Five Keys To Hearing God's Voice

Hearing the voice of God is the birthright of a born-again believer and there are several scriptures in the Bible that help us realize this.  John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow me.  In Rev 3:20 it says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

We see in Genesis 3:8a, "...they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day..." This is how God wants to relate to us today as well. It is God's desire to walk with and to communicate with His children.  The most difficult part of hearing God is the fact that it takes time to learn to discern God's voice--and it takes a humble heart. 

The writer of Hebrews tells us that we can train our ear to recognize the voice of God above all the noise. "But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14). It is by practicing, by reason of use, that we are able to discern whether what we hear is of God, our flesh, or the Devil.  However, when you know someone intimately, you know their voice.

In the book of Habakkuk he is asking the Lord questions pertaining to his life and why things are the way they are; not unlike those things we ask the Lord today.  In Chapter one verse two he says, “O Lord how long shall I cry, and You will not hear?”  But the Lord did hear and He did answer Him, which gives us the full assurance that the Lord answers when we call.  He is not a dead God, He’s alive, which means when He speaks we can hear His voice. 

As I write this blog, Pastor Tim Clark, senior pastor of The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California, has declared a season of “PAUSE.”  During this time we are waiting for a powerful move of the Holy Spirit and for the Lord to utterly have His way in our personal lives, and in the life of our church.  We are expecting God to order our steps as we wait for Him to speak.  However, in order to hear Him, we must quiet ourselves and “listen.” This was the "word of the Lord' given by one of our most respected elders and a world renowned Bible teacher and author, Joy Dawson. 

Like Habakkuk we can take a position before God that enables us to hear His voice.  The five keys to hearing God’s voice below are just a few ways God speaks to us today. 

Habakkuk 2:1-3 says:

I will stand my watch
And set myself on the rampart,
And watch to see what He will say to me,
And what I will answer when I am corrected.
Then the Lord answered me and said:
“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.

1)      Meet with the Lord regularly in a special place of prayer. “I will stand my watch” I will set myself on rampart, or I will stand fortified, I will strengthen myself.

My friends recently gave me a plaque that says, “The Throne Room.”  It’s in my living room.  It’s what I consider my prayer closet; a place where I meet the Lord every day and have intimate conversations.  It’s where I worship Him and give Him all my petitions.  Designate a place to meet the Lord in your home.

2)      Look for God to speak to you in dreams and visions. I will “watch to see.”

This is where I get the most revelation.  God has always given me prophetic dreams and visions.  And whether it is a vision in prayer or a dream when I am sleeping, God speaks to me by giving direction, exhortation or reproof.  Listen to what the Lord is saying to you through your dreams.  They may be prophetic.  They may also be bad pizza, but the action word here is, “watch to see”.

3)      Listen for the word of the Lord - It must be motivating to you and cause you to run with it. “He will say to me.” It’s not always easy to listen to God especially when it’s a reproof—we are innately against correction. That’s because we are sin nature.

And listening is an art in itself.  In 1 Kings Chp. 19:11, 12 it says: “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake, and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” 

God spoke to Elijah in a still small voice’, I’ve also known God to be very loud.  The key is to quiet yourself so you can listen, really listen.  Elijah went to the mountain, but your mountain can be any place you are quiet, a place where you set your heart to hear what God has to say.

Listening requires a great deal of maturity.  Some of you are gifted at listening, while others are not; but it is extremely important if you are expecting to hear from God.  There are times when we are all desperate to hear from the Lord.  I've literally begged God to speak to me about certain things and heard nothing.  Until one day I realized, I was doing all the talking.  I hadn’t positioned myself to listen.  After recalling when the Lord had spoken to me, I decided it was usually when I wasn’t thinking, I wasn’t talking, I wasn’t busy doing things, in fact it’s almost always when I’m in the restroom or doing the dishes (private confessions).  A place where my body, soul and spirit are paused—a quiet place.  A place where God knows I am perfectly still.  It seems I’m able to listen better when I am in one of those two places. 

There are other places the Lord speaks to me too.  For example, first thing in the morning before I have poured my coffee, when my brain isn’t working, I’m sitting on the side of my bed feeling cold and sleepy, He almost always gives me scripture.  Another place God’s speaks to me is when I am in prayer.  Recently I attended a prayer meeting with my girlfriends and the Lord showed me a picture of everyone in the room wearing a different colored robe and the meaning of each color pertaining to their lives.  God was not only speaking to me, but to every person in the room. 

You may be saying to yourself, but God doesn’t speak to me that way.  One thing I know for sure, God speaks to all His children, we must learn to discern His voice, like we would our children or our parents. After hearing from the Lord—we must trust that what He has spoken will come to pass.  Why trust? Because then we are in a position to obey.  After all, why listen if you’re not going to obey.  Pastor Jeff Lyle wrote this on his twitter today:  "What a challenge it is for those who would hear the voice of God on a matter concerning which their minds are already made up."

God can speak to you through your pastor, God TV, a friend, or even an ungodly person. God can use anyone to speak into our lives.  Even as I was readying this blog, I heard the same message twice before I finally sat down to finish it.  That was God speaking to me!

4)       Keep a journal of the things that God says to you.  Write the vision, the vision must be plain and written on tablets.

I find if I don’t write things down, I forget them or the enemy steals them from me.  Mark it in your Bible and date it.  That way, you are building an altar of sort on the page or scripture to remember what God said to you on that specific day.  It’s also nice to go back and see what the Lord has promised you and/or the scriptures He has given you to stand on.  I find when I write it down I meditate on it all day.  I’m actually feeding myself with spiritual food.

5)      Wait for God to bring it to pass. It must be received with patience, “It will surely come.”

God immediately reassures us that the message is truth. It may not be fulfilled right away. But it is God's truth, so we must believe it.  "Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry" is also a parallel construction.

It says the vision is for an appointed time and there are often delays. When God delays, there is a purpose.  He fulfills our promises when He knows we are ready for them; thus the parallel construction.  Though they tarry, they will not tarry.

Scripture says, He will never give us more than we can take, it also means He will never give us what He hasn’t already prepared our hearts for.  The good news is fulfillment is certain. For example, I was given a promise 20 years ago.  When I heard the Lord speak to me, I said, “Oh I can’t do that Lord.”  It still hasn’t come to pass, but I know God has it for me, and now I’m ready for it.

I think that’s the biggest misconception.  God’s timing is not a Timex or Rolex or any other kind of earthly watch maker.  It is a prophetic time, a Kairos time, an appointed time that only God knows.  Kairos is an ancient Greek word meaning the right or opportune moment—the supreme moment.  God may speak to you about what He’s going to do in your life, however, if you get ahead of His timing the results unfortunately will not be the same.  Waiting is acknowledging He is Lord over your life.

We must also recognize a very vital part of God’s voice in the church are visions and prophecy, they must stay alive for the church to thrive, for warnings and for edification.  The presence of vision creates hope and brings change when articulated with enthusiasm. Luke 24:23 says, “When they did not find Jesus’ body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angles who said He was alive!”  This gave them hope. 

In Hosea 12:10 it says, “I have spoken by the prophets, And have multiplied visions. I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets.  In Prov. 29:18 it says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law is happy.  We must receive and believe that God-given dreams are possible. The presence or absence of vision will determine whether or not people become lethargic or worse “cast off restraint” oblivious to the law.  In other words, there is no self-discipline.

In Matt. 2:12 it says, “They, being divinely warned in a dream, that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.  What will you answer when you are told to go another way?  When God speaks, do you listen?  And after you hear, do you obey? 

God desires to manifest those things He has promised you in this new season.  He longs to give you the kind of eternal hope and life changing vision that turns your world upside down.  He is ready to open a door for you that no man can shut and give you all the desires of your heart.   My prayer is, when He speaks—we listen and obey!

Rev. Daina House
6/23/14

Freedom Through A Fresh Circumcision Of The Heart

Circumcision of the heart is the habitual disposition of our soul which is termed holiness; and which directly implies, that we are cleansed from sin, from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit; and by consequence, endued with those virtues which were also in Christ Jesus; being so renewed in the spirit of our mind, as to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect.

The Word says in Deut. 10:16, “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.”  As I understand this, it is to basically cut away all impurity and filth of the heart, mind, soul and life.  Why is this important?  I know from my personal experience anything I do not “cut off” continues to grow and prosper on its own.  The more I feed it, the more it grows and ultimately consumes my thoughts, beliefs and behavior.

When severing the unhealthy thoughts, behaviors or beliefs from our hearts, we are basically taking what’s ill and cauterizing it from our heart.  In order to allow that impurity portion to die, we have to disconnect the life giving flow that’s feeding it.  Cutting off involves severing the impurity and allowing that severed piece of one’s heart to die.  Needless to say, this is a process, a long process.  And sometimes a very painful process as you can imagine, anything that involves cutting will involve some pain.  However, the pain is well worth it.  It is very important that our severing from the old ways be as complete and continuous as possible.

To obtain personal freedom and wholeness, we must be delivered from every wrong attitude, old behavior, generational curse, unforgiveness, blame, shame, etc., etc .  And in order for this to happen, we must be 100% honest with ourselves.   Once we have cut these things off—to sustain our freedom, we must read God’s word, have a steady prayer and worship life and stay accountable to people who will tell us the truth.  These disciplines enlarge our hearts and transform our minds.  They help us walk in the truth of God’s will for our life; and advance the process of freedom and holiness.

If we allow the Spiritual Circumcision of the Heart to change us, we become more internally motivated as our hearts are changed—so that instead of relying on our minds to memorize rules—there is a gradual movement from mental rules and disciplines to an obedience rooted in the heart’s judgments and convictions.

This circumcision ushers in God’s wholeness and causes us to mature in the Lord.  Christian maturity is living out what God says we are in His Son. Growing-up into the person God wants us to be.  We must be continually changed in order to fulfill our purpose, and changing our hearts by a spiritual circumcision provides that.  Duet. 30:6 says, “And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.”

Finally, I know how easy it is to turn back to the impure way of thinking, believing and behaving if we haven’t completely circumcised it from our hearts.  If our hearts haven't changed, neither have we.  It’s what Paul teaches us in the Bible and what still speaks today.

Prayer Declaration: 

Lord, please deliver me from all impure thinking, believing and behaving. I desire to be free from anything that does not please You, that I may fulfill the purpose You have for me and be an example to those around me.  Keep me from turning back to those things I have severed from my heart and give me the resurrection power to maintain my wholeness and holiness in You. 

In Jesus name,
Amen

Rev Daina House

5/6/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deliverance Comes Before Healing

I recently read the Bible story about Naaman and was intrigued by his predicament and the unusual way God healed him.  After reading the story, I realized the Lord was showing me deliverance comes before healing.  Many different circumstances can keep us from getting healed, often times they are things we wouldn’t necessarily associate with healing.  Of course there are times when we don’t get healed and that is a mystery to us all.  However, that’s not what I am writing about. 

I’m writing about what could’ve been Naaman’s deliverance before his healing.  As a Deliverance Minister—I’m always looking for ways to help people.  I used to believe that deliverance had nothing to do with healing; I’ve since learned the two are very closely related.  Call it whatever you like, demons, oppression, familiar spirits, etc., but there are certain areas of our lives that need deliverance before we can walk as whole, healthy, healed men and women of God.

In 2 Kings 5:1 it says, “Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.” 

On one of the Syrian’s raids, they brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel, who waited on Naaman’s wife.  One day she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria, he would heal him of his leprosy.” Now Naaman’s wife told him what the young maid said, and he immediately went to his master the king.

Then the king of Syria said to him, Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.  So he departed and brought the letter to the king of Israel, which said, “I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy.”  However, when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy?

When Elisha, the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

As the story continues, Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house. Only Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.  However, Naaman became furious, and went away saying, “Indeed, this man will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal my leprosy. Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?”

Here is where we often find ourselves in times of need.  Even though Naaman was desperate to be healed, it seemed he wanted to be in charge of just how that healing would come to pass.  Scripture says that Naaman went away in a rage, and seeing this, his servants spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Why is it we are always ready to do something great for God, but when it’s outside our comfort zone we tend to protest?  Naaman is no different than us, he knew of two cleaner rivers he could go to, why did it have to be the Jordan?  I personally believe that the Jordan was a place of miracles and deliverance.  After all, Jesus was baptized in the Jordan and the Israelites crossed the Jordan to the Promise Land.  I also believe that Elisha had a purpose for telling him to dip seven times.

In all spiritual matters we are responsible for our own outcome.  No one else can dip for us, our healing depends upon our own actions; and our spiritual health always facilitates our physical healing.  Here’s where Naaman’s deliverance starts.  He heeded the words of the young maid, which was unusual for a man of his stature and he received the rebuke of his servants.  However, that was only the beginning, apparently there were a few things he needed to leave under the water before that healing would manifest. 

In Naaman’s eyes the healing should be quick and easy, but in God’s eyes the Jordan was the only way.  Reluctantly he follows the command of Elisha and wades into the waters of the Jordan.  With the first dip, I imagined the Lord washing away his anger; which was his initial response.  You see the ways of the Lord are purposeful.  He is always doing something more than we perceive. 

Now remember, Naaman was a honorable man, but he had to learn that his great wealth and earthly grandeur were nothing—everything he had and everything he stood for could not heal his leprosy.  Therefore I believe the second dip washed away his pride.  Here is the strongman in most of us.  We often want our healing without humbly submitting ourselves to the ways of the Lord.

By now Naaman might have be thinking, I still see the leprosy.  Shouldn’t the appearance of my skin be changing?  The water was dirty and mucky but if he wanted to be healed, he must do exactly what the man of God told him, dip seven times.  Causing the third dip to wash away disobedience.  God often sets us up in situations that require total obedience.  There is no such thing as half obedience or delayed obedience, but a strict command to obey.  He would have to go the distance in order to receive the blessing.

Observing no change after three dips, I would imagine his heart began to sink and the enemy of his flesh and the enemy of this world began mocking him  “What are you doing in that water?  Nothing is going to happen—you really think God can heal you?”  Naaman had longed for years to be cleansed from this infirmity.  He wanted to believe that what he was doing was the answer; yet so far, he saw nothing.  Isn’t that the way it is when we’ve been standing and believing God to be healed for any length of time; even though we know our God is faithful?  So the fourth dip delivered him from the spirit of fear. 

Anguish began to take over Naaman soul and humiliation began to speak. He had long been admired by everyone.  He had gifts no one else had, yet this was the one thing he could not do for himself.  The thought of remaining this way and the disappointment of living the rest of his life disgraced by leprosy caused him to dip yet another time.  On this the fifth time, shame was undone.  He would no longer feel sorry for himself or be embarrassed by his condition no matter what the outcome.

With shame finally gone, Naaman was getting stronger.  As he approached the sixth dip, he let go of self-will and the idea of being healed without the help of others.  He had willed his leprosy away, he had probably tried everything he knew to do, which in those days was very little, yet there was no change.  It wasn’t until he reminded himself of the brave young girl who believed the prophet in Samaria could help him, that he continued.  This speaks to all of us, I don’t think there is a person reading this paper who really believes if they just willed something out of their life, eventually it would go away.  No matter how self-sufficient we are, without the Lord’s help and the help of others, willfulness accomplishes very little.    

With all the deliverance Naaman received—God cleared the way for his miraculous healing and on the seventh dip as we all know, he was healed from leprosy.  In fact the Bible says his skin was made like the flesh of a little child.  This is a beautiful picture of salvation and renewal.  As we are delivered from the spiritual oppressions, God can make us whole.  He can make us young again.  He gives us a fresh start even if we have been walking with Him a very long time.  The Bible says, He delivered us in the past, he will deliver us now and he will continue to deliver us. 

It’s important to understand deliverance and healing are not a onetime event.  In fact, we must persistently contend for righteousness and healing in our lives.   If the Lord after He made the universe has to continually uphold it; why would we think otherwise for ourselves?  Remember God has a plan for your life and you cannot fulfill that plan if you are bound and wounded. 

Take an assessment of your life today—are there things God is asking you to let go of?  Do you need healing from your own kind of leprosy?  Those things that spot your life yet are unseen by your fellow man?  God is calling for a church without spot or wrinkle—the time is drawing neigh for all of us to be cleansed so that we are effective in the work of the ministry.  Deliverance comes before healing.

Rev Daina House

4/2/14

What Are You Running From?

As a young child I was taught the Biblical story of Jonah in Sunday school--of how a giant whale swallowed Jonah and spit him out after three days.  Can you imagine spending three days in the belly of a whale?  I can’t.  I also can’t imagine living in utter darkness—thus the reason for my blog.

As the story goes, Jonah was a man whom God instructed to: “Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city and cry out against it; for their wickedness had come up before the Lord.  But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.  He went down to Joppa, found a ship going to Tarshish; paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.” (Jonah 1:1-3) NKJV

Jonah was called to deliver the word of the Lord to the wicked people of Nineveh.  However, Jonah rejected God's call, he didn't want God to forgive them—he wanted God to judge them.  So rather than argue, he ran in the opposite direction; thereby saying “no” to God.  Can one man’s “no” circumvent the eternal plan of God?  God’s concern for all mankind and His reluctance to leave a servant in dejection and misery brought about by his disobedience is played out in this story. 

Has God ever called you to a specific person/s and for a moment you preferred God’s judgment for their wickedness rather than His forgiveness and salvation?  I don’t know about you, but if we’re being completely honest, I believe many of us have just by our inaction.   

Notice the scripture says Jonah fled from the presence of the Lord—not Nineveh.  It also says he found a ship going to Tarshish.  He might have said, “Well, if I’m not supposed to go to Tarshish, there won’t be a ship leaving today”—sort of a fleece to satisfy his human desire and justify his disobedience.  I know you’ve never done that…  A little word of advice, the enemy of our soul will always provide a way out if we're running from the presence of the Lord.  And forgive me for spiritualizing this, but it also says he paid the fare to get on the ship.  Make no mistake—we will always “pay the fare” when we’re running from something. 

Not long after they set sail, the Lord sent a tempest wind upon the sea to awaken Jonah; as he had gone to the lower part of the ship to sleep.  Again I’ll take the liberty of spiritualizing this scripture.  When running from something—is it possible we enter into a lower form of Christianity and fall asleep? And while we’re sleeping, others are being tossed around by the world looking for an answer to their storms.

As the tempest grew stronger and stronger, the mariners said to themselves, “For whose cause has this trouble come upon us.”  So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.  In fear, the Captain came to Jonah and said, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.”  What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?”  (Jonah 1:6-8) NKJV

Jonah immediately tells them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” (Jonah 1:9) NKJV   There are four reasons in my opinion God called Jonah to preach to Nineveh; one, because he was available, two, because he knew God’s voice, three, because he was fallible and four, because he feared the Lord.  It's also the reason He calls us.  Jonah's confession rescued those on the ship from a physical death, and those in Nineveh from a spiritual death.

To calm the storm and save the ship, they would have to throw Jonah overboard—where an unknown fate awaited him—one he never imagined.  You would think after Jonah’s confession and repentance the Lord would have supernaturally delivered him to Nineveh.  However, he still had to “pay the fare.”  Unfortunately, Jonah’s former decision came with consequences.  After being thrown into the sea, the greatest natural baptismal there is, the Lord prepared a big fish to swallow him—where he remained for three days and three nights.  After which, he was spit out on dry land to begin his long journey to Nineveh—where he did deliver God's word, and they did turn from their wicked ways.

Today I posted a trailer on Facebook called “God’s Not Dead.”  www.GodsNotDeadTheMovie.com.  After watching it, I cried.  Why?  Because so many people in the world are lost or blatantly deny God’s existence.  God has commissioned each of us to reach the lost—wicked or not.  Hopefully, no matter who they are or what we think of them, we will answer the call to seek and save the lost.  Saying “no” comes with a great price, as we’ve learned from Jonah.  Who has God called you to?  What are you running from?

I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some. (1 Corn. 9:22b) NKJV

Daina House
11/7/13

 

 

Investing In The Future

Over the past several months, I’ve heard numerous sermons about investing in the future.  The first one was called “Miraculous Change,” by Pastor Dan Hicks.  He said, we must keep going—we must go further than where we are right now, and he quoted the poem, “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost.  In the poem and in Pastor Dan’s sermon the point is; the road less traveled is where our lives make a difference—to us and to others.

Too often we get to a crossroad in life and take the familiar way, the one that makes more sense on paper, or the one everyone else takes.  Oh that we might adventure into unknown places, where new and fresh discoveries are found; a place where life isn’t just maintained, but advanced.

Thomas Edison was forty-six years old when he discovered the light bulb. His famous quote was, “I never failed, but found a thousand ways that didn’t work.”  Thank God he continued to take the road less traveled because eventually he changed our lives with his invention.  One of Edison’s mentors during those early years was a fellow telegrapher and inventor named Franklin Leonard Pope, who allowed the then broke youth to live and work in the basement of his Elizabeth, New Jersey home.  This man not only invested in a young Thomas Edison, but in the future of the world.

Pastor Dan was preaching out of 2 kings 2:1-14.  In this scripture, Elisha made a fresh commitment to follow Elijah no matter where he went.  Even though the people warned Elisha his master would be taken from him, he proclaimed more than once he would not leave Elijah’s side.  As a result, Elisha eventually received a double portion from the Lord as Elijah was taken up to heaven.  Here we have a tenacious young man choosing the road less traveled; and an elder imparting wisdom to the next generation.  Pastor Dan fervently admonished those who neglect this biblical calling.  

Then, about a week or so later, my lead pastor, Ricky Temple preached out of Matthew 13:3-8.  You all know the message about the Sower who sowed seed.  The first seed fell by the way side, and the birds devoured them.  The second seed fell on stony places; they grew but were scorched and withered away because they had no roots.  The next seed fell among thorns and the thorns sprung up and choked them.  But the last ones fell on good ground and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold and some thirtyfold. 

He went on to say that our seed or investment in the future doesn’t always have an immediate return.  In fact, he pointed out how long the Lord sows into our lives, knowing He might not receive a return for many years.  In my case thirty-eight years; at which time I finally surrendered my whole heart.  It’s amazing that only one-fourth of the Sower’s seed brought forth fruit, yet He continued to sow anyway.  So I ask you, are you sowing seed into someone’s life for a future investment? 

I’ll never forget a story Anna Hayford told years ago.  A young person approached her with a story about praying for a particular relative for three weeks with no real evidence of change.  To which she replied, “Young man, I prayed for one family member fourteen years before I realized the fruit of my prayers.”  Why do we always want an immediate return for our seed?  I’m sure it’s because we are a microwave generation—we want instant results to everything.  The Word actually says we will live in houses we did not build—that means we will partake of the fruit of someone else’s labor. 

A month or so later, I went to a Celebrity Bible Study where I heard Tim Storey say, “You have to believe God for more.  Leave all the elementary thinking behind and believe God to do miraculous things in your life.  Dream bigger, but give more and it will be given back to you.”  He said he needed a permanent building for his meetings, and believed God for two point five million dollars to buy the building.  That may sound crazy to you, but Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church in Dallas, Texas prayed the same prayer and God paid cash for his building.  Of course the law of sowing and reaping always applies in these situations, but Tim said, “If God can give other religions great elaborate temples funded by huge corporations and celebrities, why is it so hard to believe God for a building that would further the Gospel?”  My question is—why is it so hard to give more?  It’s a proven fact that no one can out give God.  He always gives more in return.  Also, when you think about giving, it’s not just about our money, it’s also about our time and resources.

Then my girlfriend posted a video on my Facebook page.  A message from Tyler Perry titled “Only Believe”.  Tyler talked about sowing seeds into your future and believing God for the return even if it takes years; and like Thomas Edison the odds are you’re likely to fail a few times before you succeed.  I was starting to see a pattern and I knew God was trying to tell me something.  It all came together when I prayed about joining a TV Show called "New Generation" on the International Christian Family Network; a show that ministers to the next generation. 

I received the scripture in 2 Corinthians 9:13,14 that says, “While through the proof of this ministry they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for your liberal sharing with them and all men—and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.”  Sometimes you know what God is asking you to do, but you are hindered by your own negotiations with God and giving—so to move you, He allows you to hear different messages with the same meaning.  I suddenly realized I wanted to go further, take the road less traveled, dreamer bigger, believe for more, give more and seed into the next generation. 

This month I will join the program as a Guest Co-Host with great joy in my heart; believing many souls will be affected for the Kingdom.  I hope to impart the wisdom God has given me to these precious young sisters in the Lord and in return glean from their beautiful spirits and kind hearts.  This new journey will be educational, fun, entertaining and of course godly.  I’m excited to see what the Lord will do in this next season as I sow my seed---Investing In The Future!  Won’t you join me? 

Stay tune for channels, dates and times…
Rev Daina House
8/30/13

 

No Judgment Here...

I read a statement on twitter today from Matthew Barnett that said, “The stronger our walk with God, the less we judge. Awareness of our own flawed self produces kindness and understanding.”  I'd also like to add, our walk is often stronger because God loves us unconditionally.

I can hardly believe it’s been over a year since I’ve posted a blog.  Where does the time go?  For a season all I did was write.  I felt getting my “Book” in shape was the best use of my time.  However, as I sit here today, so too does my book; not published and waiting for God’s perfect timing.  I had a literary agent for a year who tried very hard to sell the book to no avail.

I watched a reality TV show a while back where a contestant was voted off.  After which they asked him the question, “Well, how does it feel to get voted off?”  What a silly question!  He probably felt like a failure, but that’s not what he said.  He was twenty-three years old and his answer was kind and confident.  He said, “Well, I guess God has another plan.”  What a mature answer for such a young man.  I have never forgotten his statement and today that's my answer when people asked why my book hasn't been published.   

I think the reason I haven’t written is because I wanted to write when I had something to write about.  Mainly my book being published, but that hasn't happened.  Maybe I feared the judgment of man on top of my personal disappointment.  However, I realized being authentic is the only way I know.  People relate to it and there is no shame in telling the truth.  So I figured it was time to write.  Life has a way of changing.  Actually, there are many exciting things on the horizon right now—just not things I planned.  Someone once said, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”  No truer words were ever spoken.  So for now, I must wait and move forward all at the same time.  Although there are seasons when I get frustrated with waiting, I still believe that Father knows best! 

I know there are thousands of people out there who benefit from my testimony and ministry, but there’s a down side to it as well.  The world we live in seems so harsh, bullying and fault-finding, it’s hard to hear all the judgment and criticism you get, even when you are doing it to serve others.  Everyone is an expert at everything; they also have the internet to voice their opinion on a regular basis, and they do.  

I think the hardest thing to do is be true to yourself without fearing the judgment of others.  The truth is there are so many rules.  For example: You have to write on your Twitter account every day at least twice a day. But there are certain things you can and cannot write—who knows what those things are.  Be careful what you post on Facebook, it might come back and bite you!  If you don’t post things, according to them, whoever “they” are, you can’t be successful.  If you do, you run the risk of being judged.  You have to post your sermons and testimony on U-Tube or no one will know you exist.  However, having spent the last thirty-seven years trying to remove things from the Internet—I’m still trying to get the hang of posting everything on the Internet!  Oh my! 

Furthermore, how do you keep others from judging you when you tell them everything you do? Sometimes when people judge you without them considering you are a real person with real feelings, it hurts.  The majority of the time it comes from people you don't even know.  Oh well—we can't please everyone in life.  It just isn't realistic.  The truth is, my life is a living testimony and it speaks for itself.  I also know there are more good people in the world than bad--they're just a little quieter.  My prayer: To be kindly affectionate and understanding towards others, remain aware of my own personal flaws and leave all judgment up to God. 

Thanks Matthew...

Rev Daina House
6/26/13

Toxic Shame

Living our lives in complete and total truth, is one of the hardest things to do.  Why?  Well, first of all, as a nation, we do not believe in absolute truth anymore.  It seems we have taken God out of everything in order to serve our own purpose.  The Bible says, He gave them their request, but sent leanness to their souls (Psalm 106:15).  Consequently we have created our own sense of right and wrong, which leaves every man doing what is right in his own eyes, (Judges 17:6); a prescription for failure.  We have mastered this way of life, and told ourselves that God’s truth simply does not matter. 

It all started in the Garden.  From the beginning of time, man lived in perfect harmony with God, the animals and nature.  God gave Adam and Eve the law of the land which they did not heed.  Consequently, through one man’s disobedience sin and shame entered into the world.  Suddenly aware of their nakedness, they covered themselves with fig leaves and were removed from the Garden.  As a result, we are still using those fig leaves today to cover our shame; only now they are called addictions.

As a society, we have given ourselves over to abortion, divorce, sexual promiscuity, divination and idolatry, just to name a few.  Therefore, our spiritual inheritance passed from one generation to the next has caused shame to dominate our culture now more than any other time in history.  Shame comes through many different avenues but whether it is incest, molestation, rejection, unworthiness, fear or abandonment, it is toxic and debilitating. 

It is a proven fact that shame is the number one contributor to addiction.  Eighty percent of society knows someone who is struggling with an addiction.  People are medicating their shame with shopping, drugs and alcohol, over eating, exercise, perfectionism, pride and control.  It is an attempt to medicate their pain, but only a temporary solution. 

Remember, Jesus came as the second Adam, to pay the price for all sin for all mankind.  He said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. But I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10).  Often times, fear and wrong thinking makes one believe if they have strong boundaries, if they voice their pain, if they get angry or if they show weakness, they will lose the love of those closest to them.  They fear the truth will bring them more rejection and abandonment.  This dysfunctional attitude cripples those who suffer from toxic shame.  Further, it is perpetuated by the lack of deliverance ministers and education the church has available to help people with these kinds of issues. 

I discovered my insecurities and self-loathing were caused by my parent’s divorce.  Their neglect failed to satisfy the love I needed as a child.  I also had a spiritual inheritance from my father’s side of the family, of a fatherless spirit.  This spirit carries with it the deepest kind of shame next to molestation.  Subsequently, I became a perfectionist, trying to work for the approval, acceptance and love of my father, as well as men in general.  It was impossible for me to have real intimacy with God or man.        

So how do we dispel the toxic shame in our lives?  There is no way to change the past, but we can certainly change the future.  The first step is to find the root of that shame.  This is a painful process of digging deep into the inner most recesses of one’s life; a process that demands complete and total honesty with one’s self.  Then, there must be a confession and acknowledgement of those difficult things you have been hiding for years—things that have severely wounded you.  Lastly, a person has to walk out a process of removing the layers of self protection, so that they are open to letting go of their shame.

For a long time, I held on to my pride, control and unforgiveness.  Eventually I realized those were the very things that kept me from being delivered.  I had to stop blaming others for how I felt and trust that if I lived a life of total truth, people could, and would love the real me.  In time, I began to love myself for who God created me to be. 

It started when I went to Heaven, by way of visitation.  There came a cleansing fire and the love of God was so deep that I never wanted to cover up or medicate my shame again.  In fact, I prayed fervently for God to take it away.  This allowed Him to heal my brokenness with His love, understanding and care.  It wasn’t instantaneous, but I stand before you today delivered from toxic shame. 

Not everyone can have a heavenly visitation.  However, I know given the right resources, God can help those who struggle with debilitating toxic shame.  Like myself, you must believe you are not a mistake, nor are you a failure, in fact, God loves you very much.  It is especially hard when others condemn you and judge you, instead of seeing your pain.  All anyone really needs is to feel loved and accepted.  The Bible says we are, Accepted in the Beloved (Eph 1:6b).  It also says the only successful way to freedom is the truth.  You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free, (John 8:32). The word “make” in the Hebrew language means “to liberate or to deliver.”

Rev Daina House

4/12/12