Register now for this life-changing Intercession training class. This 4-week virtual training starts on 5-18-24 11:30 a.m. til 12:45 each Saturday.
The cost is $125. This covers registration fees, classes, and certificate(3 1/2 hrs. credit). You must buy the book For His Glory Standing in the Gap An Intercessory Instruction Manual for the training. Click link https://forhisglorysitg.com/manual/. Registration ends 5-11-24
Register now for this life-changing Intercession training class. This 4-week virtual training starts on 3-16-24 11:30 a.m. til 12:45 each Saturday.
The cost is only $125. This covers registration fees, classes, and a certificate for 3 1/2 hrs. credit. You will also receive a Tallit. You must buy the book For His Glory Standing in the Gap An Intercessory Instruction Manual. It is required for the training. Click this link https://forhisglorysitg.com/manual/. Registration ends 3-13-24.
Rising Above Disappointment. In this life, there will be disappointments. There is no way around it. Everyone will experience it at some point in time during this journey called life. Disappointment is defined by Webster as defeated in expectation or hope 2)sad or displeased because someone or something has failed to fulfill one’s hope or expectation. Disappointment can have devasting results on a person’s life if not handled in a positive manner. It can cause you to lose hope, or not believe anything good will come out of your life. It can hinder your growth, naturally and spiritually.
Rising above disappointment. Life is full of ups and downs. We do not always achieve everything we set out to do. Things don’t always go the way we envision it to go. Two people can look at a glass of water and one will see it as half empty and the other as half full. What difference does it make? The perception will impact your thoughts, your thoughts will impact your feelings, your feelings will impact your behavior.
Rising above disappointment. A person perceives the glass to be half empty. This person thought pattern about life is more likely to be one filled with negative thoughts i.e. nothing goes my way, everyone is against me, if it wasn’t for bad luck I wouldn’t have any luck, etc. If that is the thought pattern the feelings attached to that thought more likely include sadness, anger, and/or frustration. These feelings will more likely result in the person engaging in negative behaviors that will only enforce those beliefs, i.e. not pursuing dreams, not giving their best efforts, etc.
Rising above disappointment. A person perceives the glass to be half full. This person thought pattern about life is more likely to be filled with positive thoughts i.e. I am almost there, my goal is within reach, I can do this. The feelings attached to these thoughts are more likely to include, anticipation, an expectation of achievement, strength, happiness, etc. The behavior is more likely to include setting and pursuing goals, going the extra mile, taking chances with the expectation this will work, etc.
Rising above disappointment. Some examples of people who experience disappointment and/or failure are: Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four years old. Benjamin Franklin dropped out of school at age ten. Stephen King’s first novel was rejected 30 times. Oprah Winfrey was repeatedly molested but rose above her past to become one of America’s most influential women. Thomas Edison failed 1000 times before achieving success. He reportedly stated. I have not failed. I just found 1000 ways that didn’t work. They did not allow their failures, mistakes, or disappointments to cripple them. They continue to believe they could, they would achieve. They believed life had more to offer and it did.
Rising above disappointment. God has given me the gift of writing. I write poems, blogs, and gospel songs. I am not a singer so I am always looking for ways to get my music to the ears of producers and recording artists. I visit sites where recording artists, tv/radio producers, etc are looking for new materials. During the month of August. I learned that a well-known singer was looking for material for a new album. I submitted several songs. I heard from a well-known producer, Mr. Charles Hester Jr. “CHA-LO”. (Google his name, he is the real thing) that out of the many songs that were submitted, he selected my song “With Every Breath” to submit to this artist.
Rising above disappointment. I was very excited, to say the least. I believed in God for this open door. I stood on the word of God. I confessed the favor of God i.e. I’m surrounded by the favor of God, No good thing will be withheld from me, I delight myself in God, It is God’s good pleasure to give me the desires of my heart, etc. I had a few trusted intercessors stand in the gap with me.
Rising above disappointment. About a week ago, I learned that the song had been presented to the artist but she did not choose it for her album. I was very, very disappointed to say the least. How could this happen? I believed, I did not doubt I confessed the word of God. Immediately, Satan was in my ear. Faith without works is dead, how did you think you had a chance? You will never make it as a songwriter. You may as well stop wasting time and money during a demo. (Making demos of songs does not come cheap)Then he reminded me of things I have on the altar that has not yet manifested. Oh, yeah it was a real pity party. But Wait.
Rising above disappointment. The Holy Spirit has a voice too and begins to speak. This producer not only listened to my songs but he made encouraging comments on those I submitted. I don’t know him, he is not a friend, or acquaintance and I have no connection with him. He thought this song was good enough to introduce it to this singer! This well-known established singer Listened to my song. My name was on the lips of this producer and singer! Hey, the favor of God does surround me as a shield. As I continue to love and worship the giver and not the gift, God will give me the desires of my heart. Whew, I am ENCOURAGED. THANK YOU, HOLY SPIRIT.
Rising above disappointment. Don’t let disappointment cripple you, sabotage your future, take away your hope and dreams. Reassess, Reset, Rethink, Reexamine, take a deep breath, take a moment, dust your self off and start over. I love the quote of Thomas Edison. I did not fail. I just found 1000 ways that did not work. So I say, I did not fail. It may have been the wrong door. I will choose another door,
Speak the answer not the problem. The answer is the word of God. Heavenly Father, I thank you for your goodness, mercy, kindness, and faithfulness to me. I may not understand the whys or the reasons. I know that your ways are not my ways and your thoughts are not mine. They are much higher than mine. You are the only one that knows my end from the beginning. All of my time is in your hands and you know the seasons of my life. You are the author and finisher of my life. I trust your plans and desires for my life because you are perfecting those things that concern me and you are making good plans for me. Help me to embrace your will, and your plans and continue to be in a place of loving, trusting, and worshipping you. I have learned down through the years that your will is best. For this cause, I bow my knees and worship you, knowing that all power belongs to you. I’m secure in your love and wait with pregnant expectation for the manifestation of your promises.
Well, it has been quite a journey. This grief journey is not one that we want to take but it is inevitable. Let’s do a quick review of the 5 stages of grief. They are:
Before I talk about the stage of acceptance, I want to briefly cover complicated grief. The word complicated is defined as something that has many parts and is difficult to analyze, understand or explain. The Mayo Clinic describes it this way “Complicated grief is like being in an ongoing, heightened state of mourning that keeps you from healing. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/complicated-grief/symptoms-causes/syc-20360374. I suggest you take the time to read the entire article and others on this subject.
The arrival of Covid 19 shut down cities and out ability to function in our usual manner. It affected the way we grieve our loved ones in terms of gathering to say goodbye, the viewing,the homegoing service, other gathering and so on. Additiomnally, many families experience the deaths of more than one family member at the result of this virus. Some as many of 3 or more.
WOW. Grief is difficult enough to deal with but so many,so close together. WOW. How do you cope with that? Before, you can comprehend the death of one, there is yet another. People were not only dealing with Covid 19 deaths but there seem to be a surge in violence as well.
It may feel like the wind has been knocked out of you. It may feel like your life has been shattered and your heart has been broken in so many pieces. How do I go on? YOU MUST GO ON.
ACCEPTANCE. You must come to the place of acceptance. It is done, it has happened, this is real and there is nothing I can do to change it. How long must I grieve. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. However, the Bible does indicate that we should not stay in the place of grief. Josh 1:[1] Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,
[2] Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Indicates we must move on with life. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh.
Isaiah 61:3 – To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
I remind you as I remind myself I must accept what is and move on to what will be. I must create new memories and keep trusting God.
Things you can do to help yourself:
I have two scriptures for you to meditate on. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 56; What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
SPEAK THE ANSWER NOT THE PROBLEM. THE ANSWER IS THE WORD OF GOD. YOU ARE YOUR WORD. Heavenly Father, we come boldly to your throne to obtain help in our time of need. Your word declares you are our refuge, our hiding place, and the source of our strength. When the enemy whisper in our ears that we are weak your word declares that you are our strength, the lifter up of our heads, the one that sends the comforter along to help us. You bind up our wounded spirits and heal our brokenness. You come to make us whole again. Increase our faith level that we will learn to trust you whenever fear would try to consume us. Fear of being alone and lonely, fear of feeling so vulnerable and helpless. We stand on your word that you are a present help in our time of need. That means you are right here, right now at this very moment God. Help us to walk through this journey trusting in you each step of the way to hold our trembling hands, to lead us step-by-step. We believe when the journey becomes too rough for us, that you will then pick us up and carry us through the storm. What an amazing God you are, how faithful, kind and loving. You know just what we need and when we need it. Holy Spirit lead us to the secret place where we will find, rest, peace, and joy. Help us to be obedient to your word Rejoice, again I say Rejoice. Help us to know this too will pass, we will have joy again. Therefore, Heavenly Father, we say thank you for being our God, our source of strength and hope. In the name of Jesus, we do make this request.
SIEGE THE GATES
Dictionary.com defines gate as a movable barrier, usually on hinges, closing an opening in a fence, wall, or other enclosure.2.an opening permitting passage through an enclosure.3.a tower, architectural setting, etc., for defending or adorning such an opening or for providing a monumental entrance to a street, park, etc.:the gates of the walled city; the palace gate.4.any means of access or entrance
THE Bible Dictionary https://bible.gen.nz/amos/archaeology/gate.htm) describes the meaning of “gates” https://bible.gen.nz/amos/archaeology/gate.htm)describes the meaning of “gates” the “market”, the “law court” (either formally in criminal cases or less formally as the place where the family business or disputes were settled), the public forum where community business was discussed and gossip exchanged or the administrative center – the “Town Hall”.
The gates were constructed like a fortress and meant to defend the city and keep the enemy out. http://www.crystalinks.com/jerusalemgates.html. Jesus Christ was crucified outside of the gate, Hebrews 13:12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. The prophets proclaim the word of God at the gates. Jeremiah 17:19-27. Nehemiah talks about the gates of Jerusalem. http://jesusplusnothing.com/studies/online/nehem3.htm. Jesus declared “ I am the gate for the sheep” John 10:7-10, enter through the narrow gate Matt 7:13-14, gates of hell shall not prevail Matt 16:18. Lift up your heads, o ye gates Psalms 24:7-10.
Seize the gates: We seize the gates from the west, east, south and north. We now control what comes in and goes out. We now control what is allowed and disallowed. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Too long Satan has been in control of the gates. Satan we declare that we overthrow you and displaced you. God has given us authority over you. We use our God-given authority to bind up the works of the enemy. We snatch your power and the keys by the word of God and the shed blood of Jesus. Go, we loose your hands to govern this nation. For thine, O Lord is the greatness, power, glory, victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
Speak the answer not the problem. The answer is the word of God. Heavenly father, thank you for your holy word, for the shed blood of your son, Jesus Christ. We now take and appropriate that blood over the gates of our homes, blocks, communities city, states, and nation. He that possesses the gates control what comes in and out of the gates, what is allowed and not allowed.
We declare that this is the generation of them that seek you, that seek your face. 7Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.9Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.10Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.Lift up your gates and let the King of Glory come in. We welcome you King of Glory.Psalm 24:7-10.
We apply your blood to every home, block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, communities, cities, states and nation. Send the warring angels to assist us in evicting drug addiction, alcoholism, prostitution, gangs, guns. terrorists, perversion the spirit of murder, anger, hatred, racism, self-murder, domestic violence even in the pulpit, child abuse, rape, molestation thief, and robber. We evict marriage breaking spirits, rebellious children. We evict you in the name of Jesus. Let the gates be open to salvation and let this be a city that seeks to lift your name up that you may draw men, women, children to you. Let there begin to be a great harvest of souls. Give us strategies and techniques to win souls.
Let the walls of our city be called Salvation. Let the gospel be freely preached and received. You sent your word and healed them. Let the word of salvation be released in the atmosphere, hemisphere, and stratosphere. Let the skies open up and rain down salvation in our homes, in prisons, in hospitals, everywhere that drug and gang activities are taking place, every place where terrorists are plotting to do harm. Let grace and mercy run down the street and overtake justice. You died to save us from the penalty of sin. Save us O lord and we shall be saved.
We possess the gates of our homes. Let peace, love, hope and compassion flow. Bind up confusion and send it to the camp of the enemy. We bless you God and ask that you bless our homes. We call our children, grandchildren and all connected to us to obedience to your word. We decree and declare that they shall love you with all their hearts and they shall serve you. Restore love, hope, and trust in marriages. Let us be willing to forgive, forget and start again with a fresh love that has grown and matured. The gates are open for strong family unity and ties. We pray that the gates be open even for those that desire children, and for those children that stand in need of a home. We pray for those in the foster care system and those that have been adopted. Release them from the spirit of abandonment, rejection, and anger.Let the gate of love be open to them.
We possess the gates of our cities and evict the spirit of violence. Jesus blood prevails and the spirit of death and destruction can not cross the blood line. We attack the strongman of murder and all connecting spirits. Anger, hatred, jealousy, bitterness, envy, pride, racism, suicide, you are rendered helpless before the blood. We serve notice on every gang and terrorist that the land does not belong to you. The earth is the lord and all that dwell within. Yes, that include you. Ezekiel 18:4 Behold (pay close attention), all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die. God has given you a choice and he advises you to Choose Life.Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Let love arise in the hearts of the people. Peace rule in our surrounding. We choose life and we loose life in our communities.
We possess the gates of prosperity and evict poverty. There is no lack in God. We call forth job training, job opportunities, financial wisdom, economic growth in our surrounding. The gate is open even to those that have past records and have served their time. The gate is open for housing and education. It is the will of God that we prosper and be in good health. The favor of God surrounds us and he rejoices in our prosperity. Psalm 34:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.28And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
We possess the gates of good health and evict sickness and untimely death. We shall live and not die and declare the righteousness of God. We receive healing by the 39 stripes on your body. Each stripe representing a condition, or need of man. We receive physical healing, emotional and spiritual healing from all diseases and infirmity. Is there anything too hard for our God? No, lord, you are bigger than anything we will ever face. You are the bread of life and we eat freely of that bread. Be healed in the name of Jesus. In the name of Jesus be healed.
We possess the gates of ministry and evict false teachers, prophets, and leaders. We open up the doors for the true shepherds. You have given up good shepherds after your own heart. They seek you for wisdom, guidance and you bind their feet to the path of righteousness. They love you, hear your voice and declare your word to be truth. They preach the blood off of their hands. They cry loud and spare not. You bless their family, home, ministries, and churches. They set proper priorities with you first, then their mate and then the ministry. Ministry begins at home. You give them discerning spirits and eagle eye vision to see, understand and interpret the seasons and timing. They are highly sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. They are true worshippers and passionate God-chasers. You send them obedient people, tithing people, people willing to serve. You send them people with finances, expertise, and willing hands to do the work of the ministry, armor bearers and intercessors.
Thank you, God for sending Warring Angels to assist us in Seizing the Gates for your glory.
