We Must Receive In Order To Give

We give when we have, we give when we don't have.  We often give until we are utterly impoverished.  But sometimes we have problems receiving.  We must learn to receive.  How can we ask a gift of the Lord, and then not receive a gift freely given, just because it comes through an unexpected source?  Or at a time when it does not seem needed? 

Not too long ago, a friend gave me $200.  I did not feel as though I needed the money, and hesitated taking it.  But, remembering a lesson taught me by another friend, I did take the gift.  I had been ill and praying for relief, but no relief was forthcoming.  And a friend of mine asked me if I could receive?  I of course said yes, but he offered me a bit of money.  And I replied, but I don't need the money.  I needed the healing, and that is when the light went on.  If I could not receive a small gift, any gift, how could I receive the gift I was asking for? 

Anyway, back to the $200.  A friend offered me a gift of $200 and this time I accepted it.  I thought of a couple other friends who could use it, and thought to pass it on to one, or both, of them.  But the Lord had other plans.  I felt to give the $200 to a well to do family, that certainly did not need the money.  But they were praying for a gift from God.  So I did what the Spirit prompted me to do.  This well-to-do family took the gift to the Lord and made it a matter of prayer.  And they in turn were instructed to give the $200 to an elderly lady who could not make her lot payments. 

To make a long story short, I received the healing I was requesting, and the well-to-do family received a great blessing they were praying for, and the elderly lady received the payment for her home.  We must receive in order to give. 

Of course, this post began with a certain thought in mind, and ended up a completely new direction, with a deeper meaning. 

I had hoped to show the connection that we need to receive to give, and that the more we can receive, the more we can give. 

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Questions, Questions, And More Questions

Often I get asked questions, sometimes very good questions.  Although, most of the time I get asked ridiculously foolish questions.  The questions are not foolish in and of themselves, but the justifications in asking the questions make it foolish. 

To ask a questions for the purpose of finding fault, a justification, or excuse as to why it should not be applied to you is foolish.  The Lord knows the truth.  You cannot hide from Him, and you will not escape His judgements.  The scriptures teach the bottom line, and this attitude of "Nothing really matters, because Christ already suffered for us." is false.  We must progress.  The grace of Christ is offered to those who repent, not to those who justify themselves.  Mercy cannot rob justice.  This lesson must be learned, and if it is not learned here, it will be learned when it is too late. 

I am always happy to answer questions, but if you ask me a question designed to bring out an argument or justification, you will find that I will side with the scriptures every time. 

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The Healing Of A Tormented Soul!

 14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Recently, I visited with a lady who was tormented by an evil spirit.  She had been taught polluted doctrines since she was born, and being raised in a very controlling and oppressive religion, she had sunk into a deep depression.  People could see and commented on the darkness that she brought with her wherever she went.  I heard someone comment that they did not want anything to do with the tormented woman because of the darkness that accompanied her.  Yet, in great mercy, the Lord sought after His daughter, and I was asked to administer to her.

Following the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the first task was to remove her to a safe and quiet environment.  An environment where she would not be judged and where she could interact openly without fear.  An environment full of faith, and without doubts and fears of onlookers.  She wanted help so much, and willingly accepted the invitation for a blessing.  As we went for a walk, her first reaction was to lash out.  It was not from her heart, but from the evil spirit that was hovering over her. I took the abuse, knowing it was not from her heart that she spoke. 

I watched as the Spirit of the Lord taught her.  She was so thirsty for the truth.  She cast out her false beliefs and accepted the truth with an open heart.  I watched as the Holy Spirit led her out of darkness and into the light.  She so readily accepted the truth, and sought for more.  Because she could cast out her unbelief and so willingly entirely accept the truth taught her, the evil spirit had no more hold on her.  It hovered above her but could no longer have any influence on her.  It was at that time I reached forth and took her by the hand, spoke the words of the Spirit, and watched as the Lord banished that evil spirit and freed her.

Immediately, her countenance shone!  As we walked back into the living room, where her family was waiting, her mother stood and hesitated for only a moment, then ran to her daughter and embraced her.  All could see this precious soul had been freed and now shone with light.  The comments were of astonishment that this was the same woman.  

The Lord is still hard at work, and still performs miracles today.  Seek after the Lord.  He is right here waiting for you. 

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