Guest Post- Brenda Craig

More Than a Conqueror, Part Two

Posted By Brenda On August 3, 2009 @ 2:00 am In Love Letters from God, Teaching | No Comments

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37 ^[1] NIV)

“To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion–to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit–that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified” (Isaiah 61:3 ^[2] Amplified)

Fear of Failure, Fear of Men

Beloved, you are My king and priest— the reflection of My heart in your area of gifting and promise. The gifts I gave you are for you and you alone. They are yours to share and no one can reflect your portion of My heart but you. No one can be expected to function as you do, nor can you function as they do.

Comparing oneself to another in any way—good or bad—is detrimental. Comparison will always lead to a critical spirit which stops everyone concerned in their tracks. Don’t even compare your present state with your past condition either. You are where you are and I love you all the same. If I didn’t I wouldn’t be telling you this in the first place. Love compels Me to do so. This is the truth that overrides the words and opinions of others, even your own.

Let go of these things: fear of inadequacy, fear of failure, guilt, shame and subjection to the opinions of men (Romans 8:31-37 ^[3]). I forgive and cleanse you this very moment, wiping the slate clean. All that is required is an exchange—My open heaven of forgiveness and restoration for your failure and disappointment. Be like Jeremiah and do not fear men for I am on your side (Jeremiah 42:11 ^[4]).

Each new day holds new things to be discovered. If you are concentrating on past negative things you will miss the new thing. I have many truths and understandings to give you and will fill your arsenal with many weapons capable of defeating your every foe. Don’t expect the same old thing every time. Each weapon will be unique to each and every situation and circumstance. Prepare yourself to be flexible and even fluid in your responses to the things I give you. Let the victory begin.

Old Things and Daily Bread

In letting go of all your insecurities, both past and present, a heart of forgiveness is formed within. To walk in a forgiving heart is one of the most courageous things you can ever do. Forgiveness is the foundation of My Cross. Without it My Word would be considered pointless. True conquerors and overcomers know clean hands and a pure heart gives complete access to the power and glory of who I am and what I have done. Who can come to the hill of the Lord? He who has clean hands and a pure heart?

If you are in Me old things pass by the wayside and all things perpetually become new. I am ever regenerating the heart of man. My creative abilities continue on and on in the lives of My beloved ones. You are My beloved one. Therefore, I am doing something new each and every moment. Do you not perceive it (Isaiah 43:19 ^[5] Isaiah 48:6 ^[6])? To perceive it you must let go.

Letting go can be fearful if you do not truly know who I am. Loosen your grip and ask Me who I am in any given situation. Yes, I am Lord, but there are many, many facets of My person ready to be released according to the moment of need you find yourself in.

Like manna was fresh every morning, I am fresh every moment. I am Your daily bread (John 6:35 ^[7]). Did you ever contemplate how each and every second starts a new twenty-four hour period—a new day? With this in mind, know I am new and fresh each and every second. Take advantage of Me in this way. Ask and you will receive all wisdom to know how to let old things pass away moment by moment.

Beauty For Ashes

It is impossible to see ahead if you are looking back. As the heavens open over you through the power of forgiveness, restoration and revelation things will begin manifesting a change in the physical—changes able to be seen with the naked eye. Don’t spiritualize things too much or you will miss the little changes along the way.

Look around you at all I am doing? Be willing to see. Willingness is half the battle and the results will be beautiful to behold. Willingness to see reveals a heart of true gratefulness. Self-pity refuses to see, beauty is hidden and hope becomes deferred.

Be willing to see that I give you beauty for ashes. Out of this beauty a grateful heart is born and My manifest grace and mercy causes the eyes of your heart to be opened. An opened heart receives wisdom and revelation into the deep and intimate secretes of My heart, opening you up to limitless possibilities (Isaiah 61:3 ^[2]).

Mercy and Goodness will not only follow you but overtake you. My hand is extended. I am giving you My sight, causing you to see and embrace every portion of destiny and purpose. Arise, and be aligned with My will, which speaks from the garden growing and blooming in your heart. All dreams and purpose have been prepared for you before the foundations of the world. Now arise, go and be more than a conqueror.

Sow the Word, Reap the Word

Arise, My beloved. Arise and dare to see—dare to believe. The time of unveiling has come. Some things have unfolded and are continuing to unfold. Don’t let the fact that things are still unfolding obscure the beauty of what already has. Stop and smell the roses of the moment and enjoy. There are some beautiful flowers hidden among the thorns if only you will look. This is what I mean by having eyes to see. It is all about focus and what you choose to behold.

You are a conqueror through Me. There is no other option or possibility acceptable other than complete surrender to the Cross and total acceptance of all it purchased for you. It is the only way to walk as My conquering king in the earth . . . the only way to release the Kingdom throughout the earth. Having time to waste is no longer an option. Every moment of your time is precious and should be used according to the principal of reaping and sowing. Invest time in confessing the promises I have spoken over you and you will reap a great reward.

O, that I could convince you of the great importance of agreement. I so want to convince you that I challenge you and say “Try My Word and see!” Take it and let it settle down in your heart in order to have its perfect way. Richness beyond your imagination dwells in My Word. One word from Me—only one word—has the power to change everything in its path. All I have to do is say, “Live!” and everything has to be resurrected.

Beloved, whatever you sow you will reap (Galatians 6:7 ^[8]). Therefore, I am telling you, “Sow the Word and you will reap the Word! It is the way to true life.”

The Inherent Power Of My Word

My Word is endued with inherit power to bring about the very thing I sent it for and does not return void (Colossians 1:6 ^[9]). The rhema words I have spoken to you are the same. They have power and build faith in your heart as you speak them out loud. They cause a heart of belief to be formed . . . a heart of belief capable of walking on water, capable of speaking to storms, capable of doing things far above what you have ever imagined or thought.

To think, all beliefs, perceptions, and attitude start with a little thought in your mind and what you do with this thought. Reject the enemy’s thoughts for the lies they are. Believe Mine and embrace the “more than a conqueror” you are.

Let Me remind you to take your thoughts captive, to subject them to the Word and the Blood. Warriors cannot be distracted by tormenting thoughts or fear. If they are, destruction takes place on the battlefield. Not only are they in danger but those they are fighting alongside of are at risk. The battle is never about just one person, nor is it just about you. I am ever present to help you. Just ask and it shall be given. Release and it shall be forgiven.

Reach up through the crack in the sky and grasp the hem of My garment. Out of it flows—healing, passion, power, anointing, faith, hope and love. Reach up through the crack in the sky with a faith-filled grateful, forgiving heart, and experience the open heaven of an overcoming king and priest.

Behold, I do a new thing (Isaiah 43:19 ^[5]). Believe, and receive. You are more than a conqueror.

Prayer of Supplication and Declaration

I am Your overcoming, conquering king and priest. I am a son of the Most High God. I refuse to be like the children of Israel who found themselves looking back longing for the provisions of Egypt. When things were hard and they had to believe, they chose to look back, ignore the death present there and long for leeks and onions. I let go of all hindering forces and choose to say where I am weak You are strong. Let the heavens open over me as forgiveness and restoration do a perfect work. No weapon against me shall prosper. The Lord is contending on my behalf as I use the weapons of warfare He gives me. I am flexible and fluid in response to the voice of the Lord.

Lord, help me to walk humbly before You with clean hands and a pure heart. I embrace the fullness of the Cross and the forgiveness it entails for myself and others. You are continually making things new in my life. Help me to not miss even one, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Every creative work born of You is worthy of praise and adoration. Every moment of my life is made new in You. Teach me to understand the principal of new manna, of daily bread, in such a way each second of my day is transformed by newness of life.

The Lord is my daily bread and I feast on my relationship with Him. I do not live on natural bread alone, but on every word proceeding from Him in whatever form it comes. I incline my heart to wisdom and He answers me. Old things have passed and are passing away. I perceive a new thing.

Create in me a clean heart and cause me to have a steadfast spirit that I might not faint in doing good. I am willing to see beauty instead of ashes. The ashes of my life only serve to teach me lessons on how to overcome the next time. Life springs out of my ashes and I embrace the destiny perpetuated by lessons learned.

Mercy and goodness is my portion. I embrace goodness, which is all right thinking and actions. I take my thoughts captive and speak words of life. My heart is a beautiful garden and produces life and not death. My eyes see and my heart embraces purpose and destiny moment by moment. My hope is not deferred and I am courageous in the Lord.

Lord, I arise with a grateful, believing heart filled to overflowing with forgiveness and love. Beauty is unfolding before my very eyes among the thorns and gardens of my life and heart. If You can bring beauty from ashes, nothing else is impossible. I offer the ashes of my life as a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for what You have done and what You will do.

I release the word “LIFE” over my family, my church and every other aspect of my life. My life is transformed by Your life-giving words. Every word I have placed in my heart has settled down and is bearing fruit. My fruit is the result of resurrection life contained in Your Word. Everything contained within and on the path I am traveling is changed. I release “LIFE!”

My heart and thoughts are submitted to the Lord. I reject the lies of the enemy at first consideration. My believing heart is unfolding and growing into a stalwart of courageous faith. I reach my hand into the crack in the sky one more time and I am greeted with an open heaven. Everything the Lord is has been given to me. I believe and receive I am a water-walking conqueror through Christ Jesus my Lord.

As a conqueror I take every thought captive and subject it to the Word of Truth. I do not fight against flesh and blood but against the enemy in high places. Therefore, I refuse to be bound by negative, condemning or accusatory thoughts. I release others in my life from all critical and judgmental attitudes. I release myself and others. Forgiveness and victory are mine. More than a conqueror I am. Amen

Reflect and Journal

1. Have you been comparing yourself with others or some positive aspect of the person you used to be and find yourself coming up short in some area? If so, let go of the negative as well as any positive manna used to convince you of failure. Embrace His promises over you in a new light and with a new attitude. He wants to take His promises to you and give you fresh insight and fresh manna, enabling you to confess and believe.
2. Have you been inflexible in any way and find yourself doing things out of habit and routine rather than out of fresh revelation?
3. Take time to write His promises down and wait for Him to reveal words of encouragement in reference to them. Write down the encouragement and confess it in agreement with Him.
4. What old ways or habits do you struggle with and find it hard to overcome or leave behind?
5. What old ways do you need to wash your hands and heart of in order to consider them clean?
6. Reflect on how a new day can actually begin with each second. This is how fresh He wants to be in your life. How does this change your perspective of time?
7. Have you ever said, “This is just the way I am?” If so, consider the fact you are created in His image, therefore; you are like Him. Reflect on this and lay down mindsets meant to lock you into the past and prevent change.
8. The Lord is opening your eyes and giving insight in the deep places of His heart. What do you want to know in order to rise and be the conqueror He says you are?
9. What changes do you need to make in the area of your thought life? Receive His goodness and take your thoughts captive. All right thinking and actions will be the result.
10. In what ways have you been blinded to the beautiful things in your life while focusing on the negative things in need of change? Take some time to be grateful for even the tiniest blessing.
11. What particular Word do you need to purposefully place in your heart that it might settle down and have its perfect work in you? If you are not sure, think about a weakness, a struggle you need to overcome and find a Word to contradict it. Write it out as a decree and if the Lord speaks to you in more detail, write what He says. Speak it over and over until it has its way in you.
12. He has asked you to try Him and see. Take a chance. Choose one thing you know He has spoken to you and come into agreement with Him. This is not just a one-time thing. It will take persistence, not necessarily for His sake, but for yours. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word. Speak it even if it seems mechanical or as if you are doing it by route. Speak it no matter what. Just do it!
13. Are you being distracted by negative thoughts, the past or being critical of others in the midst of battle? If so, be specific and release yourself, release others. Give and receive forgiveness and pick up your sword, the Word. Do battle, for the victory is assured.

^[10]

Please Link to Me

<a href="http://www.journalsoftheheart.com/2009/08/more-than-a-conqueror-love-letter-part-two/">More Than a Conqueror, Part Two</a>

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Article printed from Journals of the Heart: http://www.journalsoftheheart.com

URL to article: http://www.journalsoftheheart.com/2009/08/more-than-a-conqueror-love-letter-part-two/

URLs in this post:

[1] Romans 8:37: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=rom&chapter=8&verse=37

[2] Isaiah 61:3: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=isa&chapter=61&verse=3

[3] Romans 8:31-37: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=rom&chapter=8&verse=31

[4] Jeremiah 42:11: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=jer&chapter=42&verse=11

[5] Isaiah 43:19: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=isa&chapter=43&verse=19

[6] Isaiah 48:6: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=isa&chapter=48&verse=6

[7] John 6:35: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=joh&chapter=6&verse=35

[8] Galatians 6:7: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=gal&chapter=6&verse=7

[9] Colossians 1:6: http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=col&chapter=1&verse=6

[10] Image: http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20

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©2008 Spirit Food for Life Ministries. All rights reserved.

Be Careful What You Join Yourself To

Above photo courtesy of Sandy Warner


Today my Pastor was preaching on a different topic but made a side stop on a very important topic; "Being careful what you hookup with."
Now, there are all kinds of ways of hooking up, from illicit behavior to partnering with someone in a business deal or becoming friends with someone. Pastor used this scripture:

1Co 6:15 Do you not see and know that your bodies are members (bodily parts) of Christ (the Messiah)? Am I therefore to take the parts of Christ and make [them] parts of a prostitute? Never! Never!
1Co 6:16 Or do you not know and realize that when a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? The two, it is written, shall become one flesh. [Genesis 2:24]
1Co 6:17 But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.

Then I just opened my mail tonight to find this post below from Sandy Warner. God is trying to address something in the body and we need to heed what He is saying.

When someone comes to you with some juicy conversation about how someone else has fallen, will you partake? Will you join yourself to unholy anger? Or ungodly talk? Or perverseness of any kind? What will you give time and attention to? How much attention?

When I worked for a certain company in the past they had sayings over every doorway throughout the company. (I am not exaggerating!) One of the main ones was this: "What we give attention to, gets attended to."

Jesus said it this way: Matt. 6:21 (MSG) "It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being."

Here is Sandy's Word and then see the rest of my post beneath it:

{Rhema} Letting
Go Of Outer Court Fellowship
Sandy Warner
Feb 21, 2010

Jesus is the Way


LETTING GO OF OUTER COURT FELLOWSHIP

From the rhema journals of Sandy Warner * swauthor@usa.net * www.thequickenedword.com


RHEMA 10/20/09 LETTING GO OF OUTER COURT FELLOWSHIP

HEARD: Help you understand. Fellowship, why it is important to let go. So that you can go higher and not fall.


One of the characteristics of those dwelling in the outer courts is unbelief. So the following scripture has meaning to me in that way. Unbelief is like poison to those climbing in faith.

2 Cor 6:14-15 NKJV

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

Fellowship with the outer court is different levels of carnality, including fellowship with TV. We each must choose our lifestyles and exactly who and what we want in this life and the life to come.

POSTED AT THE FORUM
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Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, the Life, and He died for you. Words from the email list, The Quickened Word are excerpts from the rhema journals of Sandy Warner. To better understand how God speaks, read Sandy's book, "101+ Ways God Speaks, And How to Hear Him." Website: www.thequickenedword.com Email: swauthor@usa.net Permission to forward and/or post at websites is given with this footer attached.



Saturday while in intercession the Lord spoke something that flows right in with these two thoughts. I will only post a piece of the prophetic word here as it pertains to this portion of the post. I will share the rest at another appropriate time.

Hear What God is speaking:

Yes My children I will speak

If My words you will keep

I will give you more

That you may pour

Little things matter

Be faithful in the little and I will give you more

If you aren't faithful with the basket

How can I give you the store?

God is looking at our faithfulness with what He has already given.
How are we treating His Word? His preachers? Do we disdain them or are we lifting them? Do we receive only the sweet "bless me" words, or will we eat the strong meat and receive correction? You know, sometimes my Mom put food on the table that I wasn't real crazy about. But her rule was you have to eat a little bit of everything on the table, like it or not. And no complaining or face making either! And sure enough if you went to someone else's house, you best taste everything and be polite! Yet we come into God's house and we turn our noses up at this or that. We have become junk food junkies, wanting fast food, fast answers and quick fixes and low level fellowship. But He IS calling us up higher. And we must not delay.

"Training season is in full swing, and some should be far more advanced than they are, while others have become over confident and careless, which will lead to spills and falls and things getting broken. I am calling you to return to your first love with the passion you once had. Do not slack up now! I am seeking to position you for My Glory. Be alert and aware, the enemy lurks seeking opportunity to trip you up, to ensnare you and cause you shame. This does not have to be! Lean wholly on and fully trust in Me."

For us as Christians, we will not "arrive" until we arrive in Heaven. It will always be training season for the next level in Him. And as we press forward, we cannot look back! We must allow Him to show us where we are missing it, what is holding us back, and how to make that adjustment to please Him.

Lord, as we submit once again to Your Holy Spirit and allow the spotlight of your Holiness to shine upon our hearts, we ask that you would make us fit vessels for your use. What may have been "allowable" before, we see as no longer an option. Lord, help us to focus. Retrain us where need be. In this season of consecration, help us to surrender it all to you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Salvage Injustice

I am part of a small new private online group and as I was logging in yesterday to come to this group I found I had to re- register. As part of the registration we have to type what we see- the "secret code" as it were. My secret code was "salvage injustice." As soon as I saw it, I knew the Lord had a Word to give to me.

This is what I was hearing and seeing and what was searing in my heart... I was listening to " I give you my Heart" by Hillsong and was meditating "salvage injustice" as well as listening if God wanted to speak something else to me. But I couldn't get away from those words! "Salvage Injustice."

I heard God say- did not Joseph suffer injustice? And Daniel? And Esther? But because they trusted ME, together we were able to salvage the situations.

Then I looked up the word salvage in the dictionary - it means to rescue from shipwreck or fire. To restore.

Because Paul salvaged injustice God spoke through him to rescue all from the shipwreck of the ship that was taking him as a prisoner to Rome.

Because Joseph trusted Him who is Faithful, he salvaged injustice and saved the entire race of Israel from being wiped out in famine! Because Daniel salvaged his injustices, he spoke to the King and helped him to rule wisely! Because Esther trusted the Lord, she salvaged injustice and saved her people from massacre. ( I saw scenes from One Night with the King flashing through my head as the song played- I give you my heart...)

I heard our Bridegroom say, " If you will give Me your heart, one night with Me your King will change everything for you!"

Then He gave me the Word to back up what I was hearing...

Isa 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.


Hear the Word of the Lord:
I am calling you to salvage your injustices. Lay them at my feet! Trust yourself to Me in the midst of them. I I'm calling you to be one who will repair, not tear down. I trusted Joseph and Daniel and Esther and Paul, and I trust YOU. I am aware of your pain and the injustice done to you. I have seen your tears, and that you have not chosen to give up and withdraw. I am telling you that I am well pleased even as I was with my Son as HE endured injustice so that many could come. We knew the outcome. You do not know the outcome, but I do. And I will turn the injustice and many many will be rescued from shipwreck because you chose to trust me and to allow me to work in and through you, even when it caused you great pain. Be assured, your suffering was not my choice for you, but because of this world, you faced it and endured and kept yourself pure therefore, I can use it and you for greater good. For what the enemy meant to destroy you, has only driven you deeper into Me. And the more you become hidden in me, the less the enemy will see and will find ways to take potshots.

Yes, as you give me your heart, it is precious indeed! Your offering of love and devotion is accepted. YOU are accepted, and treasured. Thank you for being willing to salvage injustice not only in your life, but in the lives of others. One day you will see what your salvage has wrought in My hands- what looked like ruin and loss to you, what beauty and grace and riches actually came out of it all.

Wooing You

Tonight we have blizzard like conditions. This winter has brought such pounding with snow, ice, and cold weather. Through it all, we have been feeding all the stray cats in our neighborhood. Two in particular have become quite dear to me. Thomasina, a beautiful calico and Princess, a sweet and very petite striped gray kitty. I have been wooing them, trying to tame them enough to pick them up. They are still skiddish and Princess runs just out of reach. Tonight I had a short window of opportunity where I may have been able to "grab her" to bring her in out of the cold, but I did not move quick enough. It is now after midnight and went to the bush she was sleeping under. her little corner is filled with snow and she is gone. I don't know where the cats will stay to be out of this cold. I wish she would have trusted me, and let me pick her up.

As I sit here, feeling concern for the stray cats, I wonder too about the homeless people I've seen downtown. Where are they staying in this storm? Are they warm and safe?

Suddenly tears are running down my face, as I feel God's heart towards us. I am reminded of Jesus' heartfelt cry over the beloved city:

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone the messengers God has sent you! How many times I wanted to put my arms around all your people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me!"

I hear God saying very softly, sadly, " How often, I have wooed you. How often, I've lavished you with my goodness, my gentleness, impressing on your heart My Love for you. Yet you have resisted ME. Yet you have withheld yourself from My embrace. Content for the provision that has lain on the periphery, but disdaining the closeness of contact and relationship that would bring so much more and fulfill the longings that are in your heart. How long will you back away? How long will you be content to let others hear Me for you? How long must I wait to touch you with My Glory and embrace you with My very person? Have I not proved Myself to you yet? Will you not trust Me? Will you not let me caress you and draw you close?

Even now, as your heart reaches and yearns, your eye is on the door, the way of escape, for you fear it will be "too much" and you fear you will lose your freedom. When Adam and Eve believed the lies of the enemy against my intentions for them, when they believed I was withholding something from them and so they partook of the forbidden fruit. They did not receive greater freedom, but rather they lost all freedom and became slaves instead. They forfeited intimacy and communion and traded it instead for cheap imitation. Carnal Knowledge will never replace Divine Revelation. Just as quick fulfillment cannot replace long term satisfaction and development and establishment of relational foundations. I long to bring you into my house, into the banqueting room and the Bridal chamber. But I will not force that upon you, nor will I give it to you only to have you bolt out the door. I want you to understand, when you come in, it will be forever, not just for a one nighter. I am not interested in a quickie relationship with you, but I desire so much more than what I can even express to you now. The time for coy games is over. It is time to "know that you know" concerning your walk with Me. It is time to surrender your running around and to come settle down and let Me show you things that you have not yet even dreamed or imagined. It's all here, waiting for you. If you will only open your heart and trust Me, and take your eyes off the nearest "escape." How I love you! Even as I wait. I wait in love, loving you. Please respond soon, before you face dark, and cold nights that you really don't have to face. In My arms, I will shield you from all that. They are open wide, run to them and to Me."