Rise Up

In this time of recession, foreclosures, job terminations, and etc. People are hurting and they are looking for some hope. they need to hear someone say, it's going to be okay. Yes, some say the recession is just in the minds of those that buy into it. Some say that they were never affected by the recession. In my time of reflection, I have had many things occur to me and affect me over the past 3, going on four, years. So I went to God in prayer. I asked him to show me where to find the strength I need to do all that he has placed in me.

The first thing He showed me was my position. This is very important because without knowing exactly where I am in life I can miss out on some great things. So he had to show me that I am still in his hands. He sees and knows me. I am in the Will of God doing what I am suppose to be doing. In the good times, bad times, and the indifferent times, I must move forward. Then He backed it up with scripture.

Acts 3:1-8

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. ” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

Now you may say how did this back up what you said the Lord showed you? Well, I am glad you asked me that. Listen to this. Peter and John were on their way to the temple at the hour of prayer. They had sat at the feet of Jesus literally and nod now they were going to sit at His feet metaphorically. At the feet of Jesus you can find strength for your weary soul, forgiveness for your sin stained soul, and healing from hurts, habits and hangups. Most importantly, you can find direction. So Peter and John were in the right place. They were coming to meet their Master. They were coming to hear a word from the Lord. That was me too. I needed strength, healing and forgiveness. I needed to hear from God.

Also, the lame man was in the right place at the right time. He had friends that brought him daily to the gate of the temple to beg for alms. To ask for help of those entering and exiting the temple. Where can we go but to the House of Faith to get what we need. We must open our mouths to ask. we cant keep hiding behind the facade of I doing okay. Stop settling for the mediocre and get exactly what god intended you to have.

The next thing God showed me was that money does answer all things but the TRUE answer is only found in Him. When Peter said Silver and Gold have I not but such as I have I give to you. He was saying that your need does not require a temporary fix. It needs to be fixed completely. Telling the man to look upon us, he was telling the man to look up and see the real source that would supply the need. Not man, mot money, not a new job but God. Don't see me as your daughter, sister, mother, brother or friend but see the God in me. Isn't Paul said it's not I but the Christ that lives inside of me. I look to people to answer my need but I need to look to God.

He was in the right place to receive the best solution for his need. He weakness exposed, the real strength could be unleashed. the power that lay in Peter and John. the power that lays in each of us. Don't be afraid to fix your eyes on a problem and speak hope to that issue.

I love that Peter and John were on their way to prayer meaning that may have need god to do something for them but they still took the time to speak life. to open their mouth. to be used of God. So what do you have to give?


You are Bound No More. 

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

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In The Meantime

Guest Blogger: What's In a Name? by DCPI

And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called ‘Cephas’ (which, when translated, is Peter).” ~ John 1:42 

READING: John 1:35-42 

What’s in a name? Just ask Peter. He was impulsive and unstable. He was prone to make promises he couldn’t keep and he even denied Jesus three times in one night. Peter was anything but the rock that Jesus dubbed him. Yet Jesus saw him as more than what he was at that moment. He saw what he could become. 

When Jesus sees us, He sees more, more than we are right now. He sees us through a future lens that highlights our high potential, all we can be, our fullness as made in the image of God, the product of the Spirit’s transforming presence. Jesus sees us with God’s Kingdom eyes, and that means accepting us with love and a rich inheritance, and yet transforming us to be more than we presently are.

Jesus sees us through the lens of His transforming grace, His commitment to mold us into His image. There is “more than we are” in each of us – more love, more stability, more maturity, more holiness, more resilience and more joy. Just ask Him. He walks with us today, always bearing in His mind the image of what He will make of us. 

What new name might Jesus be in the process of giving you? The stable one? Mr. Patient? Mr. Cheerful? Faithful? Warrior? The Servant Leader? Nothing is too hard for our God and no personality so fractured that He cannot heal and renew it. 

Lord, You love me just as I am, but too much to leave me that way. You see me as so much more. Continue to remake me to be more than I am. Amen. 

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

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