A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE - When God Says "GO"!

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HEARTWARMING CHRISTMAS MIRACLE STORY

 A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE – When God Says “GO”! 

By Mary Lindow

 

This Podcast is going to be focusing on what I would call 

“A Miracle on Christmas Eve!”

 

Steve And I Had Just About Been Married About A Year and had been through a complete reorganization of his business due to a partner, having not reported properly on the business financial books. Shortly after we were married, we found this all out and we were saddled with the debt of the business and the business was shuttered and the friendship was shattered.  

 

STEVE REOPENED HIS OWN INTERIOR DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY BUSINESS ON A LITERAL SHOESTRING. I was teaching piano and voice lessons and directing a church choir.

In October Steve had been asked to totally remodel a local restaurant as well as create matching themed Christmas decor. I had worked in a floral shop for years as a young high school girl and had done many wreaths as well as large swags of things for commercial decorations. I helped Steve begin to build and construct the pieces that went together for all of the items we were going to install. Once it was all prepared and ready, the owner was so grateful and so in love with all the work, she asked us to also do Christmas swags and decor for the Bar and eating area in the bar. This was a few days before Christmas and she had decided she wanted more festive decor in the bar since many parties were to take place for Christmas and up to New Years Day. 

So, we gathered materials and created that and installed it. 

 

WE WERE NOT ANTICIPATING THAT EXTRA BLESSING FINANCIALLY and we received a $400 check, (which was a lot at that time.) As we began to pray about a Christmas offering, we wanted to do something to honor the Lord at Christmas and help others. A friend of ours whom we had met and had had wonderful prayer meetings with two other schoolteachers in East St. Louis, Missouri, had shared in a prayer meeting about a family in need. At that time, the Bloods and the Crips gangs were very heavily active and there was a tremendous amount of racial tension in East Saint Louis. We were always very careful when driving through the area to not get off on the wrong ramp because often there was a lot of car theft and harm done to people who didn’t know or belong to that area. But, there were times that we would travel down with a group of our friends, both black and white, to a house where a woman by the name of sister Lucy, who had a Doctorate in education, would hold ladies teas and prayer gatherings. We would worship and pray, and intercede and study the word fervently among both black-and-white women who were either highly educated or women who cleaned homes for a living. It didn’t matter! We loved being with each other, and we loved the presence of the Lord. So, when sister Margaret Wren our friend from East St. Louis, who was also a teacher, told us there was a family in desperate need of clothing and food that she knew of and that the mother who was in her early 60s had been holding all of the children and grandchildren together in her home.

 

THIS DEAR WOMAN WAS SCHEDULED TO GO IN FOR OPEN-HEART SURGERY ON CHRISTMAS EVE. Margaret told us there was going to be limited food and of course they weren’t expecting anything for Christmas. Steve and I knew that we were going to end up making what we considered a very significant personal sacrifice instead of doing things we needed to do to broaden our business and also to take care of a few things we needed to handle as well in our home. Yet, the Holy Spirit was persistent. The extra job came in unexpectedly. We knew that $400 was to be used specifically to help this family.

 

WE BEGAN TO TELL OUR SISTER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW WHO LIVED NEXT-DOOR TO US AND A FEW OTHER FAMILIES BEGAN TO GET EXCITED TO HELP. Steve and I went to the local grocery store and filled carts with warm blankets, hams, cereals, fruits, vegetables, different kinds of meat and canned goods, and had the joy of a lifetime like we had won the “Supermarket Sweepstakes!”

 

WE WERE GOING TO GO DELIVER ALL OF THIS ON CHRISTMAS EVE AFTERNOON BEFORE THE DEAR SISTER WAS GOING TO GO AND HAVE HER SURGERY THAT EVENING. Everyone congregated at our little cottage home and we could not believe how many people put together beautiful things for this family! My sister-in-law Judi had put together stacks of beautiful clothing and little outfits for children that her children were no longer fitting into because we had said there were children needing clothing. They also found a giant 6-foot long stocking and filled it with candy, fruit, and nuts.

Another lovely couple had a giant Christmas turkey on a platter with all kinds of onions and celery and carrots with the stuffing ready to go so they could put it in the oven when we got there.

 

THERE WERE BOXES OF DIAPERS, FORMULA, AND SACKS OF GROCERIES FROM SO MANY PEOPLE! Many who also had large families! We really didn’t know how many we were going to be helping! We just knew that there was a large family in need, and there were children were involved. Several married couples lived in the same house with the mother and the poverty was substantial.

 

WE MADE A CARAVAN OF FOUR CARS TO TRAVEL INTO EAST ST. LOUIS and Margaret Wren met us on a side street as we entered to go towards this family‘s house. We parked the cars outside, and there was a young man standing outside who did live in the home, who told us he would watch our cars for us. We told him that we didn’t think it would be a problem and he smiled at us shyly and he’s told us it was very important to have someone from the neighborhood watching your cars. We thanked him and went up the steps to a house that was sturdy but in much needed repair.

 

WE STOOD ON THE PORCH AND RANG THE DOORBELL. The door opened and there was the most precious older woman standing there in her coat and hat with a purse on her arm. She told us she was waiting for us to come before she made her journey to the hospital. As we began to walk in with box after box, package after package, grocery sack after grocery sack of items, the room began to fill with people coming from upstairs just standing there, staring at us in wonder and shock. 

 

AS I LOOKED INTO THE KITCHEN AREA, THE ONLY HEAT IN THE HOUSE WAS THE GAS STOVE WITH ALL FOUR BURNERS FLAMING AND THE OVEN DOOR WAS OPEN. Lying over on a vinyl couch was a little infant, beautiful, baby boy dressed only in a T-shirt and a diaper, and the house was chilly.

Our hearts were breaking to see how little they had, and yet the love among them was evident and of course, the mother/ grandmother was introducing us all with great pride to her children and their spouses. Two of the little boys saw the big fluffy blankets that we bought. We had stacked things over on a makeshift couch that was really just a twin bed with a covering over it, and these little boys grabbed the blankets and ran upstairs to their rooms.

 

TO SAY IT WAS HUMBLING IS MINIMIZING HOW LITTLE THESE DEAR PEOPLE HAD. We were not there to give out of any sense of benevolence, but out of love.

 

We Began To Talk To Their Children And Coo Over The Babies,

And The Tension In The Room Began To Melt As They Began To See, 

That We Were Just People Who Came To Love And Bless Them.

 

Because they knew Margaret Wren, they knew we were safe people and that we were kind people. We knew they were safe people and kind people.

 

NOW HERE’S WHERE THE BEAUTIFUL MIRACLE PART BEGINS TO TAKE PLACE! Steve asked if we might be able to pray for this dear woman heading into surgery that night. She was the one holding the family together and I think pretty much financially as well. She was covering what it cost to pay for the house and just basic comforts. Although several other others did have jobs, it just was not going to be enough with her being incapacitated.

 

SHE SMILED BROADLY, AND SHE SAID, “I AM BELIEVING THAT GOD WILL HEAL ME AND THAT I WILL COME OUT OF THIS WITH A NEW HEART. That I will mend quickly! I trust in Jesus!” Some of her older children were rolling their eyes at her or had an attitude of just accepting that “this was the way their mother always was”, but there was not necessarily disrespect, just a lot of disbelief. Yet, they all joined the large circle we formed to pray. 

 

STEVE BEGAN TO PRAY.

He prayed and blessed the family and thanked the Lord for the privilege of meeting every one of them. He asked the Heavenly Father if he would come and show himself to be kind and real to each and every one of them and provide for them and open up new jobs for them. He then laid hands on this dear lady, as did several others who were with us, and he anointed her with oil and prayed that the Lord would touch her body and astound the doctors, asking that there would not nearly be as much damage done to her heart as originally thought.

 

We All Felt This Unusual Warm Presence Gently Surround 

All Of Us As We Were Standing There.

Everyone Was Aware Of The Sweetness Of God’s Presence.

 

WHEN STEVE GOT DONE PRAYING, WE ALL HUGGED EVERYONE.

Some of it was awkward, some of it was genuine and warm, and the dear lady said, "I need to be on my way, they’ll be waiting for me at the hospital." We said Merry Christmas to everyone and went outside where the young man was still watching our cars and of course, he had seen us take in all of the items. He was smiling a big smile and gave each of us a hug and said, “Thank you all so much. You have no idea how much this means to our children.” Many of us smiled and said, “We do understand because some of us came from big families and have been through hard times in the past, so we’re so glad to be able to share!”

 

ON OUR WAY HOME STEVE AND I JUST SAT THERE QUIETLY basking in the joy of knowing that God sent us to a difficult place and a potentially dangerous place, and that the enemy would want us to think that we were doing something foolish or dangerous, but instead, we were sent to love people who were in need. We were given the privilege of watching joy take place in their home, as well as seeing their beautiful children, and then praying for the dear lady who was going to have the heart surgery.

 

WE WENT TO STEVE’S PARENTS HOUSE and sat there with Christmas music playing and good food everywhere and said, “we’ve already had our Christmas” We just had the most beautiful moment and it just seemed like everything else paled compared to what we had had the honor of partaking in. It was about a 35-minute drive from Steve’s parents house to ours and we went home and prepared for bed.

 

CHRISTMAS MORNING, (THE NEXT MORNING), WE HAD GOTTEN UP AND WE WERE PREPARING SOME COFFEE AND WERE GOING TO OPEN OUR SMALL GIFTS TO EACH OTHER WHEN THE PHONE RANG. When we answered it, Margaret Wren was on the phone and she was laughing and praising God. We said, “What’s going on Margaret? What’s got you so fired up on Christmas morning to call us! Aren’t you with your family?”

Margaret said, “WELL!! I WAS getting ready to celebrate with my family, but I got a phone call from our dear sister who went into surgery last night …

…And as they were examining her last evening and did a final scan, the doctor was extremely puzzled. They decided to do some exploratory surgery before fully opening her up to make sure that everything was necessary. 

Upon further examination with laparoscopy, the doctor was absolutely stunned and flummoxed that this woman’s heart was in perfect condition! There was no scar tissue. There was no evidence of heart attack or stroke anywhere in her body. Her blood pressure had gone into a normal rhythm and she was breathing with ease. They ran more tests and didn’t know what to do with her so they sent her home. 

 

WE WERE STUNNED, JOYFULLY PRAISING GOD AND LAUGHING AT THE FACT THE DOCTOR’S DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH HER! We told Margaret we would split calling everybody up with her to let everyone know, and each time we called and told someone the rejoicing increased!

 After the phone calls, Steve and I sat and talked about what an absolute moment it must’ve been for her children to have her walk through that door and smile at them and say, “Look what the Lord has done. He gave me the best Christmas ever! He gave me a new heart!” All of those young adults and grandchildren who stood in that room, doubtful that God cared about them very much, but knew that their grandmother or their mother loved them and gave everything for them in order for them to have comfort and shelter. Yet, she stood there bravely and courageously saying she was believing God for a new heart. (I think the Lord gave a few other people a new heart that day as well!)

 

WATCHING PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD or even from your own culture, praying for your mother, bringing gifts and treasures much like the Wiseman brought, filled with abundance because of Jesus to celebrate Christmas, created an open door for God to work a miracle and change an entire family’s focus to see that he not only cares for them, but that he loves them.

 

NO CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, NO TINSEL, 

NO BEAUTIFULLY WRAPPED GIFT HELD INTEREST FOR STEVE AND I THAT CHRISTMAS. We sat on our little couch and held hands and wept and praised God for the extra income that we had been given through the unexpected extra job. Even though we had suffered great losses and had been saddled with the business debt, we knew that we had obeyed the Lord being a part of the blessing of watching God unite many people who gave their little bits, which created a tremendous amount to bless another family in need. To see joy on those dear faces and learn of the miracle that took place was more than we could handle!

 

Every Christmas we recount the story. We remember the years where there was hardship and yet God always came through. That dear woman lived into her late 80s and although we never saw her or the family again, we occasionally would hear from sister Margaret about the advances that had taken a place in the family. How the grandchildren were doing. We knew that we had been a small, tiny part of validating that they were worthy of love and care.

 

WHAT IS IT RIGHT NOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH IN ABUNDANCE?

What is it that you have in your home?

Maybe you have a box of new tennis shoes that you don’t really like or a pair of dress shoes.

Maybe you have jeans or clothing that you can’t fit into, or, they’re too big and they’re just hanging in your closet.

Maybe you have an extra $20 or $50 where you could go buy bags of fruit loaves of bread, a few blocks of cheese.

 

When you put these things together and you ask around, you will find a family in need. A family worthy of love, going through a difficult time.

In that moment when you choose to go and be the hands of Christ extended, not only will he empower you with his Holy Spirit, but he gives you the opportunity to offer prayer for the deeper needs that they may have.

 

  Perhaps In The Next Few Days You Will Be Called Upon 

To Do Something That Starts Out As Simply A Loving Act Of 

Giving Of Sustenance And Warmth That Will Turn Into 

A Miraculous And Beautiful Testimony.

We live in a world in a time we’re hoarding has become something others applaud, holding our “earthly stuff” close to us, and becoming cynical when others suffer or others are going through difficult times.

 

IF YOU HAVE WEALTH, IF YOU HAVE ABUNDANCE OR IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE,  and there is even the slightest hint of condescension or looking down on anyone else who suffers or seems to have cycles of loss, Check your heart! 

You have been blessed in abundance, to help others in abundance. 

That is the biblical approach to wealth.

 

We don’t store up and hoard for ourselves in order to impress others as believers.

We don’t flaunt and act extravagant in front of others in order to appear superior.

We humble ourselves, we give sacrificially, and we go to hard places, we go to difficult places, perhaps to families who have no interest in Christ, but we become light in their darkness and plant seeds.

 

THERE ARE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS NEARBY WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW, THAT NEED TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE SEEN AND LOVED. Even the smallest thing, a plate of cookies or a basket of fruit taken to a woman who has been recently widowed, can cause her loneliness and fears to be calmed.

 

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO PRAY WITH THOSE THAT YOU GO TO CHECK IN ON. They may say no, they don’t want to be prayed for, and you can lovingly say, “that’s fine. I will pray quietly for you at home.” But never be afraid to offer to pray for them in the moment.

This Is What Jesus Would Do.

 

Ask the Holy Spirit right now what is it that you have been blessed with.

Ask if you are supposed to share a part of that blessing.

Ask if there’s something sacrificial that you can do to help bless others who serve.

Those who bless others who care take.

 Bless others who seem to be givers and others think they have an endless supply, when in fact; they too need to be loved and seen.

 

THE COMING OF CHRIST WAS A GIFT OF IMMEASURABLE GRACE.

God gave his entire wealth to mankind so that this gift would give us back access to the Father himself. He gave the very best that heaven could offer. That is why Christmas is such a potent time, because it is to be about the giving, the light, and the celebrating of this immeasurable gift.

 

When We Step Out Into Difficult And Hard Places And Sacrifice, 

Remember,

God Is With Us! Emmanuel!

 

Matthew 1:23 Tells us,

“BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN WILL CONCEIVE AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND THEY SHALL NAME HIM IMMANUEL,” which translated, means, “GOD WITH US.”

 

THE NAME OF JESUS THE MESSIAH, “GOD WITH US” 

MANIFESTS IN NOT ONLY THE MIRACULOUS, 

BUT HE HEALS AND BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS. 

 

May your celebration of the King of Kings who was sent to earth as a tiny, vulnerable baby, be filled with a deeper understanding of the price that was paid for our lives.

Of course we know this is not actually the accurate date or celebration for Jesus’ birthday, but we must never minimize the fact that the world is aware of what we are celebrating! Something of great power and a great comfort. It has a depth and a meaning that many are still seeking to understand.

 

Let us use every opportunity to its fullest to tell of the wonders of his love!

 

Have A Miraculous And Beautiful Christmas Season My Friends!

God Is With Us. 

We Are Not Alone!

I will say goodbye for now until my next podcast!

I bless you all in the mighty name of the Savior of mankind, 

the Messiah, 

Jesus Christ, GOD WITH US.

 

 

Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed, as long as the complete message, Website, podcast link and information for Mary Lindow is included.

Thank You! 2024

"THE MESSENGER"  - Mary Lindow

www.marylindow.com

www.marylindow.podbean.com

 

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2012 – An Unconventional Year - Prophetic Insights

By the Holy Spirit through Mary Lindow

I have a few things I would like to express to you before I share.

* As I prepare to communicate with those whom the Lord may have read these insights that He has impressed me with for the year 2012, I would like to advise that you would read with the intention of allowing the Holy Spirit to direct you to the Word of God for further confirmation and direction.

No one prophetic voice hears all, and it is a wise person who will listen to what the Lord would say through many individuals who have words to share. There will be a thread or theme that flows out of the multitude of voices, and the Lord will prune away what may well be opinions, personal expressions and flamboyance, or even sensational one-upmanship or eerie predictions filled with dread, or - maybe even ambiguous supernatural potential events.

Having shared this, please- as one of God’s own children, always return to His plumbline of the scripture to bring wisdom and balance to any prophetic words you may hear.

Let’s Begin:

2012 - An Unconventional Year

This will be a year where what often looks to be predictable and obvious will instead, go an entire different direction or take an unpredictable course.

The word “ Unconventional” has been the keynote word from the Lord to me.

The word unconventional means:

Unusual, irregular, unorthodox, unfamiliar, uncommon, unwonted, out of the ordinary, atypical, singular, alternative, different; new, novel, innovative, groundbreaking, pioneering, original, unprecedented; eccentric, idiosyncratic, quirky, odd, strange, bizarre, weird, outlandish, curious; abnormal, anomalous, aberrant, extraordinary; nonconformist, Bohemian, avant-garde; informal far out, offbeat, off the wall, wacky, madcap, oddball, zany, hippie, kooky, wacko.

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9


GOD AND MAN AT ODDS
Many have built platforms and empires within their own self-created spheres that have brought for some, great levels of visibility and success. This applies heavily to corporate leaders as well as those holding on to the concept spiritually that one key leader is the “voice” for the many.

2012 will be a year where the abuses of power will continue to be not only exposed and addressed, but will also appallingly be made public and drug through more and more media mud slinging.

Again, the Lord has graciously given time to those who still cling to entitlement and an attitude of “specialness”, presuming they are more anointed, more brilliant and who have consistently attempted to be notable authorities, without having the personal lives behind the scene, that honor the heart and purposes of God.

It will be as if a box has been opened for all to see its hidden contents, or perhaps a drape drawn back to see what is hidden behind it. Plagiarism will be rampant in publications in both specular and spiritual genres. It will expose poor scholarship and rushed materials meant to entice hearts and to stroke the ego of the writer.

All of this the Father has warned over and over again within the heart of those now seared by greed and weak confidence in God’s plan and chosen times for promotions.

“
Some became fools through their rebellious ways,
And suffered affliction because of their iniquities.”
Psalm 107:17


TURNING AWAY FROM PRESUMPTION
So often the Lord has had to deal with the issue of His people presuming that “they know how” He- the Lord will or – “should” move in certain settings, only to be gravely disappointed and shocked when it appears as if the opposite happens.

To presume means to take for granted that something exists or is the case. It also means to make unjustified demands; take liberties.

Unless we as believers become solidly and firmly trained up in the study of the Scripture, not just the memorizing and quoting of it randomly, there will continue to be fractured teaching and many bizarre approaches to what is the plan of God for his people on planet earth.

“And He said to them, be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you--and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.”
Mark 4:24

“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15


POSTURING OR PARENTING?
As the Lord continues to build and establish the model of genuine “Apostolic Fathering and Mothering”, in 2012 there will be a notable “fork in the road” for those called to this daunting assignment from Heaven.

The Father has asked me to lovingly but firmly warn those who are now in the possible place of having broader influences over another generation of developing young and tender leaders, to be very aware of where they stand.

A healthy and wise parent or mentor will train, model and provide safe boundaries for their children or students to grow and learn to step out into, knowing that they will experience difficulties and hardships, as well as many exciting growth spurts.

Those who need to have a following or remain as “cool and hip” as the young people they mentor will face a serious clash in the days ahead of them. Name dropping, self promoting of their spiritual acumen and harsh or condescending talking down to those in their care will result in being disqualified from moving into the next promise of Apostolic training and mentoring centers, which the Lord has been preparing for several decades.

You CAN teach an old Dog New Ways – If you bring in the MASTER trainer.

Saying things like “This is the way that you are” or that you are “set in your ways” exposes willfulness and a need for control. So does boasting that you have worked hard and have “earned” your title and position.” Those who posture or continue to tout their “higher levels of knowledge and insight” will become a sour source of reference, and the King of heaven will not bless them with further influence.

They now have a choice to set things right with those whom they have “kept under their thumbs” and whom have not been allowed to move into to the fullness of their calling. Choose the path of humbling yourselves in the sight of the Lord.

His example of lowliness and the release of others into the harvest fields will be the only model that Father will bless in the days ahead.

I believe all human fatherhood should be patterned after the Divine Fatherhood.

The Lord would have these whom are standing in this place of decision know that it does not matter that you have done mighty or impressive things in the past years. That is past and gone. You have received your rewards. Move now into a place where inclusiveness in Kingdom equality and honor are practiced openly and freely. Those who still have the aloof approach in sharing of honor and position will be eventually left on their own, having exhausted and exasperated those whom they were suppose to train and release.


ANOTHER GENERATION ALSO SHINES BRIGHTLY
Let the up and coming leaders in other generations shine in what they do!
Don’t compete or try to be as “cool” as they are in their genre of expression. Let GO!

“Fathers, do not exasperate (harass – provoke - embitter – aggravate)
your children that they may not lose heart and become discouraged.”
Colossians 3:21

He who always finds fault with a child; who is never satisfied with what he does; who scolds and frets and complains will eventually break his spirit, and soon destroys in the delicate texture of his soul all desire of doing well.

The child in despair soon gives over every effort to please. He becomes sullen, morose, stupid, and indifferent to all the motives that can be presented to him, and becomes to a great extent indifferent as to what he does - since all that he does meets with the same reception from the parent.

“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
Deuteronomy 4:9


THE POWERLESS AGAINST THE MIGHTY
The Father in heaven has an exclusive responsibility towards His people and He cries out to them through the Holy Spirit that just as he moved on behalf of Asa and his men when surrounded by a vast army and 300 chariots, so will He move again on behalf of those who are obedient to His voice and commands.

He tells you at this time to put HIM between yourself and the enemy.

When Asa realized his lack of strength… THEN he saw Jehovah God crush the Cushites. They were “Crushed before the Lord and their foes.” 2Chronicles 14:13

Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You."
2 Chronicles 14:11


THE “BUGLE” TO BE “FRUGAL”
There will be several “invented” crisis settings in 2012 that will cause many to choose to hoard and stockpile for themselves. They will be quickly exposed as moneymaking schemes and a tool to inflate prices.

Oh the other side of this there will be those who have very little with which to live and eat due to job losses and cutbacks. Those around them, if not filled with the fruits of Grace and Mercy, will become indifferent to the cry of their needs, for there will be many.

“Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.”
Isaiah 58:7

The Lord would have me share that He is indeed watching to see if the heart of the Apostolic move of God can be again modeled as when the people brought what they had, to trusted and integral teams of leaders who then distributed with prayer and wisdom to all, and none had any lack.

We are at a time where the Body of Christ must share resources willingly and fairly and not justify personal strictures that apply to others, but not themselves.

Here is a scriptural measuring stick to use to observe the true Apostolic heart and Leader.

Psalm 112:9
They share freely and give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
They will have influence and honor.


  
www.marylindow.com

"POISONING THE MISSION FIELD OF THE KINGDOM"

Mary Lindow

It is really rather amazing that any of us are ever really useful the Lord
when we begin to examine the "secret sins" that are active in our lives,
sometimes in our ministries, and in the way the bride of the King has
presented herself.

HEAR THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WITH YOUR SPIRIT FIRST...
...THEN WITH YOUR MIND.

I say this because if not discerned and embraced by the spirit first…
...the soul will immediately defend itself and bluster and spit in shock that
anyone might imply that is has the stated problem!

"ARROGANCE IS A DISEASE THAT MAKES EVERYONE SICK...
... EXCEPT THE ONE WHO HAS IT!"

IN THIS MODERN AGE OF, "IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU BABY"
… …ARROGANCE IS ALMOST APPLAUDED AS A SUPER TALENT TO SUCCESS!

Politicians boast of their greatness to lead, TV personalities shred other
individuals on live Programs and, sadly, many who have claimed to be
"servants" of the Lord have competed, slandered, and have positioned
themselves as "the most recent cutting edge" in ministry!
Little people…get out of the way!

REMEMBER! EVEN THE DISCIPLE PETER HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE!
He presumed to tell the Lord what would never happen in His ministry!
The actual crucifixion!

EVEN THE RICH YOUNG RULER, WHO APPEARED TO BE A GENTEEL AND
HONORING INDIVIDUAL WAS ARROGANT enough to think that he could
travel with Jesus and gain further stature without having to lay down all of
his own well-earned endowments!

He actually thought that having obeyed the commandments since he was
a small child and being good would be the way to keep his wealth and
cushy lifestyle! This is the subtle disease of arrogance! He didn't think he
had it! In fact…he might have thought that his financial settings would
endear him to Jesus and the twelve disciples because he could provide a
more comfortable lifestyle for all of them while they ministered.

Oh! He went away sad, but not broken. He was sad that he had to choose
between his rich and public securities and…a humble life with Jesus.
Matthew (19)

LISTEN TO WHAT THE LORD PROPHESIED TO US IN ISAIAH
ABOUT THE VERY SAME ISSUE.

And the word of One will go forth, "Cast up, cast up (to throw something
away from yourself, usually with force) Prepare the way! Take up the
stumbling block out of the way of the spiritual return of My people."

For this is what The High and Almighty One has to say—
He Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy:

"I dwell in the high and holy place, but I also dwell with him who is of a
thoroughly penitent and humble spirit, to revive, to reawaken the spirit of
the humble and to reinstate the heart of the thoroughly broken bruised
with sorrow for their sin."
Isaiah 57:14-15

HERE ARE SOME THESAURUS AND DICTIONARY DESCRIPTIONS
OF THE WORD ARROGANCE:

ARROGANCE:
The act or habit of making uncalled-for claims in an overbearing manner;
that species of pride which consists in exorbitant claims of rank, dignity,
estimation, or power, or which exalts the worth or importance of the
person to an undue degree; proud contempt of others; lordliness; haughtiness

ARROGANT:
High-handed, disdainful, haughty, high-and-mighty, insolent, lordly,
overbearing, condescending, superior example

: RELATED WORDS: domineering, bossy, dictatorial; exaggerated, false,
highfalutin, assumed, ostentatious

IDIOM: too big for one's britches

IF WE ARE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD WE ARE TO BE HUMBLE
and fully aware of our need for daily brokenness and a deep daily need for
re- consecration of our reasons to follow Jesus.

THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE THE CHILDREN OF GOD ARE TO REFLECT HUMILITY.

IN REGARD TO SATAN'S KINGDOM,
HE IS SAID TO BE A 'KING OVER ALL THE CHILDREN OF PRIDE.'

Proverbs 21
24-Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.

WE CANNOT ARROGANTLY ASSUME THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN USED MIGHTILY FOR
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN SIGNS AND WONDERS, PROPHETIC UTTERANCES, SPEAKING TO MULTITUDES,
GIVERS OF ABUNDANT SUMS, OR HAVE WRITTEN A BOOK - THAT WE HAVE A SPECIAL RIGHT TO BE
HONORED OR A RIGHT TO HAVE OTHERS "LISTEN UP" AND HEAR WHAT WE HAVE TO IMPART!

WE MUST DECREASE, AND HE …THE ONE…
THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS NO ARROGANCE…MUST INCREASE.

LOOK! NOBODY'S TEACHINGS OR PRACTICES ARE BEYOND BIBLICAL JUDGMENT —
ESPECIALLY INFLUENTIAL LEADERS.

Biblically, authority and accountability go hand in hand. (e.g., Luke 12:48)
The greater the responsibility one holds, the greater the accountability one has before
God and His people.

TEACHERS SHOULD BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO MISLEAD ANY BELIEVER,
for their calling carries with it a strict judgment (James 3:1).
They should therefore be grateful when sincere Christians take the time
to question them about the teaching and yes, even possibly bring
correction to correct whatever unsound doctrine they may be preaching.
And should the criticisms be groundless they should respond in the
manner prearranged by Scripture: to correct misguided doctrinal
opposition with GENTLE instruction (2 Tim. 2:25).

THERE IS OF COURSE ANOTHER SIDE TO THIS ISSUE:

CRITICISM OFTEN CAN BE SINFUL,
leading to rebellion and unnecessary division. Christians should respect the
leaders that God has given them (Heb. 13:17).
Theirs is the task of assisting the church in its spiritual growth and doctrinal understanding (Eph. 4:11-16).

At the same time believers should be aware that false teachers will arise among
the Christian fold (Acts 20:28; 2 Pet. 2:1).

This makes it very important for us to test all things by Scripture, as the Bereans
were highly praised for doing when they examined the words of the apostle Paul
(Acts 17:11)

PRAY THIS SIMPLE PRAYER WITH ME WON'T YOU?
“Lord, help all of us as your servants to keep the subtle disease of
arrogance and it's influences, far from us. Teach us oh precious king how
to model apostolic mercy, pastoral humility, and open repentance before
those whom we instruct and serve in your kingdom.” AMEN

"ARROGANCE"
Vanity of vanities!
Why put on with foolish pride an illusion of soul's lust?
Why make yourself a statue of gold
When you're only made of dust? - Author unknown

Duplication and re-transmission of this writing is welcomed provided that
complete source and website information for Mary Lindow is included.
Thank you. Copyright © 200p " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
www.globalprayerrooms.com

__________________
The International Prophetic Mentoring Council

“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser,
Mentor a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.”
Proverbs 9:9

Thought life-Choice-Actions-Habits-Character-Destiny

Habits of Life or Destruction Brian Francis Hume http://cause2impact.blogspot.com/ Is it plausible to suggest that the fulfillment of the calling upon your life is determined by the habits that you form? Habits are more powerful in determining long-term success and impact than simply our perceived intentions or motivations. Many have desired to change the world—yet few have done so in a manner that they intended to. Why is this so? One possibility: They didn’t have the necessary inner fortitude to bring about the God-ideal future into reality. Godly habits beget desirable outcomes that are in alignment with heaven’s will for our lives. In fact I would venture to say that each single person changes the world based on their habits, whether they realize it or not. We all have habits. As the old cliché asserts, we are creatures of habit. However the question remains: Are my habits life-giving (reinforcing my God-ideal future) or are they impeding my desired long-term outcomes? Bad habits (i.e., elevating self at the expense of others, lusting in your heart, lying, negative self-talk, procrastination, laziness, etc.) will impede and undermine all that the Lord desires to do in us and through us. The world is changed for the better or for the worse as a result of the habits that we formulate—hence, the need for Spirit-inspired habits in our lives is paramount. How do you define habit? Here is my working definition-in-progress: What you do consistently day-in and day-out that reveals and determines who you really are. I’m sure many of you have read the following that has proven to be so true in the course of history: Your thoughts influences your choices; your choices will determine your actions; your actions will become your habits; your habits develop your character; and your character will determine your destiny. Note the progression: Thought life-Choice-Actions-Habits-Character-Destiny. Furthermore, it can be rephrased: "Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” This is in alignment with the biblical principle of sowing and reaping. There isn’t anything more devastating than a believer who has become passive and apathetic in the pursuit of the Lord. Often those ensnared in the vice of lust and pornography have become lethargic in addressing the call to holiness in their lives. I can attest to this from past personal experience. Think about it. It starts as a thought not to take action within a given context such as a quick glance (seemingly innocent) at a magazine rack or a commercial during a football game. Or possibly a double take when an attractive woman walks by at the mall or in the hallway. Or it could be an "innocent" click on a Foxnews "news" article concerning a celebrity. No harm done. Nobody even noticed. Meanwhile the thought life is suddenly experiencing a barrage of enticing thoughts—it seems so harmless, just a quick, passing flashback about an immoral past experience. Over time you find yourself consistently drawn to scantily dressed women on the Internet. It seems that images easily trigger an adrenaline rush that is quite intoxicating. You feel so alive. Upon the completion of the lust binge, you quickly “repent” afterwards with much worldly sorrow, but fail to take measures to address the sin issue. Soon you are repeating the very thing that you vowed not to do again. Disillusionment kicks in. Shame becomes a constant companion as passivity reigns supreme. On “good days” you manage not to indulge in your secret habit—however, the constraint was aided by a desire not to be overwhelmed by shame. Callousness of the heart is evident. Ability to empathize with those hurting is compromised because the soul is bitter, numb, and passive. What was once something that you thought you had “under control” is now a habit that has taken on a life of its own—it now controls you. In time your character is defiled. Lust abounds. Although suppressed when appropriate, your inwards rage all the more for the illicit, forbidden fruit of lust. When you do partake of it, it seems to temporarily relieve you of your misery—a moment of bliss—only to quickly abandon you when the time has passed. Lust is never satisfied—lust breeds more lust. The past echo of momentary pleasure rings hollow, exposing the shallowness of one’s vain pursuits—yet the pain of death never seems to subside. Again, you find yourself confined to hell on earth. Interestingly, sleeping giants slumber within, awakened when confronted. The inner rage is at full tilt, tipping at the point when responsibility is demanded of the passive man. Without fail, passivity comes alive with a vengeance when confronted with the truth of the man’s sin. The hidden shroud of self-pity is fully exposed, thus it seeks to take shelter under the guise of a tongue lashing that spews venom. Now the destiny of the man is looming towards destruction. However, it doesn’t have to end in a destiny forfeited. What was once deemed as impossible (a life of integrity and purity) can become a reality through the redeeming work of Christ. Hence, one must count the cost to determine if they are willing to pay the price for restoration, freedom, self-control, and character—namely, the inner fortitude of Christlikeness. It is a process. It is grueling. It is painstakingly slow. Foul thoughts constantly bombard the mind. Fantasies swirl uninhibited, bemusing its captivating strength to allure the downtrodden. The seemingly forsakened man trudges along in spite of the constant feeling of no hope. Over time thoughts are increasingly taken captive—slowly but steadily—as the soul in anguish cries out to God, "God have mercy on me!" Despair and desperation lock head on—desperation in the grace of God prevails. The prayer of the subdued changes. No longer is the prayer to remove the temptation—rather, it is something of this effect, “Strengthen me to overcome the temptation!” Hell stands still. No longer is the man passive, seeking the easy way out—instead, he has chosen to ask the Lord to give him what delights His heart: A life that possesses the inner fortitude of Christlikeness. It is a process to be conformed to the image of Christ. Inner strength begins to grow as thoughts are consistently taken captive. Slowly the desires of the heart began to reflect God’s desires. Albeit the change is the occasional stumbling, however, the righteous man is quick to get up with godly sorrow that brings about a heart of repentance. It is a stumbling forward facedown before the Cross. It is a broken man, pliable in the hands of the Almighty. Truly it is a confrontation of colossal proportions: broken, weak man in the strength of the Spirit of God confronts the giants that once loomed large in his life. The man who trembles before the Word of the Lord becomes the conduit in which all of hell trembles. The process of trembling is the very process of the Word becoming Incarnate in the man's life. The once passive man becomes a champion for the Cause of Christ, slaying the giants of perversion, lust, and self-centeredness that dominates the cultural landscape. The image of the forbidden that once seared the conscience is now replaced by the image of Christ in the man. Shame has turned to delight; mourning has become joy; selfishness; and lust has been trumped by the love of God. Choice after choice, day in and day out, begins to formulate the bedrock of humility, hope, faith, holiness, gentleness, and the like—it is the emergence of the image of Christ fully demonstrated in a weak, trembling man. It is the broken man who is able to overcome the temptations of the flesh because faith, hope, and love overcame him. Brokenness wrought forth in the once passive man reveals a stunning display of the triumphant God-man, Christ Jesus—“Christ in you the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27) My Closing Throughts Today is the day to start moving towards this place of restoration. Don't be like the man that I heard about today. At the age of 89 years old, he was on his deathbed in the hospital. A young friendly, caring nurse attended to his needs to ensure that this man could die with a measure of dignity. Sadly, this man boasted to his family that this woman was flirting with him because she desired him sexually. Huh? He erroneously mistaken the actions of a gentle, kind nurse as some indicator of sexual attraction. This was a man who had given his life to a constant intake of pornography. Don't allow pornography to take you to your deathbed with a hellish grip on your life. May it be said that you lived well (i.e., set apart, consecrated, holy, pure, righteous) so that you may die well. Don't waste your life. Repent now and do what it takes to walk in victory over this sin. For the Cause, Brian Francis Hume