VISION towards DESTINY - opening conference at our NEW EFSM - grounds

With great excitement and thanksgiving in our hearts, EFS Ministries are proud to announce that we will be having our opening conference at our NEW CHURCH GROUNDS!
Starting the 7th - 11th November 2012  with special guest speakers every evening! We are trusting the Lord for Heavenly Breakthroughs and Godly Encounters over this time...!

I would like to encourage all our readers to continue to follow our blog, I will in the next week or two publish an amazing testimony on how the Lord provided for us with over 8 hectares of ground, and a brand new tent worth at R40 000!

Thank you Heavenly Father for Your goodness and faithfulness...!

God bless!

MEN'S MINISTRY / MEN'S CAMPS

Elijah Fire & Sword Ministries is very glad to announce that we are also moving powerfully in Men's ministry under the leadership of Henk Vermeulen, I believe he has been called for a time and season such as this! We give God all the praise and glory! I believe its now the time for men more than ever before to rise up strongly with an uncompromising devotion serving God whole hearted.

 Below is a personal testimony of Henk.

Priesthood – Being a Spiritual Leader for your Family.

Hi my name is Henk Vermeulen married for 18 years have a wonderful family blessed with two children. I was reborn as a Christian in 1994. In 1998 I nearly lost my sight with an explosion but GOD intervened and was healed, in 2002 I nearly lost my life due to a car accident, but again GOD intervened and I am alive and well. Then in 2008 GOD really took hold of me and showed me that HE had a greater plan for my life. HE started the process in transforming me from an ordinary Businessman to a Priest.

During this time GOD showed me how to become the Priest of my family HE wanted me to be, HE then raised me up as a Pillar at work and in the community for HIM. Through GOD’s grace, I have become the Father, the Husband, the Friend and the Priest that my family was longing for. I am GOD’s representative on earth, a Spiritual leader for my Family. My journey with GOD is an awesome one and I am learning from HIM every day. HE reveals things to me regarding Priesthood and then, opens my mouth so that HE can speak to fathers and fathers to be.

Mal 2:7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD.

Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.Because you have rejected knowledge,I also will reject you from being My priest.Since you have forgotten the law of your God,I also will forget your children

 

Intercession - PART 3

SEVEN FUNCTIONS OF THE INTERCESSOR

1.  Called to serve

Intercession is to serve.  It is to surrender oneself and give yourself to be used by God.  (Mar 10:44-45) Servant hood is the heartbeat of intercession.  The Greek word for serve is “doulos” which meaning is “bound by choice” To submit in full under the ministry of serving

2. Called to do battle

Intercession is to be in battle.  It is to be in a place of confrontation (Luk 22:44) the word anguish drawn from the Greek word “agonia”, which meaning is “place of battle” when we intercede for others we fight a battle on their behalf and  when we achieve the victory we to are blessed!

3. Called to identify

Intercession is to identify yourself with others. (1 Cor 9:20) Paul identified himself with others.  To be a servant to someone else and to fight on behalf of someone else, it is to identify ourselves with that person or situation.  To serve is to submit under another, to fight (battle) on behalf of another is to get involved in a war and to strike down the enemy (satanic influence). What does it mean to identify in intercession?  It is constantly become sensitive for the need of others, we must learn to see & listen between the lines.  We as intercessors should watch prayerfully and listen attentively.

4. Called to share

Intercession is to make available what you have.  (Matt 10:8) If we want to be successful in any ministry we must become more Christ like.  It was in Christ’s nature to give, so the same we must also give.  Many times giving is not to give out of our abundance but out of our own need and lack.  We all still need to learn this secret that will unlock Gods abundance! (2 Cor 8:2-3) We need to give and give generously and not just financially but in love, joy, mercy, grace, compassion and much more.

5.  Called to reign

Intercession is to reign & rule with authority. It is to take up dominion. (Jer 1:10) Jeremiah was not a political leader or King, yet he was appointed to reign over the nations & kingdoms.  Kingdoms here refer to spiritual rulers, and nations refer to physical leadership.  Jeremiah had to uproot – to go the roots of the problem.  The "uproot" here means to press in through prayer and directly deal with the problem.  Strongholds and walls (barriers of resistance) needs to be pulled down and destroyed. (2 Cor 10:3-5) The ability to overthrow was also delegated unto Jeremiah – to quickly remove and displace with great power – overthrow.  Jeremiah also had to build & plant! We must remember that for true victory to be established whatever we uproot & remove, something in its place needs to be build & planted!  We certainly do not see farmers cleaning a piece of land which is full of weed, and then leaving it without planting anything in its place! This would be foolish!  In fact the weed will just grow back much stronger.  We clean because we are getting ready for the main purpose and objective, to plant and then obtain the harvest!  Let us clean the fields and plant twice as much for it is HE that will send the rains and makes all things grow.  (Isa 30:23)

6. Called to mourn

Intercession is brokenness before God.  It is when we come before Him in brokenness that He can move in His healing faithfulness! (Psa 126:5-6) We could almost make the following statement: tears are the water that feeds the seed!  We can be assured that a very rich harvest will be the result of our brokenness before God!  We should remember that being in a place of brokenness is not always a place of weakness! But I am positioned to see the Hand of God move in a mighty way!

7.  Called to die

Intercession is to die to one self.  It is the “me” that sometimes causes our most problems.  It is our own fleshly desires and wants that can get us into bondage and sin.  To be an intercessor is to be set free, to be dead for the things of the flesh and the things of this world!  We need to make the shift from being self-centered to being Christ centered.  As we discussed earlier our main goal and purpose is to be conformed in the likeness of Christ!  The more I want the image of the resurrected Christ in me, the more I also need to be conformed to His death!  (Phil 3:10) The place of intercession is a place of being dead to the things of this world and my own desires; we need to be dead to sin.  (Rom 6:11)

50 Things the Holy Spirit Does

1.      He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement (Joh 16:8).

2.      He guides us into all truth (Joh 16:13).

3.      He regenerates us (Joh 3:5-8; Tit 3:5).

4.      He glorifies and testifies of Christ (Joh 15:26; 16:14).

5.      He reveals Christ to us and in us (Joh 16:14-15).

6.      He leads us (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:18; Matt. 4:1; Luk 4:1).

7.      He sanctifies us (2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 5:16).

8.      He empowers us (Luk 4:14; 24:49; Rom. 15:19; Acts 1:8).

9.      He fills us (Eph. 5:18; Act 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17).

10.    He teaches us to pray (Rom. 8:26-27; Jud 1:20).

11.    He bears witness in us that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16).

12.    He produces in us the fruit or evidence of His work and presence (Gal. 5:22-23).

13.    He distributes spiritual gifts and manifestations (the outshining) of His presence to and through the body (1 Cor 12:4, 8-10; Heb. 2:4).

14.    He anoints us for ministry (Luk 4:18; Act 10:38).

15.    He washes and renews us (Tit 3:5).

16.    He brings unity and oneness to the body (Eph. 4:3; 2:14-18). Here He plays the same role that He plays in the Godhead. The Spirit is the life that unites Father and Son. He plays the same role in the church. When He is operating in a group of people, He unites them in love. Therefore, a sure evidence of the Holy Spirit working in a group is Love and Unity. Not signs and wonders (those are seasonal and can be counterfeited).

17.    He is our guarantee and deposit of the future resurrection (2 Cor. 1:22; 2 Cor. 5:5).

18.    He seals us unto the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).

19.    He sets us free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2).

20.    He quickens our mortal bodies (Rom. 8:11).

21.    He reveals the deep things of God to us (1 Cor. 2:10).

22.    He reveals what has been given to us from God (1 Cor. 2:12).

23.    He dwells in us (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:14; Joh 14:17).

24.    He speaks to, in, and through us (1 Cor. 12:3; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:11; Heb 3:7; Matt. 10:20; Act 2:4; 8:29; 10:19; 11:12, 28; 13:2; 16:6,7; 21:4,11).

25.    He is the agent by which we are baptised into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).

26.    He brings liberty (2 Cor. 3:17).

27.    He transforms us into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18).

28.    He cries in our hearts, “Abba, Father” (Gal. 4:6).

29.    He enables us to wait (Gal. 5:5).

30.    He supplies us with Christ (Phil. 1:19).

31.    He grants everlasting life (Gal. 6:8).

32.    He gives us access to God the Father (Eph. 2:18).

33.    He makes us (corporately) God’s habitation (Eph. 2:22).

34.    He reveals the mystery of God to us (Eph. 3:5).

35.    He strengthens our spirits (Eph. 3:16).

36.    He enables us to obey the truth (1 Pet. 1:22).

37.    He enables us to know that Jesus abides in us (1 Joh 3:24; 4:13).

38.    He confesses that Jesus came in the flesh (1 Joh 4:2).

39.    He says “Come, Lord Jesus” along with the bride (Rev. 22:17).

40.    He dispenses God’s love into our hearts (Rom. 5:5).

41.    He bears witness to the truth in our conscience (Rom. 9:1).

42.    He teaches us (1 Cor. 2:13; Joh 14:26).

43.    He gives us joy (1 Thess. 1:6).

44.    He enables some to preach the gospel (1 Pet. 1:12).

45.    He moves us (2 Pet. 1:21).

46.    He knows the things of God (1 Cor. 2:11).

47.    He casts out demons (Matt. 12:28).

48.    He brings things to our remembrance (Joh 14:26).

49.    He comforts us (Act 9:31).

50.    He makes some overseers in the church and sends some out to the work of church planting [through the body] (Act 20:28; 13:2).

Summary: The Holy Spirit unites us to Jesus Christ and to His body. He reveals Christ to us, gives us His life, and makes Christ alive in us. The Spirit takes the experiences of Jesus . . . His incarnation, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension . . . and brings them into our own experience. Because of the Holy Spirit, the history of Jesus Christ becomes our story and experience (see Jesus Manifesto for details). Unfortunately, some movements have become known for their excesses in regard to the Holy Spirit’s work (see Revise Us Again for details).

Original post here. 

20 Things the Blood of Jesus Does

1.      It remits sins (Matt. 26:28).

2.      It gives life to those who consume it (John 6:53).

3.      It causes us to dwell in Christ and He in us (John 6:56).

4.      It is the means by which Jesus purchased the church (Acts 20:28).

5.      It is the means by which Jesus becomes our atonement through faith (Rom. 3:25).

6.      It justifies us and saves us from wrath (Rom. 5:9).

7.      It redeems us (Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 5:9).

8.      It brings those who were far away from God near to Him (Eph. 2:13).

9.      It grants us the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:14).

10.    It brings peace and reconciliation to God (Col. 1:20).

11.    It has obtained eternal redemption for us (Heb. 9:12).

12.    It cleanses our conscience from dead works to serve the living God (Heb. 9:14).

13.    It is the means by which we enter the most holy place with boldness (Heb. 10:19).

14.    It speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (Heb. 12:24).

15.    It sanctifies us (Heb. 13:12).

16.    It makes us complete for every good work (Heb. 13:20-21).

17.    It cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

18.    It bears witness in the earth along with the Spirit and the water (1 John 5:8).

19.    It is the means by which Jesus washes us (Rev. 1:5; 7:14).

20.    It is the means by which we overcome the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:11).

Summary: Thank God for the “precious” blood of Christ . . . the “sprinkled” blood of Christ . . . the blood of “the new covenant” . . . the blood of “the eternal covenant” (1 Pet. 1:19; Heb. 12:24; Luke 22:20; Heb. 13:20).

“The life is in the blood” (Lev. 17:11).

Original post here. 

Dynamics towards Abundant Living - PART 2

DYNAMICS TOWARDS ABUNDANT LIVING (Joh 10:10) PART 2

DYNAMIC #4

HONOUR GOD’S SERVANTS THROUGH GENEROUS GIVING!

The Word of God is very clear to us, we must give to those who teach and preach the Word of God!

Gal 6:6-10 ⁶ Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support]. ⁷ Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked ^[a]by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and ^[b]that only is what he will reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹ And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. ¹⁰ So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [^[c]morally] to all people [not only ^[d]being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers].

When we are fed the Word of God we are to bless those who minister the word to us! We certainly do not go and eat at a restaurant and the leave without paying…! You can try it, but I guarantee you that you won’t even reach the front door…! Or we don’t buy bread at a big grocery store and then decide to give the payment to some other store down the road… no matter how good our intensions or reasons might be the principle remains.

Where we are fed is where we should give! From who we receive is to whom we should give! This is Old and New Testament concept and can be found in both. Those who are called to minister spiritual things are to be supported by those they minister spiritual things to!

1 Cor 9:11-14 ¹¹ If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits? ¹² If others share in this rightful claim upon you, do not we [have a still better and greater claim]? However, we have never exercised this right, but we endure everything rather than put a hindrance in the way [of the spread] of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ. ¹³ Do you not know that those men who are employed in the services of the temple get their food from the temple? And that those who tend the altar share with the altar [in the offerings brought]?  ¹⁴ [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.We as minister’s of the Word are to give and devote ourselves to the teaching, reading and studying the Scriptures and not to become entangled in the affairs of this life (2 Tim 2:4) we are not to be engaged and getting involved in business affairs as a way of life, struggling daily to generate income, but to be bringing God to the people! He has called us to minister, we need to be devoted and obedient unto Him! Getting involved and distracted with things not related to our call can compromise and influence the call on our lives. Easily the enemy can get a foot in the door and re-direct the original plan God had in store. That is why those who are not called to a ministerial lifestyle are to support those who are!

3 Joh 1:6-8 ⁶ They have testified before the church of your love and friendship. You will do well to forward them on their journey [and you will please do so] in a way worthy of God’s [service]. ⁷ For these [traveling missionaries] have gone out for the Name’s sake (for His sake) and are accepting nothing from the Gentiles (the heathen, the non-Israelites). ⁸ So we ourselves ought to support such people [to welcome and provide for them], in order that we may be fellow workers in the Truth (the whole Gospel) and cooperate with its teachers.Those who are not called to preach and teach the Word can partner with those who are by blessing them generously. This is how God looks after these men and woman. They receive no help from the world, so we the “church” must be their support and supply. When we “receive” these ministers (literally, support, underwrite, to undertake and take care) we become partners with them in what they are accomplishing in God’s Kingdom. When we support ministries, we are considered by God to be fulfilling the same ministry as those who are reaching the lost and building up the church.

Therefore it is important that we bless those who minister the Word and Spirit with generosity that reflects the attitude of Christ towards His faithful servants!

The Prophet’s Reward

Mat 10:40-41 ⁴⁰ He who receives and welcomes and accepts you receives and welcomes and accepts Me, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts Me receives and welcomes and accepts Him Who sent Me. ⁴¹ He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.Helping a ministry to achieve its God-given purpose causes us to be included in the rewards that ministry receives. We can expect to receive the same rewards God has planned for it. In the third letter of John, which is addressed to Gaius, John pronounced prosperity and health over Gaius because of the prosperity of his soul. The abundance of his soul was manifested in the way he looked after the itinerant ministers. His abundant hospitality and generosity was truly noticed!

What the Word of God is saying is: That if we look after a prophet or a servant of God not just as an ordinary person but also as an anointed person of God, then we will receive the same kind of reward that the prophet or servant receives. God is very deeply interested in your life becoming blessed and overflowing in abundance and not lacking anything! And for this He reveals and unmasks the way for us to obtain these blessings. One of them is to honour His servants with generous giving which ultimately open up a new dimension of God’s provision and blessing in our own lives!

Heavenly Father I thank you for your Word that is infallible and ever true! Help us to have an open and generous hand towards your servants as we choose to sow and bless their lives and ministries.  I thank you for supplying seed for us to sow and that we will obtain the full harvest and reward thereof! I thank you for every blessing and provision that I and this ministry receive. I declare over you a time of outpouring of blessings and rewards as you sow! Be catapulted towards breakthrough and destiny, His fullness and provision in every area of your life!

In Jesus Christ Name!

Amen!

"I challenge you today to sow a seed and reap a harvest...!"

Winds of Change Conference Testimony 11-13 May

We serve a big and awesome God and to Him be all the praise and glory for what I have received during our Winds of Change Conference.

Ever since I came to the Lord in January 2009, I have never experienced the power of the Lord over me like this past weekend. In January 2012 we started Elijah Fire & Sword Ministries under Pastor Abie who is the head of Elijah Fire & Sword Ministries International. In the short time that we have been busy we have received so much prophetic Word that “this is the place where things are going to happen.” We have really become spoilt with amazing services.

Even though most of the people who have attended our services have been slain in the Spirit, I have not experienced it until this this conference. The devil also told me that it won’t happen to me and that it is not really necessary. I have experienced the anointing over me like never before but I was longing for more. I wanted the baptism in the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, and then also to be slain in the Spirit. Anyone of these two would do.

About 3 weeks before the Conference started I received a dream where I was slain in the Spirit but it was in an empty and unfamiliar place. After I discussed it with Pastor Abie, I was convinced that it will happen to me but not in a familiar place. I started to fast a week before the weekend kicked off because I wanted to make sure that from a spiritual side, I was ready.

The Friday’s service kicked off with a lot of people and a lot of excitement but nothing really happened during the altar call so I went home a little bit disappointed. On the Saturday’s service there was a lot of excitement once again but because of what happened the Friday I had decided that I would not go out for prayer if an altar call was made.         

While Pastor Abie was preaching on Saturday something happened to me when he took the person behind me out of his pew and the Spirit of God slain that man. I wanted to jump up because something started to turn inside my stomach but I remained seated. Then when Pastor Abie came to the front, he took my husband by the hand and prayed over him and the Spirit of God came over him and next moment he was lying on the floor as well. I started to cry and my friend who was sitting next to me started to pray for me, that is all I remember...  

If God is in control, we can’t be in control as well. I was surprised to wake up the Saturday evening past 11 in my own bed, not knowing how I got there. I didn’t even respond to be ministered to, but God came to me, He knew my need and gave me what I longed for.

I had a wonderful meeting with Jesus while I was out, He showed me lots of things, some prophetic, some sorrows, things which I believe is part of heaven, He also asked me a few questions which I had no answer for and many things which I still don’t understand but I know He will explain to me in due time. Best of all is while I was laying there He baptised me with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.

I am glad to be part of what the Lord is doing and I know greater things are still coming. I give all the honour and glory to Jesus for He alone is worthy to receive all the glory and honour. If you want to experience what we are experiencing I want to invite you to come to our services. Blessings!

Andoline Smit.

For video's of all our clips feel free to follow this link.

Intercession - PART 2

COMPASSION IN ACTION

(Joh 11:33)  We must stay focused! Remember that our main goal is not to grow in a ministry of gifting! But to become more Christ-like!  With Jesus Christ being our example and mentor, we as intercessors need the very same attributes and virtues as our mentor.  It is called COMPASSION!

Jesus Himself is compassion in action

Intercession starts with the very same attribute and virtue that Christ displayed, having a supernatural ability to sympathise and empathise with the pain and brokenness of others, which only the Lord can give us.  As we allow and give ourselves as intercessors so the Lord gives us also the gift of compassion.  It is true compassion that will bring us to a place of intercession.

Compassion is the starting point of intercession

COMPASSION is drawn from the following two Latin words;

a.    Com: Meaning – together, to join

b.    Pati: Meaning – to suffer, to have hurt

When we combine these two words, we can clearly see that it literally means to feel hurt and pain with someone; it is so much more than just feeling sorry for a person.  It is a dynamic Godly love that is released.  Jesus lived a life of intercession, when He prayed He did it with compassion.

To see Jesus pray is to see love on its knees!

Intercession is not a burden of prayer, but a burden of love which makes me pray earnestly! The more I love, the more I will pray!  When my love grows deeper and more intense for Him and others, so will my prayer life become deeper and more intense!  Before we can pray and intercede, we need to learn to love.  Let’s take up the powerful weapon of love (1 Cor 13:8) Love simply has the ability to not fail it was ultimately His love for us that saved us, that sets us free!  It is His great love for us that brought the Son down to earth.  When we have a Godly love in us it will surely bring the power of heaven down.  Paul confirms this in the first book of Corinthians chapter 12 (1 Cor 12:31) he encourages us to desire the gifts of the Spirit, and telling us that there is even a more excellent way! Love truly is the more excellent way!  Our intercession can become excellent if we chose and allow the Lord to deposit a Godly love within us and for those around us!

LOVE – ALWAYS PROTECTS

LOVE – ALWAYS TRUSTS

LOVE – ALWAYS HOPES

LOVE – ALWAYS PERSEVERES

(1 Cor 13:13)

Intercession can become a very challenging and overwhelming task, it is important that we will know and remain in His love, let us draw from Him. We don’t see the effects of it immediately.  As intercessors we are called to operate in and through the eyes of faith.  It is faith that allows us to see the outcome of a situation long before it even took place; prophetic vision (foresight) is needed.  This will bring us to a dimension of praying the victory, before the attack is even launched!

You Know You’re Religious, When…

I found this truth and thought it might shed some light and make you think.

Original post by Emil Swift

…you love the “Word of God” more than the God of the Word.
…you have a program instead of a Partner.
…you do for God instead of with God.
…God is your Boss instead of your Friend.
…you have a religion instead of a Relationship.
…you have an agenda instead of a adventure.
…the center of your thoughts and conversations is you and not Him.
…an examination of your checkbook register shows your money goes for taking care of  concerns that are self-centered not God-centered.
…you protest your love for God but practice your love for the things of men.
…you spend time and energy in trying to control your life instead of releasing control to God.
…your prayer consists of much talking and little listening.
…you do the best you can instead of letting God do the best that He can.
…you work for God instead of working with God.
…you’re primarily directed by God’s principles instead of God’s Spirit.
…you accomplish natural goals instead of supernatural goals.
…you’re concerned more with what others think of you than what God thinks of you.
…you’re passion is for right doctrine more than right Relationship.
… you’re more focused on your needs than others needs.
…you spend more time reading/learning from the Word of God than doing/performing the Word.

Photos of prophetic conference 11 - 13 May 2012

Some photos of what happened the past weekend.

It's so wonderful to see the Lord working.

As they say, a picture speaks a thousand words. Let these speak to your heart in His love.

Jesus is Lord.

Prophetic conference Youtube invitation May 2012

View our Youtube invitation to the "Winds of Change" prophetic conference from 11 - 13 May 2012

A miracle, a word of healing is coming your way!

Banking details

1 Cor 9:14 "[On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel."

EFSMI
Bank: FNB
Acc nr: 62355654528
Branch code: 258055
Swift code: FIRNZAJJ

Teachers seed
AB Heydenreich
Bank: FNB
Acc nr: 62355657572
Branch code: 258055
Swift code: FIRNZAJJ


"I challenge you today to sow a seed and reap a harvest...!"

Dynamics towards Abundant Living - PART 1

DYNAMICS TOWARDS ABUNDANT LIVING (John 10:10) PART 1

DYNAMIC #1
GOD’S WAY IS THE GIVING WAY

Understanding that God’s Way is not the way of man is our first priority we need to grasp (Isa 55:8)
Man seeks to get, God seeks to give! If we truly seek to be in the likeness of Christ we have to adopt the very same attribute of our Master…

WE MUST GIVE!

God so loved the world that He gave…! (John 3:16)
We must understand the LORD does not have a problem in us obtaining financial gain or material possessions BUT the way of getting them is by giving!
"Therefore do not worry, saying "what shall we eat" or "what shall we drink" or "what shall we wear" for after these things the gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you… (Matt 6:31-33)"

We need to seek God’s kingdom, we need to seek His Way! (Be a giver) then only can we start receiving from God..!

• Paying people for work they do is not giving!
• Putting something in someone’s hand with certain conditions attached is not giving!
• Loaning something to someone is not giving!
• Giving is to completely lose total control of something of yours into the control of someone else to do with it as they please…!

TRUE WEALTH IS NOT MEASURED BY WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BUT BY WHAT THEY GIVE IN PROPORTION TO WHAT THEY HAVE…!

The poor widow gave all she had…she was far beyond the wealthiest of them all!

(Read Mark 12:41-44)

We all are capable of giving something…a smile, a prayer, a prophetic word, a meal, a glass of water! But what truly makes a godly giver is going beyond and above just as the poor widow!

We need to understand that the "Blessings of God" is directly connected to our "giving"

The legacy you leave behind will not be based on what you accumulate for yourself but rather on what you have given!

Jesus gave everything! He invested and imparted a lot in those who followed Him…today we still experience the ripple effect which was created through our MASTER by what he GAVE!

DYNAMIC #2

AN ATTITUDE (SPIRIT) OF GIVING

Giving is an attitude before it becomes an action. The Holy Spirit is a person with a generous and giving attitude!

To be giving and giving generously is to have a joyful spirit! Giving people are joyful people! When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are generous and giving… wherever the Holy Spirit is operating there will always be a form of giving…! WOW in Acts 2:1-4 the Holy Spirit is poured out…then something AMAZING takes place in Acts 4:32-35. Those who owned land, houses and property SOLD IT! And brought the finances and gave it away! They brought it to the disciples…! This is truly a spirit of giving! Generous giving! Where the Spirit of the Lord is… there will be giving! We need to give and generously…!

ABOVE ALL WE NEED TO GIVE WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE (SPIRIT)

When we say that we are giving with the right spirit… it means we are giving willingly and cheerfully!

(Exo 35:5) Moses extended an invitation: "whoever of a willing heart" to bring an offering to the Lord.

(2 Cor 9:7) Paul told believers to give "not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver"

Our giving need to be done in CHEERFUL CELEBRATION. It must become a form of PRAISE unto God!

• CHEER – to urge on, to shout with joy, to applaud, comfort, willing not reluctant
• CELEBRATION – to praise and uplift, to perform publicly, to honour

DYNAMIC #3

GENEROSITY: THE DOOR TO GREAT DESTINY

"A generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand…Isa 32:8"

Giving is one thing; generosity is another. We can be givers and still not be generous!

The opposite of generosity is stinginess. Stingy people measure out the smallest, lowest-quality thing they can find in order to gratify their conscience. This is a legalistic mind-set which we need to be freed from. It does not understand or comprehend the generous Spirit of God.

The kind hearted, merciful, non-condemning person easily goes the extra mile, and easily exceeds what is required. It is the generous person, the big-thinking person, who thinks and acts in terms of better quality, larger quantity, and above and beyond giving.

THE KEY TO GENEROSITY IS THE HOLY SPIRIT!

To be filled with the Spirit is to overflow with generosity in our attitudes, with our possessions, with our money and with ourselves!

EXAMPLES FROM SCRIPTURE DISPLAYING GENEROSITY

2 Sam 9:7-13 David showered with great generosity wealth and property on Methiboseth (the crippled son of Jonathan)

Gen 13:9 Abraham displayed extraordinary generosity when he gave his nephew Lot all the plains of Jordan – half of all the lands that had been promised to Abraham by God Himself!

Joh 2:6-10 Jesus displays great generosity when He turned plain water into 180 gallons of the finest wine and this at the end of the feast! At this time not much wine or the best wine was needed!

These examples where set for us to follow!

ENTHUSIASTIC WILLING-HEARTED GENEROSITY OPENS DOORS TO GREAT DESTINY!

"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit! Psa 51:12"

Read Gen 24 – Rebekah displays generosity, she not only provides water for the servant but for all the servant’s camels... this was no easy task it is estimated that one camel can drink up to 25 gallons of water in one sitting! She was serving water to 10 camels! That could have been easily 250 gallons of water she alone was serving…running from the well to the drinking troughs…! BUT this sling-shot Rebekah to a place of divine destiny, this servant girl continued to become the wife of the "son of the promise" Isaac was the promise of God to Abraham it is through Isaac that Israel would spring forth and Rebekah became a part of this great plan… Isaac was certainly also a very wealthy man, so was his father Abraham. By displaying enthusiastic willing-hearted generosity she was answering a prayer, it catapulted Rebekah towards her purpose and destiny and thus fulfilling her calling to become the wife of Isaac! This was far beyond her wildest dreams!

Generosity opens doors that you may not even know God is offering you!

A PROPHETIC PICTURE!

The story of Rebekah carries even more potent meaning for us today! Abraham is a prophetic picture of the Father, Isaac of the Son, the servant (Eliezer) of the Holy Spirit, who has been sent out to the world to find and prepare a bride for JESUS CHRIST. Enthusiastic willing-hearted generosity is the first quality that God is looking for in the bride of Christ. The Holy Spirit comes with many different gifts from the Father for the bride, who opens the door to receiving those gifts through obediently serving the Holy Spirit in every way He prompts. Let’s commit to this attitude of generosity throughout our entire lives. Let’s be ready at any time to give, to serve, and to be generous to whomever we meet and in whatever situation we find ourselves. That is how the door to great destiny opens before us!

PRAYER

Heavenly Father I thank You, that Your way is not ours...! thank You that You gave...! and are still giving this very moment. I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ through and by the power of the Holy Spirit, help us to give and to give generously! I thank You for a door of destiny that opens for us as we open our hearts and hands to give...! I declare every need met according to Your Glorious riches, outpouring of abundance and overflow...I call every outstanding Harvest in and a release of Your provision beyond our wildest dreams, above what we can pray or imagine...!

Heavenly breakthrough's, Godly encounters and a Ever-increasing supply!

To Glory of Your All-powerful and Wonderful Name!

Amen!

"I challenge you today to sow a seed and reap a harvest...!"

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The bell

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil. 3: 20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I can’t be separated from the love of God (Rom.8:35- 39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship ( Eph 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
who you
are!?