began to sense the Lord speaking to me about revival, and that revival is born out of death. Revival is a resurrection. Resurrection can only follow death. We must enter through the narrow gate of death (surrendering everything).

I almost approached Bob immediately as the first set of worship was ending. Instead, I asked the Lord to show me if He wanted me to share it. I said, "Lord, if you want me to share this, let something Mike says in his sermon make it clear to me.

He was preaching a really strong word, and then he said something to the effect of, "People, we must die!" The Spirit really made it clear.

The pattern of dying is seen in (1) the kernel of wheat (John 12), (2) Paul's numerous exhortations to die to self, and (3) Christ's example of entering into life and victory through the narrow doorway of death. We must follow Him through the same door. Times of testing will soon come and burn away all that is not of Him, rooted and grounded in Him.

The Lord really used John 12:23b-28: Jesus says, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name."

I believe Mike's sermon caused souls to be troubled. What shall WE say? 'Father, save us from this hour'? No. It is for this purpose that WE came to this hour. Like Jesus, we must say, "Father glorify Your name."

Pray For Our Leadership

2011-03-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

Prophesy blog from a couple of months ago to pray for our leadership.
Hope,
He asked us to be diligent and remind ourselves. He reminded me 3 times this week. Andrew's word is a call to not be weary or lazy. God has asked us to pray because prayer changes things and he wants to save.
See former prophesy dated January 9, 2011.

Anne Sych

Stop Leading With Your Own Thoughts

2011-03-20T11:12:00.000-07:00

Your neighbor's armor will not protect you. Someone else's belt of truth will not hold up your pants in the battle. Someone else's breastplate will not shield you from the arrows of the enemy. You cannot swing the sword of the Spirit that is in someone else's hand.

Also, I followed up on Andrew's word about needing to repent of Laodicean spirit:
Do not neglect to sit under the weight of this word. Do not assume it is NOT for you. Assume that it is, unless the Lord releases you from it.

Isaiah 55:1 - 3; 8 - 9 - Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to me..."For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts".

Stop leading with your own thoughts and your own ways, falling for the deceitfulness of riches.

"Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' - and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked - "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Rev 3:17-22).

Chris Carter

Who Makes Your Armor?

2011-03-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

In medieval times blacksmiths would have reputations. Depending on how much one could afford they could buy leather mail, chain mail, or plate mail. If you were a knight or a king you could afford any of it and would want your armor crafted by the best artisan available.

Who makes your armor? When you are facing the fiercest of adversaries what do you choose to shield yourself with? Is it alcoholism or some other addiction? Do you pour yourself into your job or a hobby? Do you attempt to stand on your own without any help?

Our enemy is not flesh and blood and requires the most specialized armor available. Ephesians 6 talks about the full armor of God. The Maker of this armor can be trusted - and it only costs your life.

Jon Cameron

Do Not Fear

2011-03-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

Do not operate out of fear, but love.

LaMonte Williams

Good Worship

2011-03-06T21:15:00.000-08:00

What makes good or satisfying worship? It's not talent, songs, or mere annointing, it's hunger. When you hunger and thirst for rightousness He said you will be filled.

Joshua Tombley

John 14:12 - 14

2011-02-27T10:49:00.000-08:00

John 14:12 - 14
"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it".

Why will Jesus give us anything we ask? Because Jesus loves his father so much and wants nothing more than to glorify his father. All he wants of his people is that we would ask, so that he can bring glory to his father. Because he is with the father, he can do it.

Shared with congregation, February 27, 2011

Do Not Lose Hope

2011-02-20T12:24:00.000-08:00

2 Kings 4:8 - 37

The Shunammite’s Son Restored to Life

⁸ "One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. ⁹ She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. ¹⁰ Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.” ¹¹ One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. ¹² He said to his servant Gehazi, “Call the Shunammite.” So he called her, and she stood before him. ¹³ Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’” She replied, “I have a home among my own people.” ¹⁴ “What can be done for her?” Elisha asked. Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.” ¹⁵ Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. ¹⁶ “About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!” ¹⁷ But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her. ¹⁸ The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. ¹⁹ He said to his father, “My head! My head!” His father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” ²⁰ After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. ²¹ She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out. ²² She called her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return.” ²³ “Why go to him today?” he asked. “It’s not the New Moon or the Sabbath.” “That’s all right,” she said. ²⁴ She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Lead on; don’t slow down for me unless I tell you.” ²⁵ So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, “Look! There’s the Shunammite! ²⁶ Run to meet her and ask her, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’” “Everything is all right,” she said. ²⁷ When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me why.” ²⁸ “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?” ²⁹ Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand and run. Don’t greet anyone you meet, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff on the boy’s face.” ³⁰ But the child’s mother said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her. ³¹ Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.” ³² When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. ³³ He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the LORD. ³⁴ Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. ³⁵ Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. ³⁶ Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite.” And he did. When she came, he said, “Take your son.” ³⁷ She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out".

In the same way that God blessed the Shunammite woman with a son, God blessed the Cameron's with Silas. When the Shunammite woman's son died, she asked why bless me then take him away. Elisha prayed for him several times in several different ways and he was finally restored to life.

Sometimes we have to press in for some time before we SEE the healing of the Lord. Do not lose hope, continue to press in. Silas is God's blessing and heritage for the Cameron's.

This passage of scripture popped up ALIVE off the pages of scripture to me for Silas.

Brian Larson

Revelation 3:12

2011-02-20T12:17:00.000-08:00

Revelation 3:12 over Silas

"The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name".

Jordan Thomas

Romans 5:3 - 5

2011-02-20T12:12:00.000-08:00

Romans 5:3 -5 "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us".

Darius Williams

Step Up!

2011-02-20T11:56:00.000-08:00

When God created man he gave him all authority over the earth. But man fell and relinquished that authority to Satan. Sickness and death are just two of the results. But Jesus Christ took that authority back. The Son of God and Son of Man, through His obedience and sacrifice, wrested back the authority. Then Christ gave it back to us. Through our obedience and with faith, we also have the power to defeat Satan. We need only to trust in God and His word to exercise that power. God's word states that through Christ all things are possible. All we have to do is step out in boldness and claim it.

Jesus taught us to pray with "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven". That's not for later but for now! Step up!

The Lord's Table

2011-02-20T11:38:00.000-08:00

The Lord's table is a reminder of our Promised Land, what Jesus came to give us. Psalm 103:2 - 3. "Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases".

I was struck with the seeming timidity that many approach the table of the Lord. We should approach not only remembering His sacrifice, but remembering and claiming His promises - Salvation, Healing, Provision, Comfort, Peace. Hebrews 4:14 - 16
"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need".

15 years ago today, Jesse was born and the doctors told us he had a 100% chance of death. Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever".

Mary Weisner

Acts 15:22

2011-02-20T11:33:00.000-08:00

²² Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers.

--Dan Palmer

Ephesians 3:16-19

2011-02-20T11:26:00.000-08:00

¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

"I believe God is a healer."

--Alex Smith

Choose Life

2011-02-20T11:21:00.000-08:00

The Lord says - Ask for the courage of Joshua & Caleb to see the land as my land for you. Take the land, choose life for Silas in the face of death, in the face of the enemy, and all he wants to destroy.

Stand firm and tell the world who I am, for I am the Lord. I am the life giver, and I desire to transfuse Silas with my life-giving blood.

Proclaim who I am to Me, and to each other for the enemy will be vanquished!

Choose life. Nothing is impossible for me.

Cindi Heaton

Romans 8:26-27

2011-02-20T11:18:00.000-08:00

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

--Gail Hedrick

Victory

2011-02-20T11:08:00.000-08:00

My beloved, I have heard your prayers. They have moved my heart. Now you will see me move on your behalf. This will be your Ebenezer, your reminder of the power of your prayers to effect change in your life and in your community. And as a testimony to this, your son Silas will sit up in bed tonight. He will walk out of the hospital in victory over death. And you will give me all the glory, and Silas will be preserved for my name sake.

Joel Massey

Believe What You Know

2011-02-13T11:00:00.000-08:00

I know you don't understand. I know it doesn't make sense to you.
But I do. And you know that. And you know I love you.
Lean into that. Believe what you already know.
Allow yourself to believe in me.

--Lori Foster

Hope Does Not Disappoint

2011-01-23T11:00:00.002-08:00

"Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance and perseverance, character and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5: 1-5

I believe God is calling us - Hope Community Church - to persevere, to press in and to hang on. Hope of God does not disappoint. He will not forget us and He will complete what He has begun.

--Christina Carter

On The Brink of Sacrifice

2011-01-23T11:00:00.001-08:00

While praying through the Hope/FLC merge, God has repeatedly brought to my mind the story of Abraham and Isaac. Abraham was brought to the brink of making his sacrifice before being called back.

--Kathy Williams

He Took Our Pain

2011-01-23T11:00:00.000-08:00

"I see your need. I know your need. I make your need my very own."

My husband was x-rayed and found to be overcome with bodily growth that had to be taken care of. He couldn't be allowed to take food or drink. He was truly a wrung-out person, so much so that I wanted to take some of his misery away from him. All of a sudden I remembered who had taken our pain and misery from us, knowing I couldn't do it.

--Sally Staples

Press On Toward the Goal

2011-01-16T11:00:00.001-08:00

There was a powerful sense of love and peace before the sermon began this morning. I asked the Lord what it was and He said, "It is the atmosphere of a people (Hope) seeking My Kingdom first." He then gave me Philippians 3:10-14 and He said, "Forget what is behind you, and press on toward the goal. Forget the mistakes and hardships and keep going. If you eat what you shouldn't during the fast, then press on toward the goal. If you mess up a hundred times this week, forget what is behind and press on toward the goal."

--Andrew McDade

Get Ready

2011-01-16T11:00:00.000-08:00

Three times, the Lord asked: "Do you know Me?"

Seek My face and you shall find Me. Seek Me with all of your heart. Do you know Me? Have you spent time with Me?

"In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God."

There is coming a time of chaos and confusion. Have you prepared your heart for what is coming? Will you be ready? Draw unto Me and I will draw unto you. Prepare your heart. Get ready.

--Jackie Carte

Pray for Church Leaders

2011-01-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

I believe the Lord is reminding us and charging us to pray for our church leadership. It is not a word to provoke fear, but to provoke action. We are in a time of change and the enemy would like to distract our focus. We need to pray for pastors, elders, leaders and their families. We need to pray for:

Wisdom
Health
Protection
Strength
Provision

This is easy to forget. Make yourself reminders. There is power in the prayers of the body.

--Anne Sych

Pray Against Division

2011-01-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

This morning I began to repent for seeing factions, divisions, and an overall cracking in the body of Christ at Hope. I repented for my personal indifference. As Julia and I drove to church we began to pray that the Lord would touch the body at Hope, and that she would rally under the banner of Christ. No other banner should the people of God rally under (Hope, Freedom Life, LHOP, IHOP, etc.). The following impression was that we would strengthen what remains; this was especially of concern to me because of all the pain this church has endured the last year. I have been very concerned for her perseverance and have often wondered what would become of her in light of Hope's current condition and struggle. I read the "feeble knees" portion of Hebrews in context and found it extremely relevant to Hope and I consider it prophetic:

Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled. (Hebrews 12:12-15)

I believe the prophetic voice of the Lord was very present as many of LaMonte's words in the sermon were quite similar to the impressions I had received from the Holy Spirit.

--Austin Skelley

Grace to Pursue Christ

2010-12-12T11:00:00.001-08:00

We were singing and one of the verses was, "Bring the sound of revival." I then began to pray that God would give us grace to pursue Him passionately, that He would give us grace to be obedient.

Then He showed me a picture of the Israelites with the parted sea before them. He said, "The grace is there. You just need to respond." There is a parted sea of grace for Hope to pursue Christ diligently and wholeheartedly. We just need to respond. That is our responsibility. He has provided for us and has provided the way; we just need to continue to respond to it. We will not get to the Promised Land if we don't step out.

--Brennan Griffith

Pure Worship

2010-12-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

"Worship is pure or base, depending on whether we entertain lofty or low views of God."

God, open our eyes!

--Corey Dallmeyer,
sharing a passage from A.W. Tozer's writings

Be Lifted Up

2010-12-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

I understand how you feel and that is why I'm here. Be lifted up - I am here with you. I know you are disappointed. You feel you have not accomplished what you wished, even though you have tried hard. I appreciate what you have wanted to do for me and the kingdom. What I need you and others to understand is you must turn your trying around. I have so much I wish to do through you, not by you. When you asked me to be your roof, I made my home in your heart. How much we can do together, you and I! First come into my heart, live the life I gave you - my very own. I love you.

--Sally Staples

Submit and Be Free

2010-11-28T11:00:00.001-08:00

Many want to be "released" in Our Father's glory. We cannot be released until we fully submit to His will. When we decrease, He will increase through us, and we will truly be set free. Until then, our fight to "free" ourselves will continue to bind us. His desire is for us to be released to experience Him, to glorify Himself in us. Submit to Him and we will have a release of His power that we could not imagine, for the kingdom's sake. Trust Him and submit to His will.

He Set His Face Against Them

2010-11-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

In Ezekiel, it says, "He set His face against them." The fact that He has not set His face against us today should be enough to crumble us to our knees. That would be true hell - to be separated from Him because He turned away. And then the fact that He is continually working all things together for our good and giving us a future and a hope - even more amazing. We have doubts, confusion, apathy and disillusionment, but the fact that He has not set His face against us - humbling and worthy of all our devotion and love.

--Tracy Hale

Believe Me

2010-11-14T11:00:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

Someone at the Ascent last night asked, "How do I cultivate my relationship with God - a close relationship, an on-fire heart?" The answer that burned in my heart was "Believe me." Start there. Take Him at His word and begin believing Him.

--Elizabeth Bencheck

Be Real

2010-10-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

Where are you real and where do you play a role? Does your freedom happen outside fellowship's doors? "Free" to your addictions, to your abuses, to your adulteries? Has church (worship) become a place of penance instead of a place of praise and peace (restoration)?

Be real always and stop role playing. I never called you to be a good actor, but to be mine. I in you and you in me. I LOVE YOU and I will forgive you of your addictions, abuses, adulteries in my son. Just come to me and repent. Accept my peace offerings to you. Just be real, don't play roles with me. My love is much greater than that.

Those who have ears, let them hear.

--LaMonte Williams

Just Listen

2010-10-17T11:00:00.001-07:00

What I wish is that you would come apart to be with me; for you to wish to hear my words. Not that you would do any great work, but listen to my words of love and just what this love can enable you to do, by the power of my love.

--Sally Staples

Stand Up

2010-10-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

After being called to the altar, God put the words "stand up" on my heart. Not only for me to stand up in my relationship with the Lord, but also with my family and with my extended family in Hope - all of my brothers and sisters in the Lord. I also feel He wanted me to give that word "stand up" to the congregation and challenge them to stand up as well.

--John Williams

Regarding the Name

2010-10-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

His name is above every other name. His name is above personalities and individual ministries. His eye is upon the saints who gather here in this place. He may show up and manifest His power on a Monday night at 5 Loaves among the poor. He may show up at City Life Church and we come in Sunday morning and they're still here. It's about Church, not churches.

--Chris Carter

Stay Near

2010-09-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

What you fear brings you to a halt. What can you do. Stay near me more and more knowing more and more all that I will do for you to bring about all I created you to be.

-Sally Staples

An iron-woven basket

2010-09-12T11:46:00.000-07:00

God wants to saturate us with His presence. Once we've received Him into our lives - and as we allow God to reach deeper into us - we become a big, mushy, crying mess when our hearts are being changed. But we need to remember that God encases our hearts/our spirit in an iron-woven basket that allows some things in to teach us, etc. and allows things to leave us or to reach others' hearts. But we can stand in the faith that God keeps us safe, protected - once we have received Him - we are protected. We'll never be broken. In Him we will not be broken. We can stand in Him.

-Lori Foster

Matthew 6:22-23

2010-09-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"

We need to be careful of what our eyes are focused on. What are we filling ourselves up with? We must be diligent to focus our eyes on Scripture and holy things. Don't just fill yourself up with what's permissible.

-Andrew McDade

Do the right thing out of faith

2010-09-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

We can do the right thing and it still not be from faith. Do the right thing but still sin in the midst of that. With our attitudes. Also we act because we "should" do this or we see others doing it a certain way so we emulate them (remember, these are good things but not from faith). Why do we struggle with faith (belief)? Past wounds or struggles with the Lord. Fight for independence, entitlement. Lots of reasons. When you do the right thing out of faith (belief), there will be great PEACE.

-Tracy Hale

I give you my joy.

2010-08-29T11:30:00.000-07:00

Children, I give you my joy! Dance, sing, praise! For in my joy I give you joy, in my love I give you love. In all I give you eyes to my heart. People will look into your eyes and see me. Eyes of love, joy, compassion, forgiveness. Through your eyes they will see your heart and in your heart they will find me. Rejoice!

Mary-Dawn Carrier

Come Closer

2010-07-25T05:25:00.000-07:00

Come in Close
Come in close and speak
Come in Close
Come closer to me

Those lyrics are a prayer for God to come close to us and speak. But this morning they're God's words for us. He desires for us to dray near. He desires for us to draw near. He desires to hear our voice, to hear our hearts, to hear His children speak to Him. The heart of the Father is moved when His children speak to Him.

He is the One that is ever available. He is ever waiting for His children to speak to Him. So draw near and come in close. Come closer to Him and bless His heart.

Brennan Griffith

In me you will find your true life

2010-07-11T06:48:00.000-07:00

Awaken your hearts
Awaken your souls
Awaken your lives
There is no need for you to walk in darkness
There is no need for you to live behind walls
There is no need for you to harden your heart
Lift up your heads
Lift up your voice
Lift up your song
Release your shame
Release your doubts
Release your fears
I came to set you free
I came to make you whole
I came to give you your life back
You are my creation
You are my child
You are my love
Come walk with me
Come talk with me
Come abide with me
In me you will find comfort
In me you will find restoration
In me you will find your true life

Brad Breyer

Lowly & Humble

2010-07-04T06:59:00.000-07:00

Washing one another's feet is a prerequisite for the power of God being released through you, through us. Life in this manner is living the Kingdom lifestyle on earth as it is in Heaven. "Seek ye first the kingdom of Heaven and all these things will be added onto you." Matthew 6:33. Romans 12:3 "Do not think of yourselves as better than others." Humble submission to God is a sweet and precious in the sight of god. To live like this and keep His commandments is to abide in Him, John 15. This is what it means to be like Christ. and to live according to the purpose in which He has called us.

I'm afraid you forgot something...

2010-07-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

Oh how I wish I knew where He always is and what His is always about.
And he replies,
I'm afraid you forgot something when you asked me into your life. Where does life come into you?
I would have my abode in your heart.
This is truly where you are moved- "by your heart"
Let me know when you are ready for me to move in.
We will honestly become "one"

Sally Staples

Know the Heart of God

2010-06-27T05:26:00.000-07:00

Get to know the heart of God. Love Him, believe Him for who He is.

We need to ask forgiveness for judging and accusing Him. Stop believing Him by what you see. We live in a world where Satan and our flesh are rampant. Humble yourself before the Lord.

Tracy Hale

A New Day is Dawning

2010-06-27T05:24:00.000-07:00

People of Hope get ready- a new day is dawning. It is before you now- and more is coming. My presence is coming. Do not fear- embrace the joy. I have new life for you. It is a new day.

Anne Sych

Live the kingdom life

2010-06-13T10:32:00.000-07:00

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, so let's live like it now. Live the kingdom life on Earth as it is in heaven. Every man, woman & child was made in His image. Let us see one another through this truth and reality. The people on Earth who do not know Christ have the opportunity to through you!

We are ALL miracles that testify to God's goodness.

Nick Schriber

Who do you hide from?

2010-06-12T10:41:00.000-07:00

Who do you hide from? No not from me for you can for you can not. I always know where you are. You hide from yourself. You are my creations and I would have you see and know this can be beautiful for so you were made I love you.

Sally Staples

Do you get it??

2010-06-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

A specific word for someone...

Do you get it?? Do you really get it? You're working so hard to get the right stuff, look the right way, etc. This is all temporary.

God is everlasting... Do you get it??

Lori Foster

A Righteousness from God is Revealed

2010-05-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

Romans 1:17
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed

Isaiah 32: 17- 18
The fruit of righteousness will be peace, the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence. Forever, My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, secure homes and undisturbed places of rest.

We don't have to accept or fight our depravity- only accept the righteousness revealed in the Glory of the gospel. We no longer have to settle for struggle- We no longer have to surrender to our sinful nature or remain in that place as God's people we can choose to dwell in peaceful homes, secure and confident.

Heather Larson

BOLDLY talking about the Gospel

2010-05-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

This came to me after Chris Carter shared regarding political correctness. His message overwhelmingly resonated in me. But beyond that I began to think about the "wars and rumors of wars" Scripture. It came to me that the armies of war do not always gather around geographic lines. The armies that Christians will be confronting with the truth are ideologic and philosophic ones that stand in direct opposition to the Gospel and Christ. Pro- choice, political, racial, sexism, worshippers of science, pornography, the list goes on and on. They will put forth a message of counterfeit love by causing people to choose themselves and their desires over everything else. The message of repentance and the cross will be called unkind, and masochistic guilt-ridden foolishness. Well, it already is being called that. The main thing we need to do is to not only cling to the truth of Christ's love and the Gospel like never before but also to BOLDLY talk about it every chance we get.

Angela

I reach out to draw you closer

2010-05-23T06:26:00.000-07:00

Take my hand I reach out to always draw closer that you might know the depth of great love that is mine for you. Which brings peace and rest to your heart and life. Be mine as I am yours.

Sally Staples

He wants us to choose

2010-05-23T06:23:00.000-07:00

Picture: The Lord making a dividing line down the middle of Hope. And it wasn't clear what the dividing line was about- just that he was in the midst of us as a church making a line and He wants us to choose.

Rachel Scoggan

We are His Beautiful Body

2010-05-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

The Lord is calling His body beautiful. We think, oh I have done this, I have messed this up, I am worthless- but He says we are His beautiful body Rise up- Rise up. (Had a vision of His beautiful body as I looked across the congregation).

Anne Sych

Collosians 2:6-16

2010-04-25T05:24:00.000-07:00

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,

7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature,[a] not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,

12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature,[b] God made you[c] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.[d]

16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

John Williams

YOU ARE!

2010-04-25T05:19:00.000-07:00

The Lord asked me to share His grace to me for my greatest pain. My only son had become a victim of alcohol which both my father and his father had suffered from. God showed me a picture of God on a mountain top reaching down to a sheep on a lower pinnacle. He asked me if he was going to do it or was I. I loudly exclaimed "YOU ARE" and He turned him completely around, Praise God!

Anonymous

Hold fast to the Head

2010-04-18T05:15:00.000-07:00

The times the world is trying to get you to believe that I have left and forsaken you. Do not accept that word as truth. "I will be with you always, even to the ends of the earth." Do not let your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in Me." Says your LORD Jesus. Hold, therefore fast to the Head of the body, He will direct our steps.

L. Williams

You are Mine and I am yours

2010-04-11T05:31:00.000-07:00

Why would you back off from my love?
Is my love for you debatable?
My love does posses but it also builds and enlarges you.
There is so much more to you than you have ever known.
Do not fear your worthiness.
You are worth all that I can give for your good.
Come let us know one another as full as possible.
For you are mine and I am yours.

Sally

Knowing My Word

2010-03-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

To be open to my word you must read and know it.
When you know it you will stand upon it.
This will make you a part of it, never to be separated from my word or myself

Sally

1 Corinthians 13:5-7

2010-02-07T11:47:00.000-08:00

1 Corinthians 13: 5-7

5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

We read things like this and look at how we don't reflect these traits in our lives. We feel ashamed by it and feel like God is down or boastfully talking about why we should be better. But He says, "I am love and I'm perfect. All these qualities I express to you perfectly."

Andrew McDade

Breath of New Life

2010-01-24T12:45:00.000-08:00

I saw a vision of a heart that was "lifeless" and full of sin- a bunch of junk. Then God breathed life into it. The heart became healthy and whole... full of life. God wants to rejuvenate our spirit and breath new life into us so that we can "serve" Him with purpose.

Simone Williams

Guard yourself during the fast!

2010-01-17T10:38:00.000-08:00

I feel a heaviness- a hardness in my chest. It's a warning about the upcoming fast. As we open our hearts- open our spirits to hear from the Lord, we also need to guard ourselves from the enemy. As we are open and our hearts are raw- stay deep in the Word- deep in the truth- The Lord's truth to guard against any attacks the enemy may plan. The Lord will protect you as you open your deepest heart to hear His desire and direction.

Lord Foster.

Hope in His unfailing love

2010-01-10T10:35:00.000-08:00

Psalm 147:11 says "the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love."
Don't merely hope for something, but hope IN His unfailing love. Believe He is who He says He is. Hope IN His perfect character and go deeper in knowing who He is, then trust Him with what you hope for.

Tracy Hale

Look at the work of My hand

2010-01-03T06:44:00.000-08:00

You hear that you are to have hope in Me.
But you say that you cannot have a hope in a God that you cannot see.
But I say to you that while you may not be able to see me in physical bodily form you see abundant evidence of me all around.
Look at the newborn babe and the creation of life.
Could that happen without my hand being involved?
Look at the trees and flowers that bloom in spring and die in winter only to begin anew with the following spring.
Look at the rising and setting of each day and night.
Think about all the mystery and complexities in all of these things.
None of them could happen without my hand.
So while you may not see my bodily form you see my working around you each and every day.
You see evidence of my existence.
Admit that to yourself, and have hope in me.

Brad Breyer

Put your hope in Me

2010-01-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

It is time for you, the body of Christ to put your hope and trust in your Lord and Savior. Come look up and you will not be alone as we walk through the fire. There will always be hope. Be aware of the movement of the Holy Spirit. Hear the whispers of my voice and be encouraged that you are not alone.

Mary McCoy

You are precious to me

2010-01-01T10:41:00.000-08:00

You are precious to me
I hold my house of prayer near to my heart
Like a precious stone to a man, I value and gaze upon you
Like a diamond to a bride, I place you on my finger where you are with me always
Like a bride do you not think I search diligently when my precious stone has gone astray
You are my people of whom I value greatly
Not only are you my people, but you are my house of prayer made up of individuals of whom I place a special value for each
You are my people and out of my jealous heart for you I will not share you
You are mine and I will hoard my people all to myself
Believe that I look at my people with great joy
You are mine and you are precious to me