Dear friends,
We were reminded by the Holy Spirit, while teaching others, that all relationships begin, continue, and end with communication. This was part of our multi-cultural training and since then, has been our experience. We apologize to you that we have let our
communication to you lag. It hasn’t seemed like we had much of anything to relate and yet we have so much to relate. Its not always easy to put into words what God is doing and calling us to do in our lives, but today, we ask Him to anoint this letter with good, clear communication to you.
God called us to come home and "prepare" for all the change that was coming. Perhaps God knew that was going to be President Obama's battle cry, or maybe that is God's battle cry and He is speaking it through Mr Obama. :) Either way, there have been many changes in the world, in our home nation, and in our personal lives. We are "preparing" ourselves and others for the "last days". Our greatest calling is to "hear God and do what He says". This requires that we press into more of God through prayer and study of His Word, that we grow in spiritual wisdom and understanding, and that we speak what we have seen and heard, “that the Kingdom of Heaven is near“, and then watch God confirm His Word just as He did in the days of Jesus ministry on earth. We have seen Him do it in several other countries, but now He has called us to be HERE and that means to us He wants to speak and do the same things HERE. Is there anything more exciting that we could relate to you? We are certainly not the first or only ones to hear this. Many voices are reverberating with the same message: that the last days are here, prepare the way of the Lord; that the Kingdom of Heaven is here, rescue the perishing far and near.
God called us home but He has never changed our assignment or anointing. We have sat quietly for some years, waiting for His direction, learning from His Word, spending more time with Him. Our beginning here in the US is not unlike our beginning in other places. First and always is prayer. Without prayer, we know nothing, we can do nothing, we are powerless, and we are without relationship with or connection to the Head, The Lord God Almighty. We have been so thrilled to find a group of men and women who meet weekly with the purpose of praying and growing in corporate prayer as a part of the body of Christ. We have reveled in so many answered prayers there. Sometimes, someone comes one time to personally ask for prayer. They have never gone away without God showing up and bringing ministry to their lives in whatever fashion they needed. Others come regularly and their spiritual growth is so obvious that we rejoice together with the encouragement of seeing each other growing and being knit together in closer fellowship and unity of the Spirit. We are praying for and expecting revival, harvest, and harvesters.
The gifts of the Spirit, operating in and through the church, are for two specific reasons: to mature the Body of Christ, and to equip and send out the Body to produce more body of Christ in the world. We see the same operating in the physical realm: babies are born, grow up, and reproduce more babies. The beautiful difference is having godly babies that become godly and holy adults who reproduce godly babies who learn to overcome the enemy by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of their testimony so that they do not love their lives, even if it means death.
Let me share some of the testimonies of answered prayers. Several different families have seen rebellious children come back to them and ask for help to get their lives straightened out. We saw a depressed, ragged youth minister come in, ready to commit suicide because of intense grief and struggle but, God delivered him from the afflicting spirits of his soul and gave him renewed hope of God's love and acceptance. We know of marriages that have been miraculously restored and got to hear personal testimony of one this past month that, after seven years, was being restored. We have seen people on their death bed in the hospital walk out of there within days after prayer was lifted up for them. We had one man walk into the prayer meeting recently to share his testimony of how God's love through the prayers of His people had caused him to be healed. He had been severely crushed at work from his waist down, was paralyzed, and never expected to walk again. Did we say he "walked into the meeting to share his testimony"!?
Yes! We have heard wondrous reports from returning missions trips of Gods power through prayer. We have a young policeman in our prayer group that tells how God's authority is displayed through his life as criminals submit to that authority instead of fighting him. Another young man came in devastated that his employers were going to "test" him in his welding skills and he felt sure he would fail and lose his job. God gave truth to him from different parts of the prayer group that restored and strengthened him. He later reported that the Lord brought him a very skilled welder, probably the best in all of Springfield, to teach him and help him improve his skills and he passed the tests successfully and praise-worthily. A young lady has been receiving wonderful visions from the Lord that have transformed her life, brought healing to her past, and is revealing the future, bringing encouragement to not only her and all of us. And the list goes on and on as the prayer meetings do.
There is no program, there is no method, there is no substitute for prayer, and even more powerfully is the corporate prayer of the Body coming together in agreement and unity. If one person puts 1,000 to flight, two put 10,000 to flight, how much more when multiple persons are present.
As we wrote above, God has directed us first to prayer. We have been praying specifically for our neighborhood, our communities and churches around us, and family members. That's our Jerusalem. We learned through a recent survey that only 25% of the people in our area attend church. That makes this area a mission field.
A policeman friend has made us aware that gangs, witchcraft, drugs, and perversion are on the increase in our city. There is a huge need for the Kingdom of heaven to come down and God's will to be done here where God has planted us. We are excited for every change we see beginning to happen as God's angels and Holy Spirit are working to bring that into being. We are so thankful for the relationships God is building for us in our neighborhood, surrounding communities, and for the continuing relationships with those we still hold dear and precious to us throughout the world.
A recent communication with our dear friends from India, who are missionaries now in Mozambique, told us of a government orphanage the Lord has drawn them to. Their going and participating in loving on those children in their spare hours is causing doors to be opened to those children that have never before existed. God has directed His focus on that orphanage and is now bringing His rescue to those children through His servants. We can't be there physically, but we are there in every way through prayer, asking God to complete His rescue and make that orphanage a House of Prayer, where children are changing the world all around them through changed lives and prayer.
Our assignment, our anointing has always been to make disciples of people
everywhere, baptizing them, teaching through the Word to operate in the
Spirit, training them to go and join the Harvesters all around the world.
In the past couple years, God has been bringing people to us, often to our
home, so He can speak into their lives, minister to their souls, their
bodies, and their spirits. One young couple spent the past year with
us learning the Truth while starting a home group of their own among other
young couples to spread the Truth. God has done a vast healing and
deliverance in their lives, has grown them up quickly and significantly, and
is ministering through them in a way that is so awesome. Along with studies
of the Word, we have had fun teaching them practical things of life like
processing a deer, canning vegetables, baking and sewing, leadership skills,
and even some marriage counseling. Then they got married. We don't see
them as often since they are adjusting to their new life but they try to come
monthly at least. As soon as they left to prepare for their marriage,
another couple ask to begin coming weekly and we are
getting acquainted and growing in fellowship with them while God teaches and
trains and changes their lives. What a rewarding task we have been given.
Our heart is being drawn more and more to seeing a Prayer and
Discipleship Center opened. This would be a place where anyone could come
to pray, be prayed with or be prayed for throughout the week. They could learn in small group settings how to grow from spectators in the church to being participators in
what Jesus is still doing in the earth today. They could learn from a
variety of different experienced teachers who have "been there and done
that". We know wonderful teachers from many different walks of life that
have rich things to share with those who are hungry to know and experience
more of God. God once spoke to us that "we would know who we are from the
inside out" because of the graces of God that He put in us before we were
born. So many people are still searching for that significance and
understanding of why God would create them when their life is nothing but a
mess. They are longing for a "way out" of the mess. Others have been
healed and are longing to know how to help others find their way out. So
many are hungry to have a more solid foundation of the Truth in their lives
and thankfully God is raising up teachers in a Big way through media that
can reach people even in their own homes. But being alone, learning alone,
maturing in these things alone aren't enough. We have got to connect, learn
how to love one another, learn to accept and be accepted by one another,
learn to submit to one another, learn the power of God and the authority He
wants to operate in and through us as a BODY. Like the Realtors learn to
say...everything is about "location, location, location." There is a great need in our immediate area for such a place for people to learn and grow together.
We also want to grow and know more. Recently, we attended a healing meeting at a local church. John was healed of an old wound to his shoulder and went home and did twenty push-ups to prove to himself he was healed. We believe in healing, we have been able to participate in healings, but these people had more tools that we feel would be very beneficial to us. They have a school where they teach and practice hearing God and seeing people healed; it can even be attended online. We very much want to participate in that. This would be another part of discipleship we would have to share with others. We simply lack the finances to register at $350 per person, per class....and there are three classes. That makes a total of$2,100. This is only the first of 12 levels. We don’t expect to need all levels as some are for special certification.
We are connected with other ministries and have been invited by several
to share in their work.
1. We are still connected with LAMP Ministries and the wonderful family we spent three
years in Mexico with. The Leader, James, has been traveling to several countries,
each of which are begging that someone come and train pastors.
2. We have a connection with a Baptist university student pastor who has been taking
students to the reservations in South Dakota the past four years. He was
showing us the extremely poor conditions of the people...equal to any third
world condition we have seen. He has discovered their bondage of
hatred and has been leading the students to go to the national monument, the
gravesite of the three hundred Indians massacred in the last great battle, to
intercede over it that God would deliver them of their hatred and give them the
truth that sets them free. There are less that 2% Christians among them.
3. We are connected with people who are regularly going to Haiti and
Nicaragua through Project Hope, a local ministry in Springfield Mo. who has
opened their building to us as a prayer meeting place.
4. We are connected with the Indian missionaries in
Mozambique, Africa that we mentioned above. We also have a brother in Kenya whom we met and ministered with in India. He has returned home and is doing effective work there.
5. We still have wonderful friends among the YWAM who have faithfully been
serving world-wide for many years. We still have strong connections with
men of God (our other families) in India.
6. We have a family connection with a single mom who is living in Costa
Rica and hosting orphans from Nicaragua in her home.
This is part of our greater vision because discipleship is not only about maturing the believer but, giving them opportunities to operate as part of the Living Body of Jesus Christ in the earth today. There are numerous opportunities both nationally and internationally, both locally and abroad, where those we disciple can be plugged into seeing Heaven come to earth and the Great Commission being fulfilled in the greatest Harvest of all time. Jesus is coming soon. Prepare the way of the Lord.
Hearing God and doing what He says....John & Joyce Clouse
Ministry donations to:
LAMP International Ministries
PO Box
14431
Springfield, Mo. 65814
(for John Clouse)
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
We are hearing about many wonderful answers to prayer at our early morning prayer meetings but there was one that rocked the room today in praise and worship to such an Almighty, Wonderful, Loving, and Merciful God. Let me share it with you in part.
A man in our group has a neice who for the past eight years has been a heavy meth addict. This addiction had destroyed all her relationships, her income or ability to make and income, her small family of three children, and lastly, her health. She was living on the streets when she was whisked away to emergency and family was notified that she was quickly coming to an end with septis in the blood stream. She was so entirely full of poisen in her system that they could give her no hope. Our man, Mr M. and his wife, drove several hours south to see her before her passing. They walked into the hospital room and felt the heavy oppressive spirits that were all around her. They were so overwhelmed that Mr M passed out and was taken to emergency. Nothing was found to be wrong with him, so he was released and he and his wife left to get some dinner and spend time in prayer before returning to the neice's room.
Upon returning, they spent hours in prayer and reading the Word to the neice, snipping away at the bondages that were holding on to her life. Her greatess sadness was that she felt she had noone to live for; noone that cared for her because she had destroyed all such relationships. She had ostracized her own family for years and not spoken to or communicated with any of them. My M assured her to get things right with God and He would work out the rest so, she did. She submitted her life to Christ. Next day, they could find no trace of the septis; she was healed. They did find one ulceration of the heart so took her into surgery to clean that out. The surgery was supposed to require eight hours, but only took four. It too was healing.
During this time, her brother had taken an old picture that was of himself and his sister, had it blown up, and wrote on it "I forgive and love you, sis". Her father came in to the room and she took him by the hand asking his forgiveness. God was healing her relationships, just as He was healing her.
Shocking enough, she died. God took her on into His glory. But the story didn't stop there. Mr M was there to speak at the funeral and saw her young fourth grader son. He invited him to come up front and stand with him so the young man could experience the anointing of God at that pulpit. Mr M spoke, the presence of the Almighty drew near, and as Mr M looked around to see how the boy was doing, he saw that the boy's hands were in the air and he was praying over the people. The congregation was weeping and feeling the power of God all around them. The neice's entire family came to know Christ as their Savior.
How great is the Love the Father has in that while we are yet sinners, Christ died for us. He chose the unworthy to clothe them in worthiness. He chose the wretched to clothe them in His righteousness. He chose the ungodly to clothe them in His holiness. What an incredible, wonderful Father God we have. We were all on our faces on the floor in worship to His majesty, THE KING!
A man in our group has a neice who for the past eight years has been a heavy meth addict. This addiction had destroyed all her relationships, her income or ability to make and income, her small family of three children, and lastly, her health. She was living on the streets when she was whisked away to emergency and family was notified that she was quickly coming to an end with septis in the blood stream. She was so entirely full of poisen in her system that they could give her no hope. Our man, Mr M. and his wife, drove several hours south to see her before her passing. They walked into the hospital room and felt the heavy oppressive spirits that were all around her. They were so overwhelmed that Mr M passed out and was taken to emergency. Nothing was found to be wrong with him, so he was released and he and his wife left to get some dinner and spend time in prayer before returning to the neice's room.
Upon returning, they spent hours in prayer and reading the Word to the neice, snipping away at the bondages that were holding on to her life. Her greatess sadness was that she felt she had noone to live for; noone that cared for her because she had destroyed all such relationships. She had ostracized her own family for years and not spoken to or communicated with any of them. My M assured her to get things right with God and He would work out the rest so, she did. She submitted her life to Christ. Next day, they could find no trace of the septis; she was healed. They did find one ulceration of the heart so took her into surgery to clean that out. The surgery was supposed to require eight hours, but only took four. It too was healing.
During this time, her brother had taken an old picture that was of himself and his sister, had it blown up, and wrote on it "I forgive and love you, sis". Her father came in to the room and she took him by the hand asking his forgiveness. God was healing her relationships, just as He was healing her.
Shocking enough, she died. God took her on into His glory. But the story didn't stop there. Mr M was there to speak at the funeral and saw her young fourth grader son. He invited him to come up front and stand with him so the young man could experience the anointing of God at that pulpit. Mr M spoke, the presence of the Almighty drew near, and as Mr M looked around to see how the boy was doing, he saw that the boy's hands were in the air and he was praying over the people. The congregation was weeping and feeling the power of God all around them. The neice's entire family came to know Christ as their Savior.
How great is the Love the Father has in that while we are yet sinners, Christ died for us. He chose the unworthy to clothe them in worthiness. He chose the wretched to clothe them in His righteousness. He chose the ungodly to clothe them in His holiness. What an incredible, wonderful Father God we have. We were all on our faces on the floor in worship to His majesty, THE KING!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
More we are learning about the Mind-the Mind of God
From the book: Come Away My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts
I Cor 2:5 Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
(God speaking) O My child, give Me your mind. I shall keep it in perfect tranquility. Give Me your thoughts. I will keep them in peace. If you allow other people to do your thinking for you, you will be distressed. If you try to think for yourself, you may be in error through limited knowledge or misinformation. But let the mind of Christ be in you. Let My thinking displace and supersede your mind and your reasoning, and you will be kept in perfect peace and order; you will know exactly and precisely what is right, what is true, and what is the proper course of action.
As you draw upon My Spirit for physical strength, draw also upon My Mind for wisdom, understanding, and peace of mind. Make this a habit in your life, and you will be astounded at the results, the accomplishments it will bring. Rather than being motivated by impulse, you will be directed by Divine Intelligence.
Have I not promised that if any of you lack wisdom, you may ask of God who gives liberally and without reproach (James 1:5)? I have not left you to flounder like a rudderless ship. I will freely share with you all you need of my thinking powers, just as I share of My grace for the needs of the spirit.
This is a reservoir very nearly untapped. This is why I commended Solomon, because he asked the highest gift. In adding the other benefits, I gave him only those things that shall surely always follow after this first. For the life truly directed by My Mind shall enjoy many other blessings in abundance.
You shall know who needs healing, and what the physical body needs, even the true cause of illness that healing may be complete in the whole person. You shall know who is speaking in error, and you shall not only discern the craftiness of the enemy but how to rebuke him in My Name.
You shall be unafraid when you face others, for wisdom is power. You shall be unashamed to speak, for you shall know that the words you speak are not your own, but Hi shwo sent you and made you His messenger. You shall be able to testify as did Jesus: "The words that I speak to yu I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works" (John 14:10) Know that I will do it. Trust Me to do it. You will rejoice far in excess of any joy you have yet experienced.
Amazing things await you. You have had but the tiniest foretaste. Launch out! The Mind of God is fathomless. Who can ponder the smallest fraction of the intelligence of the Creator? It is all at your disposal-a great repository from which you may freely draw. Draw then, for truly the well is deep.
A portion from another entry that lends to it:
Commit to Me your sanctification. Bring your thoughts into captivity and let your mind be under the control of the Mind of Christ. Do not curb the impulses of the Spirit within you, nor refuse to allow Me the freedom to manifest Myself through you by means of the gifts. You may resist me because you feel unworthy or unready to be used. This is a delusion of the mind. I do not use you when you feel prepared, but when I need you and you are yielded. When I use you, you will discover that I also work within you to edify your own heart and life.
You block the way to your own spiritual development if you hold me back when I would minister through you (see Eph 4:12, 16) Indeed, if the time would ever come that you feel ready, I would then be completely blocked by your pride and would be forced to use someone else.
From the book: Come Away My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts
I Cor 2:5 Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
(God speaking) O My child, give Me your mind. I shall keep it in perfect tranquility. Give Me your thoughts. I will keep them in peace. If you allow other people to do your thinking for you, you will be distressed. If you try to think for yourself, you may be in error through limited knowledge or misinformation. But let the mind of Christ be in you. Let My thinking displace and supersede your mind and your reasoning, and you will be kept in perfect peace and order; you will know exactly and precisely what is right, what is true, and what is the proper course of action.
As you draw upon My Spirit for physical strength, draw also upon My Mind for wisdom, understanding, and peace of mind. Make this a habit in your life, and you will be astounded at the results, the accomplishments it will bring. Rather than being motivated by impulse, you will be directed by Divine Intelligence.
Have I not promised that if any of you lack wisdom, you may ask of God who gives liberally and without reproach (James 1:5)? I have not left you to flounder like a rudderless ship. I will freely share with you all you need of my thinking powers, just as I share of My grace for the needs of the spirit.
This is a reservoir very nearly untapped. This is why I commended Solomon, because he asked the highest gift. In adding the other benefits, I gave him only those things that shall surely always follow after this first. For the life truly directed by My Mind shall enjoy many other blessings in abundance.
You shall know who needs healing, and what the physical body needs, even the true cause of illness that healing may be complete in the whole person. You shall know who is speaking in error, and you shall not only discern the craftiness of the enemy but how to rebuke him in My Name.
You shall be unafraid when you face others, for wisdom is power. You shall be unashamed to speak, for you shall know that the words you speak are not your own, but Hi shwo sent you and made you His messenger. You shall be able to testify as did Jesus: "The words that I speak to yu I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works" (John 14:10) Know that I will do it. Trust Me to do it. You will rejoice far in excess of any joy you have yet experienced.
Amazing things await you. You have had but the tiniest foretaste. Launch out! The Mind of God is fathomless. Who can ponder the smallest fraction of the intelligence of the Creator? It is all at your disposal-a great repository from which you may freely draw. Draw then, for truly the well is deep.
A portion from another entry that lends to it:
Commit to Me your sanctification. Bring your thoughts into captivity and let your mind be under the control of the Mind of Christ. Do not curb the impulses of the Spirit within you, nor refuse to allow Me the freedom to manifest Myself through you by means of the gifts. You may resist me because you feel unworthy or unready to be used. This is a delusion of the mind. I do not use you when you feel prepared, but when I need you and you are yielded. When I use you, you will discover that I also work within you to edify your own heart and life.
You block the way to your own spiritual development if you hold me back when I would minister through you (see Eph 4:12, 16) Indeed, if the time would ever come that you feel ready, I would then be completely blocked by your pride and would be forced to use someone else.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Crocheting
Joyce has been relearning to crochet. Her grandmother Spohn had taught her as a child and she remembered making the doilies that most usually became hats. But here, one of the ladies at church is a crocheter and is reteaching her the basics once again. Pinterest has sparked a lot of motivation by giving new pictures, ideas, and patterns. Crocheted items make splendid gifts, especially for the grandson. Crocheting makes nice times of fellowship with friends. She has been helping others relearn as she is learning. Here are a few of the items for beginners that she has made. You may even see one of them in your next gift basket.
Twins
Greenhouse in progress
We had hoped to start a greenhouse this winter so that it would be ready for early spring. After finishing the front room...which we really need to get pictured and posted here too...we were busy in the garden harvesting and canning. It didn't seem like we had quite enough materials to start a greenhouse and Joyce was a little too weary to do the heavy labor it would take to erect the framing. A nephew of John's tore out and donated old deck materials to us so that filled our need for enough materials. We were fortunate that a couple of young fellows, John's brother, Thomas, and a distant cousin, Jonathan, had a day to give in a labor of love. They worked hard but got us started to a point where Joyce could begin to help. The rafters went up, the framing began, the windows went in, and the building began to take a shape. Joyce's mother donated the new materials that were needed for the roof. That was our Christmas gift. Here it is to that extent.
The front isn't yet completed. We are waiting for more materials, mainly another window like those on the sides. We got those for $10 apeice and know it would be a miracle to get another at that price. Also, another siding glass door set. We found some of our collected ones had fogged and would no longer be useful, especially on the front. 
Since we couldn't quite finish the front, we put plastic up to shut out cold and let some light in. Then, we tore pallets apart, actually cutting the nails with a sawsall, to panel the back wall. John installed an exhaust fan to pull air through the building and out the north end. Benches were covered in more pallet boards to make work tables. Notice the two blue barrels at back. The rain gutter is over head the roof and at that point, where the barrels are, we will bring hosing down from the rain guttering to the barrels to catch rain water for watering the plants.
We had some wire shelving given to us that had been taken from a grocery store. Instead of resetting them as they were, we are using the sides and hanging them from chains to make swinging shelves that are airy, light, and more flexible in spacing.
The pots are being located from here and yonder and being stored inside. One work bench will be boxed in for mixing dirts, feeds, and minerals to make potting soil. There is more to do but we will try to keep posting regularly to keep you updated on how it is working. We truly hope to start plants for ourselves and others and to later have some plants during the winter months. We have a lemon tree donated that will soon fill our space. We shall see what else will come into our building. There are a couple of lawn chairs already and we have enjoyed a few coffee times sitting in our new room. We thank the Lord for all His provision.
Since we couldn't quite finish the front, we put plastic up to shut out cold and let some light in. Then, we tore pallets apart, actually cutting the nails with a sawsall, to panel the back wall. John installed an exhaust fan to pull air through the building and out the north end. Benches were covered in more pallet boards to make work tables. Notice the two blue barrels at back. The rain gutter is over head the roof and at that point, where the barrels are, we will bring hosing down from the rain guttering to the barrels to catch rain water for watering the plants.
We had some wire shelving given to us that had been taken from a grocery store. Instead of resetting them as they were, we are using the sides and hanging them from chains to make swinging shelves that are airy, light, and more flexible in spacing.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Five Purposes of Shaking
Taken from the book: Bait of Satan-John Bevere
1) To bring closer to the foundation
2) To remove what is dead
3) To harvest what is ripe
4) To unify or mix together so it can't be separated
5) To awaken
We came across these purposes in some old journals and believe we can see these are relevant to seeing revival. These are worthy to meditate on, to apply to our lives, and to pray for ourselves, our immediate neighborhood, our church, our community, and surrounding area. Join us in making a "shaking" and "awakening" a part of your heart's desire and earnest seeking today.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Recently, John and I were studying about the Sycamine Tree from Rick Renner's book, Sparkling Gems from the Greek. Following that, we met a friend of Gary Smalleys and he told us about meeting with a neuroscientist whose research showed through MRI's the tree form often found in the brain. We found it to be a very profound and shared both connected studies at a local prayer meeting. The results in all of us were profound as the Holy Spirit began cleansing our lives. Luke 17:1-6
1 Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!
2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
6 So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
Luke 17:6 Mulberry tree/Sycamine Tree-Sukaminos-Grk word
From: Sparkling Gem from the Greek By: Rick Renner-Dec 27-29
Jesus taught His disciples about bitterness and unforgiveness and how to remove these evil forces from one’s life. Jesus likened these forces to the sycamine tree.
Characteristics:
1. Similar in appearance to the mulberry fig which was a sweet fruit for the wealthy
2. The Sycamine produced a bitter fruit, a fig for the poor, to nibble slowly
3. Very difficult to kill-would come back if any root left
4. Endures extreme conditions of high temperatures, low moisture
5. Preferred wood for building caskets and coffins
6. Vigorous, quick growth up to 30 plus feet
7. Deepest root structures of all trees in Middle East -would take over rapidly
8. Pollinated by wasp when they stung the heart of the fruit, not naturally pollinated
Sycamine tree-example of bitterness (resentment) and unforgiveness.
1.Bitterness & Unforgiveness go deep into the soul. Must be dealt with to the roots or it springs up again. Fed by any offence; tends to resurface over and over.
2.These two evil forces grow quickly out of control.
3. Flourish where spiritually dry conditions exist.
4. Are deadly to your whole being. They steal your joy, kill your peace, and cancel your spiritual life. They cause many deadly diseases and illnesses in the body.
5. The poverty stricken, the poor, are usually those most eaten up with bitterness & unforgiveness
6. Bitter people are heard saying, “I’ve been stung by that person before, but never again.” (wasp of bitterness)
7. Bitter feelings, like the bitter fig, are chewed on for a long time
Gary Smalley flew to NY to meet with a Nueroscientis. He asked what effect words have on the brain. She reported through research of MRIs of the brain, negative thoughts, words, or actions create a black tree form in the brain. This prevents or short-circuits the electrical nerve pulses from the brain to the body parts. Depression shows up in the form of a cloud. These forms bring illness, disease, poor decision making and responses, and slow learning processes. It was recorded that the brain worked at an optimum in those who had love in their lives and relationships resulting in a positive attitude. Love could even dissolve this black tree form in the brain. This follows the first commandment to love God and love your neighbor as yourself…(and that means to also love yourself). God is love and He commands us to love.
Speaking to bitterness and unforgiveness is necessary.
Greek word, lego, a strong, stern, serious, deeply felt kind of speaking. Rick Renner writes:
1) If you don’t speak to your emotions, they will speak to you.
2) If you don’t take authority over your emotions, they will take authority over you.
3) If you don’t rise up and conquer your flesh, it will rise up and conquer you.
Luke 17:6 states that the Sycamine tree should be told to go into the sea. Sea-salt will kill the plant. The bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness will never re-root, never grow back, never hound us again. They become dead issues to us, buried in the sea of forgetfulness so the roots can never regain a foothold in our soul.
Its time for you to do the speaking, take command of your thought life, and take authority over the enemies of Bitterness, Resentment, and Unforgiveness. Only the smallest amount of faith speaking out will cause them to be eradicated, permanently removed from your life. Order them out of your life now.
“Be uprooted and removed forever!”
Clean out the wellsprings of your life and let the fresh love of God fill you to overflowing.
2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
6 So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
Luke 17:6 Mulberry tree/Sycamine Tree-Sukaminos-Grk word
From: Sparkling Gem from the Greek By: Rick Renner-Dec 27-29
Jesus taught His disciples about bitterness and unforgiveness and how to remove these evil forces from one’s life. Jesus likened these forces to the sycamine tree.
Characteristics:
1. Similar in appearance to the mulberry fig which was a sweet fruit for the wealthy
2. The Sycamine produced a bitter fruit, a fig for the poor, to nibble slowly
3. Very difficult to kill-would come back if any root left
4. Endures extreme conditions of high temperatures, low moisture
5. Preferred wood for building caskets and coffins
6. Vigorous, quick growth up to 30 plus feet
7. Deepest root structures of all trees in Middle East -would take over rapidly
8. Pollinated by wasp when they stung the heart of the fruit, not naturally pollinated
Sycamine tree-example of bitterness (resentment) and unforgiveness.
1.Bitterness & Unforgiveness go deep into the soul. Must be dealt with to the roots or it springs up again. Fed by any offence; tends to resurface over and over.
2.These two evil forces grow quickly out of control.
3. Flourish where spiritually dry conditions exist.
4. Are deadly to your whole being. They steal your joy, kill your peace, and cancel your spiritual life. They cause many deadly diseases and illnesses in the body.
5. The poverty stricken, the poor, are usually those most eaten up with bitterness & unforgiveness
6. Bitter people are heard saying, “I’ve been stung by that person before, but never again.” (wasp of bitterness)
7. Bitter feelings, like the bitter fig, are chewed on for a long time
Gary Smalley flew to NY to meet with a Nueroscientis. He asked what effect words have on the brain. She reported through research of MRIs of the brain, negative thoughts, words, or actions create a black tree form in the brain. This prevents or short-circuits the electrical nerve pulses from the brain to the body parts. Depression shows up in the form of a cloud. These forms bring illness, disease, poor decision making and responses, and slow learning processes. It was recorded that the brain worked at an optimum in those who had love in their lives and relationships resulting in a positive attitude. Love could even dissolve this black tree form in the brain. This follows the first commandment to love God and love your neighbor as yourself…(and that means to also love yourself). God is love and He commands us to love.
Speaking to bitterness and unforgiveness is necessary.
Greek word, lego, a strong, stern, serious, deeply felt kind of speaking. Rick Renner writes:
1) If you don’t speak to your emotions, they will speak to you.
2) If you don’t take authority over your emotions, they will take authority over you.
3) If you don’t rise up and conquer your flesh, it will rise up and conquer you.
Luke 17:6 states that the Sycamine tree should be told to go into the sea. Sea-salt will kill the plant. The bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness will never re-root, never grow back, never hound us again. They become dead issues to us, buried in the sea of forgetfulness so the roots can never regain a foothold in our soul.
Its time for you to do the speaking, take command of your thought life, and take authority over the enemies of Bitterness, Resentment, and Unforgiveness. Only the smallest amount of faith speaking out will cause them to be eradicated, permanently removed from your life. Order them out of your life now.
“Be uprooted and removed forever!”
Clean out the wellsprings of your life and let the fresh love of God fill you to overflowing.
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