Don’t Take the Detour!

  • June 14, 2010 10:09 am
Don’t Take the Detour!
 
 
 

Staying the course toward complete healing and wholeness
 
 
 

 
 
Let me begin by quoting the Apostle Paul, who said,”You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? This detour doesn’t come from the One who called you into the race in the first place. And please don’t toss this off as insignificant. It only takes a minute amount of yeast, you know, to permeate an entire loaf of bread. Deep down, the Master has given me confidence that you will not defect. But the one who is upsetting you, whoever he is, will bear the divine judgment” (Galatians 5:7-10 The Message).
 
 

 

 

Can you relate to Paul’s words? Have you ever found yourself running the race… staying the course…believing God’s Word… with a full tank of faith, when all of the sudden, you get off on a detour designed by the devil? I don’t like those devil-designed detours! They’re all about delays and discouragement.

Here are 10 ways the devil plots to delay you, discourage you, or run you into a dead end… if you recognize the signs, you can avoid the detour!

Detour #1: Unforgiveness 

I once heard it said, “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison, expecting the other person to die.” No matter how justified we believe we are in refusing to forgive someone, ultimately we are the ones who feel the pain. READ — Mark 11:22-26, Matthew 6:10-15, John 20:23

Detour #2: Improper Care of the Body 

Of all the religions of the world, we Christians are the only people who can say that the Spirit of our God lives inside of us. Are you doing your best to care for the “house” that the Holy Spirit lives in? Your body is the vehicle that will carry you through life. Proper care is key. READ — Philippians 2:25-30, 1 Corinthians 6:19

Detour #3: Merely Chasing After Signs & Wonders
 Are you seeking God’s presents… or His presence? READ– Romans 10:17, John 4:46-48, Matthew 12:38-39
 
Detour #4: Ignorance
Sometimes, what you don’t know can hurt you. READ — Isaiah 5:13-14, Hosea 4:6-7, Proverbs 1:7
 
Detour #5: Little or No Faith
Without faith it is impossible to please God. If your “faith tank” runs dry… just fill it up! READ — Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 21:21, Hebrew 4:2&6, Mark 6:5-6
 
Detour #6: Robbing God in Tithes and Offerings
 Nothing says “I don’t trust You, God,” quite like holding on to the tithe. READ — Malachi 3:8-11
 
Detour #7: Habitual Sin
Keep in mind, that the devil has been making observations about you for years… and he knows which “buttons to push” to get you off course. Start making some of your own observations about how the devil is manipulating you. This will enable you to break the pattern and avoid the detour. READ — Gal 5:19-21, Romans 6:1-2, Romans 6:23
 
Detour #8: Refusing or Despising Instruction
 Sometimes I tell my kids, “There are two ways you can learn… my pain…or yours.” While not everyone qualifies to speak into our lives and bring correction, some people do. If we can take criticism and correction from those who love us and care about us, then we can avoid detours. This is also true of the Word of God. If we can take correction from the scriptures, we can save ourselves lots of pain. READ — Proverbs 5:11-14, Isaiah 28:8-19

Detour #9: Not Discerning the Lord’s Body

When we take communion, we affirm our part in the New Covenant established by Jesus. We are also affirming that we are in covenant with others who are also part of this New Covenant, and therefore part of the body of Christ. Failure to do this, runs the risk of bringing damnation on ourselves.  READ — 1 Cor 11:27- 30 

 Detour #10: Not Resisting the Enemy

The next time the devil knocks on your door with a “special delivery,” don’t be so quick to sign for the package. REFUSE IT! You can resist the devil. READ — 1 Peter 5:8-9, James 4:7-8, Deut. 30-19

Visit my website: http://www.lorigreenwood.org

Enjoy your day!
 

"Lori"

Fasting: Do You Have Parasites?

  • January 29, 2010 9:51 am

Do You Have Parasites?
 

The following is an excerpt from chapter 1 of my book, A Walk in the Wilderness:Wilderness 
  
Parasites:
During the first prolonged 21-day fast that I did, I kept a journal of parasites that were eliminated from my body.  I was surprised (shocked actually) to see what was living off of my body!  Statistically, 85% of North Americans unknowingly have at least one form of digestive parasite.
 
In America, the number one cause of persons being infected with Ecoli bacteria is from drinking tap water.  It is also probable that most forms of parasites enter our bodies through tap water.  Fasting is a method to rid the body of parasites.

 
As you seek the Lord and desire to serve Him more, are you considering fasting?  Read on…
 

 
How Scriptural is Fasting?

 

Dr. 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 Mark 8:3.   

 

Acts 27:9 — Paul making reference to the annual day of atonement
 

Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them. 

 

 

Blessings,
Lori Greenwood, ThD
 
Visit the church online: www.wotcc.org

fasting  Interested in learning more about fasting?  Click here.

Future Vision

  • January 18, 2010 10:42 am

A Vision of Your Future

 

Every time Abraham looked up at the stars, he had a picture of the many generations of offspring that God had promised him. Even when Joseph was in prision, he had a dream of others bowing down to his leadership and authority.  Pictures move us.  What is the vision God has given you for your future?  Let that image fuel your momentum forward. 
 
Proverbs 29:18 — Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.
 
Habakkuk 2:2 — And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

 
John 16:13 – Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.  

lori Enjoy your day!

Lori Greenwood, ThD

www.lorigreenwood.org

Freedom…

  • January 13, 2010 11:08 am

Forgiveness & Freedom

 

Asking God for forgiveness is one thing, but asking forgiveness from others is something completely different.  While it can be difficult, forgiveness moves us to a new place of freedom.  Forgiveness is a release of peace. 
 
Ephesians 4:32 — Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  
                
Romans 12:19 — Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Matthew 6:14-15 — For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.       

lori Enjoy your day!

Lori Greenwood, ThD 

www.lorigreenwood.org  

Free Space

  • November 9, 2009 11:44 am

Do you feel the momentum? Can you sense the exhilaration in the spirit realm? You are entering a time of freedom.  A “space” that is void of those controlling influences. The devilish plan of restraint was designed to control you… slow you down…but the Spirit of the Lord is calling you to a new level of liberty.
 
Galatians 5:1 — Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
 
Romans 8:15 — For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
 
John 8:36 — Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

LoriG2008 Enjoy your day!


Lori Greenwood, ThD 

 

Word of Truth Christian Center

 

Ignite Your Spirit

  • October 16, 2009 10:28 am
Fasting Facts

October 16, 2009                                                                      

 

Dear Friend,

Ignite Your Spirit
 
Restore Your Health. Revive Your Soul. Ignite Your Spirit.  Discover the POWER of fasting — body, soul and spirit! 
 
Fasting is a powerful force.  It is a weapon against demonic forces.  It is a method to restore health, slow the aging process, and maintain the body.  It is one of the most overlooked and underutilized tools available to every believer!

· Fasting frees us from our own negative words. (Isaiah 58:6)
· Fasting causes healing to spring forth speedily.  (Isaiah 58:8)
· Fasting will lift spiritual yokes of oppression.  (Isaiah 58:9)
· Fasting will break generational curses, bringing spiritual growth.  (Is. 58:11-12)
· Fasting is a method to delight yourself in the Lord; bringing the desires of your heart.  (Isaiah 58:14)

Nearly 10 years ago, I was struggling with a mountain of health problems.  I had been to see a number of doctors, specials, therapists and neurosurgeons.  I had been through a range of tests to attempt to uncover the source of the conflicts within my body.  I had been tested for Congestive Heart Failure, Diabetes, Anemia, Cancer, and Crone’s Disease.  In addition, I had struggled with a variety of strange neurological problems that had far reaching effects, from the lost of the use of my left hand and arm, to significant loss of vision, loss of memory, and unbearable nerve pain.  I remember, one day, I sat down to re-evaluate some ministry goals that I had hoped to accomplish over the coming year, when I came to the stark realization that I probably wasn’t going to be alive in one year’s time.

Even in light of the fact that I had taught for several years on the topic of healing, straight out of the Bible, I was not seeing the manifestation of health.  When the thought first came to me, “You won’t be here in a year,” I was tempted to rebuke the devil – but somehow I knew it was the small still voice of God warning me.  In all honesty, I accepted it as a warning from the Lord. I sat down with my husband, and we talked candidly about what it would take for him to raise two little girls on his own.  We made some changes to my life insurance policy, and “covered the bases.”  Then, I went to the Lord and repented. 

At that time, I had a pattern of fasting one, 24-hour period, once every week.  I had continued that pattern for nearly three years and had extended it slightly to include a few three-day fasts, and a few seven-day fasts.  Yet, over the last year of extensive health problems, the Lord had continually dropped a number into my spirit… 21. 

I had known for that entire year that the Lord was asking me to go on a full 21-day fast.  Every time I prayed and asked the Lord to heal my body, He would give me that number… 21.  Yet, in all that time, I had refused to do what the Lord was saying.  (I just didn’t think I could.)  But when you find yourself out of options, you are willing to do just about anything.  So, I repented.  I told the Lord that I would take an earnest look at what it would take to accomplish what He was asking.  I asked myself one question, “Lori, are you willing to trade your time to train your flesh?”

The next day, I entered “flesh training.”  I took it seriously.  I hired a nutritionist and health expert.  I spent time talking to a medical doctor.  I began to read.  I began to change my diet and my dietary choices.  Within about 3 months of training time, I entered into a 21-day fast.  Three weeks later, I emerged a new person.

While it is still inconclusive as to what, exactly was wrong with me, it appeared that I had Autotoxemia – a form of blood poisoning caused by toxins in the body.  Systematically, by divine design, my body, once freed from the routine of daily digestion, set about to “problem-solve” throughout my system.  The body corrected itself, rid itself of toxins, and renewed and restored itself to a quality of life that I had not experienced for many years.

There are many reasons I wound up in this state.  There were many mistakes made, pains suffered, and lessons learned – the hard way.  Throughout the journey, there were many valuable experiences and discoveries, many of which I share in my book, A Walk in the Wilderness. 

We are three-dimensional constructions of a marvelous Creator.  We are spirit, soul and body – all intricately intertwined.  Health and healing are the products of understanding with a greater fullness that we are three-dimensional persons.

 
Since then, I have done a 21-day fast every year for the last 7 years.  While the results from each fast were different, there were also some consistent factors.  Each time, my faith level has risen and my vision has expanded.  As the years went by, I entered each 21-day fast knowing that I was positioning myself for the miraculous.  Every time God calls me into a long-haul fast, He calls me to change — and change has been my reward.  What are you waiting for? 
 
Interested in fasting?  Click here to get started.
 

 

 

 
How Scriptural is Fasting?

 

Dr. 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 Matthew 6:16-18 and Matthew 9:14.  Here are a few more:

 
Jeremiah 36:6-9 — Baruch reading Jeremiah’s scroll

Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD’S house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities. It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great [is] the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.  And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of the LORD in the LORD’S house.  And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, [that] they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah unto Jerusalem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Do you have a question or testimony on fasting?  Email it to info@lorigreenwood.org

 

 

I’ll send you more fasting information next week!

 

Blessings,

 
 
Lori Greenwood, ThD
 
Visit the church online: www.wotcc.org

 

fasting  Interested in learning more about fasting?  Click here.

 

Healing the Wounded Soul

  • August 11, 2009 8:51 pm

Life doesn’t always turn out as we planned.  Along the way, pain happens.  At times, we hold on to the pain as if it were a trophy.  Sometimes we fill the entire trophy case.  Erring on the side of caution, we believe we are using wisdom when we refuse to trust, refuse to heal, and (maybe) even refuse to forgive.  I pray that our healing Savior would free our minds from rewinding and replaying the memories that bring pain.  I pray that He would liberate our souls and move us toward the freedom that only forgiveness can bring to us. 

 
Jeremiah 8:22 — Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
 
James 4:7 — Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
 
Ephesians 1:7 — In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
 

lori Enjoy your day!


Lori Greenwood, ThD

Let Freedom Ring!

  • July 3, 2009 8:43 pm

In 1832, Sam­u­el F. Smith wrote the words to the song America (My Country tis of Thee) to accompany the tune of an old German hymn.  In his own words, Smith said, “Upon first hearing the music, I in­stant­ly felt the im­pulse to write a pa­tri­o­tic hymn of my own, adapt­ed to the tune. Pick­ing up a scrap of waste pa­per which lay near me, I wrote at once, prob­ab­ly with­in half an hour, the hymn ‘Amer­i­ca’ as it is now known ev­ery­where. The whole hymn stands to­day as it stood on the bit of waste paper.”

My country, ’tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims’ pride, From every mountainside,
Let freedom ring!

My native country, thee, Land of the noble free, Thy name I love; I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills; My heart with rapture thrills, Like that above.
Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees, Sweet freedom’s song;
Let mortal tongues awake; Let all that breathe partake; Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright, With freedom’s holy light; Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King.

 

 

On this Independence Day, celebrate your freedom.  Pray for America and for those defending it!

1 Peter 2:16 —  “As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.”

Galatians 5:1 – ”Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

 

 

lori

Happy Independence Day

Lori Greenwood, ThD — www.lorigreenwood.org