Watch And See What He Will Say!

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. - (Habakkuk 2:1-3 KJV)

About nine months ago, I heard a sermon that pointed this out. Habakkuk went up to his tower to see what the Lord would say. He did not want to hear from the Lord. He wanted to imagine the truth of the Lord. To see with his mind's eye. He needed to picture the deliverance of his people. Now granted I had read this passage many times, but that had not struck me until pointed out. He went to watch and see what the Lord would say.

As I listened to the sermon going forth, I began to see. Now the person that preached the sermon went a different way. They actually did not put a lot of emphasis on this. It was as if they mentioned it in passing. However, my spirit was shifted and revelation flooded my soul. A seed had been planted and wanted to grow. This is what I share with you.

Habakkuk knew that after he had complained to God about Israel's situation in bondage that God was going to speak. However, because he could only see bondage and oppression, he knew just hearing from the Lord was not an option. He had to see. He had to see the freedom of his people. He had to describe in vivid details what God had said. I get this as an author. I have written stories of fiction and in those stories you have to describe a scene. It's called staging or descriptive language.  You have to let the reader see what you are saying through the words that you have chosen to write. You need them to connect with the experience that your character is having. Why? this allows your reader to become emotionally invested. Thus, they will continue to read.

I believe that is why God said, write it down and make it plain. We talk about vision, but we have no vision. It's time we stop wanting to hear a word from the Lord, but we go to our tower to SEE what the Lord will say. It's time we watch and See what the Lord will say.

You are Bound No More. Pastor Linda Hillman 

(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 

Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

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Will You Be Made Whole

In The Meantime

I Will Not Be Shaken

Truly my soul finds rest in God;my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation;he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. How long will you assault me?Would all of you throw me down—this leaning wall, this tottering fence? Surely they intend to topple mefrom my lofty place;they take delight in lies.With their mouths they bless,but in their hearts they curse. Yes, my soul, find rest in God;my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation;he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God ;he is my mighty rock, my refuge. - (Psalms 62:1-7 NIV)

In the past few years, I have learned to be more discerning of the intentions of others. In this lesson, I have started to learn how to manage my emotions and my own actions. Again, it is a learning curve because I find that I still allow my emotions to run away and I will leave all logic behind. I am better than I used to be. :)

The real lesson that promotes growth does not teach you how to avoid others or even judge them, but it teaches you how to manage yourself. It teaches you how to change yourself.

I have determined to be steadfast unmovable. Thus, I am not easily shaken. It is funny how the nay-sayers don't stop they just become less threatening.

If they had it their way I would stop and disappear but because God is God... I will not be shaken.

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

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Will You Be Made Whole 
In The Meantime

You Are Supposed To Stand Out

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: - (1 Peter 2:9 KJV)

When I read this scripture it reminds me that I am not supposed to go with the flow. I am not one of the crowd. I should stand for righteousness always. 

It is important for Christians to make a mark in the communities we serve. Jesus was considered a radical in His time. The disciples turned the World upside down. We are supposed to be atmosphere changers. We should be setting the stands based on The Bible.

We are supposed to be different and stand out. We are a peculiar people. Let's act like it.

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

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Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime

So You Say You Love God

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. - (I John 4:20 NIV)

This scripture really stands out to me today because how many times I have professed my love for God but had unforgiveness in my heart toward another?

We humans have a strong sense of right and wrong. We want justice and we will set up our own rules to protect the one we love the most. The one we see in the mirror. So we protect ourselves and try to survive in this world. When we love; we love hard and when we hate it's more powerful than any force in our lives. We feel justified because the person we are hating DID something to us.

Bitterness, resentment, indifference, hatred, malice, jealousy and envy.... to name a few things are the result of unforgiveness. As the Body of Christ, we allow these things to rule in our lives and cause divisions. We are divided in our churches, divided in our hearts, divided in our beliefs, and so on.

This scripture says that if we can not love our brother/sister whom we have seen then we cannot love God. Meaning it is impossible. So I had to repent for lying to myself and God. Because there have been times that I said God I love you but had unforgiveness in my heart toward my brother or my sister.

It is this scripture that will keep many of us from making heaven our home. It is the reason many of us will hear the words, "Depart from me...." instead of "Enter into my rest...:".

Lord I pray now that you help us to forgive those that have wronged us and that you help us to love one another. So that our words and expression of love to and for you can be honest. Forgive us for thinking we could hate and still be in right standing with you. From this day forward we will love as you have loved, withholding nothing and unconditionally.

In those times when we feel wronged we will pray, forgive and trust you to correct it. We will love one another so we can love you.

You are Bound No More. 


Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

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Will You Be Made Whole 
In The Meantime

Whose Plan Is it Anyway?

You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail. - (Proverbs 19:21 NLT)

Most of us have plans about how our lives will go. We have made plans to marry, having kids, some have planned on going to school, getting a great paying job with great benefits, and etc. We want the dream. We plan to live a good life and hopefully we are able to accomplish all the things we have on our bucket list before the Lord calls us heavenward bound.

We make mistakes, we fail, we succeed, we cry, we worry, we complain, we are happy, we are joyous. It's an uphill, downhill, steady movement. The journey is not easy nor is it always pleasant. we are constantly finding out that we are weak in one area or another. If you are like me you do ALOT of self-reflection, criticism and fear creeps in. You almost become paralyzed and can't breathe without feeling the pain of life. However, still you plan. Because no matter how hard it is, the pain of staying where you are is more unbearable than the pain of growing and moving forward. 

Jeremiah told Israel that because of their chooses God had to punish them. It's wasn't because he hated them but because they were unwilling to repent. They heard what Jeremiah said but choose to believe those that told them things they wanted to hear. However, Jeremiah keep speaking God's truth, even though it got him thrown into prison. He stood for what was right. Israel did go to captivity and they did have to pay for their mistakes and wrong choices. However, they great thing about it was God did not leave them without hope.

‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. ‘I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’ -  (Jeremiah 29:11-14 NASB)

My personal observation is that it's not that God does not want us to plan. It is, however, that he wants us to consult with him before we plan.  There is a saying, want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans. this is not entirely true. I think God cries when we try to make decisions without Him because He knows that He will have to get us back in line with His purpose and many times that requires exposure and punishment. 

The Bible says in Proverbs, "To acknowledge Him in ALL our ways and He will direct our path." the key is to acknowledge Him in everything thing. then we will know that we are following His directives and His purpose will be fulfilled without all the heartache and pain. 

You are Bound No More. 


Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

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Will You Be Made Whole 
In The Meantime

God Qualifies Me

Colossians 1:11-12
being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

I heard someone say that God doesn't qualify you. It sounds good but the truth of the matter is it is not Bible. When I heard this I felt some kind of way because my whole testimony and faith walk was lessened.

I asked God to show me in his word that he does give me the qualities that I need to be his servant and lead his people. Then I waited.

I waited for God to answer me. I waited to feel release against the attack in my mind about how I was telling others that no matter what you have done in your past it does not disqualify you from being used by God to further his kingdom. I waited for God to speak.

Today as I read these scriptures, tears rolled down my face as I saw in his word that he (God) does QUALIFY you. This qualify is different than his justification. It is different from his santifaction. He qualifies you because we need to know that he requires us to go beyond our self works. He requires us to operate in faith believing that even though we are not qualified to do it, we will be able to do it through and in Him

Oh how sweet it is to know that he is willing to use unusable vessels to accomplish his work. Don't don't count me out. I have been qualified by the Father to get the job done and to hear him say well done thy GOOD and FAITHFUL servant.

You are Bound No More. 


Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

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Will You Be Made Whole 
In The Meantime

Waiting is Key!

Isaiah 30:18Yet 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!

I republished an ebook titled In The Meantime: When Waiting Is Key! What I love about the revelation of waiting is no matter what we are waiting for God chooses to be gracious to us.

We should not only understand the importance of our waiting on God but also realize something even more wonderful—the Lord waits on us. And the very thought of his waiting on us will give us renewed motivation and inspiration to “wait for him”. It will also provide inexpressible confidence that our waiting will never be in vain. Therefore, in the spirit of waiting on God, let us seek to discover exactly what it means right now.

The Lord has an inconceivably glorious purpose for each of his children. “If this is true,” you ask, “why is it that he continues to wait longer and longer to offer his grace and to provide the help I seek, even after I have come and waited on him?” He does so because he is a wise gardener who “waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains” (James 5:7). God knows he cannot gather the fruit until it is ripe, and he knows precisely when we are spiritually ready to receive blessings for our gain and his glory. And waiting in the sunshine of his love is what will ripen our soul for his blessings. Also, waiting under the clouds of trials is as important, for they will ultimately produce showers of blessings.

Rest assured that if God waits longer than we desire, it is simply to make the blessings doubly precious. Remember, he waited four thousand years, “but when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son” (Galatians 4:4). Our time is in his hands, and he will quickly avenge those he has chosen, swiftly coming to our support without ever delaying even one hour too long

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahilman@gmail.com 

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Will You Be Made Whole 
In The Meantime

Do You Appear Where It Counts?

John 10:41
and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.”

Many people want to be seen and not heard. They want you to see what they got, what they have on, what they drive and etc. They in other words want the spotlight to shine on them. I have seen beautiful woman and very handsome men but if you were to have a conversation with them. ..you would run screaming. They have nothing of significance to say or they try to sound intelligent and just show their ignorance.

However, John the Baptist understood the importance of a word spoken strategically. He understood you don't have to see me to hear me. I don't have to do great things to get your attention. I can get your attention through my words. The words I speak are life and they tell of a man that will do some great things.

In case you were wondering some of us are anointed to talk. To be the forerunner for the next individual that will do the miracles. Understand your place and use your words. Someone is listening and will point out that you spoke the truth.

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole 
In The Meantime

Why The Holding Pattern

Matthew 26:36-46

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.“Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

It is difficult to wait on God. I don't say this to get an amen. I say it because it is true. Sometimes I want to know Why? The saying good things come to those that wait bothers me most of the time. Here's my thoughts. ..If it is good for me then why do I have to wait. 

In this passage, I find it remarkable that Jesus takes all eleven of his disciples to Gethsemane but he tells 8 of them to "Sit here while I go there to pray" (Matthew 26:36 NIV). Meaning that they could not go any further than this point. However, I also find it interesting that Jesus choose a place for them to wait. Catch this, even in our waiting it is place in your life for a reason. It may seem as though you been left out of the fight but really even those on the bench are there for a purpose. It seems as though others are able to move and do while you are in an holding pattern and as much as you would like to do more...Jesus told you to sit here and wait.

Now I also find it interesting that none of the disciples complained about this assignment. None said why do I have to wait here. They just sat and waited. They had no clue what was going on and I'm sure they wanted to know but they sat there and wait. Not even, when Jesus took Peter, James and John to continue with him. No said a word. They just sat and waited. Peter, James and John saw his emotions change. They saw Jesus in a different light than the other eight. Yet he still assigned them to "Stay here and keep watch with me" (Matthew 26:38 NIV). While he still went a bit further. Yet again, these three although closer were made to wait. Again close to the action but still not in the game. More responsibility tan the others but still waiting, and now watching.

We in our society, see this as doing nothing. Our gifts and talents are being overlooked while others are seemingly getting to play and even play poorly at times. While we are being treated unfairly. Why the holding pattern? Why cant we get in the game. Why would God call us to ministry then when opportunities come tell us to sit there and wait or sit here and watch? It makes no logical sense. Wouldn't God want his best players in the game? Does he want me to use the gifts and talents he has given me for ministry? Why the holding pattern?

Now I getting to the part that was an AHA moment for me. Jesus told them to Sit and watch. then he went a bit further and feel to his face and pray "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me, yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39 NIV). So here we find Jesus himself in a holding pattern. He was in action but still had to wait. He had to wait for his betrayer to come with his enemy to take him to his cross. He was in a waiting pattern too. Do you see the pattern unfolding now. True ministry is a burden at different stages of our ministry we can only handle so much. So God in his knowledge and grace places holding patterns in our path.

The fact that Jesus was the one to lead them to the garden has significance. He did not tell them go to the garden and wait. He did not say go there and wait. He lead them there. He was with them. He assigned their waiting stations. and he gave them the instruction on what to do in their waiting. Sit there, Sit there and watch, then there was him lying on his face and praying while waiting.

We see here that Jesus found them sleeping three times. Twice he went back to see what his disciples were doing .The first time he added instructions. He said watch and pray. Now they were to sit, watch and pray. The second time he came back and said nothing. the third time he came back his wait was now over his betrayer was coming and it was time for the action to begin. However, Jesus was ready to let God get all the glory for his life. He would go to his cross and die so that we could gain salvation.

So now does this pertain to us and our holding pattern. Well, here's the thing: either you are sitting and waiting, sitting and watching or lying on your face praying...in any result you are waiting. there is going to come a time when you must get in the game but understand this God assigned you to your station so you can move until he says it's time. No matter what others are doing you must stay where you were assigned.

There has been times in my life when I questioned why the holding pattern. I can preach, teach and do what they are doing. I am anointed and appointed just like them. however God told to to sit here, while others went over there. Then things would happen and God would allow me to go a bit further but again I would be instructed to sit here and watch, while others went a bit further. I would noticed that there weren't as many sitting here as before but I was still anxious to get in the game.

Now I am at a point in life that I am asked to go a bit further. However, I am stilled asked to lay on my face before God and pray not my will but thine will be done. I understand now that the cross is the next step. A place where my flesh will die completely to Christ and I will arise with newness of life walking in His spirit. God will get the glory for my life. He will get the glory or the ministry I do. Paul said it this way, "I die daily." However, even Paul had to wait. Remember he waited on Ananias to come and remove the scales from his eyes.

Maybe that is just it. At each station, God is removing things from us so we will be more willing to die to self when the time comes. Paul said it best, "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." (Galatians 2:20 KJV). So why the holding pattern? because it is necessary for where you are going.


You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 

(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 

Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 

Will You Be Made Whole

In The Meantime

Healing Your Deep Wounds

There was a scene from the movie "Forrest Gump." Forrest's lifelong friend Jenny had grown up in a home where she was abused by her father. He had left his mark on Jenny in a horrible way, profoundly affecting her life choices. And now, years later, seeing that house – the house where she grew up – that house from which she ran to an even more destructive way of life – seeing that house brought back painful memories. The hurt hadn't gone away. The wounds had never fully healed. And Forrest appropriately comments, "Sometimes there just aren't enough rocks." Let me ask you to consider something today. Have you run out of rocks?

Rocks are what we hurl at objects or individuals who remind us of our pain. They are not literal rocks, but maybe actions or words that we employ to strike back at almost anyone or anything in an attempt to offset some of our own hurt. A sarcastic comment here, a bit of excessive behavior there. Hopefully we won't hurt so bad as long as we have rocks to throw. Jenny's wayward adult life that is pictured in Forrest Gump is presented as a futile effort at numbing the pain of past wounds.

The trouble is that the deep hurts and the deep wounds of our lives can't be fully healed by simply throwing rocks. Sooner or later we'll run out – we'll find we've hurt others in the process. We'll find the pain is still there. And reduced to a puddle of unmanageable emotions, we find ourselves having to come to grips with the rest of life, wondering how we'll cope.

I am talking about the healing of deep wounds. There is a man in the Bible whose family deeply wounded him. His name is Joseph. I am sure you remember Joseph's family background. His father was married to two sisters at the same time and kept two mistresses. He had 13 children through these 4 women, all of whom lived in the same household with him. 12 of those children were boys. Joseph's only sister had been raped. His brothers were guilty of murder, theft and gross immorality. Before he was 10 years old his mother died.

Joseph was the favorite son of his father's favorite wife. And because of that, Genesis 37 says his father made for him a beautiful robe, fit for a prince. A robe that showed everyone he was exempt from the manual labor his brothers had to engage in day after day. His brothers wore dirty farming clothes. But not Joseph. He had a favored place in the family. His brothers hated him. They were consumed with jealousy. At the age of 17, Joseph was attacked by his brothers, who furiously stripped him of his beautiful robe. They threw him into a deep hole in the ground and would have killed him, except one of his brothers talked the rest out of it. Instead of committing murder, they sold Joseph to some slave traders who took him to Egypt. The brothers lied to their father, telling him Joseph had been killed by a wild animal.

Picking up where we left off last week, through an incredible series of events, Joseph had gone from slave to prisoner to being appointed as 2nd in command in the great Egyptian empire. During a 7-year period of famine, it was Joseph's responsibility to manage the distribution of grain to everyone in the Empire and the surrounding areas.

Read Genesis 41:56-57

Because of the famine, in Genesis 42 his brothers are forced to come to Egypt for food. All of his brothers make the trip except for his little brother Benjamin. The only other child of his father's favorite wife. Joseph recognizes his brothers, but they don't recognize him.

He holds one brother hostage and makes them go back for his little brother. When they return Genesis 45 says Joseph reveals who he is. And instead of punishing them for what they did to him, he invites them to bring his father down to Egypt so they can all survive the famine and live closer together.

The entire family comes to live in Egypt. And Joseph is finally reunited with his father. Seventeen years after the reunion, Joseph's father dies. And that is where join the portion of the story I want us to look at today.

Read Genesis 50:14-21

Joseph's life is an example of how God can bring healing to the deep wounds of our lives. Somehow Joseph made it. After all, he'd been through. After all the hurt, the betrayal, and unfair treatment. Joseph found healing.

As we look at Genesis 50 there are a few substantial truths we can learn from Joseph about the healing of hidden hurts.

TRANSITION: 1, if we desire healing, we must…

1. Guard against bitterness

A chiropractor from Tampa, Florida, had paid alimony to his former wife for a long time. In 1994, he came to his final alimony payment of $182. He didn't just want to send his money; he wanted to send a message. So in large-scale he drew a check on the back of a pinstripe shirt. On the memo line of his shirt-check, he wrote, "Here it is the shirt off my back!" The bank cashed it. That's bitterness.

Bitterness is what can happen when we choose to dwell on our wounds. Maybe we get into the habit of picturing the one who wounded us and imagining all sorts of bad things we would enjoy seeing come upon that person as payback. Bitterness can even lead to a desire for personal revenge. Joseph's brothers just assumed he would be bitter.

Genesis 50:15 – "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?" Now that their father is dead, what would be stopping Joseph from enacting some extreme form of payback? They remembered very well how their uncle, Esau at one point, wanted to kill his brother Jacob, who was their father, so based on their family history, it wasn't out of the question that Joseph might now want to kill them.

So they send word that their dad had left a message for Joseph before he died. His message: forgive your brothers. Joseph cried when he heard it. Most scholars believe Joseph probably cried because his brothers chose to stoop to the level of making up a story that involved their deceased father. They were afraid, so they chose drastic measures.

But his brothers didn't need to be afraid because Joseph wasn't bitter. He wasn't bitter? After being sold into slavery at the age of seventeen, he wasn't bitter? Why not? Joseph wasn't bitter because he left the righting of wrongs to God. Look at verse 19. v. 19 – Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? In other words. I'm not in the business of payback. God alone rights wrongs, so I don't have to settle the score. You guys are good with me.

Deep wounds will never be healed if we let ourselves become bitter. In bitterness we want to spread the hurt. Share it with the ones who hurt us. But we do so at the expense of leaving our own wounds unmended.

In the New Testament, Ephesians 4:31 says, Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…

One biographer on the life of Robert E. Lee tells how after the Civil War was over, General Lee visited a Kentucky lady who showed him the remains of a large old tree in front of her house. She cried bitterly that its limbs and trunk had been destroyed by Union artillery fire. She looked to Lee for a word condemning the soldiers of the North or at least sympathizing with her loss. After a brief silence, Lee said, "Cut it down, my dear Madam, and forget it."

Get rid of all bitterness. Let it take root and it can poison the rest of our lives.

Joseph was a wise man. He knew God wouldn't heal his hurt as long as he carried a bitter desire to see harm come to his brothers.

Do you have a deep wound inflicted by someone in your past? If so, guard against bitterness by trusting God to right the wrongs. Without this, healing will not occur.Let me tell you a second thing we learn from Joseph that needs to occur if we want God to heal our deep wounds. We must…

2. Take steps toward forgiveness

I heard a story about a Youth Minister who took around 50 of the high school students from the his church on a ski retreat over the Martin Luther King holiday. The theme of the weekend was forgiveness. He brought in Charlie Gerber, a Christian counselor from Muncie, Indiana to be their speaker. Charlie is very effective at communicating to teens. He is incredibly direct with them. He was talking to them about how the refusal to forgive a person actually because to take its toll on us.

One night during the retreat he got up to speak and simply said, "I know there are a lot of people here who have been deeply hurt by someone in your life. So instead of me talking tonight, I want to hear from you. You tell us what has happened in your life and why it is hard for you to forgive." What happened next was amazing. For no less than 2 ½ hours these students from this youth ministry came to the front of the room and exposed their deep wounds. A few students carried a lot of anger because their parents had divorced. One young man had recently lost his mother, and now he was considering ending his life because he and his father were at odds. Four different students shared that a member of their family had sexually abused them.

And after each person shared, they made a circle and prayed for them to have help from God to be able to forgive. Those that were adult sponsors had a lot of follow up ministry over the next several months. But it was that night when many of those students courageously took a step toward forgiveness.

Forgiveness is difficult when we've been hurt badly. The last thing we may want to do is forgive. But remember we're talking about the healing of deep wounds. And deep wounds require serious treatment. Some people think forgiving is simply forgetting. It's not. It is because of deep wounds are not forgotten that forgiveness needs to occur. Other people think forgiveness minimizes the hurt. Almost as though saying, "I forgive you," gives the person the right to hurt us again. It doesn't. It is because of the seriousness of the hurt that forgiveness needs to occur. Forgiveness and prosecution are not mutually exclusive.

The key to forgiveness is to understand how much we have been forgiven by God. Each of us have offended God in a major way because of our sins. But He sent Jesus to give us a way to be reunited with Him. Having faith in what Jesus did for us and accepting his grace, we are forgiven. God has taken leave of our sins in Jesus, so we too should let go of the sins committed against us.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you. – Colossians 3:13

Joseph's brothers wondered, "Could he ever forgive us for the terrible things we did to him?" They were afraid of him. They made up a story. They offered themselves as his slaves. What did Joseph do? Joseph modeled perfect forgiveness. He demonstrated how God graciously accepts us even though we don't deserve it.

Read verse 21

A deep wound will always stay open if we are unable to forgive. Do you have someone in your life you've sworn you'd never forgive? Think that over again. And then with God's help, take a step toward forgiveness. He's the expert on the matter. A third thing we learn from Joseph that needs to occur if we want God to heal our deep wounds. We must…

3. Believe in God's greater purpose

There is an amazing verse in Genesis 50. One of the most profound in the Bible. Verse 20. Joseph, the recipient of unnecessary wrong and mistreatment, looks his brothers in the eyes and says this: You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

He says something similar when he reveals his identity to his brothers in chapter 45. Verse 5 – It was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. God never puts a stamp of approval on evil and sin. What Joseph's brothers did was wrong. However, as Joseph looks back on his life, he sees it is no accident that he is where he is. Even in the midst of all the bad that happened, God used it for good. In fact, he used Joseph's life to save many other lives. His brothers intended to harm him, but God intended it for good.

Many times we don't know what God wants to do in our lives until after the fact. If you're going through a deep wounding right now, or you have in the past, before you give up on God, consider what greater purpose He might have for you. He is in the process of bringing out great possibilities through your experiences. He did that in Joseph's life, and He'll do it in yours. Believe in His greater purpose.One last thing we can learn from Joseph about the healing of deep wounds. We need to…

4. Live by promises, not explanations

I'm pretty sure that at the bottom of a pit, Joseph wasn't fully aware of God's overall plan for his life. After being thrown into prison for something he didn't do, he still probably didn't see the whole picture. But he lived by promises, not explanations.

We see that a recurring theme appears in the story of Joseph. It's these words, Genesis 39:2 – The Lord was with Joseph. Joseph believed the promise that God would never leave him. So because of that, he didn't have to have an explanation for each of the trials he faced. He had hope in the midst of the unknown.

If you're suffering from a deep wound, let me read to you some of God's clear promises out of Romans 8…

v. 18 – Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later.
v. 28 – And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
v. 31 – If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
v. 37 – No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

I don't know what deep wound there might be in your life. But I do know that God is with you in the midst of it. And his promises will bring you healing in a way searching for an explanation never can.
Deep wounds can be healed. Joseph's live proves it.

CONCLUSION

Here is how I want to close, as you consider your life today which of these 4 things speaks most to where you are right now with regards to a hurt in your life? Instead of throwing rocks…

Do you need to guard against bitterness? Do you need to take some steps toward forgiveness? Do you need help seeing God's greater purpose in your pain? Do you need to live by promises more than explanations?


You are Bound No More. 


Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole 
In The Meantime

*********Breaking News************ Read all about it HERE!

LIVE 2 GIVE: Are You Ready To Transform Your Life?

Finally! The wait is over, the truth about sowing, reaping and prosperity!  However, I am allowing only 35 people to take a sneak peak and sign up before going public with the official launch which will take place in the Spring of 2016!

Read on, if you DARE....

My friend, can we talk? Seriously? Can we drop all the pretenses, unveil the masks, release the hype and re-write our paths to destiny that God already declared over us?

For once....just once I would like to connect and have a conversation with people who aren't afraid to tell the truth, but they are willing to hear the truth even more! 

The TRUTH is...

• it is better to give than to receive, but there is a circulation involved
• churches are filled with those who  are in debt and struggling but is this what the Lord's wants
• we are continuously seeking for a blessing but settling for crumbs instead of sitting at the table
• we've been sold a "bill of lies" as it relates tithes, offering and prosperity in general

My Personal Story..

I realized that many Christians spend a lifetime seeking the opportunity to live in "Prosperity" However, they run from true prosperity and do not realize that the Bible (God's Word) tells us we should be prosper, meaning no lack.

I have been in Church since I was six years old and have heard several sermons on giving, tithing and prosperity. Not until this year was I even curious to discover for myself the real message in giving. I struggled with tithing until a few years ago, my Bishop sat me down for two months due to my disobedience to the Word. The whole time I wanted to call foul play. Until God stepped in on the scene to show me where I lacked in knowledge and understanding. As I reflect over my life, I realized that there were key principles that I used to govern the way I live my life but in giving, I had knowledge but no understanding. Therefore, I did not use wisdom and was caught in a vicious web I had weaved for myself and no matter how hard I twisted and turned, I was not getting out without help from God. Which brings to this year. I have experienced God's grace in giving but again it was hit and miss and I was struggling still. I felt that the tithing principles did not truly worked or I was missing a step. What God showed me was I was good a tithing but my heart was not cheerful. I was good at giving, but my attitude was not always right. I gave to needs that bought about more need into my own life. I had knowledge but did not always apply it correctly. What helped me was my  application of His Word through faith. Principles guide every aspect of our life & there were key principles that assisted me in attracting an understanding about tithing, offering, giving to the poor, emotional giving and YES prosperity. What i have found out all stems from the Word of God and, believe it or not, is taught in financial courses in universities across the nation.

So if you are ready to experience all the wisdom of the Bible, gain more knowledge about how God views giving, and attract wealth within the next year...then this program is for you!

If you are ready to release debilitating patterns and beliefs, shift from poverty to prosperity, release past hurts of old concepts, elevate your vibration, evolve into a magnetic being attracting all that God has stored up for you then sign up now. Do Wait because space is limited and this introductory price will NOT be offered again.

Here's just a smidgen of what we'll cover...........

• This is not for the faint in heart
• How to Release the Past to Invite the New
• The Dynamics of a Sowing and Reaping
• The Myths we were Told and Bought into
• How to Prosper According to the Word of God
• What Year Are You In...Noah Talked About the Flood for 120 Years
• Tear down Strongholds - it's Time to get to Work
• It's Your DUE Season
• And so much more!

The first call is Friday, September 25, 2015 @ 6 PM PST/9 PM EST.

Course starts October 3, 2015 at 9:00 AM  PST/12:00 PM EST

Accepting 35 individuals who are READY! 

Investment $197 (Introductory Offer)

You can also pay in three payments of $70 (Additional administrative fee included. All payments are made through PayPal. If you don't have a PayPal account, Please email me for other payment options.)

Also, ask how you can join the course FREE of charge!!! It's going to blow your mind. There are only 5 free spots so act Quickly!!

Dare 2 LIVE 2 Give!

P.S. If you have referrals then send me their emails (only with their permission first) and I will make sure they get the official information...this opportunity is only for the first 35 people! Including the 5 free spots.

P.S.S. IF the response for this first class... is great and I get an additional 35 people... I am willing to teach two different classes at this phenomenal price because I know the Lord is going to break the spirit of poverty off the lives of those who walk by faith. But you must register no later than September 1, 2015. IF there is a second class added the dates will be released once the 2nd class is full. The first class will cut off at 35.

Can You Define Destiny For Me

Destiny refers to a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual. It is a concept based on the belief that there is a fixed natural order to the cosmos.

I tell people, "Destiny is the end result and purpose is the vehicle that gets you there.” I am finding that some really do not understand that. They do the bobble head thing, where they shake their head up and down but it does not compute. Therefore, in thinking about my own destiny...I want to share some things with you.

Destiny is not something you fall into one day. Your destiny was predetermined long before you were even placed on Earth. So now you may think, "Well, then why is my life so hard and falling apart." Simple, you are trying to make your life something it was never meant to be. When you really think about it, were you supposed to work in a career or start a business? Were you supposed to have children or adopt them? Were you supposed to wear blue or black? You must ask these questions yourself. See destiny does not change but it can be averted.

So explore this, are you on a road now that you feel "hmmm, where exactly am I going?" that is the problem. You are averting your destiny. You are in a parallel universe living a life you were not meant to live and living it in many cases miserably. Then you want to blame...God, others, family, friends, the man that cut you off this morning...etc etc etc...

So let me shock you! YOU ARE YOUR WORST ENEMY. The mindset that you have is causing you to believe the hype of what the world says about what is going on. However, there are millions of people using their purpose (vehicle) to take them on a road trip to destiny.

They understand that there are a few bumps in the road but nothing can distract them from their end result. They will achieve all that has been spoken over their lives and their dreams are just goals that must be completed before they leave this place called Earth. So stop beating yourself up and start moving forward. It's time that you know it's not about who can make it happen for you but what you are going to do to make it happen for yourself.

Listen to me; you have the power to do so. Moreover, we all that know... God has given you the authority to take all that belongs to you. So, what are you destined to do? Who are you destined to be? When are you going to start letting it (the light) shine?

You are Bound No More. 


Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole 
In The Meantime

Do you hear the Sound of Crying? by James May

Do You Hear the Sound of Crying?

Everywhere we turn there are voices shouting in our ears and each one has its own message to deliver. Satan loves to Shout in your ear! He is the accuser of the brethren, constantly standing before God to point a finger at the wrongs that we do. Every time we make even the slightest mistake, there he is, sitting on our shoulder, shouting in our ear with the same voice of the serpent that deceived Adam and Eve in the garden. His cry makes the heart tremble unless we are close to God enough for faith to answer Satan’s taunts. You are nothing but a hypocrite and a sinner! You’ll never measure up or be good enough. You are lost and serving God is impossible. Satan’s greatest weapons are deception and fear. By deceiving us into thinking that he is right, he creates the fear that paralyzes us so that we are unable to obey God.

We also Hear the Cries of the World!

There is so much pain and suffering in this world where we live. There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t hear of some great tragedy or suffering somewhere. The world cries out because of its pain and suffering, its heartache, the absence of real love, loneliness, hopelessness, and poverty. Men’s hearts are failing them for fear of an uncertain future. They cry out for help, for someone to show them the right answer, and for someone to care, but, no one seems to answer the grand call of humanity as they speed toward the precipice of hell.

We hear the Cry of the Lost Souls!

Where can I find the answer for my sin? Who can deliver mankind from destroying himself? Who will help us to find the right path to walk? I am convinced that even if 20% of the world were really Christians that would leave about 5 billion people on earth right now who will spend eternity in hell. If we look around our own community of approximately 67,500 people I don’t think that 2 of every 10 people you meet are saved. You would be hard pressed to find more than 2 or 3 out of 100 people who are truly born again.

We hear the Cry of the Heart of Man!

The heart of people is breaking or already broken. Men cry in the streets for more comfort and less pain. The cry around the world is for peace, but there is no peace to be found without Christ. People cry out for recognition as if to say, look at me, I count for something while the world ignores them and time marches on into eternity. The heart of man is crying out for someone to stop, to care and to help them.

We hear the Cry of the Family!

Our families are in grave danger of annihilation. Same-sex marriages and gay and lesbian families are still in the minority, but they are gaining ground every day. God help the children that are raised in such degenerate surroundings. How can the children ever have a normal life when they are raised in filth and immorality to think that this is normal.

Our families are crying out for time for one another. We live in a world that requires so much of Mom and Dad that they seldom really have time for the kids who have to fend for themselves, live on the streets and face life alone while the devil is doing his best to destroy them even as children.

The normal setting of a home where there is one mother, one father and two sets of grandparents are almost nonexistent in our society. Divorce, remarriage and unfaithfulness are the hallmarks of marriage in our day.

We hear the Cry of our Children!

First of all, there are those children who cry from their mother’s womb because they are never given the chance to experience life. The safest place in the world for a baby used to be inside of its mother but no more.

Why Are Children Aborted?

The Alan Guttmacher Institute (the research arm of Planned Parenthood) states: * 1% are victims of incest or rape * 1% had fetal abnormalities * 4% had a doctor who said their health would worsen if they continued the pregnancy * 50% said they didn’t want to be a single parent or they had problems in current relationships * 66% stated they could not afford a child *75% said the child would interfere with their lives.

While I am diametrically opposed to the murder of unborn children through abortion, I sometimes think that these babies are really the lucky ones.

Too many of our kids are what used to be called, “Latchkey Kids”. Their parents both work or are never home with them and these kids are left to their own devices for survival. They are left to roam the “hood” and fight for survival of the fittest like some wild animal.

These kids are crying out for someone to notice their condition and to really care about them. Our so called, Child Protection Agency often does more damage to destroy a child than to help. I am glad for the few they help but so much more is needed. Man’s pitiful efforts in solving the problems of sin in the family are futile at best.

Our kids are crying for safe places to play, to go to a safe school, and a safe place to grow up without fear of being hurt, kidnaped or killed.

There Are Even Cries Within The Church!

With so much deception and false teaching, the cry of the church is for Truth and not fantasy. The church should be crying more than we are, for we have the only answer but we aren’t concerned enough most of the time, to cry out to God on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our cry is for the real fire of the Holy Ghost and not just voices that come from the lips of burning embers who have very little anointing and power left in them.

Christians cry out for Truth in relationships with other Christians and not for just some superficial, uncaring program that purports to reach out to them. The church should be crying out for workers who will enter into the harvest fields to reach souls in these last days but we are crying out for personal wealth, personal gain, and have little concern for the lost souls. Yes, there are many cries that can be heard in the earth, but what cries should we be listening for? We must cry out to God for all of our problems and not to other people who cannot even help themselves.

Psalms 18:3-6, "I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears."

The church should be calling out to God for boldness and for a new vision of lost souls that we can deliver the message of the gospel of salvation to a lost and dying world. Man needs to hear the message from Romans 10:13-15, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

But this same passage also says, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?"

God is like the Marines, He is looking for a few good people who stand up and be counted and answer the cry of the world by shouting forth the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What can we say to a lost and dying world that is hurting and suffering that will bring the answer to all their troubles?

2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

In the days when Satan in screaming into the ear of even the most faithful of the people of God that they will never make it, this is what David wrote in when he faced the same finger of the devil as it pointed into his face:

Psalms 61:1-3, Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy."

The cries of the world, of families, of children, of the lost and of the church are very real. God hears those cries but unless all of us decide to obey His Word, there is little that God can do to deliver.

But, if we will only cry out to God in repentance; if we will only obey His Word; if we will only run to Him as our High Tower and our refuge, then God can answer our cry and give us the life more abundantly that His Word speaks about.

Living A Fullfilled Life?

When asking "What makes you happy" People will say many things like; a raise, a better job, a new car, a bigger house, a nice long vacation and so on. Does any of these things ring true for you? Are you truly happy with your status in life? I am going to give you 5 things to help you become focused on what true happiness is and how to achieve it. 

Yes, having material things can make one happy but for how long? Let's take a look at the list and see how we can experience happiness from within.

1. Family and friends

When you really think about it. Family and friends are what makes our world go around. There is nothing better than going to your grandmother's house for a good home cook meal or hanging out with cousins at the family reunion. Let's not forget the barbecue at the neighbor's house last summer. Something about being with family and friends once in a while gets the blood pumping and happiness is not too far behind. Even in the times when you are having difficulties understanding why your sister married him or why your son wants to date her, having family around that truly cares about you and you can trust gives you the sense of you are not alone, there are others that are a part of your world.

2. Giving back

Remember the movie "Pay It Forward", well that is what gives us that feeling of being complete. Doing something for nothing is not what we have been taught. Letting things go and not keeping score is a novelty idea, but when you do it you feel great. Donating to a charity or just giving someone a smile. Not wandering what the homeless man begging for change on the corner is going to do with it but handing him a dollar just because. Letting your heart lead you and not always being logical. Giving a helping hand when it is needed, makes you smile and you must admit puts an added bounce in your step.

3. Meaningful work

What are you here to do? Not all of us can afford to do the one thing that we are passionate about. Most of the time it will not make us money so we settle for the high paying job. We soon find out that we are not happy, we are actually quite miserable, but we continue to do it because it is a paycheck.

Some people will try to offset it by doing volunteer work. Listen, if you are not happy doing the job you are doing you need to rethink it. Life is too short to spend 2080 hours being miserable. Find your purpose and even if it is just on a volunteer basis, DO IT! If you can get paid and do it, even better.

4. Freedom

It's impossible to become truly happy when you don't have even a small ounce of freedom in your life. Whether it's being able to express yourself creatively or being able to make a choice for yourself, personal freedom is important. Suppressing yourself only brings forth a lot of negative emotions and discontent.

5. Success

Who doesn't want to succeed? Here's the deal people that have experience success continue to push past their fears and boundaries into new and exciting territory. Why, because they understand the process. Those that live by fear will never experience the contentment that comes with being successful. What is that old adage,"if at first you don't succeed, try again." This means that not everything you do will be a success, but don't give up. Look for what you are good at and do it well. With every failure or mistake, it's just an elimination. It only means that was not it. But what is right for you is still out there. You will find that making and keeping your goals are easier once you start to experience true success. The success of not giving up on you.

These are just some of what makes people happy. Not everything is about materialism. There's happiness to be found in even the simplest, intangible things. 


You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklinda@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime