The Secret Place of Thunder

  • May 29, 2009 1:16 pm
When God brought the people of Israel from Egypt, through the Red Sea, to Mount Sinai, He appeared to the nation as a visible fire on the mountain with an audible voice. This experience totally overwhelmed the Israelites and they asked Moses to go to speak to God by himself on their behalf. The psalmist described this scene with a most unusual phrase: “I answered you in the secret place of thunder.” God viewed the meeting with His people on Mount Sinai as a “secret place” encounter. He called them to a wilderness mountain to speak with them and give them His commandments.

The secret place is a place where God speaks to us. Sometimes, He even apprehends us by thundering to us with His awesome voice! God has always longed to have the kind of relationship with His people where they hear His voice and respond accordingly. Close the door to your secret place so that you can shut out all distracting voices and tune your heart to the one voice which you long to hear.
“The secret place of thunder”-what an awesome description of the place where we come aside to hear the Lord.
 
Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah. Psalm 81:7

 

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

 

 

 

Priorities

  • May 28, 2009 12:02 am
 

 

 

Re-establish your priorities. Pay attention to your thoughts.  Watch your conduct and actions. The enemy will try to lure you away from your kingdom focus through a variety of distractions.  Be alert to any prompting or warning on the inside. You may feel an “unction” in your spirit.  Pay attention to that.  Don’t dismiss it.  Let the Holy Spirit both lead and restrain you.  If you will do this, you will enjoy the season that God is unwrapping before you without causing delays, confusion or unnecessary pain. Keep in mind (no matter what it looks like) that God will not give you more than you can bear.
 
1 Corinthians 10:13 — And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. 

 
1 John 2:20 — But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 

 

Philippians 2:13 — For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

 

Enjoy your day!
Lori Greenwood

 

Everything is a Seed!

  • May 22, 2009 9:51 am

What do you have in your hand?  Is it time?  A talent of some sort?  Are you financially blessed?  Well, no matter what it is, it can be ”a seed.”  Whatever we sow into God’s kingdom can produce a harvest!  Think about what you can “sow” today.  It might be a kind word or a helping hand?  It might be something more? But whatever it is, it can produce blessing.  

 

Proverbs 3:27 – Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do [it].  

 

Galatians 6:7 — Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  
Luke 6:38 – Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.  

“Temple Maintenance”

  • May 22, 2009 9:46 am

I’ve been a regular faster since 1998.  I started gradually, but the habit grew and became something much more wonderful than I could have imagined when I first began. Beside all the spiritual insight, blessing, and health benefits, my normal resting weight is the same as when I was in high school nearly 30 years ago.  When we think about God entrusting us with our earthly bodies (which He refers to as the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells inside of us) this thought comes to mind:  It’s my duty and responsibility to maintain the temple. 
 
Your body is a tool to be used, not abused. It is the vehicle that will carry you to the vision God has for your life.  1 Corinthians 6:20 explains that you were bought with honor, and now you must honor God in your body. Honor your physical body. Take care of yourself.
 
Fasting can be an effective method of ”temple maintenance.”  In fact, I believe fasting has a way of slowing down some of the effects of aging.  Just ask Moses:
This is an excerpt from page 61 of the book, A Walk in the Wilderness:
Key #20: Fasting cleans out your body — the temple of the Holy Ghost.
Fasting slows the aging process (Deuteronomy 34:7).  Moses lived to 120 years of age.  His eyes were not dim, nor was his natural vigor abated.  Moses fasted often, including 2 recorded 40 day fasts.
Read on…
How Scriptural is Fasting?

 

Lori GreenwoodThere are nearly 70 references to fasting in the Bible.  Each week, I’ll share a few verses with you.  Searching the bible will help you discover more about fasting for yourself. 

 

Last week we looked at Deuteronomy 9:18 and Judges 20:26.  Here are a few more scriptures:

 
Matthew 17:21 — Fasting has deliverance power: “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

Acts 9:9 – Saul of Tarsus after meeting Jesus: “And he [Saul] was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.”

 
 
 

 

 

Q&A on Fasting

Q: Will I gain all my weight back after the fast?  
 
 A: I chose this question for this week’s newsletter because, spiritual focus or not, most people are delighted by the weight-loss during a fast and would be happy to keep it off.  So, the answer to this question is: It’s up to you.  If you reintroduce a clean, lean, ”reinvented” body back to the former fast-food lifestyle you once lived, then sure, the weight will be back.  The good news is that you have lost more than just inches or body fat.  Fasting changes things on the inside where real change must begin.  You have exercised authority over food, authority over your flesh, possibly regained some self-confidence and maybe even accomplished something you never thought possible.  Some folks may feel good about a look-in-the-mirror for the first time in years.  Above and beyond any spiritual break-through that you may experience with the Lord, the physical change is powerful stuff!  Speaking from experience, fasting is more about “beginnings” and less about “quick-fixes.” Now is the time to re-evaluate your diet habits, maybe start some new ones and work ongoing intermitten fasting into the plan.  If God has called you to live life to the fullest, to serve your fellow man, and to build His kingdom here in the earth, then keeping your body in optimal condition can give you the longevity you will need!

 

Discovery Brings Recovery

  • May 20, 2009 8:50 am

Seeing the Real You!
 

When you see yourself through God’s eyes, then you discover the “real” you!  This discovery makes it easy to shake off the false identity that the devil has been hoping you’d accept.  You are not sin.  You are not sickness.  You are not poverty.  You are not fear.  Your identity is not in any of these things!  Your life and your identity are in Christ alone. 
 
2 Corinthians 5:17 — Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

2 Peter 1:3 — According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
 
2 Peter 1:8 — For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:37 — Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

lori Blessings,
Lori Greenwood, ThD

Are You Feeling Inferior?

  • May 18, 2009 9:17 am
Defeating an Inferiority Complex
LoriG2009

 

Feelings of inferiority are one of the weapons the devil uses against believers. We often consider our background, social standing or our situation and then think that we don’t qualify for our assigned purposes in life. Contrary to this popular view, it is God that pre-determines the place of birth, the family line, the race and bodily features of every human being.
 
Acts 17:26 “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and determined thee times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.”
God did all these detailed arrangements before the foundations of the earth, ensuring success for every one of His children! No human being’s background or situation is by mistake. Hence,they cannot stop you from winning the race marked out for you. In the eyes of God, the only important requirement for success is to be a blood-bought child, who applies godly principles to life. In so doing, victory is assured and certain.
Everyone must know and accept a healthy self-image. Throughout the Bible, God made great men out of people who had nothing — even those who had poor family relations, no significant ability, and no outstanding strengths. Great prophets like Moses and Jeremiah all suffered from inferior feelings, but God made greatness out of their life. Amos the prophet was just a herdsman and a gatherer of sycamore fruit, yet God used him in amazing ways. The only remedy to an inferiority complex is to develop a healthy self-image about who you are in Christ.  This requires you to see with God’s eyes and to know that you are valuable and loved!

 

Proverbs 23:7a — “For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he:”

Have a blessed week!
Lori Greenwood, ThD

Why Fast?

  • May 15, 2009 8:17 am

May 15, 2009                                                                       

 
 

Despite the instructive examples of Christ and others throughout the Bible, the vast majority who call themselves Christians pay no attention to the nearly 70 biblical references and teachings on fasting.  While fasting should not be practiced for the purpose of achieving selfish interests, temporal pursuits, or impressing others with one’s spirituality, it can lead to deep, lasting, productive results when done with pure motives. Like what?  Well, like achieving a personal awakening; getting the heart and mind right with God; seeking a closer walk with the Lord; or humbling oneself before God.  For some, it helps in overcoming temptations; seeking God’s face; discerning God’s will; increasing spiritual growth; identifying genuine love; conquering old patterns of behavior; and repenting of sin. 
 

Keep in mind that one fast is not a spiritual cure-all.  Because no two body-mind-spirit complexes are the same, this magnificently-healing, spiritually-enhancing discipline has very different physiological, psychological, and spiritual experiences for each individual. This is why learning more about, and working fasting into your lifestyle is something to be considered. Are you thinking about fasting?  Read on.
How Scriptural is Fasting?

 

Lori GreenwoodThere are nearly 70 references to fasting in the Bible.  Each week, I’ll share a few verses with you.  Searching the bible will help you discover more about fasting for yourself. 

 

Last week we looked at Daniel 6:18 and Matthew 4:2

 

Here are a few more scriptures:

 
Deuteronomy 9:18 — Moses’ second 40-day fast on Mount Sinai: “And I fell down before the LORD, as I did at the first forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger..”

Judges 20:26– Isreal fasted after being defeated by Benjamin: “Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

 

Q&A on Fasting

Q: In your book, you have a long list of illnesses and symptoms that you were healed from by fasting.  My question is this, if this natural type of cure is so effective, why have my doctors not recommended it for me?
 
A: It’s unreasonable to expect medical doctors and pharmaceutical companies to tell you how to avoid their services by trying the alternatives.  It’s a bit like getting a Republican politician to tell you to vote Democratic, or trying to order Italian cuisine in a Chinese restaurant.  Hospitals, doctors and pharmaceutical companies all share a common bond – they all profit from disease. Therefore, they are largely into “disease management.”  I’m into disease eradication. 

 

 

Can You Hear Me Now? (part 2)

  • May 11, 2009 11:29 am
SPEAKING AS THE ORACLE OF GOD
 
LoriG2009
Who can operate in the prophetic?   ANYONE… Anyone who is in submission to God and sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
 
There are three basic types of prophets:
1.) The Simple Prophet
All believers can (and should) operate in “The Simple Gift of Prophecy.” The simple prophet is uncomplicated and full of faith. Essentially this means that we can speak words of blessing and encouragement to each other — and that is considered “prophecy.”
 
1 Cor 14:3 — But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
 
2.) Nabi Prophets
“Nabi” means to flow forth. Prophecies may flow easily and frequently out of the person with the “Nabi” gifting. They just seem to “go with the flow.” They are often a great encouragement to people (much like the simple gift of prophecy) but can move in the word of wisdom and word of knowledge making their words undeniably supernatural to the hearer.
 
An easy way to remember a Nabi Prophet is: small eyes, big mouth.
 
3.) Ro’eh Prophet
“Ro’eh” means “see-er.” A Seer Prophet is somewhat of a visionary. They may prophecy much less frequently than those exercising the simple gift of prophecy or a nabi, but they are usually seeing something big, deep and wide. The Seer goes deep. They can sometimes unravel strategy from explaining what God is saying, as in the case of Daniel and the dreams of the Pharaoh found in Genesis chapter 41.
An easy way to remember the Seer is: big eyes, small mouth.

Do you see yourself in any of these descriptions?  Be asking the Lord to develop you in the prophetic gifting. 

 
Have a blessed week!
Lori Greenwood, ThD – Associate Pastor 

Tap into the Power!

  • May 4, 2009 9:38 am
JOIN US ON THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
 
The power of prayer should not be underestimated. James 5:16-18 declares, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” God most definitely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and moves in response to prayers.

Jesus taught, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20). 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” The Bible urges us, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

 
This Thursday, May 7th is the National Day of Prayer.  As in years past, I’ve been urging and encouraging believers in our region to enter into a season of prayer and fasting.  In just a few days, many brothers & sisters, from many different denominations and faith-persuasions across the nation, will unite their hearts in a collaboration of intercession.  If you have not yet taken your place in the picture, there is still time to do so. 
 
Here in Everett, Washington, our City-wide Pastors Network is calling together churches and believers from across the city to collectively lift our voices to God.  If you would like to join us, you will find more details at http://www.lorigreenwood.org/events.html.   Hope to see you there!
 
LoriG2009
Have a blessed week!

Lori Greenwood, ThD

More Fasting Facts

  • May 2, 2009 6:25 pm
How Scriptural is Fasting?

 

Lori GreenwoodThere are nearly 70 references to fasting in the Bible.  Each week, I’ll share a few verses with you.  Searching the bible will help you discover more about fasting for yourself. 

 

Last week we looked at Numbers 6:3-4 and Luke 4:1-2.

 

Here are a few more scriptures:

 
Job 33:19-20 – Fasting as a result of pain or sickness: “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones, so that his very being finds food repulsive and his soul loathes the choicest meal.”

Luke 5:33 – John’s disciples and the Pharisees fasted: “And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise [the disciples] of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?”

 
 
 

Q&A on Fasting

This week’s question comes from the United Arab Emirates:
 
Q: What does “7-day fast” mean? No water, no food for 7 days? Can our body stay that way for long? I get tremendous headaches, stomach pain, and tired.. been tired for the past 2 weeks.

A: I NEVER recommend fasting without plenty of water.  A human being can die of dehydration in as little as 3 days time.  Having said that, I would define a 7-day fast as one week without food.  Drink water.  Take fluids.  If you are experiencing headaches, stomach pain and feel fatigued, it may be an indicator that the fast is working!  When fasting, your body will feed off of toxins in your system — a sort of self-cleaning is occurring.  The symptoms you have mentioned are typical of a body in “detox mode.”