Tag Archive for: restoration

The Gospel in it’s simplicity

The call to spread the gospel is a fundamental responsibility of every Christian. The Apostle Paul poignantly raises critical questions in Romans 10:14-15: *“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”* These inquiries emphasize the urgency of our mission. The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19, commands us to go and make disciples of all nations, highlighting that sharing the gospel is not merely an option but a divine mandate we must obey. Yet, in today’s world, we encounter a troubling trend where various gospels proliferate, often overshadowing the true message of redemption that Christ preached.

In our contemporary context, many individuals present their own versions of the gospel, often focusing on prosperity, material possessions, and fulfilling the desires of the masses. This so-called prosperity gospel diverts attention from the core message of Christ and creates a distorted view of salvation. The urgency to understand the true gospel has never been more pressing, as we must return to the foundational truths that Christ preached to both the Jews and Gentiles—truths that emphasize the necessity of repentance and redemption.

To present the gospel simply, we must first acknowledge the fundamental problem of sin, which disrupted the perfect relationship between humanity and God. From the moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, as recorded in Genesis, sin entered the world, leaving humanity in a state of depravity. This separation from God highlights that man, inherently sinful, cannot save himself. Romans 3:23 states, *“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”* underscoring our collective need for salvation. The reality is stark: without divine intervention, humanity faces eternal condemnation and the wrath of God.

Yet, amidst this dire situation, we find the profound love and mercy of God. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that *“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”* God, in His justice and mercy, does not abandon us in our sin but actively seeks to reconcile us to Himself. This reconciliation came at a tremendous cost: the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ. As Paul explains in Romans 5:8, *“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”* Through this act of unparalleled love, our transgressions were laid upon Christ, who bore the punishment we deserved.

In this divine exchange, God provided a means for humanity to be justified and made righteous. The blood of Jesus washed away our sins, restoring the broken relationship between God and man. Through faith in Christ, we receive forgiveness and a renewed standing before God. This restoration emphasizes that God invites us to respond with urgency; we must acknowledge our sinfulness and place our faith in Jesus, believing in His resurrection. Romans 10:9 states, *“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”*

In conclusion, presenting the gospel in its simplicity is a call to communicate the profound truths of sin, redemption, and reconciliation. It challenges us to strip away the distractions of modern interpretations and return to the heart of Christ’s message. As we embrace the Great Commission, let us not be swayed by the myriad of gospels that seek to dilute the truth but instead proclaim the authentic gospel of redemption. This is our sacred calling: to share the good news of Jesus Christ with a world desperately in need of hope and salvation. Let us remain faithful to our mission, trusting that through our obedience, many will hear and respond to the life-changing message of the gospel.

By Wilson Loidimu Lenantare
Karatina, Nyeri

Prophetic Word for the month of AV 5783 August 2023

Welcome to the new biblical month of AV 5783 that started on July 24th at sunset. By now I believe many of you are familiar with God's precious and holy calendar. We never worship his calendar, we honor it but we worship him and keep our eyes and affections on Yeshua, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior! Yet it is essential to be aligned with Heaven and God's appointments and feasts and thank God that only redemption is passed to us in Christ. Fear no feast or month because God filtered it to us through the blood of his Son. Never receive a curse!

As I was positioning myself to hear from the Lord what he is saying to us, I received this from the Holy Spirit and I pray it blesses you as you read it and enlightens you in Jesus' name:

It is a month of BIG TIME BLESSINGS because AV means ABBA. Yes, God is your heavenly Father every month and forever but this month is named after him and holds special meanings, substances, and authority. ABBA is the provider, every dad on earth is too. In just one month, you can receive a provision for your whole vision. God can finance you for a long time in just one moment! This month can be your huge STEP, your biggest and quickest leap for your visions, dreams, and callings.

Many will connect to this truth by faith and they will not be missed by ABBA but others will read this as another entertaining prophetic word without releasing their faith! I decree you will respond to that in Jesus' name and let the blessings of this month overwhelm you. Wherever and whenever you look, BLESSINGS all around. This window of time can be a restoration month for your provision. But also the Spirit is saying, you don't need to limit ABBA to provision, yet this is the biggest part of him, but he can provide for your security, protection, affirmation, etc. Whatever you see in him and however you perceive your heavenly DAD this month, he will manifest to you.

If you feel sowing into Healed Nations Ministries this month, feel free to do this below. We pray for our partners, celebrate and honor them, and their love and support! For any donation of 75$ and more, we will sow back into you and send you by email a personal prophetic word for this month of AV 5783.

Make a donation this month

God bless you

Tony Francis

Changing the Culture of the Spheres of Influence through the Beatitudes

Changing the Culture of the Spheres of Influence through the Beatitudes y Lilian Schmid – Strategist and Prayer Coordinator for The Prayer Strategy Spheres of Influence International 

Introduction

How can we use Jesus’ Command to “love one another” (John 13:33-34) change the 21st century culture which is affected by sin: every sphere of influence in our society has been corrupted and affected by the ungodly activities which are operating to destroy humanity. Modern life has become multi-faceted and hectic with the following spheres/domains dominating and competing for ours and our families' time, money, affections and ambitions. These spheres or domains are:

  • Business and Finance
  • Government and the Military
  • Law and Justice
  • Faith and Philosophy
  • Creative Arts
  • Education
  • Charity and Not for Profit Welfare
  • Health and Science
  • Media and Entertainment
  • Sport and Recreation

In the Old Testament God promised to mend that which had been lost in the Fall by reinstituting peace on earth. Through Ezekiel, the Lord looked forward to such restoration for his people:

“And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting covenant. I will give them their land and multiply them, and I will put my Temple among them forever. I will make my home among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Ezek 37:26-27).

Peace will come by God’s effort. The result will be material blessing and, most importantly, a mended relationship between people and God. The prophet Isaiah brought a message similar to that of Ezekiel: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns” (Isa 52:7).  God’s peace is integrally related to his salvation, to the restoration of his reign on earth. When God saves, he will restore his kingdom so that those who live under his rightful rule will experience the fullness of his peace.

Jesus entered the world as the one who would fulfil the mission of the Suffering Servant, thus bringing divine peace. Even before Jesus was born, one of his relatives proclaimed what God was about to do: “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79)

How the Beatitudes will Bring Change to the Spheres of Influence in Our Society

“The beatitudes reveal to us eight qualities that bring God's blessing: meekness and mercy, poorness in spirit and purity of heart, mourning and hunger, peacemaking and persecution. Jesus highlighted these to offer both encouragement and instruction on living distinctly as his followers in a world with values much different from God's. As we study these qualities and integrate them into our lives, we will receive the blessing Jesus promised to his followers then and now”.
(The Beatitudes: Developing Spiritual Character by John R.W. Stott)

Looking at the Beatitudes as a kind of ladder, an ascent, we can discover some amazing things about spirituality and its fundamental relationship to the world. The Beatitudes have intense significance in a world where many Christians want to change others and the world from the top down, through forced conformity rather than genuine conversion. The Beatitudes are the essence, the lifeblood and beating heart of authentic, ancient and living Christianity. They are (from Mt 5:3-10):

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Beatitudes express the idea that peace comes from peacemakers who are characterised by their poverty of spirit, their ability to mourn for the world, their lack of attachments or clinging to personal rights, their hunger for the healing of the world, their extreme mercy extended even towards their worst enemies, and their purity of heart. Peacemakers, according to Christ, are the instruments who bring peace to the world because they exemplify these characteristics. Change comes from the inside and moves towards the external. Peacemakers are persecuted because they present a challenge to authority which compels from the outside but cannot penetrate the interior.

Jesus' Sermon on the Mount begins by talking about the kingdom of heaven. A kingdom has a king, subjects, a place, and the ways of the king and his kingdom. It is where this particular king is reigning. So when Jesus teaches, He is not just advocating rules or giving advice. He is talking about a place or, more accurately, a realm where the ruler is God. And what is God’s kingdom like? What is God like as a king? Who are His subjects? And what are the ways of God? You can see that Jesus speaks about all these things in the Beatitudes. We learn about who the subjects of this kingdom are: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, etc. The true King of this universe is the One who gives the kingdom, who comforts, gives the earth to His children, and so on. Jesus is telling them about the wonder and goodness of living under the reign of God. The creator of this universe is the king of every sphere of influence, Jesus is the author of these spheres and we are the witnesses to bring real changes into them by proclaiming God’s kingdom on each one of them.

How the Kingdom will manifest its Power in the Spheres

First of all Jesus is speaking about the kingdom as a present and future reality. We can truly possess the kingdom of heaven here and now on the earth. We can enjoy the truth of this at least to some extent. The people of the kingdom are blessed. The word “blessed” always implies that the one doing the blessing is God. To be blessed is to be favoured or honoured by God. “Blessed” is a passive term. The one who is blessed is receiving from God His notice and favour. We can bring blessing to others that we meet within our sphere of influence.

So who are those who are blessed in the kingdom of heaven? And why are they blessed? In looking over the Beatitudes, we are immediately struck that Jesus is saying the unexpected, to say the least! The qualities of the blessed on Jesus’ teaching are not at all what we think of when we consider those we believe to be blessed.

To be blessed is to have value as human beings from our (Government), to have good health (Health and Science), to be secure and protected (Law and Justice), have great success in one’s endeavours (Business), creative and artistic (Arts), athletic (Sport and Recreation), freedom of speech and ideas (Faith and Philosophy), rich in Knowledge (Education), helping others in need to live (Charity and Not For Profit Welfare), spreading Christian values through technology (Media). These are the qualities we tend to associate with being blessed.

Jesus brings a new dimension to human life through the Sermon on the Mount. In the Beatitudes he teaches us the quality of life that we are hungry for. Every sphere of influence needs these kingdom qualities to be proclaimed in them. The qualities He includes are actually what we would normally consider indications of someone not being blessed! The person who we naturally think is blessed is favoured to have the kingdom of heaven now and a future fullness in comfort, inheritance, satisfaction, mercy, etc. The blessing then that these people receive is not to be poor in spirit, mourning, or meek. Rather, the presence of these qualities is thought to be a sign that the person is not cursed, but actually blessed. Paradoxically in Jesus teaching one can be called blessed when they are poor in spirit because being poor in spirit is a sign that she/he is looking for the very thing God the King is giving: His kingdom. You can see that there is a connection in the message of Jesus between the person who is blessed and why they are blessed, where every person who is a witness to Christ in the Marketplace can bring a blessing to these domains or spheres.

God our King desires indeed to bless us, to bless our families, our church, our work. Through our mission we can transform our society by applying the teaching of the Beatitudes through each one of us. We can be a part of bringing the reality of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. To understand that to be blessed here and now is to find we are being made ready to receive all these things forever.

Jesus is telling us about His kingdom. We see that God greatly desires to bless His people in a full and complete way. God is not going to give sparingly – just some comfort, or a small inheritance. And what God is doing in His people now, when He is blessing them, is that He is making them able more and more to hope in, receive, long for, the very riches He is giving. If we are in Christ we are a new creation: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Co 5:17).

So as blessed people:

  • Let us be rich in God’s Kingdom who is the provider of all richness in this wor Colossians 3:16
  • Let us be comforted to be free, Jesus gave us freedom the moment he gave his life on the cross. Galatians 3:1-14
  • Let us inherit the earth because we are sons and daughter of God’s Kingdom. Psalm 2:7
  • Let us be righteous and let God’s light shine through us. Matthew 5:14
  • Let us receive mercy and grace, and be merciful to others Matthew 8:14-17
  • Let us have Jesus’ heart and receive His unconditional love to love others as He loved us. John 3:16
  • Let us be peacemakers and bring unity across the body. John 13:35
  • Let us handle persecution with perseverance; then we may understand the fullness of God’s mercy and grace. John 25:20

Amen.

Prophetic Word for the month of Tevet 5783 / January 2023

As I was praying and seeking the Lord like Habakkuk standing on his tower to see what the holy Lord wants to say to us for the month of Tevet / January 2023 that just started on December 25th, 2022, I heard him saying:

You have waited long and here IT IS, the month you've been waiting for! Believe me, as I say to you these words through my servant, it is INDEED the month you've been waiting for. Why? Because I am a just God, I hear your cry and your persisting faith knocking on my court's door.

This month will be so weighty in glory for you, my sons and daughters, because I am unleashing and loosing great promotions to you in your life areas but first and foremost, in your heart's attitude!

In this month, many of your legal issues and lawsuits will be solved and I hear the Lord saying CASE CLOSED. You've been dragging and dragging with so many issues and I saw strong the release of your faith for the impossible and I was delighting in those aromas behind the scene. In this month, many prodigals I AM SENDING HOME, treat them well when they arrive, and restore them back to me. In this month, many of you who are teachers will be promoted not only with a higher income but also with BONUSES, and I see the Lord winking his eye. In this month, many of you will start your awaited ministries because you sense and feel the green light of the Lord giving you peace to launch and greatly launch in Jesus' name. In this month, many of you shall walk in my miracles and some of you will be the miracle and an open book for others to know there is a living God. You shouldn't have been living AND HERE YOU ARE!

In this month, many of you will gain strength and will RUN their race, it is time to compete with the horses and it will be a time of acceleration AND restoration with this supernatural running. I can't wait to see you shooting off! In this month, many of you will receive downloads about romance, marriage, relationships, and dating. I am POKING you, says the Lord.

Enjoy my goodness!

Tony Francis

In this month, I am believing for those who want to sow to SEE the manifestations of the GOODNESS of the Lord. Feel free to give as the Holy Spirit leads you. Click here or go to the Make a Donation page. God bless you in Jesus' name. Amen!

Prophetic Word for Hanukkah 2022

This is what I hear the Holy Spirit is wanting to say to you in this window of time for the feast of Hanukkah 2022.

It is a time of great blessings that I want you to be aware of. In each feast, I, the LORD, prepare a table for you in the presence of your enemies. I know many of you feel tired, exhausted, stripped away and some feel on the brim of quitting which I am not allowing it. As in the days of the feast of Hanukkah, I granted my people the victory of restoring the temple, my presence, and glory, back from the hands of the enemies, I will do the same for you. I will restore your SOUL and refresh it in the ways of righteousness again (Psalm 23).

I want my presence and glory to be restored in your life again, and in your prayer time. The devil is always after stealing my presence from you, he did that in the garden of Eden. It wasn't really about eating and not eating, that was not the ultimate goal. The devil is about breaking our holy relationship. For those of you, who will stretch out by faith and believe for the restoration of my presence, I will do it for you supernaturally.

Not only my people in Hanukkah were restored into my presence but they experienced 8 days of supernatural LIGHT, confirming that I am with them and it was my hand who performed that. You will enjoy my presence like never before. I will encourage you, excite you and revive you in prayers again, I know how to do it.

Benefit from the blessings available to you on the feast of Hanukkah. Don't end your year with an Ichabod while Chabod, my glory, and its fullness can be available for you!

I love you and I want you BACK! I am restoring my people to greater levels of intimacy with me again! I break the religious spirit off of you now in Jesus' name. Amen

Blessed Hanukkah to you all

Tony Francis

For those who feel led to sow on this special time, I am believing for you that you will SHINE in your ministries like never before and the supernatural presence of the Lord is being clear and displayed through you in the eyes of everyone watching you. People will say, surely the Lord is with them.

TRY JESUS

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7

Our present world is full of misfortunes and crises. We wake up every day to a new challenge and adventure. It is terrible and tense, and its effect can not be overemphasized.

There is hardship everywhere. We hear the same news of disasters, rapes, suicides, murders, terrorism, and others every day. We ask, “Is it the end of the world?”

We are besieged by terror and dread. In spite of all the technological advances, we know that we have no solution to our problem. We realize money cannot buy life. The rich people have no peace. They have all the protection they need, yet they worry about assailants.

The poor man is also unhappy because he cannot afford the high bills and exorbitant prices of food and drugs. We are never satisfied with food, and we are not content with enough. There is no justice. There is no peace; lies and covetousness reign; the truth is trumped. And we ask, “shall there be a change or restoration of things again?” Is our world ever going to find peace again? because everything is collapsing and crushing. Our world is hastening to destruction.

Not quite long ago, the coronavirus brought the world to a halt. And there is a fear of monkeypox in the country. Is this ever going to change?

The answer is “YES.”

There is peace in this world of trouble, sorrow, hardship, and pain. There is hope in this devastated, evil-infected world. The answer and solution to our present world is Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “I have overcome the world,” the world of problems. The world of grief and anxiety, the world of terrorism and disease.

He finished it for you on that Friday afternoon when he exclaimed on the cross, “IT IS FINISHED!”

And he says, through him, we may have peace. In the world, there is tribulation. However, we shouldn't be frightened because he has overcome the world. ” -John 16:33

In this world, we will have trouble. We are guaranteed to have trouble.

And in the midst of all these uncertainties, God is reassuring us that HE IS THE ANSWER.

We have realized that science and technology DO NOT have solutions to our problems.

 

Try Jesus by Prayer.

When we pray, it literally means that we are telling God we're finished, therefore we cannot do what we ask ourselves. We surrender to authority and say, “God help”. The Bible says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ” -Philippians 4:6-7

 

Try Jesus by Faith.

God commands us to have faith, faith in Christ and not in ourselves. It is written, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ” -Proverbs 3:5-6.

Hebrews 11:6 says it is impossible to please God without faith. Everything he has said in his words is true.

Have you tried your government yet and found no solution? Try Jesus. Have you tried your country's security but still there's insecurity? Have you tried your doctor or your drugs but still can't quite get over that sickness? Have you tried everything to give yourself joy and be happy, but still there is no joy to be found? You need Jesus. Try Jesus Christ. In “the world you will have tribulations, but in Christ, there is peace for you. There is hope for the hopeless. Try Jesus!

KWESI ABBAN (ELD.)

 

Tell Me Your Name

He sat there waiting for a sign that he had a catch.  Only this time he had no heart to reel it in.  He felt lost and out of place.  This was something that he had done for years.  He knew it inside out.  It used to be so second nature that it was like breathing.  Only now, it felt like suffocating.

I imagine those were Peter’s thoughts after Jesus’ resurrection.  He betrayed the only one who ever made him feel alive.  Now he did not know how to live.

In John 13 Jesus informs Peter that he will succumb to the fears and ways that he left when he became a fisher of men.  It is astounding that Jesus tells Peter that he will fall but does not strip him of his new identity.  He uses the name that he assigns to Simon.  He calls him Peter, his rock.  I am sure that was a shock to Peter.  Nothing in his actions showed the fortitude and stability of a rock. But Jesus reminds Peter to rise up from his failure after it happens and get back to his purpose.  The act of falling did not overshadow Peter’s identity.  Who he was, was not synonymous with what he did.  Jesus knew that, but Peter had to learn to separate his failure from who he was.  He had to distance himself from what happened.  Is there something that is holding you back from being who God created you to be?  Are there weights that are trying to keep you from rising to the new life God has for you?  God’s forgiveness and restoration is more powerful than anyone’s word or anything that you could do.

After his resurrection, Jesus challenges Peter by asking him to finally lay to death the man he once was and embrace who he had become.

Jesus Reinstates Peter

John 21

15After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?e”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

16Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

17A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

He challenges him with the acknowledgment of who he was by calling him Simon Peter but questions who he chooses to be in the present?  Jesus showed Peter his true character and potential.  He opened his eyes to his purpose. Peter is asked to face his past and make a choice.   Jesus tells Peter, that love means leaving the past behind and living in the fullness of his new life.  What will you choose today?  You can leave the past in the past and walk in your present with purpose.  Let the light of the world be the beacon that leads you to fulfill God’s purpose in your life.

 

Sanctuary in Plain Sight

I am a bit of an amateur photog. I started the hobby as a young girl, taking photos of my Mom’s absolutely stunning garden, zooming in on those beautiful patches of sprightly and fragrant glory as close as my Pentax K100 would allow, freezing their sublime majesty and detail to memory. I particularly enjoyed taking pictures just past dawn to capture the jiggling dew still perched upon quivering and laden emerald leaves, or at dusk to seize that perfect moment when the warmth of the golden sunset would seep through petals and leaves, and dapple the ground in exquisite glory. There was nothing I wouldn’t take a close-up of, and as I did, my awe would grow. Nothing has changed! I still take photographs in stunning detail with my phone, and I am still astonished by beauty in the tiniest corners of creation, right before our eyes and under our noses, that we’re largely too busy and preoccupied to see! 

Recently, I was looking over photos that I’d long ago taken, and one seemed to stand out in particular. I was transfixed by its every detail. A picture of what I called, The Secret Place: a close-up of two insects settled deep inside the heart of a lily. 

Take a look at it with me! 

How rich and varied in depth and shades of yellow, with tips and licks of melon-orange and buttery blonde! How the sun illumines little patches here and there, enough that the whole is warmly lit, framed in glowing and inviting radiance! Look at how parts of this little retreat resemble somewhat the inside pin-stripes of a lemon. How the different textures all seamlessly wove together: the ottoman-shaped soft and lushly padded cushion punctuating its centre flawlessly sewn together with the raised variegated streaks, all harmoniously flowing into the Tuscan-sun yellow awning of delicate broad petals reaching beyond the frame of the picture.  Look at how the transparent glow of the walls seems to highlight the contrast and draw the eye to the little creatures! How delicate their legs, and how handsome their stripes! How at home they look, and how secure they appear to be as they walk about in freedom in that soft and vulnerable place, totally unruffled by this photographer.

A perfect sanctuary within the expanse of all Creation, created in glorious detail by The Master Gardener! And yet, as the early summer arrives, this bloom will fade and fall, returning to the soft earth from which it grew.

“To notice what is in plain sight requires presence; requires being present,” Holy Spirit whispers. “Presence, my dear one, requires living every moment in the Now, for this is where I am. I do not fail or fall, nor return to dust. I am the I AM, not the “I was”, not the “I will be.” I am present. In plain sight. A secret place of warmth, refreshment, strength, peace, revelation, unconditional and unfailing love, of life itself for your spirit, mind, body and soul. A secret place of safety, refuge, restoration, comfort, healing and where faith is renewed and hope reignited. A secret place to linger, and rest with your head upon my soft breast. A secret place to drink in glory, right in plain sight, tucked away from the bustle and curious eyes, even in the very tiniest corners of your life!” 

Come, my friend. In the midst of all the noise and distraction of our daily lives, let us accept our Abba’s invitation to be present in each moment that is today. Present to marvel His majestic beauty; present to simply be with Him, so that we in turn are fully His Presence wherever we happen to be!

The Store of God’s Blessings

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1

Christ is your blessings’ address, search no more. God’s blessings are abundant to you because Christ is the greatest store of the heavenly Father.

God can’t wait to bless you as it says in Isaiah 30:18 “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” As soon as the prodigal son came back to his senses and to a relationship with his father, he was met with blessings innumerable. He was overwhelmed by his father’s compassion, goodness, and restoration. God really did more than the prodigal thought of and asked for. That prodigal son was expecting some blessings, maybe, but it exceeded his expectations!

This is God’s heart for you. In Christ, you are restored into the garden of the trees of blessings. I see you walking among those blessings trees, inquiring of the Lord about them.

The next time you are reading your bible it is not going to be religious, it is going to be a walk among those trees of blessings. Things will be alive to you, a real substance, a Kingdom at hand to stretch for a pick, eat and be satisfied.

Tony Francis

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I Call You…

Worthless, reject, loser, hopeless … the words played over and over in her head. She tried to ignore them but they had awakened something deep inside her. An overwhelming sense of inadequacy and despair washed over her. These were words she had heard many times before. She felt trapped by them. No matter how hard she tried to escape them they sat there deep inside like an anchor. They weighed heavily on her. The truth was, somewhere along the line she started to believe them.

Words have tremendous power. We can use them to call out the best and inspire strength. Alternately, we can use them to plant distortion, limitation and shroud others with a crippling sense of incapacity. Before Jesus was crucified and his disciples were tested he chose to call something deep within them. He called hope, restoration, purpose, identity and promise. His exact words were:

“…You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.”

“You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil.” (John 15:15-16, The Message Bible)

Jesus removed the labels that limited and restricted. He uproots them and plants life. He secures what he seeds in their hearts and minds with a reminder. “You didn’t choose me, I chose you,” he said. These words assure them that his decision is not dependent on them. Who they were or what they did had no influence on his choice. They did not earn his selection.  However, their identity, security and wellness was solely dependent on him.  No one and nothing they would or could ever do had the power to uproot what he established in them. He called them his friends. That declaration inspires awe, humility and deep gratitude.

What are you letting others call you? What identity have you adopted that is not your own? Let it go and let God’s declaration take root in your heart. He calls you chosen. He calls you friend.