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 

Get Your Copy Now 

Will You Be Made Whole

In The Meantime

What Was She Thinking?

Let's get into this. As I mentioned, I have written a book about this precious woman, so I had to do months and months of research squeezing every little morsel of enlightenment out of this seemingly stuffed in account. So let's look at it this way, you have Matthew, who was writing to the Jews, Mark, he was giving a second hand account but he was young, so as teenagers do, he just wanted to get the facts out so he could move on to the next thing, and then Luke, who was a physician so he wanted to bring into play the medical mindset.

I find it interesting that Matthew's version of the testimony is the shortest. as I mentioned he was writing to the Jews. So how were women viewed by the Jewish people. We will need to go back to the Old Testament to get a clear understanding. Let's read Genesis 17:11

"And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you."

This was God speaking to Abram. Notice this is before the law of Moses but this covenant clearly excludes a woman from entering a covenant with God directly. In verse 10 of the same chapter it is clear that "Every man child among you shall be circumcised." So here now we see that women could only have a relationship (covenant) with God through the covenant the men in their lives made. She would have to be related to a circumcised male as a wife, daughter or (depending on stage of life) sister.

Oh but there is more, let's read Exodus 19:1-15 - For sake of space I will just paraphrase for you but here we have God speaking to Moses about "the people" however reading it becomes clear that "the people" are the men of Israel because in verse 15 it states "And he said to the people, Be ready by the day after tomorrow; do not go near a woman." Again, women are to have their relationship through the Man of the house and these men would stand before God.  Beginning to see a pattern forming here?

Now it brings me to the issue this woman was having... an issue of blood. In Lev 15:19-30, again for space I will just paraphrase, it talks about the menstrual cycle of a woman. It speaks of  a woman's “regular flow of blood” according to the priestly laws, the menstruating woman will be unclean for the seven days of her period, as well as seven days following her period. Then, upon the eighth day, she must take two doves or young pigeons to the priest to make an offering before God that will atone for her uncleanness. Man, aren't you glad the law was fulfilled in the New testament. :).

Wait, there's more, during her cycle, anything the woman sits or lies upon (basically anything she touches) will be deemed unclean, as well as anyone who touches the woman. This means that the husband of a this woman is forbidden to approach her for intercourse (Lev 18:19) and, get this, “If a man has sexual relations with a woman during her monthly cycle, he along with her has exposed the source of her flow, both of them are to be cut off from their people” (Lev 20:18). OUCH!

Plainly speaking, these Laws mean that every menstruating woman is ceremonially unclean for 14 days out of every month—roughly half of every year. Also, the menstruating woman is defiling to her husband and everyone within close proximity to her during this period of time as well. For women who had physical problems that caused constant menstruation, such as the woman with the issue of blood, she would be ceremonially unclean for her entire life and never able to make “atonement” for her uncleanness. this woman was just out of luck. however, knowing all this she pressed in to touch Jesus.

So think about it, this woman was putting herself in a dire situation to even go and approach Jesus, let alone touch him.

In my next blog, we will explore this a bit more and talk about how to overcome overwhelming circumstances.

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 

(c) 2015 Living Above Hurt Ministries 

Get Your Copy Now
Through the scripture and the story of the woman with an issue of blood, Linda Hillman moves past the obvious, more common meaning of the text to a revelatory truth: GOD would not have us live unbalanced and incomplete lives. In her book WILL YOU BE MADE WHOLE, Linda reveals just how crucial balance is in every area of your life. Through scripture,    practical principles and faith, Linda shows the reader how to get back on    track when life derails. In Pastor Hillman’s own words—“The one thing I have discovered in my life is that the pains I have had to endure were not to take me out of the game but to polish me for the end result.” Get    your copy today and be made whole!

Residue Part 2 - Who We are After Becoming New!

So in my last post I talked about residue and why it is important that we acknowledge it's existence and we actively work to become new and remove all residue from our lives. Residue is a contaminate and thus we need to make sure that it does not effect everything else that we do or become.

Well let's take a closer look at how we should get rid of it.

I Peter 2:9 – “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:”

Most of us never think twice about this passage and the demands that it places on us. We just quickly and glibly pass over it with thoughts of white clerical collars or Praise & Worship songs roll over in our head, but no real consideration that these titles place on us very specific responsibilities. Responsibilities that can not he done with residue in us.

I want us to journey back into the Old Testament and examine the daily jobs or duties of the priesthood, those that were set  apart for God, because I think they still translate and speak to us today. I want us to remember that there an be no residue in us if we want to operate correctly. We have ministry that we are required to do on a daily basis as priest of the Kingdom! 

1. The first duty that the priest was responsible for was to diagnose sickness. Their job was to examine the folks around them and be aware and sensitive enough to see sickness for what it was. They were to determine how severe the sickness was. They were to prescribe remedy for the sickness. They were to act as physician to the sick. God’s go between. God’s means of brining diagnosis and healing. And didn’t Jesus reiterate that for his followers and for us? 

1. The second duty of the priest was to transport glory! The assignment of carrying the Ark of the Covenant which was the place of the manifest presence of God fell to the priests. 

I would declare to you today that the reason we are inept at transporting glory because we are inept at living holy! we are inept at living holy because we carry in our heart the residue of what we have been through. The priests that were called to transport glory had to be holy. They had to live pure. They had to be consecrated and set apart. It wasn't enough to just hang out in the glory, worship in the glory, they had to apply the glory to their lives.

In my next post we will take this a bit further and will talk about each of the two steps separately and in depth so we can start to remove the residue and Live as God intended us to live. 

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 

(c) 2014 Living Above Hurt Ministries

Pastorlindahillman@hotmail.com

Get Your Copy Today! In The MeanTime: When Waiting Is Key!

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

In today’s microwave society, we want everything in an instant.  And we want it now.  Between instant gratification and a sense of entitlement, we often forget that GOD is GOD and HIS will be done.  We can’t lag behind HIM and we surely can’t jump ahead of HIM.  Linda A. Hillman’s new book, IN THE MEANTIME, addresses this very subject—waiting upon GOD.

Through vignettes of the Prophet Elijah’s life, Linda reveals GOD’s plan for waiting upon HIM.  This concise but rich study provides insight into the character of GOD and how HE takes us through steps of preparation, motivation and confirmation in getting us through our seasons of waiting.  The beauty and truth of Linda’s message is that you can have the same glorious breakthrough as Elijah had.  Get copy of IN THE MEANTIME and get set-up for your own blessing!

GREAT News!!!!

Our next Live Bible Study in San Francisco will be November 19th @ 6:30 PM PST

We will also start to have Bible Study VIA conference Call at 6:30 PM PST every Wednesday evening! 

Call (605) 562-3140 Access Code 987737#

Now you don't have to miss Bible Study at all!

Guest Blogger: Saying No Requires A Greater Yes!

Tony Blair, former British prime minister, once said, “The art of leadership is saying no, not yes. It is very easy to say yes.”

God has commanded us to live separate from the world’s values, and that means we have to learn how to say no. But let’s be honest: saying no to the world is not easy. The world system is seductive and alluring.

Here is the key to victory: saying no requires a higher yes. Saying yes to an intimate relationship with my heavenly Father, helps me to say no to anything that could damage that relationship.

Daniel serves as a great example of this truth. By chapter 6, Daniel was one of the top political leaders in the entire kingdom of Babylon. This caused jealousy among other political leaders, and they began to look for a way to discredit Daniel.

There was just one problem. They couldn’t dig up any dirt on Daniel. So these political adversaries devised a plot to bring him down. They knew the one thing Daniel wouldn’t compromise was his relationship with God.

They got the king to sign an edict that for thirty days people could only pray to the king. Interestingly, Daniel’s enemies were absolutely right: Daniel wasn’t about to compromise his cherished prayer times with his heavenly Father. When Daniel heard about the new law he went home and prayed with his window open towards Jerusalem. 

Daniel’s obedience to God meant disobedience to the king and landed him in the lions’ den. Even though he spent the entire night surrounded by lions, he was not harmed. At the first light of dawn, the king rushed to the lions’ den to see if, by some miracle, Daniel’s God had rescued him.

Notice Daniel’s words. He said, “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions” (Daniel 6:21). Daniel didn’t say, “The great creator God has spared me.” No, his response is far more personal. “My God, the God I spend time with every day, has rescued me.” His deep communion with God led to deep conviction about God, which resulted in deep courage for God.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

What distractions or temptations from the world keep you from a more intimate relationship with God?

Today’s Takeaway

Saying no to the world is connected to your desire to say yes to God.

No More Drama! We Dont know What's Real These Days!

A teacher had a poster on her classroom door that read, "Save the drama for your llama." This poster was absolutely necessary because she worked in a middle school! But the truth is drama is not only for middle schoolers; it can be a part of anyone's life at any age. 

In the world we live in today, drama can make you rich and famous. Don't believe me look at Real housewives of ??? (you fill in the blank). It is almost like reality TV has taken over the world and we reward people for a life full of drama. We condone their lifestyles because it's entertaining. We overlook the bad habits and rude behavior because it something to watch and makes us feel better about our own lives. "We say things like my life is not that bad." 
We laugh at the drama we see on TV and even in regular TV shows, more and more is about how much drama can I put into an hour. I mean even one of my favorite shows is Scandal. Why because we all love to see a scandal unfold before our eyes. Each week it something else that makes me say "Oh my, what will happen next?" Now there is nothing wrong with watching Scandal unless God tells you not to. For the sake of making my point, we are addicted to drama. the worst it is the more we seems to gravitate to it. 

Drama tears us and others apart. Paul says in Galatians 5:15-16, “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (NIV) Just before this in verse 14 Paul reminds them of Jesus’ teaching from the Old Testament that everything is summed up in loving God and loving others. In other words, our responsibility is to love God and others instead of causing drama by talking about each other and engaging in other sins of the flesh.

How do we stop the drama? The first thing is to walk in the Spirit. We are lead by God in the way He has uniquely made us to love Him and others. When we do this, God takes away our desire or "need" to create drama by filling it with meaningful, life-giving tasks.

Prayer:

Our Father, help us to see the meaningful purpose that you have given us. May we not be drawn in by dramatic situations that cover up what is truly going on in our hearts. Let us see who we truly are and find joy in the purpose that You have given us. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

You are Bound No More.

No More Gossip! That Includes Me Too!

Too often what’s going on in the lives of others is more interesting to us than what’s going on in our own. It’s like driving by a car wreck; you know the point where you slow down, not necessarily for safety, but slow enough to see the wreck? Am I the only one who does that? Unfortunately, not only do we pay too much attention to the wrong things in others, we tend to talk about them as well.

The truth is, the words we use and spread have power. We can tear people down just as quick, if not quicker, than we can build them up. James 3:9 warns about gossip saying, “Ironically this same tongue can be both an instrument of blessing to our Lord and Father and a weapon that hurls curses upon others who are created in God’s own image.”

Have you not seen a preacher preach Heaven down and then turn around in a few hours and during "Fellowship" say mean things and talk about another preacher. This should not be so. Many use Prayer as a way to gossip too. They talk about situations of others under the banner of prayer but when it is all said and done more talking about others was done than prayer for the situations. then we wonder why so much trouble has found it's way into our own lives. 

How do we abandon gossip? Paul, in Ephesians 4:29 tells us, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (NIV) When we do this, the quality of our relationships and the joy we experience in life will certainly increase.

Prayer:

Our Father, let our words be positive and encouraging. Give us confidence in You so that we do not feel the need to put others down. May we understand that we can use our words to serve others and build them up that can have an eternal impact on their lives. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

You are Bound No More. 

Why The Holding Pattern

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) 2014 Living Above Hurt Ministries 
Pastorlindahillman@hotmail.com

You are invited to Join Us

On September 3rd, I started hosting Bible Studies in the city of San Francisco. It all started at the tender age of 14 when God told me that I would Pastor. He told me that people were waiting for me to begin to speak and he would lead those he assigned to me. For years I ran from the call on my life because I felt unworthy of such a great responsibility in the Church.

However, in my running away I was really running to my call. Here's how that works. Even though I was not ready to Pastor. I learned how to study God word. I learned how to hear his Voice. I learned how to teach others to depend on God. I learned how to pray and fast. I learned that sanctification was a process and though I was not always the best person I could be, God was still in control. I learned how to love God's people.

I began learning from Older and more seasoned ministers how to rightly divide the word of truth and to entreat God's people. I took classes in Ministry and counseling. NO, I was not trying to accept my call to Pastor but God had me on a journey that would lead me to his divine will for my life.

I have gone through so much pain and suffering in my life but I understand now that it has all catapulted me into the woman of God I am now. It has helped to define the ministry that would flow through me. It has helped to make me more sensitive to others that may be experiencing the same hurt and know how to effectively minister to them to help healing and restoration begin.

After years of trying not to do what God called me to do, I am right in the the middle of his will for my life. I am ready to experience what God has for me and watch as he does exactly what he said he would do. On Sept 3rd a pressure that was on my chest lifted as I sat and taught my first Bible Study. Sometimes we don't even know that we are experiencing half of what God intended until we experience the whole of the matter.

New Life Ministries is God ordained and will become what God says it will be. I hope that if you are in the city of San Francisco, CA or know someone in the city, and you or someone you know is looking for a church that you will stop by on September 24th and join us for Bible Study.

New Life Ministries
Bible Study - Wednesdays 6:30 PM

We meet at IT Bookman Community Center 446 Randolph Street, San Francisco, CA.



You are Bound No More.

Pastor Linda Hillman
(c) 2014 Living Above Hurt Ministries
 (415) 754-3365
newlifeministriessf@gmail.com

Can You Get Passed The Circumstances?

We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. - Hebrews 12:2

Peter was a really unique man. He was the boldest of all the disciples. He said things that other people only thought. He was the type of person who did things that other people didn’t have the nerve to do. Peter was completely drawn to Jesus. Peter wanted to follow Jesus with his whole heart. But, many times he made mistakes. Does this sound like anyone you know? Maybe you are not as Bold as Peter but you still want to follow him and are drawn to him like Peter. Maybe, you are afraid like Peter was after denying Christ that there is no forgiveness for you. I am a living witness that Jesus can and will forgive you.

The above scripture in Hebrews is the key. We must keep our eyes on Christ. Only in him can we find perfection. He is the only one that can cause our circumstances, issues, problems and past hurt, habits and hangups to become null and void. Does that make you breathe easier? It should. You don't have to do it in your own strength.

I am reminded when I read "We must keep our eyes on Jesus" about the testimony in the Bible of how Peter walked on the water. No one can walk on the water, don't believe me, well try it and see how successful you are. Yet and still, we will say when someone has excelled at something in life, "it's like they can walk on water". Peter was an imperfect man, who put his trust in a perfect man and was able to accomplish something no one else has repeated since him. 

Trust is all it took. Setting aside all the thing that told him he couldn't accomplish it, to believe the one who said he could. take a moment to think about it.

Does your current situation seem impossible? Do you feel you will never get over that hurt, that habit, or that tragic event? Do you let others define you by your past? Do you wish you could move passed it but you are afraid what might happen if you take that first step?

I encourage you today to take a breath and put your eyes on Jesus. Keep them there and step forward. Let the spirit of God lead you. You salvation is only steps away from you. Don't be afraid and let your emotions get the better of you. You may just do the remarkable!


You are Bound No More. 


Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2014 Living Above Hurt Ministries 
Pastorlindahillman@hotmail.com

Coming Soon! Will You Be Made Whole

Will You Be Made Whole

As Jesus traveled around throughout the country teaching and working miracles a woman with an issue of blood touched His robe.

Facts About Her:

·She was “diseased with an issue of blood twelve years” (Matt. 9:20).She had “suffered many things of many physicians” and had spent “all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse.” (Mark 5: 26);

· She had heard of Jesus and when she saw He was near she joined in the throng of people following Him as He made His way to Jarius’ house. She said within herself, “If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” (Matt. 9: 21);

· She came behind Him and touched the hem of His garment (Matt 9:20). As soon as she touched Him “the fountain of her blood was dried up” and she “felt in her body that she was healed of that plague” (Mark 5: 29);

· As soon as she touched Him Christ "immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him” (Mark 5:30) stopped and asked “Who touched me?” Everyone around Him denied it and Peter asked him “Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee and sayest thou, Who touched me?” (Luke 8: 45).

· When the woman saw that she was unable to hide from the Lord she “came trembling and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.” (Luke 8: 47)

· Christ looked on her and told her, “Daughter be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” (Luke 8:48)

Speculations About Her:
Under the Mosaic law a woman with an issue of blood (referring to menstrual orpostpartum bleeding) was considered unclean and was “put apart” for 7 days. During this time anything she lay on or sat on was considered “unclean” meaning that if anyone touched one of those things he would have to wash his clothes and bathe in water to become clean again. Also during this time if any man was sexually intimate with her he was also unclean for 7 days and must adhere to the same sort of “setting apart” as a woman (and actually the guidelines for a man who has an issue of blood, or who was unclean were more strict than for women, see Leviticus 15:1-30).

The Mosaic Law also specified that if a woman had an issue of blood that lasted longer than 7 days that all the days of her issue were considered unclean and she must be treated as such (Leviticus 15: 25). This means that this woman had probably been unclean for 12 years and that she had to live “put apart” from others for all that time. If she had been married her husband probably would have divorced her as she would have been unable to care for her children or for others without making them all unclean. Her unclean status would also have meant that she was probably unable to attend the temple or other worship services.

I did a quick Google search for information about “prolonged menstruation” and I discovered that today this woman probably would have been diagnoses with menorrhagia, which is abnormally heavy and long menstruation that causes enough cramping and blood loss that it makes normal daily activities impossible. The scriptures are right in calling it a “hemorrhage” because the amount of blood lost is significant—enough to fill a maxi pad at least every hour for several weeks (not to mention 12 years!).

According to the Mayo Clinic common causes of menorrhagia are:

• Uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths of the uterus wall
• Endometrial hyperplasia, a thickened endometrium
• A bleeding disorder, like von Willebrand disease
• Problems with clotting
• Thyroid functioning
• Glandular issues
• Infection
• Ovarian cysts
• Uterine polyps
• Cancer

In the scriptures it say that the woman spent all of her living upon physicians who could not help her. Today physicians are usually able to treat or control menorrhagia with hormone pills but in severe cases hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and endometrial ablation or resection (which permanently destroys the entire lining of the uterus) are used to treat it. It is incredible that Jesus was able to heal this woman with only a touch.

In our lives we have issues, maybe it’s a physical disease but a dis-ease nonetheless. This story goes to show that no matter what we are going through in life, we can be made whole.

What If... What If... What If... This is a 7 part series - Part 7

What If? What If? Have you ever dealt with the what if questions of life? Entertaining the what ifs in your life is the first step to being overtaken with worry. Worry is taking responsibility for things you were never intended to handle. So it is only befitting that the last part of this series I deal with worry.

Worry is a lack of trust in the Creator of the universe. Worry says that you can handle it when many times you simply  cannot. If you could have control the situation, wouldn't you have done it already? Wouldn't you have had a different outcome? Would you be worrying over the situation. You see the very nature of worrying proves that you are in over your head.

So now you may be worried that you worry too much. You may feel defeated and without hope. Worry may have you depressed and now you are worried about it. Well I have great news for you. You can beat worry at it own game.

You defeat worry by redirecting your concerns to Someone who can actually do something about your situation. In this case to Someone who can actually take away the pain of your past hurts, habits and hang ups. It does not mean that you do not take responsibility for the things you are supposed to handle; it just means that you know when to stop and let God begin.

Read Proverbs 12:25 to understand how to do just that.

I hope you enjoyed this series. Look for more to come.


You are Bound No More.

Healing The Hurts

• Emotional Abuse
• Christian wounds
• Hurt in the church
• Domestic Violence
• Harboring negative feelings
• Holding grudges. It hurts ourselves more than others

Someone once said that holding a grudge is like drinking poison and hoping that it will hurt the other person. But yet many of us do it and cant see that we are really killing ourselves.

You can choose to hurt or Heal

You can choose your happiness or sadness in life. One way to do this when you choose whether to continue to nurse a hurt you have received in life, or to heal yourself and you relationship with the person that hurt you.

In reaction to our emotional hurts we often erect protective structures to avoid dealing with them or allowing anyone to touch them. Over time these structures become comfortable. Before we cna heal the hurt, these structures must be acknowledged and dealt with. this will often mean honestly facing our pain and anger and resentment choosing to forgive, YES forgive those who have wounded us instead of resenting them, and determining to risk opening our hearts to others again. It also generally involves a slow and difficult process not a quick fix. Like peeling an onion, it usually happens one tearful layer at a time.

Definition

A wounded heart occurs when someone or something brings hurt to your emotions. "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they fo down into the innermost parts of the belly." Proverbs 26:22.

Sources of Hurts

1. Result of Offense brought to us from others People say things or do things to hurt us. Prov 18:8
2. Result from our won sinful behavior. Not all hurts come from without. sometimes they can be the enemy within. Prov 17:19, Psalms 25:18 II Sam 24:10
3. Result from a calamity where one is overcome by the experience. Job 3:25-26
4. Result from the sins of forefathers (ancestors) Exodus 34:6-7
5. Result from drug and alcohol use. Proverbs 23:29-35
6. results from occult involvement Leviticus 20:6

God's Provision

1. God cares about your broken heart. Ps 34:18, 51:17
2. God healed David's heart and He will also heal yours. Ps 147:3, Heb 13:8
3. Jesus was sent to heal the broken hearted. Luke 4:18
4. Jesus, Himself, suffered all the hurts that one could suffer. Isa 53:1-12, John 1:11. Luke 22:57, 23:35-37, Matthew 27:46
5. Through the suffering of Jesus, God has provided the healing for your hurts. Isa 53:5
6. It is God's desire to heal your hurts. I Peter 5:7
7. God must have control of your whole heart before He can heal it. Jeremiah 29:13, Rev 3:20

Steps of Preparation

1. You must give your heart to Jesus letting Him become your lord. Roman 10:9, Phil 2:9-10
2. If you have offended someone else, then you must confess your offense and ask them to forgive you. Matthew 5:23-24, I Peter 3:16
3. You must forgive (RELEASE) the person who has hurt you. Matt 6:12, 14-15
4. You must put their judgement into God's hands and then ask God to forgive them for their offense toward you. Luke 23:24, Acts 7:60
5. You must yield your rights to God (possessions, respect, honor, family, expectations). Matt 19:21, I Peter 5:5-6, Luke 18:20, Mark 8:34-37, Psa 119:165

WARNING: A wounded heat that does not receive healing is an open door for evil spirits. Esp 4:26-27, I Peter 5:8, Genesis 4:4-7, Matt 18:21-35

How to Receive Healing

1. Make a list of your hurts (begin with the greatest list)
2. Ask God to cleanse your heart of all wrong attitudes (anger, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, lust, hate, revenge). Isa 1:18, 51:10, I John 1:9
3. Picture your experience ob being hurt in your mind
4. Now picture Jesus suffering the same hurt for you and overcoming it by his own death and resurrection. I Peter 2:24
5. Next picture in your mind the resurrected Jesus offering healing to you. Luke 4:18-19
6. In faith ASK God to heal your heart in the name of Jesus. Ezekiel 36:26, John 16:23.

As God heals your hurts, He will also give you a tender heart that will be sensitive to the hurts of others. Ezekiel 36:26, II Cor 5:18, Mark 5:19

Remember: God can change that which was meant for evil into good. Genesis 50:20, Duet 23:5 Romans 8:28, I Peter 5:8-10 and II Cor 1:6

You are Bound No More. 


Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2011 Living Above Hurt Ministries
(209) 565-4055 
Pastorlindahillman@hotmail.com

Don't Look Back This is a 7 part series - Part 6

Imagine this.

The smoke is billowing out the windows, the embers are raining down, and your lungs are on fire with the fullness of hot air. Your home burned down to the ground around you. You’ve escaped, but barely. You managed to get out alive, and not only that, your family is safe, too.

What exquisite mercy. You were scooped up out of the most dire circumstances and protected. You were saved. But, your pictures, your memories, your things. They are all still inside that blaze. You know you ought to be thankful you got out with your life. Yet, so much of your story is in those four walls, with those things.

You would never go back in, right? Not into a burning building, certainly. But, what if you stole just a quick glance? Here is a warning from Jesus about quick glances back to hopeless situations, “Remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 17:32)

Who was Lot’s wife?

In Genesis 19, we learn about Sodom. We are told that a pair of immoral cities (Sodom and Gomorrah) are set to be destroyed because of their utter wickedness. A man named Lot, his two daughters, and his wife will be spared. They are able to quickly gather themselves and flee their home with two angels by their side. The angels make it clear that Lot’s family must hurry and that they are being spared a certain death.

“And as they brought them out, one (angel) said, ‘Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.” (Genesis 19:17).

In a moment of either worldliness or humanness, Lot’s wife quickly steals a disobedient glance back at her homeland. We’re not sure if she was contemplating returning to her sinful past or if she was simply longing for her home, but what we do know is that she wasn’t putting faith in what she’d been told. She’d been told by two angels of the Lord that she’d been spared, and therefore must leave and not look back.

Because of that quick act of disobedience and distrust, she’s turned into a pillar of salt.

Such instant punishment for such a seemingly small abuse. But, she’d already been pardoned once. How often do we want to return to the mire of our sin, even though we’ve already been saved? How often do we doubt the goodness of God and His promises? How often do we want to do it our own way, certain that we know what is good for us?

After warning us to remember Lot’s wife, Jesus goes on to say, “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.”

I cannot add a breath to my own life. I’m utterly incapable of sustaining myself. What I know is this: As a follower of Christ, I have been spared and been given a great mercy. So, in an act that sometimes feels like the death of me, I must believe in His goodness, and that what He's saved me for is so much greater than what He's saved me from.

You are Bound No More. 

Leah: From Unloved to Beloved

What woman hasn’t felt like Leah at least one day in her life?

Who hasn’t had the best friend that became homecoming queen? Who hasn’t sighed when she looked in the mirror, desperately trying to camouflage her flaws? Who hasn’t had that moment, perhaps after hanging the eighth bridesmaid’s dress in her closet, that the only way she could possibly get a man to marry her would be if he were tricked?

Rachel, Leah’s sister, was the head-turner of the sisters—Rachel’s name meaning “ewe” and Leah’s, the far less complimentary “cow.” Rachel was the one whom Jacob merely had to lay eyes on and he didn’t care how long it took—he had to make Rachel his wife. Leah, whether by guise of night or veil, then gets thrown into the bride role at the last minute, in her father’s hope that he could marry her off. Somehow.

Jacob rejects Leah.

The Lord, in his infinite wisdom, saw behind Leah’s tender eyes and discerned her heart.Leah may not have been “lovely in form,” but she was exactly what God was looking for through whom to establish the house of David and the lineage of Christ.

Leah recognized her children as blessings directly from the Lord, and despite the pain of rejection and her unquenchable desire to be loved by her husband, she praised Him. (Genesis 29:35)

We’ve all been Leah, with the desire to be loved. We’ve all had to swallow the realization that, not only will other people fall short of our expectations, but we’ll fall short of theirs. We’ve all had to make the decision that even if we don’t get our storybook ending and we don’t get to be the beautiful princess adored by the prince, God is still so, so good and we will praise Him.

We may not ever be homecoming queen. What physically greets us in the mirror each day may not be what others define as “beautiful.” We may not ever get married or experience the type of romantic love we’ve dreamed of (or been told to dream of) since we were little girls.

But I promise you this, ladies—in God’s eyes, we’re all stunning beauties. He wants us to forget what the world thinks is beautiful and remember the beauty He created in each of us. He wants us to desire His admiring glances above anyone else’s.

The truth is, we may never get our prince, but we all get our Prince. Yes, even us Leahs.

You are Bound No More.

Spiritual Health: Meditating on God’s Word This is a 7 part series - Part 5

Studying scripture is fundamental to our spiritual health. The Bible is God’s Word and His instructions to us. The Holy Spirit illuminates scripture for us. In scripture, we are taught about God’s character and reminded of God’s faithfulness in the past. We are instructed on how to live holy lives of love, and we are convicted of our shortcomings.

I have personally struggled with consistent Bible study. My life seems to get too busy, and I honestly sometimes just blow it off because I’m running around “doing things for God.” And during the seasons when I am lazy and neglect time in God’s Word, I realize how simple it is to justify sin in my life. I lose focus on truth.

During the times when we faithfully meditate on God’s Word, it’s amazing how scripture overflows from our minds and is applied constantly throughout our day.

We’re always meditating on something, whether it is scripture, a blog, or a conversation we’re mulling over. The key is to shift our focus to scripture and truth as we go about our day. Try keeping God’s Word on your mind for a day and watch how your perspective changes.

What are three scriptures you can meditate on today, or this week? What do you expect God to do when you turn your focus to Him during your day?

You are Bound No More.

Relational Health: Being Peacemakers - This is a 7-part series Part 4

Stress and burnout can cause us to project our pain and exhaustion on others — usually those closest to us. Some people respond to burnout by lashing out in anger and storming around in a rage as their lives are falling apart.

Exhaustion can cause us to shut down and stop communicating with our spouse or our friends. And by “communicating,” I mean both talking and listening. We no longer feel connected to those around us, and we begin not to care about nurturing those relationships that God has placed in our lives.

After not communicating for a while, resentment can develop. Our spouses or friends may not feel comfortable opening up to us anymore, and bitterness can be formed and directed toward us, toward the church, and even toward God.

In Matthew 5:9, Jesus directs us to be “peacemakers.” It will take effort and intentionality on our part to bring balance back into our relationships. We are to make peace and strive for unity.

Have you cut off communication with people because you’re feeling burned out? Write down their names and a trait you admire about each one of them. Then write down a date you will contact them, making amends if necessary.

You are Bound No More. 

The Bleeding Woman

I was reading my daily devotional and thought I would share this with you. It blessed me and I pray that you also find a blessing in it. It is my desire that you are encouraged that your situation is not impossible for God. 

The woman with the issue of blood can be found in Mark 5:25-34. It is also in Matthew and Luke, however for this lesson they choose the Mark account of the story.

Looks can be deceiving. It’s easy to live a life that appears perfect but lacks a desperate need for Jesus. We can know the Bible, have godly spouses and be involved in church, but sometimes it takes significant pain to force us to fall at the Lord’s feet. God is merciful enough to let us experience that pain so we can better understand His grace. Sometimes we best see God’s mercy through pain. 

In Mark 5, Jesus encountered a woman who was driven to Him by her own weakness. For years she had lived with the same problem. She was ostracized by the society in which she lived. She was not considered fit for marriage, and would not have been welcomed by the “church people” of her day. Though it was likely difficult for her to recognize, all of this was God’s way of drawing the woman to Jesus. 

Jesus changed this woman’s life on the spot. At some point, many of us have believed the lie that we need to clean up before coming to the Lord. We have lived in fear that God wouldn’t be able to handle the mess we have made and that we would be left to begin the cleanup process alone. What God asks of us is to seek His help and the help of His people. God welcomes our mess, and often His voice is the clearest when our lives are the messiest. 

1) What messes are you dealing with today? 
2) What could God be trying to teach you through your pain? 
3) Are you willing to seek the help of other Christians in this area? Why or why not?

Ten Lepers Healed, One Restored

"Thy faith has made thee whole." What does it mean for Jesus to say these words to you? Well first we have to look at the three different times He said it in the Bible. 

The first we have the woman with the issue of blood. Then we have Blind Bartimaeus, and finally The ten Lepers. I will focus on the Ten Lepers in this post. I am sure in the upcoming weeks we will talk about the woman with the issue of blood and Blind Bartimaeus because each incident has some wonderful gems to gleam for understanding in healing, transformation and restoration.

Let me just briefly say that each account has Jesus asking a question before He says the famous words, "Thy faith has made thee whole." In the testimony with the woman with the issue of the blood the question was: "Who Touched my clothes" Mark 5:30, "Who Touched Me?" Luke 8:45. I find it interesting that Matthew does not make mention of the question just said Jesus turned and saw her. Again that's another post. In the testimony of Blind Bartimaeus, He asked "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" Mark 10:52. In the testimony we are going to focus on His question is "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" Luke 17:17. 

One more thing you should take note of regarding the similarities in these testimonies. In all Jesus asked a question and in all He gets a reply. In Testimony of the woman with the issue of blood it was His disciple, Peter that answered. In the testimony with Blind Bartimaeus, it was Bartimaeus that answered. However, in the testimony of the ten lepers; Jesus, Himself, answers.

So let's look at this unique healing. The entire account is found in Luke 17:11-19. Here's a quick recap. Ten lepers see Jesus traveling afar off and they cry out to Him, Master have mercy on us. Jesus tells them to go show themselves to the Priest. They all leave to do just that, the Bible says that as they went they received their healing. One realizing that he was indeed healed; ran back to Jesus and with a loud voice praised him, showing his gratitude. Jesus ask where are the others and makes reference to him being a Samaritan (stranger) and then utters the words; Thy faith has made thee whole.

As I prayed about a revelation, some very important things stuck out to me from the Scripture and then God breathed a revelation that floored me. So let's take a look at the points this passage has. 

Note: Now don't get me wrong, there are more but for the sake of time, here are just a few of my main points. :)

1. Jesus was recognizable from afar off. Since these men were lepers they could not interact with others. They were uncleaned and they had to keep their distance. "A leper wasn't allowed to come within six feet of any other human, including his own family. The disease was considered so revolting that the leper wasn't permitted to come within 150 feet of anyone when the wind was blowing." (Got Questions?org). 

2. Leprosy was a outward symbol of sin in the life of those afflicted. The way that leprosy disfigured it's host was symbolic of how God views sin and it's destructive nature in our lives. "In ancient Israel leprosy was a powerful object lesson of the debilitating influence of sin in a person’s life." (Got Questions?org). Leprosy cannot be cured by man, thus you have to fall on the mercy of God to override the sin and it's affects in your life. Just like they had to go to the Priest to show themselves, we must confess our sins to one another that we might find forgives in the house of the Lord. It is by God's grace and mercy toward us that we can be redeemed, restored and reaffirmed.

3. Now it required faith on their part to go to the Priest to show themselves. When as they turned, their situation still looked the same. It required faith in Jesus' spoken word. Many times Jesus has spoken to us to do something. He does not give more instructions than that. Sometimes we are like Nathan and we take offense at his request. It seems so silly, so insignificant. Surely he would wave his hands, have a prophet call me out in a service, or split the sky open to answer me. However, all He says is "Go wash or show yourself to the priest. We are underwhelmed. We wanted more. These men just moved on his request. as they moved, something changed. They were healed.

4. Now the Bible makes specific mention that one of the lepers was a Samaritan. This is important only because Jews did not like Samaritans. It is assumed that all the other lepers in this group were Jews. Now this is two part for me. 1. It shows me that misery loves company and it does not matter if it is coming from a professed enemy. When you are low you will do things that you would not have done normally. 2. It also shows that the Jews, felt entitled. They took Jesus at His word and now they could get back to their lives and be normal again. However, the Samaritan, realized that this was not a small feat. It was God that had given him a second chance at life. He realized that a mere man could not have done this. His thoughts were on glorifying the giver of this new life. Everything he had lost was something he could acquire again.

Now he turns and falls at the feet of Jesus. "He turned back towards Him who was the Author of his cure, whom he wished to have the glory of it, before he received the benefit of it. The Samaritans were separatists from the Jewish church, and had not the pure knowledge and worship of God among them that the Jews had, and yet it was one of them that glorified God, when the Jews forgot, or, when it was moved to them, refused, to do it." (Matthew Henry Complete Commentary) This Samaritan worshiped, God the best way he knew how.

5. Jesus notices that he was the only one to return and for this, he gets an added blessing. He hears Jesus utter the words, "Thy faith has made thee whole."

As I pondered on this, God spoke to me and said, "Linda, would you want to be healed or Whole?" I then asked, "Is there a difference?" Then it hit me. there was a flash of a man disfigured and mangled by leprosy. He was missing skin, limbs, hair and badly scarred. I saw this man from head to toe. His entire body had been affected by this disease. I could see the disease was gone but the aftermath was horrific. This man would always have signs of the disease that ate his flesh and claimed body parts. It was hard for me to look. Then I heard God say, "healed." As I continued to look, this same man began to change right before my eyes. Where there had been no nose, now a nose grew. Where his eyes were discolored, they were now a brilliant blue color. The white scars on his skin turned to creamy smooth ivory skin, blemish free. This transformation took a few minutes until the man stood before me, restored. Then I heard God say, "Whole."

What God showed me was that everything that this man had lost was now returned to him. He would not have reminders that his disease had robbed him of his life. He was whole again, new and redeemed. His mind, his soul and his spirit were free to breathe again. Elder Smith said on a prayer call that he was restored emotionally, mentally, physically, financially, socially and spiritually. I agree! Nothing lacking, nothing missing, WHOLE. Free to live a new life with all it's benefits.

"The rest were made whole by the power of Christ, in compassion to their distress, and in answer to their prayer; but he was made whole by his faith, by which Christ saw him distinguished from the rest. Note, Temporal mercies are then doubled and sweetened to us when they are fetched in by the prayers of faith, and returned by the praises of faith." (Matthew Henry Complete Commentary).

So in conclusion, I am still studying this but I just had to share this with you. I think as we move forward and we allow God to reveal to us what's holding us back from living a complete and fulfilled life. As He uncovers our hurts, habits and hang ups, that we don't forget to thank Him for His mercy bestowed upon us. We worship Him for who He is. We shout it from the mountain top that although we appreciate what He has done, we know that HE was the only one that could do it. Before we bask in the benefits of no longer being bound, confined, or an outcast...we remember the Author of our cure and magnify him.

You are Bound No More.

Pastor Linda Hillman

(c) 2014 Living Above Hurt Ministries

(209) 565-4055

Pastorlindahillman@hotmail.com

References:

Why is leprosy talked about so much in the bible. Got Questions?org http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-leprosy.html

Luke 17. Matthew Henry Complete Commentary http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/luke/17.html