The Hand of The Lord - Part I

Ezekiel 37:1-14 

The book of Ezekiel was written by the prophet bearing the same name, which means "God will strengthen." A Hebrew from the tribe of Levi, he was among the elite of Judah who were captured by Nebuchadnezzar and carried away to Babylon.

We know that the vision that God gave to Ezekiel was speaking primarily to his fellow captives among the children of Israel. It must have looked as if their national identity was forever gone and they would never again return to their Promised Land. One purpose of this vision was to inspire Israel with hope that God would someday revive them as a nation.

This prophecy also speaks about what God will do for spiritual Israel, which is His church today. The theme of the vision is that God can resurrect dry bones and that He can literally bring life to that which is dead and inanimate. It is a message that He can revive His people and turn them into a mighty army.

It also speaks to us individually and assures us that no matter how dried up and worthless we may feel, God can and will restore us to life through His Spirit and His Word.

In the ancient world they believed that if the bones were strong and firm, then the soul was strong . God had taken Ezekiel to an actual battlefield where battles had been fought. As the prophet looks over the valley he see's that it is full of "very dry bones" (verse 2).
 

When something is "dry" what happens to it? It becomes parched, drained of life, in other words, these "very dry bones" symbolized a situation that looked completely hopeless in the natural.

In verse 3, God asked Ezekiel a question "can these bones live"? And with no reservations Ezekiel answers God with "Oh Lord God, Thou knowest."

God knows everything and He doesn't ask us questions, because He doesn't know the answer, He asks in order to get us to think deeply about what He has asked. At this point we either trust Him and have hope in Him or we don't. There is no in-between.

If Ezekiel had responded to God's question based on what he saw with the natural eye, he probably would have answered  "no way." Anyone can see that there is no life in these dry bones and they certainly cannot come back to life!

How many times have you faced a situation in which any possibility of recovery seemed to be impossible? What may appear hopeless and dead to you and me is actually a valley full of
possibilities and miracles for the Lord. It is through these times of tests and trial that God can and does reveal to us who He is and just how much He cares.

Again God speaks to Ezekiel to "Prophesy over these bones, and say unto them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord" (verse 4).

Can you imagine standing in the middle of a valley that is filled with dry bones and the Lord says to you to prophesy to them? How can something that is dead hear?

The word "Prophesy" in Hebrew is "Naba" and means: To cause to bubble up, to pour forth words abundantly, to speak by divine power.

In the New Testament it is described as the: "Dunamis Power" the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to "Prophesy" and speak forth the word of God with power and authority. The Holy Spirit is the fire that lights the dynamite that dwells in us.

We sometimes forget just how powerful the word of God is, because when the Holy Spirit and the Word of God speak that, that was once dead will come alive and live, and those who were spiritually deaf, will hear.

The word of God tells us in Isaiah 55:11 "So shall My word be ( to have life, breathe, exist and live) which goes forth (towards a point ahead in space or time) from my mouth; It shall not return to Me empty (void, lacking content or meaning), Without accomplishing (carrying through to completion, achieve, fulfill) what I desire, And without succeeding ( to turn out as planned, deliver, bear fruit) in the matter for which I sent it."

Wow! How could we ever doubt God, once we have read and understand what this scripture is saying to us. God doesn't let the natural boundaries of man's thinking or faith dictate to Him what His word can and will do.

Part II to follow.

Blessings,


 Elma Garlock 

A Word for 2015

 

 

    Many are asking me Lord, what's going to be new for me in this New Year? What new revelation are you wanting to bring forth and confirm to your people? I say, go to my word and seek out the truth. In Ecclesiastes David wrote "That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun.  But I say, everything comes full circle in the world I have created, everything and everyone goes through a series of changes that ultimately leads back to their original source of creation, and I AM, THAT I AM.

 

     In this time of world events you are experiencing major changes, change in the weather, in government and life as you have seen and experienced in the past. In my word I have warned you of last day events that would take place as the world stands at the door of eternity. I stand at the door of eternity, I ALWAYS WAS, I AM NOW, AND FOREVER I WILL BE.

 

     There are doors of opportunity that will be opened for my people due to the prayers of not only the saints of yesterday, but also because of the prayers of the saints today. For there is a time for everything and a seasons that bring change.

 

     Don't be deceived, for God is not mocked for what so ever a man sews, that will he also reap in these last days says the Spirit. What have you sown? and what have you done with the gifts I have given unto you? Some have locked them away as a treasure that is kept hidden so no one can see, but there are others that have shared their gifts and have changed the lives of people forever. I know your heart and I see the desire, and that desire will be fulfilled. For a refreshing rain is going to fall that will water the dry places and that, that has been hidden shall come forth with new life.

 

     What do I require is the word for today. Do I require sacrifice? No! Do I require the offerings of men? No! But what I do require is your faithfulness and faith. But I hear you say; God, I don't have enough faith and I feel like I haven't been faithful to the call; how can I go and how can I believe for the things you have spoken unto me? I say, trust me and you will see the salvation of my promise and the goodness of My heart. How can I move if you keep Me in your box all wrapped up with a bow? I say, take off the wrappings of who you think I am and what you think I can do.

 

     Don't rely on yesterdays manna or the rancid oil from days gone by. For today I do a new thing in your lives, and you will see Me work, speedily and swiftly upon the earth and in your life. For darkness is coming and life as you have know it shall change and those who have prepared me a habitation their will I dwell, but those who have denied me into that place will suffer and be effected by the enemies hand. This is a warning for all man kind!

 

     Look through the eyes of My Spirit and not the eyes of the world. Allow me to remove the veil that blinds you so you can see what's ahead.  This is a critical time in history and you were destined for this time. God has set things in motion that He will not stop, because there is destiny yet to be fulfilled in you and nothing that the enemy tries to do shall stop it. Keep focused and running, and reaching for the prize. For the vision is for an appointed time and the time is now! So decree and declare the word that I have spoken to you, because when you speak, those words are put into action and the gates of hell will not prevail against them or stop them. I say fulfillment is at hand so be encourage in this day, says the Spirit of God.

Blessings,

Elma Garlock
 

 

 

 



Part II "If You're Stuck - Then To Heal You Must Reveal"

                                          How Do We Get Unstuck?

     1. We make a decision not to walk in denial, but to walk in truth and forgiveness.

     2. We reveal, confess and bringing those hidden things into the light of God's word

     3. We make a decision not to run from the problem or our past and face them head on.

     4. We identify the problem, addiction, sin and any abnormal behavior.

     5. Take ownership and responsibility for our part in the healing, restorative and changing

          process.
     6. Trust God and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our life.

 

     So when we begin to "reveal", what are we doing?  We are uncovering all that was once hidden and veiled in darkness and exposing it to the light, and once the light comes in they become visible and open to view.

Let me ask you a question?

     When you hear the words "secret", "conceal" and "cover up" what things come to mind that are in your life?

     If we look up the word "hidden" in the dictionary it says; they are things that are unseen, buried, unknown, out of sight, obscure, shrouded and concealed.  So when we hide things, what are we really doing?  We are covering up the truth about ourselves or our circumstances. We are trying to keep from being exposed and becoming vulnerable, judged and rejected by people. Some of us have secrets that we've buried in a dark corner of our soul,( which make up the mind, will and emotions), and they have hardened our hearts. So in order for us to be healed emotionally, physically and spiritually they must be revealed and brought out into the light. Our growth, maturity, liberty and freedom are determined by our willingness to be honest and open with God and ourselves. But if we continue to keep things buried, they will eventually eat away at us like a cancer and effect our relationships and our intimacy with God.

In Ephesians 5:11, 13 tells us:
  
          Verse 11: " Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deed and enterprises of darkness, but instead (let your lives be so in contrast as to) expose and reprove and convict them".
          Verse 13:  "But when anything is exposed and reproved by the light, it is made visible and clear; and where everything is visible and clear there is light".

     Many times we wear masks of disguise and we masquerade as someone else. We walk in deception camouflaging our brokenness, hurt and weakness to the world and those around us.  We'll work hard to keep things hidden and in the shadows where they are obscured from view. But once the darkness is revealed and exposed to the light we it can not stay.

 But how does Satin use these secret, concealed and hidden things against us?

     1.  By blinding us from the truth.
     2. By building strongholds in our mind and hearts.
     3. By keeping us in emotional and mental bondage.
     4. By keeping us in torment, trauma, confusion, fear, doubt and unbelief.
     5. By persuading us that there is no hope or future.
     6. By robing us of our peace, joy and keep us bound to self pity.

     Ask yourself these questions.  Why am I keeping things hidden and who do I think I'm kidding?  Is it because of shame or guilt and why do I feel so condemned? I know this is a strong word and you may feel convicted, and that's a good thing, because beloved, God loves you to much to leave you where we're at, and that's "Stuck in your past". Some times we need to be challenged and take inventory of our life.  We also need to be honest and open to the quickening of the Holy Spirit and act on what He is telling us to do.

     We know that Satin is the ruler of this world and the kingdom of darkness. If we are consciously making the wrong decisions to have fellowship with darkness, then we are by an act of our own free will choosing darkness over light.

Going back to Ephesians 5, let's read verse 8 & 9 and see what the Lord is telling us.

     Verse 8:  "For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light".
     Verse 9:  "For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth".

The word "darkness" means: to be restrained, stopped and spiritual darkness.

     When we are overcome by "darkness" (sin), what happens? It blinds us from receiving or seeing the truth. We can't move forward or progress and we end up groping around in the darkness and stumbling through life as one who sleep walks. 

    And the word "truth" is:  Unveiled reality and facts that are lying at the basis of everything and everyone.

      Truth acts like a powerful laser beam that penetrates the darkness with light and can beam through the hardest of hearts and cut away the layers of deception.  It can slash through layers of sin and kill the cancer of bitterness, resentment, anger and unforgiveness. Truth will expose the deepest roots that are binding and blinding us from receiving, acting and standing in truth. Satins target has been our heart and our soul (which is the mind, will and our emotions) where he has planted seeds of deception, lies and a defeated attitude and mentality. But once the Holy Spirit shines the light of truth in our hearts, layers of hardness begin to be pealed away, a supernatural unveiling takes place, and the lies of the enemy are revealed.    

     Today many of us are standing at a crossroads in our life and ministry. There are decision we must make today that will catapult us into our tomorrows, and forever changing our destiny. We've been stirred in our spirit, but fear has held us back.  Are we willing to go through the fire of cleansing and the sanctification process?

     Some of us know exactly why we are stuck and we desperately want and need to be set free.  

John 8:36 " If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed".

 

     The word "free" means:  To deliver and liberate, being unrestrained and no more a slave.

     Beloved, Jesus wants to set us free, because when we are truly "free" we are able to act and respond to the will of the Father.  We are no longer bound to our past, but we are free to be who God has called us to be and free to move forward into God's promises and blessings. 

Blessings,

Elma Garlock


    




    

     

 

 

"Blog Update"

 

 

     In April of 2013, I injured my back and was unable to sit, stand or even concentrate for any length of time. It's only been in the last month that I have not been in constant pain.

     Through this whole experience there were times when I thought I would never be able to write or minister again, but God in his grace and mercy has touch me and I am in the process of recovery and now able to begin blogging once again.

     I will be posting part II of "In Order to Heal You Must Reveal" this week and pray that you will once again join me as I continue to bring messages from the word of God and a Prophetic word.

     May the Lord richly bless you as you continue to pursue the truth.


Blessings,

Elma Garlock 

Part I - If You're Stuck - Then To Heal You Must Reveal

     What does it mean to be "stuck"?  It means to be brought to a complete standstill, and what happens is we stop moving forward and progressing.  We either stay the same or we regress backwards and why?  Because we are bound by something or someone and it can obstruct our view and block us from moving forward.  We can become baffled, frustrated and confused, we lack focus and loose our hope.

     Does this sound like anything you have experienced in the past or maybe going through right now?

     All of us at one time or another have felt stuck or actually been stuck at a certain time and season of our life. Maybe it was in an addiction and we were chained to compulsive behavior? A bad relationship that was filled with verbal and or abusive actions. Or maybe you've been stuck in a job that was depressing, discouraging and going no where?  Maybe you said yes to something or someone and you really meant to say no and you feel trapped and bound because of your decision. Sometimes we become stuck in our thoughts and the way we filter things in our mind and confusion, dysfunction and hopelessness begin to overwhelm us. All can and do effect us very deeply and can cause us to act out in many ways such as:

     1. Alcohol and drug abuse

     2. Uncontrolled anger, unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness and depression

     3. Food addictions

     4. Physical, emotional or verbal abuse

     5. Sexual addictions and pornography

     6. Denial of past and or the present

     7. Stuck because of trauma in our lives

     8. Fears, phobias and self-pity

     9. Mind sets and wrong thinking

     These are just a few of the ways and areas we can get trapped in, caught up in and become paralyzed and held captive to. If we choose to remain stuck, we go nowhere; we can't move forward into any kind of stability or maturity and we can't progress spiritually or emotionally.  If we are not progressing and advancing;  we are regressing, loosing ground to the enemy and end up doing little that will promote healing, life or growth.  Our view of life and circumstances become distorted, our thoughts and perceptions becomes clouded and we end up loosing hope of things ever changing and a downward spiral begins.

     What some of us are experiencing right now are the effects and the consequences of the past and sometimes it comes rushing in and over whelms us.  When we are feeling overwhelmed, its like a tidal wave that overtakes us, submerges us into depression and oppression; we feel powerless, vulnerable and helpless to its ebbs and flows.

     A good example of being "stuck" is like being a puppet that is attached to a lot of strings and instead of the Lord being in control of your life, people, circumstances and situation end up controlling you.  These strings represent generational curses, fears, unresolved issues, bad decisions and destructive behavior that the enemy will use to control us with.
     This message was birthed out of a dream the Lord gave many years ago that was to show me what I was experiencing in life were the consequences of my rebellion, bad decisions, selfishness and generational curses. I had reached a point in my life when I became desperate for answers and needed solutions for my problems. As I prayed and sought God's face, His answer came in a way I never expected.


     In my dream I found myself standing in the middle of a large theater stage and attached to my head, arms and feet were strings that extended from the ceiling of the stage and went off to each side and also extended to the floor. I remember looking out in front of me where the audience normally would be seated but no one was their; I was all alone. Then as I looked to my left and right I could see curtains on either side that extended around to the back of the stage. As I stood their bound to the strings, I soon began to feel an unseen force moving, playing, directing and controlling my body and movements with the strings that were attached to me. Feeling helpless to its power my arms and legs performed against their will. Suddenly my head turned to look off to the right side of the stage and as I looked I noticed a figure standing just behind the curtain. Slowly the figure began to reveal itself to me and as the figure came into focus I saw that it was Jesus. He began to tell me that He had been watching me from behind the scenes for a very long time and was just awaiting for me to notice Him and ask for help. He let me know that I had allowed Satin to play me for a fool and that Satin had been in control of my life.  I knew the Lord, but had stepped out of fellowship and out of His will for my life. I had made the decision to follow my own will and way and that was the way of destruction. Once I realized what I had done the Lord and I set out to make things right.  He than began a healing and restorative process in me and I could truly relate to David when he wrote Psalms 40: 1 & 2 that says: 
           Verse 1:  I waited patently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.
          Verse 2:  He drew me up out of a horrible pit, (a pit of tumult which is a psychological or emotional upheaval and of destruction) out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and established my goings.


     If you look up the words "horrible pit" in Strong's Concordance this is the meaning it gives:  Destruction, tumult that is violent agitation of mind or feelings, horror, prison or a desolate place.
     And what is "miry clay"?  This is interesting that these words come from a root word that means:  Intoxication and is used figuratively to mean: Calamity.
     So what is the Lord telling us here? That He will reach down, pull us up and out of the prison of our depression, oppression, fears, anxiety and the confusion in our mind. Water the dry and barren place that lay parched and lifeless due to the turmoil in our life. He will seek out and find us in the rubble of our life; to rebuild us, restore us and reposition us for life.
     Even David found himself in that horrible pit, but what did David say that God did for him in verse 3 of Psalms 40?
          Verse 3:  And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.  Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord.


     Praise and worship was a weapon that God revealed unto David that would enable him to rise up and out of his emotional tumult. David learned early that when he called upon the Lord God, He would hear him, answer him and put a praise on his lips and a song in his heart.  God is no respecter of persons and what He did for me and David, He will do for you. HE LOVES YOU!


Next week Part II.
Blessings,
Elma Garlock

The Wind of New Beginnings - The Seven Winds of God

 

The Wind of New Beginnings

 

 

     We read in Genesis 6, 7 & 8  of the corruption of mankind. These scriptures tell us that the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth and every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. It goes on to say that the Lord was sorry he had made man on the earth and he was grieved in His heart.  God said: I will blot out man whom I have created because of their wickedness, but Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Then God said to Noah, the end of all flesh has come before me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth. God then instructed Noah to build an ark so that he,  his family, along with two of every kind of animal would enter the ark at an appointed time so they could live.

 

     So we learn that God was about to annihilate everything He had created in the beginning  that He had once called "good". He was going to bring the flood of water upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which resides the breath(ruwach, the vital Spirit) of life that He had breathed into man in the beginning. 

 

      If we go back to Genesis 3 we can see that the story of the fall of man began of course
with Adam and Eve.  God had made them in His own image, they were perfect and their bodies were eternal.  God had given them power and authority over every living creature and the earth and yet their lust to eat from the tree of good and evil was more desirable then obeying and trusting God.  God had given them the truth, which was His word when He instructed them not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, because He told them, for in the day that you eat from it, "you shall surely die."  Satin was cunning and deceptive and he used his persuasive power so they would doubt Gods word, reject Him and believe his lie.  It was then that deaths force entered the bodies of Adam and Eve. They lost the power and authority that God had originally given them; sin and death were cultivated and they came under a curse.


     As we continue in Genesis, let us go now to chapter 4.  This is the story of the birth of Cain and Abel, who were the sons of Adam and Eve. It says that in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground and Abel his brother, brought the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions.  And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain, God did not regard the offering he had brought before the Lord.  So Cain became very angry at his brother Abel, that ultimately led to the first written account of murder and the curse of his father Adam was put into action. Cain had no idea nor did he understand the repercussion of his action that day and how that one act of violence was the result of a generational curse.  Cain had opened up a door to the enemy that would ripple down through the generations and mans flesh would manifest itself through pride, rejection, selfishness, resentment, bitterness,  rebellion, strife, control, retaliation, insecurity, jealousy and every evil act or thought that man could conceive.  Another aspect of Cain's sin was his hostility towards God, which ultimately lead to disobedience, alienation from God and resulted in Cain being cursed a second time. 


   What is a curse?  It means: To bind as with a spell, to hem in with obstacles and to render powerless to resist. It is a defilement passed down from one generation to another.


     Scripture declares that the iniquities of one generation can be visited on the third and fourth generations and adversely affect future ones unless those sins are renounced (Exodus 20:4-5) These iniquities were passed down through Adam and Cain resulting in man becoming totally corrupted, violent,  idol worshipers who defiled their bodies with everything that was unnatural and the fruits of the curse being multiplied bountifully.  Their unrepentant hearts and their hostile attitude towards God ultimately lead to total disobedience and unbridled rebelling against Him and all that God had created.


     In Genesis 7 it tells us that: It rained for forty days and forty night and God blotted out from the face of the land all flesh that moved, all that was on the dry land whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died. There was a high price that was paid due to the iniquities of man.  


     But in Genesis 8 says that:  God remembered Noah (man) and all the beasts; and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the water subsided and God established a new covenant with man and the earth.  It was a "New Beginning" for man and all that God had created. God sent a wind to pass over (remove) the waters that had brought devastation, destruction and death to man and beast. Beloved, God wants to pass over you with "The Wind of New Beginnings".  He wants you to understand that some of the trauma and negative influences you have experienced in your life and in the lives of your family, past and present generations have been the results of "generational curses".  They have had a legal right to curse you, and why? Because of the sins of your forgathers.  Many times we know exactly what our inherited curses are because there are patterns we see repeated in family members, such as sickness and infirmity, poverty, divorce, adultery, drug abuse, alcoholism and etc. This cycle of abuse and negative influences can be stopped only through genuine repentance and asking the Lord to separate you completely from all of the sins of your forefathers and to cleanse you by the precious blood of Jesus. Remember, you are not guilty of your ancestors sins, but because of their sins, you have been affected by their influence.


     In I Peter 1:18b he wrote that we were "redeemed from our futile way inherited from our forefathers" as believers.  Satan may curse us, people may curse us, but it will not have any effect on us unless we believe it.  We may be experiencing the effects of generational curses, but we don't have to keep reaping and live under the influence of them. We cannot passively take our place in Christ - we must actively and intentionally choose to submit to God, resist the devil, and then the devil will flee from us. 


     Jesus has given us power and authority over the enemy through His name and through the power of His blood, but we must first put our own lives in order. Ask the Lord to reveal your ancestral sins and then renounce them as follows:


     Dear heavenly Father, please reveal to my mind all the sins of my ancestors that have been passed down through family lines.  Since I am a new creation in Christ, I want to experience my freedom from these influences and walk in my new identity as a child of God.  In Jesus name.


     Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the sins of your forefathers and then renounce them as He brings them to your mind.


Follow by decreeing this Declaration and Prayer

                                                                 Declaration

     I here and now reject and disown all the sins of my ancestors.  As one who has been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of God's son, I declare myself to be free from those harmful influences.  I am no longer "in Adam."  I am now alive "in Christ".  Therefore, I am the recipient of the blessings of God upon my life as I choose to love and obey Him.  As one who has been crucified and raised with Christ and who sits with Him in heavenly places, I renounce any and all satanic attacks and assignments directed against me, my health, my mind, my marriage my ministry and anything else the Holy Spirit shows you. Every curse placed on me was broken when Christ became a curse for me by dying on the cross (Galatians 3:13).  I reject any and every way in which Satan may claim ownership of me.  I belong to the Lord Jesus Christ who purchased me with His own precious blood.  I declare myself to be fully and eternally signed over and committed to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, having submitted to God and by His authority, I now resist the devil, and I command every spiritual enemy of the Lord Jesus Christ to leave my presence.  I put on the armor of God and I stand against Satan's temptations, accusations and deceptions.  From this day forward I will seek to do only the will of my heavenly Father.

                                                                      Prayer

     Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You as Your child, bought out of slavery to sin by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.  You are the Lord of the universe and the Lord of my life.  I submit my body to You as a living and holy sacrifice.  May You be glorified through my life and body.  I now ask You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit.  I commit myself to the renewing of my mind in order that I may prove that Your will is good, acceptable and perfect for me.  I desire nothing more than to be life You.  I pray, believe and do all this in the wonderful name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior.  Amen.

Blessings

Elma Garlock

Merry Christmas

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

FROM

 LOVE REACHING OUT MINISTRIES.

 

May your day be filled with

The joy of laughter,

The love of family and friends, 

And the peace that only Christ can bring.

 

We love you and pray for Gods blessings to flow in every area of your lives.

 

 

Dan and Elma